Private The Scars of Old

[Amur]

The planet Yavin IV had seen a lot over it's life from the time when tribal Sith Purebloods reigned supreme to the turning point of a Rebellion where the the planet laid on the precipice of destruction. It was that moment of near death that would ultimately bring the Sith Amur out to the planet. As she walked through it's thick forest and jungles there was a certain thought running through as well you couldn't help but ponder what could of been. What would have happen if the Planet Yavin had been blown to pieces with most of the Rebellion. Would the Empire still have fallen, or would it be ruling a thousand year reign unchallenged or would have history and fate demanded it's fall and the truth would that it didn't matter what happened things would have worked themselves in a way that the outcome would still be the same. Interested food for thought as the answer told a lot about the rest of your outlook on the world. Amur well she thought the whole idea of planet killer being such a gross farce of a idea. If one needed to kill planets to make a point then in a way you failed to cement your rule and your point. It was a sledgehammer approach to a chronic toothache. In a way she thought the trends would have still eschew the Empire's death. It may have just taken longer and been through other means.

Though a philosophical mental monologue was not why she came to Yavin IV. No it was the vast crater that she was walking along working towards a noted cave entrance to begin an expedition. While nature and time might have hid the evidence this crater was formed directly as a result of wreckage from the Deathstar when it was destroyed that one faithful day. A large surface piece and gone into a decaying orbit and eventually crashed down scrapping it way across the earth and leaving this one permanent gash in the serene forest. It tore away so much of the ground that what was left was just above the permafrost and ice that formed underneath. The ice started the heat up, gas trapped underneath starts building up in pressure and soon the crater grows and the ground now churns itself for hundreds of years.

Over the course of time parts of this planets history starts to be dug up from fossils, to stone and oddly enough tribal tools, and markings dating from thousands of years ago. Curiousity prompts exploration and soon you have a once collasped cave system rediscovered one that has ties to the Sith in one way or the other prompting a response, especially when the archaeological signs point that this cave system once may have been a tomb or site of worship and practice. That was what got the Sith Empire interested and that was why the knight Amur was sent to explore and investigate under the eye and supervision of one Darth Malevolum

She didn't know much about her and upon seeing the way she presented herself had decided against prying to deeply into sensitive subjects. She knew what it was like to get stares and endless question over the why and how of your scars and left. If you wanted to find out you start by just letting those questions stay silent. Instead you try to work with and gain trust so they could be comfortable revealing that to you and that's what she was hoping to get out of today.

Darth Malevolum

 

[Darth Malevolum]

Yavin IV, it was a world that held a rather convoluted history. In times of old, it was a site of darkness and terror, a jungle where the dark side reigned and it's creations walked the planet. It's history had changed back and forth since then, but in the distant past it had been a symbol of rebellion, as the Death Star of the long dead Empire had met it's end here, marking the return of chaos to the galactic scales of balance. It was a sad thought. Order, no matter how hard it had been fought for, was always at risk to rift raft and rebels.

Their 'mission', if one were to call it that, was to investigate a newly discovered impact site of some of the Death Star's wreckage; to their fortune, it had seemed to unearthed a tomb in the process. The individual in her presence was unusual to say the least. This Amur woman was something of a mystery which she would have to unravel, not here of course, but all in due time. The Ines was providing over-sight of the excavation site, using it's scanners to pinpoint just where the tomb was, and how deep it went; though that did little to comfort the excavation team that was at work here.

Thankfully, they wouldn't need to stay with the team; who given how loud they were in setting up, they were due to be attacked soon. Standing in the main base, she was in communication with her capital ship, as it was giving off it's readings. "My lord, we've found several scans that pick up high levels of alchemical metal fragments within this region of the crash site." A small highlighted grid of the site lite up, indicating that the cave network they were looking for would be within those coordinates. It wasn't long before her escorts, two moderately armed storm-troopers, stepped up from behind; funny, they thought they would be allowed to come with her. She said nothing, her eyes flickering between Amur, and map displayed. "You two stay with the team. Your company will only hinder our progress." She spoke with the same emotionless tone she had always had.

