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Skirmish The Sacking of Kaas City [LOTS v TSE - Open To All]



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Kaas City
Dromund Kaas
864 ABY


The near-constant storm of the planet beat lightly against the windows - coalescing as they ran down the transparisteel to form miniature rivers. These found more until they were no longer visible along the pane. The storms of the planet were nearly constant, happening for thousands of years since the en masse sith experimentation the Sith Emperor Tenebrae had done on the planet before. Now, the rains were not known for being the product of Sith Alchemy, but rather the simple nature of the place - the infrastructure built to adapt, the people comfortable with it, and the good graces they sometimes have when faced with a sunny day.​
Today, however, was not such a day.​
The Pillars arrived one by one within the Capital, to discuss the quickly worsening situation around the Empire. From the War Campaigns of the NIO and GA to the arrival of Sith breakaways known as the Warlords and Lords of the Sith - one taking up arms on the galactic edge, the other finding a foothold on the world of Korriban. Things were dire for the Sith, and none among them were fools to it - even if the Propaganda Machine told the citizens all was under control.​
As the meeting began, and points were made - there would be a collective glance upwards as they could hear the rains change in pitch and intensity. It was not uncommon for the storm to do such, turning heavy in a moment's notice, but the noises that vibrated down from the dome were hardly that of normal rainfall. Lightning crackled in the distance, and the subtle whistle of the wind picking up began to creak into the city from all sides - but those of Force Sensitivity among the Pillars would feel exactly what it was.​
All at once, the noise would begin to cease - until only a few seconds later none existed within the room. No echo’s, no ambiance, the very nature of Sound seemed to become flat as the light began to fade and sputter - and within the blink of an eye, the form of a three-meter giant would appear among them. Clad in jet black robes that hung loosely all around it, with five electrum masks each carved with a line of the Sith Code, the blob of a being radiated darkness that even the less force-sensitive would feel, like a truck of energy slamming into them full force.​
Sith.”, it offered them in a harsh regal tone, as though it had to force the words through clenched teeth.​
Those who have propagated the Rule of Order.”, it continued.​
Failures.”, a child snarled, as whispers began to creep up from the darkness.​
We are the Worm Emperor, that of a thousand voices.”​
The Breaker of Chains.”, an angrier male voice said.​
And we come for something simple. For you to bend the knee, right your wrongs, and accept the failures you have propagated among the Sith.”​
As he spoke, a long and dangling arm began to rise from the robes - extended and jerky, it was a left hand that seemed more robotic and uncared for than truly human. Wrapped in all black wraps, it had no visible skin as it reached its apex around where the should of the first mask be.​
Or this planet, and this Empire, will burn.”, it offered.​
And all at once, they would feel what was occurring. Portals made from pure Dark Side energy would begin to form across the city - eating away at the material that surrounded them like small black holes, only for a moment later Legions of soldiers and Sith would flood out of them in droves. A dozen portals began, and a dozen portals would continue as alarms were engaged and forces were deployed in defense.​
Even one would form behind the Worm Emperor after a moment - his own Dark Council arriving behind him. Darth Bourous, a bald Chiss and the Will of the Emperor, Darth Apedemak, a massive sith spawn without eyes that carried with it a weapon the size of the Will, and a holoprojector of Qual’Al-Selim - the Eye of the Emperor, and assembler that worked intelligence on behalf of the great Worm himself. They each offered a glance to the collected Council, as though their numbers meant nothing when backed by the strength of doctrine.​
We offer you this one chance. Quell the weak, trim cancer you have created within the Sith, and see greatness once more; or fall to a death of a thousand cuts, from the Jedi, from the Imperials, and from greater Sith.”​

 

The Death of Avacyn
Animus Vox
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Kaalia wasn't sure why she had returned to her old home. The estate that once belonged to Dark Councilor Darth Avacyn now stood abandoned, a relic of a time not too long ago. A time when she still cared for this empire she had helped found. A time when Kaalia still believed she could make a difference. Even after stepping away from the Dark Council, she still believed that the ones at the helm could keep the empire from declining.

She had been wrong.

Nature was slowly reclaiming the house Kaalia stood before. It used to be her family's safe haven, a home at the heart of the empire. An impenetrable world. Now it merely seemed like a matter of time before Dromund Kaas too would fall to the endless assaults from countless fronts. The once-great empire was bleeding, something both Kaalia and her wife Ishana had noticed some time ago already. There was a reason why they didn't live here anymore.