She had no use for them. The two troopers seemed more than happy to let the Sith continue on alone, as they quickly pulled back to be with their fellows, leaving Malevolum and Amur to their own devices, as the rest of the researchers were busy mulling over their work. Malevolum looked to the Knight, the eye implants always seemed to make people uncomfortable, and yet this Amur woman didn't seem out off by her one bit. Curious. "Are you ready to depart? It would be prudent to get to the tomb before the other lords. You should know just how greedy some of them can be when it comes to relics of the past." This would be a good way to get a read on this Amur woman as well. Her lightsaber hilt hung from her belt, as the metallic nails of her suit drummed against the weapon. It was time to see if this 'Amur' was always so stoic, or if it was just an act; Malevolum was all to aware what horrors lingered in ancient Sith tombs after all.

Amur

 

[Amur]

Arrival at the point of excavation she was reminded why she preferred to keep solitary, there was always something about large crowds of bumbling workers and underlings that annoyed her especially with all the unnecessary noise they could generate and the reverence to authority they often held. Sheep the lot were, trained sheep who could do their job to some modicum of satisfaction but Sheep nonetheless.

She was already eager for the summary moment where they could plunge into the cave network and delve into the unknown but knew that she would be forced to wait to keep in line with authority. It'd be nice as her lower back was now craving to drive her mad with a sharp plume of pain now being shot into her spine. Likely a vertebrae that would need to be remotivated back into place. Though it did have the side effect of making her rather quiet as she tried to stem the discomfort. Though it did result in her gaze briefly turning back to the personal guard of Malevolum and well getting an idea in her head of subjecting them to a performance test.

Thankfully for the storm troopers they wouldn't have to worry about getting flailed as the Darth spoke to her said a phrase she was just dying to hear. In response she arched her back hearing the cracking of vertebrae back into their places as she also rolled her head and shoulders. A since of relief overcoming the knight. Her cyclops-esque helmet now staring in the direction of the durasteel-jawed lord.

I was waiting for you to say that, and I do agree it's best to make haste. This tomb should make for a good bit of practice.

Amur said with a hint of eagerness in her voice. Sith were a rather sadistic lot and made for devious dungeon masters. Surviving an exploration of a tomb meant you had ample wit and strength, all of it was tests to prove one's might and refine it. This would make for a fun bit of practice.

"Shall we depart now?

Darth Malevolum

 

[Darth Malevolum]

Malevolum caught the glance of the woman, as it fell upon her guards. Was it just a casual glance, or something more sinister? She wasn't sure, nor did she want to know what the woman was thinking. This knight was eager to get going, and Malevolum didn't blame her. There was power in such places, and to have first claim to the things that lingered within was an opportunity that could not be resisted. If the woman was seeking practice, the tomb would serve to be far more than that; there was not a single Sith Tomb Malevolum knew of that was just 'normal'. "Do not be so eager to plunge headfirst into the unknown. There are terrors in the dark that can shatter your mind with a glance. If you seek practice, best look elsewhere. This could stand to be a test of your skills, or a death sentence if you are not careful."

If her partner was going to be focused on chasing the thrill of climbing through old Sith Tombs, there was a risk that she needed to take into consideration. Malevolum turned to leave, throwing the woman a glance. "Though, I trust you would not be standing here if you were not careful." She continued, as it seemed rather obvious what the answer to Amur's question was.

Malevolum would leave the command post behind, moving past the researchers and workers that were taking samples or trying to uncover artifacts that might have been uncovered. They could keep the trinkets for all that she cared, they lacked any power, though the historical significance always caught some elderly Sith's attention. Taking the small holomap on her wrist, Malevolum followed it, hopefully with Amur in tow, as they would arrive at the opening of the cave. It seemed rather ordinary at first, a dark creator in the ground, with the sound of trickling water and critters coming from it, but if one were to reach out and sense with the force, there was a almost deep chill that flowed from it; one that penetrated armor and layers and made one shiver to their core. This was the place. "Before we descend, you are responsible for your own well being. I won't be bothered to leave you behind if you are unable to care for yourself. I expect that same idea applies to myself in kind." She said rather coldly, glancing over her shoulder at the woman, before leaping down into the darkness, only to find solid stone ground a few feet below. There was something familiar about this place, like she had been here before, yet she know not why. What was strange, was that this cave looked very much like what one would expect a palace to be like, very little in the way of growth or plant life infesting it. Malevolum stepped forward, as she swept through several of her visions, and found nothing out of sorts. How strange. She looked back, expecting Amur to follow, and wished to see how the woman felt about this place. "I expected a cave system, not this." She remarked, her hand still lingering close to her saber as there were bound to be traps lurking up ahead.