Other Sith collectives had formed with the empire's decline. The Lords and Warlords had risen up to claim their place as the 'true' Sith, but their emergence only strengthened a growing realization within Kaalia. One that had left her conflicted for some time, but the needless suffering Darth Daiara Darth Daiara had gone through was the final straw. There was only one honest conclusion.

She was no Sith. Not anymore.

Flashes of energy drew Kaalia's attention to Kaas City, not too far off in the distance. Portals opened up; the Force warned her of danger. It was as though fate had decided Kaalia was to be here today, for the final time, to witness the true beginning of the end as she left it all behind.

One final glance at what was once her home. Kaalia turned on her heel and began her retreat to her ship. She did not mourn, for this place was not her home any longer.


Darth Avacyn was dead.
 
Between the attacks by the New Imperial Order and the Galactic Alliance, plus the appearances of two new Sith factions, it had become increasingly apparent the Sith Empire was being pushed further back. The GA had tried to deal a critical blow, but the Sith had managed to knock them back. But it wouldn’t be long before they tried again.

It was why Moirai was present on Dromund Kaas, concerned that an attack could strike the Capitol from either the Lords or Warlords of the Sith. The Pillars had assembled to discuss the ongoing matters, and naturally the Empress’ Hand was present.

Albeit, she wasn’t there to be present at the meeting. Thus she was allowed to own devices within Kaas City, although that was mostly just keeping watch for any suspicious activity. Standing atop a roof, rain pouring down against her helmet, droplets dripping down her faceless mask.

Something was stirring...even the storms seemed to be shifting and churning in the wake of something.

Moirai turned towards where the Dark Council were assembled, but something made her pause. A familiar presence, one she hadn’t felt within the proximity of Sith for a long time.

Kaalia.

Not missing a beat, she turned on her heel and pursued after the presence. Tracking it along rooftops until she could physically see the Kro Varian. She wasn’t sure why the former Valkyrie matriarch had returned to her old abode, but Moirai wasn’t about to let her leave that easily.

With a single Force Jump, the Sith launched herself from the rooftop and landed squarely between Kaalia and her ship. Moirai turned around to face the Kro Varian, revealing her armoured visage.

Kaalia Pavanos. Returned to the Empire after so long, for what? To pick away at the pieces you tossed away?

The modulated accent was familiar, but its tone was not.

Devoid of all former emotion.

 

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Sleep was always something difficult to achieve for the young Sith. Nightmares plagued her mind day after day, so when the exhaustion hit and she was finally able to pass out, she didn't fight it. There was only an hour of blissful dreamless sleep before the nightmares began all over again. Flashes of blasters. Ringing of crystals. Searing pain in her arms. The oppressive darkness of the strong. As always she shot awake in a cold sweat, unable to remember the details. Just the feelings.

No, that wasn't left over from her dreams.

The beating of her heart only quickened as pure dread filled her heart. She knew this feeling. The Worm Emperor. They were here. All around she could feel his power spread. The Flow was overwhelmed by more and more of these signatures. Of Sith she knew. The Lords had come. They were here too soon. Dread turned to panic as she threw off her blankets and hurried to get dressed. Armor. Her sabers. There was only one thought that was running through her mind.

Darth Strosius Darth Strosius .

Practically kicking open the door to her room she rushed out into the hallway. She wasn't the only Sith to feel what was happening. But they didn't matter. She wasted no time barreling down the hallway, fully submerging herself into Matukai. She needed to find him. Why, she wasn't even sure of. Convince him to leave? Join her?

What side was she even on?

Regret of so casually hopping the border and sides flooded her mind. Too many loyalties. Too many bonds. All she'd done was chain herself more. She clicked on her com as she ran, desperate to reach the only person who's loyalty she truly did give.

"Master, what do we do?"

Taeli Raaf Taeli Raaf
 

The Death of Avacyn // Confronted by Vaylin Vaylin
Angel Blade
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"Vaylin."

There was no doubt in Kaalia's voice. The mask and modulated voice couldn't hide the face behind it.

The woman would've been surprised had she been able to leave undisturbed, and out of everyone who would find her, there was nobody more fit to confront her than Vaylin. They were sisters in arms, once. The matriarch and the elder, standing side by side to face the enemies of the Sith. The redhead didn't regret a single moment of that, but the future demanded her take a different path. It would seem the new matriarch had something to say about that. Perhaps the Force had willed it, perhaps she had invited this herself. Ultimately, that didn't matter.

"I needed closure. To finally let Avacyn die," she replied, not a tinge of hesitation to be found in either her voice or demeanor. An open defiance to the beliefs the empire was built on. "Now I truly realize that there's nothing left here for me."

Kaalia took a step forward, signalling she wasn't afraid to be confronted. She still cared about the zabrak. They had been through the worst war and death had to offer together. Perhaps Vaylin's emotions were cut off, but Kaalia's weren't.

"Take off the mask. We're no strangers."
 
Prophet of Bogan
It was supposed to be a normal day today.

"Pull back! Everyone get into the city now!"

A simple day.

"Run and do not look back!"

All the he had to do all day was to help set up for a charity event later on in the week. Move some tables and chairs to the right places, make sure all the mics were working, get all the 'chefs' to agree to what food they would bring for the event, simple things like that.

"Oh for Force's sake. There's more of them!"

And now he found himself ushering his congregation towards the inner city as alarms blared and portals began appearing around the city.

Just my fething luck.

Alisteri inwardly cursed over and over as waved people on, gesturing for them to rush toward the city proper as fast as they could. For a moment he was almost reminded of his time on Dantooine, helping the citizens to evacuate to the bunkers as the battle began. The only similarity here, was that there would be a lot of innocent lives ended if they weren't fast enough.

Even as he eyed the oncoming Legions hitting the outskirts of the city, even as he hurried his cult to run to safety, even as he prepared to buy them some more time to escape by joining the defense, there was one person that occupied his thoughts above all else.

Alina Tremiru Alina Tremiru , I hope that you're off somewhere. Anywhere but here.

With any luck she would be, but just in case he was about to cut a swathe towards the academy. Well, after he ensured that the outskirts were as devoid of civilians as they could be. He had no idea what was going on, but he refused to allow any of these...whoever they were to harm even a single one of his congregation. And Force help them if they even thought of harming his Alina.
 
Moirai said nothing as she simply stared, an expressionless mask just looking back at Kaalia. Her hands moved, twitching at her sides. Fingers sliding against the hilt of the swords she had on either hip. But she made no move to draw them, if anything it seemed to be an almost habitual tick, as if the only thing Moirai had been doing was fighting.

That it was her default instinct.

Nothing happened for almost a minute, before the Hand reached up towards her helmet. There was still some measure of Vaylin in her, that didn’t just outright dismiss the request.

Moirai placed a hand over her mask, fingers sprayed out across its face. A slight hiss echoed out, drowned by the chaos erupting around Kaas City. Slowly, she pulled the mask away revealing her face to Kaalia.

It was pale, deathly so. Her skin almost looked like it was ‘cracking’, the area around her eyes were dark, highlighting the pair of deeply corrupted amber.

After her time torturing Allyson Locke, where Moirai had found...nothing. She had spiralled further into darkness than she had ever before. For the last vestige of emotion she held died with the Corellian.

Vaylin is dead.

 

The Death of Avacyn // Confronted by Vaylin Vaylin
Angel Blade
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The price of power, many called it. Kaalia didn't flinch as she laid eyes on Vaylin's visage, but it did remind her of the path she could've easily been on herself had she never met those closest to her today. A certain solemnity crept into Kaalia's features as she witnessed the final vestige of her transformation into a true weapon. It pained her to see the zabrak like this, someone who was losing what made power worth having in exchange for even more of it. It was upsettingly ironic.

Where there once was a person behind those eyes, there was only a hint of that left. It felt utterly wrong, as though somebody else occupied Vaylin's form. Part of the redhead doubted if her friend was still there, but she hadn't given up on anything she cared about that easily. Vaylin was aware of that fact- after all, she was there with her when Kaalia journeyed into the Netherworld to rescue Ishana.


“Vaylin is dead.”

"I don't believe you."

Kaalia's words were resolute, direct. Perhaps Darth Moirai was the one firmly in control, but Kaalia was convinced that the true self couldn't be killed. Another step forward. If Vaylin truly was gone, then Moirai would have to prove it beyond the shadow of a doubt.

"Avacyn became part of me because I needed her. I let her die when I realized I no longer did," Kaalia continued, keeping her eyes affixed to the zabrak's. She didn't see her drawing the weapon on her.

"You didn't create Vaylin, Darth Moirai." A direct acknowledgement of her existence. Whatever Carnifex had done to her had made Moirai stronger, overpowering the person she used to be. "I don't believe she can die."
 