Amur

 

[Amur]

The Sith quietly nodded along to the lord's warning, a little condescending at first but with good reason. Chances are they would encounter the remains of anyone who tried to explore this place before them. As she seemed to respect the fact that just because she maybe under her she wasn't an bumbling oaf. Amur briefly meditated to prepare herself and her mind. Be alert, be careful, and expect everything to want to trick or kill you. Those were the guidelines and mindset one must take before entering. She would follow in tow remaining a few steps behind both to observe and in accordance with the mandates of rank.

The crater was delectably innocent at a glance but with a gloomy ominous energy just upon a longer look. Getting closer to it's mouth as she reached out to the force she could feel it ping back it's icy cold signature. This place was entrenched in the dark side, a good start and perhaps a sign of things to come. She look over to Malevolum as she laid down the ground rule of any such excursions: Fend for yourself first for you're the only one who will. She understood, though in some ways reflected something odd about being a Sith in the Empire. A strong emphasis on the individual to care for oneself yet you were at the same time an impersonal cog in that revered system of order. How interesting.

"Such is the nature of things my lord." She replied As she followed suit and plunged down the rabbit hole.

That's when things got interesting. Less cave and more Stone hallway, perhaps leading onto a chasm. It reminded the Sith of readings of how some civilizations built elaborate pyramids and other underground structures to house the dead. Though the lack of nature her was in a way unsettling. Thousands of years of time would have surely made this place fall and decay to the elements instead though it was like opening a time capsule that was well sealed. Odd very odd. She couldn't help but also be infatuated with this sensation of deja vu she was experiencing, which perhaps was a cause for concern that could mean many of things.

She already began to channel the force and try to keep herself sensitive to any sensations or ripples that may come from the force. For all she knew this was something that perhaps was trying to influence and take over their minds. She reached and took out her lightsaber holding it in her hand ready to ignite. She didn't want to waste time drawing it if an ambush came. She stayed near the Lord knowing that another person in her sight would be a useful sanity anchor. Her comment felt like stating the obvious, though it did raise a good point.

"Perhaps the plot is thickening or we're having the wool pulled over our eyes, even ones as good as your's. Still the Darkside is alive and over every meter of this place either way." It was something that was in the back of her mind as they did pass through a blanket of darkness. She began to open her senses more and more to the force trying to reach and feel the lay of this system only to just feel a solid pull instead as it seemed like the epicenter of this darkness was awaiting them.

Darth Malevolum

 

[Darth Malevolum]

Malevolum could only assume her mind was being worked on as she stood there, hilt in hand, as she could feel the brief presence of something trying to steer her mind elsewhere. There was something at work, this place was unnatural and given the inky void they both had fallen through to reach here, it was only natural. Amur commented about something being afoot with this place, and Malevolum was inclined to agree. "I hadn't thought illusions could affect my cybernetics, but I suppose anything is possible. Tread with caution." There was no need to state such a thing, but Malevolum would rather not be bothered to expend energy assisting the knight if she managed to get herself caught unaware.

"Keep your eyes to our rear. I'll continue on-wards. Whatever monster calls this place home, it will soon by dead at our hands." Malevolum would continue forward, her steps slow, eyes scanning the floor and tunnel ahead, as she strained her ear implants to pick up anything that might be unusual. "I'm going to try and see if I can hear anything up ahead. Try and remain quiet." She advised, as she would activate her hearing implants, slowly creeping them up to maximum input, and expected to make some discovery; not so.