Dromuund Kaas
864 ABY


The portals opened with extreme prejudice, some unfortunately placed ones nearly collapsing buildings as they ate away entire support pillars. Luckily, Maliphant's own was far from the more dangerous ones - barely in the street around them as legionnaires rushed past him into the city. Urban combat in such a large, nearly uncoordinated level was highly complicated, and he chose not to worry himself with the details the generals had meticulously planned out for days; rather enjoying watching the dangerously efficient movements of special forces move into buildings, search for known hidden caches, offices, and a number of other high priority targets.

Maliphant, like many of the Sith, was here to distract and display their power. The more attention they could draw, the better it was for the Legions - and that is exactly what he would do. As soon as he was clear of the armies that trailed from the teleporter with him, he let his hand extend - and within his pale fingers, black smoke twisted itself into the form of a staff that began to feed its dark energies across the entire planet. Overwhelming even the alchemized storms that ravaged the planet at all times - it was a bright white beacon calling as many sith as it could to him.

Some, not too far away were the first to appear; but their force energies were pitiful. He couldn't help but frown as the staff tapped the grown, lifted them from the ground, then slowly drained what pittance of power they held into the gaping maw of the bone dragon's mouth. When their corpses were nothing but husks, he dropped them with the Force and glanced back around him.

"Let's hope someone of interest shows up soon, I need something to show for my efforts here...", he said quietly to himself, waiting for the next group to find him and his staff.

 
The living gargoyle that was Asminys Zu crouched atop a stonework visage of the same while her eyes peered down at the people below. It was relaxing to observe so many potential targets. The solitude allowed her time to reflect on the countless ways any number of lives could be snuffed out in an instant. Some played sports. Others select teas. Zu knew only how to hunt.

Which is why this pastime of hers was both enjoyable and full of suffering. She was a living instrument of death, but a blade did not wield itself. There was no command to kill any of those below. No overwhelming knowledge that any of them deserved to die.

Until they appeared.

She felt the portals as they opened and immediately her upper body dropped between her knees as her eyes scanned the area. All consuming spheres of darkness that gave way to intruders. Self-appointed targets that a living weapon could target freely. Sweet crimson release.

The nearest gathering began to forms ranks in preparation to lay siege to the city. Zu didn't pay any attention to those cut down on the street. Minimizing casualties was not high among her priorities. This was all but an excuse. Her purpose became as clear as glasteel -- end them. With that in mind, the dark fey-like creature shot from the gargoyle's head and plunged toward toward the streets below. Two curved blades were unsheathed as she fell toward her prey.

Fools they were not, however. Blasters pivoted and unleashed bolts that sought to greet her before she even got close.

As the bolts shredded Asminys, her would-be killers found themselves confronted with not one but five shadowy figures plunging toward them. Doubtlessly they did not hesitate to turn their weaponry on the sudden increase in hostiles.

Asminys focused on shifting from one image to another when the aim of those firing below were true. Before the last two fell, her eyes fixed on a spot off-center within their ranks. The rending of space mattered not. She bound among the bodies after vanishing from above and reappearing between them. Blades swept, clashed, and knocked them all aside.

After shooting through them she found a solid connection in flesh of one in the near the center of this gathering. One she hoped was somehow important. The chaos and the suffering was all she required of this first exchange. For as soon as blade coated the edge of her blade, the dark figure vanished.

Laughter echoed from atop a nearby wall where the dark skinned woman lifted her blade to sample the blade with the tip of her tongue. Asminys then fell back to the other side of that wall taunting them to follow. As a single assailant herself against a larger force it wouldn't do well to just stand there and fight them. Even if blasters couldn't be turned inward, there would be Sith among them. Better to harass them and draw some of their force away. Somewhere they could play.

] Open [​
 
With a slow step Arthos emerged from the portal as he gazed around Kaas City with eyes reborn. It hadn't changed much it seemed, and that he found all the more dissatisfying. Looking over the masses he wondered how many of these pitiful creatures were controlled as had been the last of the Empire's creatures he'd seen. No wonder they'd had such difficulty with their strongest ascending, they'd been held down by their own personal restrictor bolt.

The unmistakable feel of the staff Darth Empyrean Darth Empyrean carried around resounded near him as Arthos ushered his forced forward with a flick of his finger. They knew what to do, and it wasn't to hunt and kill. This was a raid was it not? Artifacts and knowledge, and anything worth taking would find it's way back with the Consul's legion and from there it would be used properly.

Unrushed he walked through the street as the legions moved forward amid the wailing of klaxons summoning the Empire's soldiers. "Such a shame, maybe we should have sent out invitations for the party before we arrived. Give it a moment though, Maliphant, I'm sure they're gathering the strength for the counter. After all the wise among them must realize where we can go out they can go in. A calculated risk, but one that may find the strong among them."
 
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Location: Capital District, New Kaas City - Dromund Kaas
Tags: Cato Demora Cato Demora

The gates had fallen.

The traitor legions of the Worm swarmed the heart of his Empire, profaning the city via their foul presence as they tore through the streets. As a veteran of Bastion, UX-0626 had seen first hand how the heretics could profane a formerly beautiful city, especially having fought for her survival in a failed mission to capture what was once the Imperial Capital Compound.

Their rout on Bastion had held far reaching negative consequences for the Empire. Now, they were manifesting within the heart. It went without saying that the she was tired, having seen combat across many different fronts over the last few weeks, her body and mind weary from the pounding abuse of war. Nevertheless, for a soldier of his Eclipsing Mission, forward was the only option. Death was inevitable, but with it came rebirth and salvation for the most worthy.

She would not fail in proving that she was such.

By the time she arrived, the traitor legions had already consolidated across the city, establishing various forward operating points and command centers near the portal translation areas. Success would demand that these areas be swiftly re-captured before the enemy could move in heavy equipment and weaponry, such as artillery, AA guns, and large prefabs which would allow them to sustain a prolonged occupation of the city. However, the battle was still a defensive effort, as the traitors had gained the overwhelming initiative by virtue of mounting such an unexpected and devastating assault.

It was in the Capital District where the most intense and savage of the fighting was concentrated, and it was there 626 had been deployed. The sniper fought on the front lines with her triad and many others, offering long range fire support, where normally she might have been close to the rear to act as overwatch. Nevertheless, her shots still found their marks. Blue orbs of fusion plasma were cast forth from the pulse cannon in her hands, exploding as they struck Duraplast armor and boiling the wearers alive as the heat burned through soft flesh. One was struck down as they advanced between barricades, two shots finding their mark in the soldier’s chest. Another fell as he looked out from cover, the fusion plasma bolt incinerating his brains, leaving behind what effectively amounted to a decapitated corpse.

“Keep fighting, Qoritottoi! For his Empire! For the true Sith’ari!” Her triad leader called out, before a bolt from a charric rifle struck him in the chest.

“Cover me, 626!” Her squad mate yelled, as he moved to pull his body back into cover, alive or dead.

She did not hesitate in sending more fire down the streets towards the advancing traitor legionnaires, but the pulse cannon was threatening to burn her hands as the frame grew hotter with each successive shot. Fortunately, she had something to show for her efforts, in the form of two more dead traitors as her bolts caught their skulls, but there was always another enemy to replace a dead one, a harsh truth which she had borne witness to on Bastion and Helgard.

The unwashed hordes would come, unceasing, Until Death.


 
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Dromuund Kaas
864 ABY


Stomach still churning, Cato repeated to himself beneath the helmet how much he hated teleportation. It was a common practice for the Worm, using his uncanny ability in the Force to move large forces - even without aggressive intent, a Legion appearing with no warning was enough of a surprise to any would-be resilient element to simply surrender their position, be it political or military. Now, however, it was certainly meant to allow them quick access to the soft underbelly of Dromuund Kaas itself - and within it, the golden seat of the Empire itself, target-rich and full of extremely valuable assets.

His feet carried him forward as another trooped glanced back to him - the green visor looking him over with a soft glow before the encoded voice of the Death Trooper rang out;

"Crown.", he said, adding a secondary layer of anonymity in the combat environment.

"Sniper. Twenty-Second Floor, east building in the plaza. Plasma rounds coming quick and accurately.", the soldier offered with a quick glance to a barrier across the street from them. In its depths, there was a medic desperately attempting to cool the plasma residue that clung to a man's chest - his cries softening as it began to burn into his lungs. Cato had seen that kind of wound enough to know he was already dead.

"We need their position.", Cato offered back with a sigh, glancing about for a fallen soldier nearby before realizing that they were all far from his covered area. With a frown, he released the sealant on his helmet and took it off - handing it to the soldier before him.

"Poke this out when I say so."