She noticed one thing, the sounds she had heard outside were nonexistent. The hints of the crew working above did not seem to carry down here, and even with her advanced hearing, all she could hear was the footsteps of herself and Amur, and occasionally the clinking of their armored forms. "There is some strange power at work. I can't hear the sounds of water that were evident outside." She spoke, dialing back on her hearing input as she didn't want to deafen herself with Amur's response.

'Alana.' It was then that she heard something, a voice, an unmistakable voice that she hadn't heard in years. At once, the Darth froze, holding up her hand as she sought Amur to halt as well. "Do you hear that?" She asked, believing that whatever this place was doing to her mind, this had to be a mere side effect of it. There was no way it could be her. Ines was dead, had been for years, and yet a dull pain dug at her heart. Whatever was causing these illusions would die slowly if Malevolum got ahold of it. 'Alana, why did you do it? Why did you let me die?' She took a few slow steps forward. Despite knowing it wasn't real, the voice sounded just like her. Just like in her dreams. It had been years, and despite her best efforts, she was still able to be wounded by the phantom pain of Ines' death. "This tomb is getting on my nerves." She muttered, the coldness in her voice hardened like steel, as she marched onwards.

The stone tunnel would open up, showing a massive pyramid like structure up ahead, with a strange glowing lake surrounding it. It should have been impossible, and yet they were looking right at it. Malevolum stood, gazing at the monument, feeling a bit of amusement, though she didn't let it last; after all, there was something lurking in this tomb that sought their destruction. Motion from the lake would catch the attention of both Sith, and if they looked upon it, their worst nightmare would begin to play across the still surface.

Amur

 

[Amur]

Amur could feel the small remnants of hair stand on her back. It was a natural response not the fear of a coward but one of a predator being very wary of danger present. She heard Malevolum speak question the nature of illusions. "It's never the eyes these target but the mind itself." she commented on though there wasn't much else to come out of Amur's mouth beyond that. Talking used up too much mental power and attention when it could be used to monitor every bit of her surroundings.

In order to oblige to Malevolum's command she would get close to the left wall and side step along, she wanted to make sure she could keep the Darth in her peripheral vision at all times. It was usually the moment that one had a small lapse in judgement and attention that things started to fall apart. upon the Darth's decree of listening her silence would merely intensify. There was something she did hear though the rustling water. She had been hearing it this entire time but now it was starting to stick in her mind and fester. She could tell why it was giving her deja vu. It sounded exactly like the ebb and flow of oceanic waves on Correllia drawing forward and receding back in a hypnotic fashion that one could listen to for hours and many a Correllian often did. Which only made the knight baffled that Malevolum hadn't heard a thing. It was obvious and clearly part of the noise floor of this cavern.

"Strange, I can, I've been hearing it ever since we set foot inside." Now they had conflicting information and not one that could be easily explained away, unless one took fondly to lying to themselves. Then the lord froze in front of her causing Amur to now have her thumb directly over the button to ignite her saber and finding herself taking a defensive stance. Yet the only thing that seemed to change was that now there was a soft current of wind that could be heard like a muted howl.

"Hear what? The wind?" She asked though she stopped immediately afterward as her voice, felt different. Like it was changing accent or tone... Would the Darth notice? It felt like it came from long ago why was it... wait. She remembered now that it was the way she used to speak, around... him. She slammed that memory down her mind back into the 'never open' section and tried to keep her mind back on the way forward. Though she found herself agreeing that this place was getting onto her nerves.

Thankfully the end was drawing near as the tunnel opened up to a chasm... with a pyramid... was that real... It seemed fantastical but at the same time possible. The lake was eye catching as the radiant glow was like the lunar reflections one saw on a snowy light, with an aurora also overhead. Then she paused as she looked into the lake and saw herself... but there wasn't an armored sith helmet staring back rather her old scarless self hand wrapped and clinging to the side of a man... A man she vowed to kill if she ever got to see him again.