The soldier nodded as Cato moved to a different position, pulling a pair of electrobinoculars from his hip. The other put the helmet on the end of his weapon, waiting for the signal.

"Now!", Cato called out as he lifted himself over the barrier to look at the various windows. The man poked the helmet from the corner - its lit eyes looking identical to a soldier's helmet peaked just far enough out to be considered a scouting unit at the distance - especially with its sensor muddling nature.

All Cato needed was the sniper to show herself, a single shot would do.

UX-0626 UX-0626

 
Confusion, chaos, and disorder were the natural enemies of an army. The Lords had sewn all three into the heart of the Empire with their movement, and their pillars were struggling to react it seemed while under direct duress themselves. It was also quite possible Arthos realized that they'd simply put so many troops on the frontier their heart was lacking it's normal defenses. Either way he understood it, he hadn't even known a thing like a dark side portal was possible in truth, and for an entire attack force to suddenly be on your streets? Difficult to anticipate to be sure.

Still as he stalked the streets behind his troop he had made the solid decision to profit personally through this raid. Glancing his eyes skywards he wondered how long the Empire's naval forces in orbit would hold fire. He supposed so long as the pillars were here they would be forced to, but if they got out of the city this could quickly turn ugly. He had resolved to be gone by then, but then that was the plan for the entire force he supposed.

There was plenty to pillage, but he was more specific in his desires, very specific. Oddly enough what he wanted to steal should have belonged to him by all rights anyway. It had been his hands on the project when his former master had died, and it should have remained in his hands. Turns out death without a proper heir though caused things to go to the state, and well the state was never good at returning. After that transfer he needed enough funds to keep it going, and reconfigure it.

He'd have attended the issue himself, but that would only have drawn more attention. Instead he simply listened to the reports as a pair of squads subdued the bank and it's security. Glancing back over at Darth Empyrean Darth Empyrean as it occurred to him there may be more to gain here then his own simpler ambition he considered what else might be worth taking. "A well played move on an exhausted foe. Perhaps I'm being a bit ambitious, but what dark delights of power is that staff of yours sensing? Maybe we can make this trip can strengthen us after all."
 


"It does.", Maliphant said with some disappointment as Arthos was the first to approach him - besides the countless untrained soldiers who had attempted to take down a Sith Lord of his caliber.

Writing off another actually approaching them for the time being, Maliphant began striding down the street as the staff clicked its impervium spike against the duracrete of the walkways. The Force rolled from the staff as speeders and objects tore themselves from the ground and slid out of the way - making a wide path for the two Sith Lords to walk, finding themselves standing over nothing of note as Maliphant stopped and glanced down.

"One moment.", he said quietly, more to himself than to Arthos.

Resting two hands not the staff he closed his eyes and slowly pressed the sharp spike into the ground - cracking the duracrete as it was punctured. After a few moments, the dark side of the planet began to focus itself in the staff as it glowed - becoming a tidal wave of dark side energies that began to swirl around them. Harsh, all encompassing, it was in a league of all its own before Maliphant opened his eyes and took a step back.

"I would get some distance.", Maliphant offered off handedly before he settled himself nearly fifty meters away.

When they were settled, he would tap the ground - and the resulting ping of metal on duracrete echo'ed through the plaza before a righteous lightning bolt strode from the infinite storm above them. Nearly blinding them, a deafeningly loud snap thundered through the city as Maliphant put an arm up to protect his eyes - while the force protected his ears. When the dust settled, and the ground ceased its shaking, they would have a glimpse at what he had done.

A massive, hundred meter hole had formed in the earth - pipes of water and sewage torn from their place and vaporized as they were sent into the atmosphere, leaving nothing but waterfalls of grey water falling into the void. At the bottom, a small set of fires raged - letting them know he had hit his mark with surprising accuracy. A bunker far beneath the ground owned by one of the numerous Sith Lords on the planet remained - and within the Dark Side reeked like rot.

"I believe we have found some dark delights, Lord Vynea.", Maliphant said as he brought a foot partially over the edge and leaned down to look upon his work.

Arthos Vynea Arthos Vynea

 


New Kaas City

"Supreme Excellency we...have a situation."

The dark side congealed tightly within the blackened room that neither light nor sight could penetrate. An adjutant spoke out to the Sith Emperor within the darkness. The figure stood back from the door and it was as far as he could go, the pain to walk closer to the being within once seals on the doors opened was too great. The room and the being felt like a hurricane nestled within a hurricane, a burning star whose heat threatened to melt the exterior walls with its fury. The expression on the figures face was one of sheer awe, tears welled at the sight of its wonder in the corners of his eyes. The uttered voice that followed was that of a rumbling volcano.