Darth Malevolum

 

[Darth Malevolum]

The knight made a valid point. It was their mind being affected, and her cybernetics were synced up to her brain; it was only logical that her implants would be fooled as a result. This place gave her a bad feeling, one that was rather unsettling. "Fair enough." She remarked, giving the woman some level of credit, but little else. This unnerving sensation only grew, as Malevolum found that things were not right. Was Amur screwing with her, or did the woman really hear the waters? "No, the voice. Can you not hear it?" She asked, wondering what in the hell could be altering the perception of both women. Whatever this force was, it had to be powerful; all the more reason to press on. "Forget it. This place is full of trickery."

When Malevolum set her eyes upon the pool, she saw a sight that had been burned into her years ago; the smoldering remains of a shuttle. She pulled away, looking away from the image as it was a trick, only to find herself back to the spaceport of Onderon. It was like the day was starting all over again. "This can't be happening." Malevolum muttered, glancing down, she found her armor was no more. Her body was beaten and crippled, bloodied and burned, as the fuel from the compromised hyper-drive rained down upon her. Her skin boiled, agony tore at her in just the way she remembered, as the exposed flesh of her body began to sizzle from the heated chemical fuel. She shut her eyes, trying to shield her face, but it was in vain; even back then, nothing made it stop. She coughed from the fumes, the scent of her own body being burned away, as she sunk to her knees. There was a burning in her lungs, her eyes seared away into empty sockets, as the pain was crippling to the Darth. The tomb was gone, the cave was gone. Everything played out just as she remembered. It was like reliving the moment all over again. She forced her eyes open through the pain, As her eyesight was stolen once again, the last sight she laid her eyes upon was the smoldering remains of her love.

The rage soon followed. She couldn't see, her sight was gone, and the agony that was lashing her mind was at the threshold of what she could bare, so she drunk deep into the dark side, letting it fuel her, letting it empower her in spite of the pain. The hilt of her saber was back in hand, it's violet blade flared to life as she went off instinct. It was exactly like she remembered it. The pain, the sensation, every single feeling was back and more painful than she cared to remember. The fight with Ines' assassin began much like she remembered, slamming her blade down relentlessly, striking so hard she could hear the man's bones breaking, his strength faltering. She never got to see his face, but she could feel it, just like she could not. Overhead, vertical, and horizontal. Three solid blows, and three soft thuds were her reward. She had passed out from the pain before, in her memories that was how this day ended. But, that wasn't this day. Upon hearing the thud, Malevolum found herself standing in the grand hall of Onderon, the bodies of nobility laid out, mutilated by her own hand; her boots and gloves soaked with blood. Her eyes widened in horror, as she recognized their faces; they were all members of Ines' family. Malevolum stepped back, the saber in her hand was now a blood soaked blade. It stuck against her palm, as even though she attempted to drop it, it clung to her hand still. She felt something grab her from behind, and turned to face it, struck it with her weapon. The blade cut very well, perhaps too well. When Malevolum laid eyes upon her latest kill. The form she had attacked was Ines, the woman laid back, her neck gashed severely, as the Darth was brought to a stand still. 'Why can't you see it Alana? You've destroyed everything we've had.' That voice claws at her once again, feeling like a vibroknife that was carving her open. Malevolum felt numb, sinking to the floor as she felt a sense of loss she hadn't encountered in nearly a decade. She closed her eyes, bowing her head, as she struggled to fight against the illusion presented to her. It felt so real, seemed to real, and deep down she knew it was all in her head; but it didn't stop it from still hurting. She opened her eyes after one long moment, setting her gaze upon Ines one last time. "I know." She muttered, before reaching out and letting her rage take hold. Whoever was making a mockery of her image, of Malevolum's own suffering, they were going to pay. She steeled her mind, straining herself as she gritted her teeth, letting a force scream loose from her lips as she poured her own suffering into the power, aiming to break whatever evil kept her mind trapped in this illusionary torture chamber.