"I know."

Shortly...

Chaos. Battle raged within the beating heart of the Sith Throneworld as attackers emerged from portals all over the city. The response to any conflict was swift. Imperial National Security. The Order Police. A highly militarized, well equipped, well funded police force and its legions responded first, supplied by intelligence from the spy network of the Security Police supplied it with intel and portal emergence sites, and the armored police responded. The call for military and sith order intervention would come and they would respond in time, along with their war droids. No capital in the galaxy was defended like Dromund Kaas. In the government zone and pivotal areas of importance, a full Onslaught Corps of the Blackblade Guard responded. The single greatest army in modern galactic history of biologically and cybernetically enhanced super humans. In strategic zones there was no doubt that battles turned into bloodbaths.

It was deep within the thick of it that a different portal opened.

Deep in the midst of battle between both sides, the baleful glow of a portal belching the enemy that raced in a lightning fast ambush of the police. Surprise was their ally taking advantage of the time it would take for the tiger, the giant to respond. Between both sides a lone figure emerged wrapped in a dark robe, and the very appearance of this gigantic figure was enough to cease the conflict on the street for a few moments. But that was all the Dark Lord needed. The giant thrust his hand outward and from it came a blast of crimson lightning so destructive, so large it swept down the size of a city block.

It brought ruination and a screaming death to all who were caught within its fury, bodies closer were simply vaporized while those at a distance merely fell into charred heaps or blasted in various directions. When the lightning faded the giant merely swept down the street, his boots crunching underneath broken bodies. When they came for him a single gesture sent them all ten feet into the air, pinned against the wall while all life was choke from their throats.

"I'm not here for you."


 


"Speak on our behalf.", the Worm offered them as his massive form turned towards the opening in the wall they had created.

The Council would simply nod - accepting their fate as the 'diplomats' in their gunboat summit. The Fist of the Emperor, eyeless and violent as ever, moved carefully to stand between the Emperor and the rest of the pillars - while Qual'Al-Selim's hologram seemed to jitter before her assembler form began to speak;

"And then there were three.", she offered emphatically.

The Worm, however, seemed to snap from existence all at once - leaving the others to their theological debate. For a brief moment, the city would lose the sensation of the Worm before he would reappear once more; his presence washing over the city like a tsunami, nearly driving back the weak-willed from presence alone. Five masks, like pillars cloaked in black, stood at the opposite end of the street from the Dark Lord Darth Prazutis Darth Prazutis - and the masks were as emotionless as ever.

Void black eyes focused on the Dark Lord as the Emperor spoke, his tone regal.

"Darth Prazutis.", it offered - taking emphasis on the title of Darth, a sign of respect among the Sith. But in only a moment, darkness spread to the edges of Prazutis's vision - and he would feel a thousand mouths begin to whisper, two thousand eyes upon him, and many more hearts beating in the metaphysical distance.

"Victim of Nepotism.", a woman chided.

"A False Sith'ari.", a man followed.

"An Empire given, not an empire earned.", a child remarked.

"Know I do not hold hate for you - nor do any of us.", the original tone offered once more.

"But we will correct the error of the Zambrano's lineage, stop their legacy from corrupting the Sith further. It is not too late to supplicate yourself, to learn to be Sith once again. Simply acquiesce, turn on the Empire you and your peers have made, and make right what your line has wronged.", it offered without moving.

 
Almost instinctively, Moirai took a step backwards before she caught herself doing it. She immediately held her ground, resting a hand atop one of her sword’s pommels. Moirai's reaction to Kaalia was though she was an enemy, not the ‘Sister in all but blood’ that Vaylin once saw her as.

Vaylin became a husk, nothing more than an empty shell. What is that, if not death?

An audible growl emanated from Moirai’s throat, a warning in response to Kaalia taking another step forward. Further steps would be met with the Zabrak placing her remaining hand to her other sword, then sliding them down to grasp the hilts, ready to draw.

The final straw had been Allyson Locke Allyson Locke . She had the Corellian captured, tortured for days on end. Chasing the fleeting anger she had towards her, for the part she played at the start of all this.

In hindsight, that time had been when Moirai had finally started to surface. Vaylin might’ve been there on the first day, but by the end she had already begun to slip away.