Amur

 

[Amur]

Amur blinked and suddenly she could feel it all over again. Carlac. The lake remained but now the wind she heard before was now full born howl of a snowstorm. Her body robbing itself of heat now as she chilled and she could feel the weight of the snowfall. Her hands now beginning to chill and shake from the cold. She saw two figures both wearing heavy winter gear walking now at a brisk pace. Her gaze leveled slowly on the taller of two figures knowing who it had to be. Barely making it's way to the forefront was the silhouette of a estate , a once homely sight now had the taint of destiny all over it. A rage was beginning to build up inside her. Don't go in there her mind would call out again and again increasing in energy as it seemed to be building up inside the knight.

The two figures continued a soft laughter coming from the shorter person who was once her. Lies. All of it was just an illusion being cast on the idiot, and she couldn't fething see it. The two figures reached the foot of the steps that would take them to the front door where they stood. They then shared an embrace and she saw it brighter then a pair of binary suns. A stun prod in the hand of the man. Every muscle now stiffened ready to bolt she would charged forward and reeling her right hand back she would prepare and power a force push that sent him flying into the stairs. Not wasting time she would pounce on him now raising her fist and slamming it down on his face. Punching with all her might again and again and again and again and again, determined to ground his face into powder.

Any semblance of sense gone now as the animal took hold trying annihilate the threat. Her hand grew tired and ached now, so she stopped. Seeing an image she always wanted to see, Dex Luval his face beaten to bloody pulp, bruising already taken hold and she could even see sections of his skull that were now slightly caved in. His now nose janked and crooked at a odd angle. Yet as the face looked at her she just saw a sneer form and blood spit into her helmet.

"still... so... gullible..." He said in a hoarse barely formed sentence as she suddenly felt the sensation of her head being dragged and now she dived crashing through a layer of ice into freezing water that was eager to rob her of energy. Frantically her mind panicked now fully immersed and unable to distinguish reality. Quick she tried to swim and began to frantically punch and claw her way through the ice except nothing would break it. She felt something grab her ankle, she looked down and saw him his face now releasing a cloud of blood around and his hand lock into an iron vice. Attached to him was herself well herself before becoming a Sith dead and rotting still holding on to him with a soft smile on her face. Amur flailed and kicked to get him off to no avail now feeling her lungs now want to give.

Then she felt it. A current of rage that seemed to burst through the area shattering everything with the roar of a mighty banshee. Her ears ringing and suddenly she felt her vision shift in an instant. Seeing now that the ice was gone and instead of Dex it was a massive tentacle that was taking hold. She found she breath again now that she realized her armor had started feeding her oxygen. Now able to think and having the wool pulled off her eyes she could now exact vengeance on whatever had made bear witness to this nightmare. Grabbing her mace she started slamming it against the base of the tentacle using it as a blunt object, as she used the force to enhance the strength of each blow. Finally it let go and Amur made a break for the surface pulling herself up and rolling onto a bank. Her right hand feeling like it had been battered and her shoulder blade feeling like it was trying to dig deeper into her body. Yet all that did in this moment was fuel her rage.

"You're going to regret making me angry"

She uttered as her hand now shot forward her fingertips now outstretched as a current of lightning now struck into the lake electrifying and in doing so she heard the muffled murmurs and roar of something underneath. The burst would last for several seconds until she stopped to pace herself and not over exert. A pause broke out and then a few bubbles reached the surface before the water had erupted sending a wave flying high into the air briefly obscuring whatever creature had called this lake home.

Darth Malevolum

 

[Darth Malevolum]

The illusionary world before her shattered like glass, as she was back in the cave, as if she had never left. Rage flared up, mixed with pain, confusion, with a fash of sadness. The scene was not exactly as she had left it however, as now there was something strong and rubbery wrapped around her waist, dragging her towards the lake. Her saber was trapped by the beast, her hands trapped by whatever this beast was. Tapping into that rage, Malevolum began to break free, feeling the beast struggle against her as she was starting to make head way, freeing herself enough to reach her saber. She ignited the blade cutting through the tendril, as she caught herself. It wasn't long before a second tendril took hold of her left arm, locking down hard as Malevolum moved to bisect this new attack as well.

Amur had already broken free, loosing a bolt of lightning into the pool, which also electrocuted Malevolum by consequence. There was a scream that echoed through the force, the grip around Malevolum tightened, flinging her upwards into the cavern as she slammed against the rock ceiling, before letting her loose. A dozen more tendrils shot forth, lashing about the cavern towards the two Sith in a fervor. The bulbous form of some creature floated to the surface, two red orbs hovered above the water, glaring at the pair as clearly it wasn't happy about losing a limb, nor being electricuted.

Malevolum was in mid fall when the tendrils shot towards her, and she reacted about as well as one could imagine. She threw out her hand, creating a barrier that the attack slammed against, wrapping around the shield as landed, the took that energy, drew it inwards, and let it explode out of her. The beast was repelled, but that didn't mean much, as it didn't make it any less hungry. There was something wrong with the beast, something that the Darth could tell now that she was standing before it. This was a Sith spawn of some kind, an entity made through Sith alchemy. Both woman would feel it trying to take hold of their mind once again, as reality seemed to fade in and out, but the stress of combat had steeled their minds, rendering it's power null. The Darth dug her feet in, left hand raised to do some damage, as the beast set a half dozen of it's tendrils down towards her. She smirked just a tad, as she could feel her muscles tighten, her power starting to come to it's full extent. This place was filled with dark power, and she would drink from it until this deformed beast was reduced to atoms.


Amur

 

[Amur]

A sickening smile drew underneath Amur's helmet as she saw the thing gasp in pain. She backed up and tossed her mace a few feet behind her as she reached for her lightsaber, now able to use it without fear of the thing burning out. She waited for the next wave of Tentacles to come her way her body tensing and preparing to move. She took little notice of Darth Malevolum's attacks as her focus was singular on this appaling beast ready to make if suffer.

As 5 tentacles made their frantic rush towards the knight she would stand her ground waiting for just the right moment where the limbs would too commited to alter their movements and compensate. Time seeming to slow as adrenaline took hold in her body. Just moments before impact her legs and would propel her into the air as she dived forward and rolled in mid air her lightsaber hand held out wide as she could manage while the saber would crackle to life. Rotating clockwise in a wide 270 degree arc the plasma cut several of the limbs short causing them to fall to the ground even as some segments seemed to still be moving under it's own thought still trying to twist and catch something that wasn't there. Amur would catch her fall with her left hand and would roll and skid into a kneeling position her left hand rather unhappy in it's usage of as a shock absorber, as it would ache and briefly slow in movement.

She stared back at it's red orbs and began to feel it's presence trying to invade her which only made her even more mad. Though as the overwhelming darkness began to flood into and power her, a sadistic thought was coming to her. She would let a small part of her mind open trying to picture the tendrils of the living force trying to force and wriggle it's way inside her mind. She would create one pathway of least resistance as it forced the being into the recesses of her mind that felt pain. All those nerve signals crying out inside that she had to constantly tone down and ignore. Then force it back through the connection it had to make to and shove it through it's mind. Not holding back and she amplified and channeled every sensation into it. Causing it to freeze as it seemed to be locked into a panic and frenzy briefly tearing at itself to make the pain stop. A mixture of a growl and chuckle emanating from Amur as she saw it. A small consolation for the fact that it forced Amur to feel everything too at a much greater intensity.

Hopefully though it would give her lord a chance to rip and tear into it unabashed.

Darth Malevolum

 

[Darth Malevolum]

Mal swiped right with her blade, severing many of the tendrils, as she crushed the remainder with her open hand. Whatever Amur had done, the beast let out a horrendous scream, as something had clearly hurt it, though Mal knew not what; it provided an opening none the less. She didn't care for the time being, she was was ready to go on the offensive. She leapt towards the creature, rage and pain pulsating within her, as she slammed the saber into the head of the beast, and took hold of it's bulbous eyestalks. She released her saber, letting it burn into the beast, as with both hands, she began to tear the eye stalks off. Her strength was already impressive, and now with the force behind her, it was near superhuman. She brought her foot down onto the hilt, pressing the blade even deeper into her target as it flailed about in a panic. Blood and green vapor escaped from it's wounds, as it began to batter against Malevolum with it's remaining tendrils, but she merely took it. The assault shattered her jawplate, sending it hurtling through the cavern and landing near Amur, and yet she did not relent. Flesh was weak, and easily broken, as the Darth was making a show of right here and now.