Before that was you, Kaalia. You left Vaylin all alone, abandoning her to take charge of the Sith Valkyries. The last person she had left that she could go to when times were rough.

What Moirai spoke of was the complete opposite to what had happened at the time. Vaylin had replied to Kaalia’s letter, honoured to take on the responsibility, sad that she was leaving, but happy that the Kro Varian was shifting her focus to her family. But at the same time, Vaylin had never openly spoken of her issues with Kaalia…

And of course, Darth Carnifex Darth Carnifex . The one who set us down this path, to create me. By the end Vaylin regretted her decision that day, came to resent him. And oh...we couldn’t have that. She would’ve threatened to try and undo all this work, for what? To reclaim something as fickle as emotion?

Sith strive for power, it was in their nature. And it was also the nature of those that stood above, to manipulate those beneath them. Whether to ensure they didn’t rise further, or to raise them up as useful tools. The former Sith Emperor was that to Vaylin, manipulating her at a time when she was vulnerable, moldable. Offered her power, omitting the fine print of the ritual.

But the irony is, that even Carnifex wasn’t the one that started this. Oh, that honour lays with Adriana Fortemps Adriana Fortemps . The one that broke wittle Vaylin’s heart. If it hadn’t been for her, the first domino wouldn’t have fallen.

 

The Death of Avacyn // Confronted by Vaylin Vaylin
Angel Blade
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A husk. That much Kaalia could sadly not deny. The distance she had slowly been building between the Sith and herself had given her a different perspective, one where the corrupted visage of the woman named Darth Moirai was much more upsetting than before. It was a painful admission to have to make to herself. For a fleeting moment, Kaalia wondered how Aria Vale would've reacted. At one point, she had been one of Kaalia's closest confidants and was Vaylin's master until her disappearance. Without her, Kaalia and Vaylin would've been nothing but strangers.

Kaalia stood her ground too as Moirai spoke, a solemn look overcoming the woman.

First, blame was placed on Allyson. Kaalia's mind cast back to her short confrontation with the Corellian, remembering the anger she herself felt that day. Perhaps it had been misplaced, but the hurt she had caused her friend was something she hadn't been able to forgive. Whether she had been aware of it or not.

Second, Kaalia herself. Guilt came first, but soon after helplessness took its place. She had been overwhelmed by her responsibilities at the time. Her family, an apprentice in dire need of intense guidance, and the Valkyries on top of that. Something had to give, but Kaalia had refused to let it be herself. She had done what she could to be there for Vaylin, and even left the door open for the zabrak to find her in times of need, but no message ever came. Kaalia had tried.

Third, Carnifex. Another victim by his hand. Darth Morrow and her children had been the first to be subjected to the former emperor's torment. That had been the first step towards Kaalia's eventual abandonment of the Sith. Vaylin's torment had only fed that flame of discontentment. Deep down, Kaalia craved revenge.

Finally, Jorryn. Kaalia had warned the zabrak from the start, but even she had not been able to foresee just how dire the consequences ended up being. The fall could've been prevented further down the chain still, but this one stung the most.

Ultimately, Kaalia had fallen short. But this was not the way she would accept it.

"I did not abandon you. Don't tell me you've forgotten all the times I had to keep you from shouldering too much. How about the very letter I wrote you when I left? The door was always open and you were aware of that," Kaalia replied in defense.

If you ever wish to speak to me, you know how to reach me. The exact words written in the letter. Vaylin's isolation had been her own doing.

"That door is still open, and it will be until you slam it shut yourself. There is exactly one person left in this empire that I still care about, and that is you." Despite the hostile words, Kaalia still wouldn't give up on Vaylin. It wasn't in her nature.
 
He'd taken Maliphant's words seriously, but he hadn't expected anywhere near as powerful a blast as had struck the ground. The gaping hole was a rather pleasant surprise though as walked over to see water pouring into some poor Sith Lord's center of power. How unfortunate for them. Squeezing the pipe through the force he sealed the leak before putting a foot over the edge when he heard the roar behind him. Apparently someone did want to come play after all. Apparently though they didn't want anyone less then the Emperor himself.

"Well now a Kaggath for an entire empire would be fortunate indeed. Ah well, coming?" With that he jumped in slowing his descent as he reached inside the compound itself. Quite a handy staff that, too bad he was such a poor artificer himself. Ah well the things that were left to learn.

Darth Empyrean Darth Empyrean
 

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