Feeling the power coursing through her, Malevolum went for the kill, as she released the power she had saved up within herself, and directed it into the dying beast. Lightning exploded out of the Sith's body, and traveled directly into the Sith Spawn, boiling the water it lived in, melting away it's skin, and causing it's eyestalks to burst. The smell of burnt fish and something foul filled the air, as the corpse began to sink into the waters. Mal leapt back onto land, drawing her saber back towards herself, and turned to face Amur. Her jaw was bleeding from where the plate had snapped off, and she had some minor bruising around her face, but other than that she seemed unharmed. "Nicely done." She remarked, collecting her jawplate, only to see it was damaged beyond repair. She let it clatter back to the floor, slightly annoyed by the fact. Amur would find the Darth's face was not as disfigured as she might have thought, as aside from the scaring, there was nothing akin to a deformity with Mal's face. The Darth turned her gaze to the pyramid structure, not wanting to linger on thoughts of the beast any longer. "I'm unsure what you did to distract the beast, but it worked quite well. I'm glad to see you are befitting your rank thus far." That was as high praise as Amur was going to get, even though it might have seemed an insult, Malevolum was well aware of how pathetic some 'Knights' truly were. With little else to see now, Malevolum would move to investigate the structure before the pair; hopefully with Amur taking up the position behind her.

Amur

 

[Amur]

In an odd way she had become connected to the beast her mind trying to comprehend what it just did. Nevertheless the Sith's will was mighty and she would not release her grip on the being. It would start with a sensation of her very hands being crushed into powder, Her head feeling like it was being split open and her eyes gouged causing her to grit her teeth, refusing to cry out in pain. Instead what came was her trying to force the feeling inward into her head and down her body. Biting hard on her lip she would feel something give and now her mouth was starting to feel wet as a metallic taste dripped in. Her headache only began to intensify but she did not give in, if the dark side mandated they both suffer this pain then dammit she was to bear through it.

It was only with release of lightning did Amur sever her hold on it's force connection. As the sensation was just the tipping point as her entire body tried to convulse. Though as her hazy vision, and clouded perception looked at the screeching monstrosity she felt confident that she did enough. Her breathing heavy as her mind tried to recover from the massive strain put on it and her body wanting to collapse. Though fight on she did. This feeling only temporary and the sensation as false as the beast's illusions. She would look upon the Darth and indeed take notice of her face. The jawplate implied horrific damage yet that too was also merely a display. How interesting. It helped shatter the preconceptions that Malevolum would likely had preferred to protray in Amur's mind. Though it did make her wonder. why?

Though she filed that question away for now. Upon hearing the Darth's praise she finally pushed on her knee to get herself to stand. "I let it try to infiltrate my mind, and grabbed hold to it, I then forced it on a ride of my own. Quite painful, but effective." A little bit of pride dripping from her voice as she spoke. She retrieved her mace and then joined by Malevolum's side looking upon the structure her lightsaber still in hand, though extinguished now.

"Shall we delve deeper my lord?

Darth Malevolum

 

[Darth Malevolum]

Mal rubbed away at her chin, checking how badly her jaw was bleeding, before seeing there was nothing wrong with her injuries. She glanced to Amur, listening to the woman's explanation, before nodding slowly. Clearly this one was craftier than she had been given credit, which was good. She said nothing, for there was nothing to truly say. She turned her attention to the structure beyond, as her mind lingered back to the phantom memories that the beast had conjured up for her. The memories of her past still held sway over her, and as much as she attempted to fight it, it seemed that they always would. The thought alone sparked a mixture of rage and sadness within her, and she drew upon that as a source of strength. Amur asked if she wanted to continue, and the answer was rather obvious. "We've come this far, I fail to see why we should halt now." She muttered, as she began to move forward, her pace steady as she moved towards the pyramid, her hand reaching out to the massive metal slab that blocked the door. It was a dense metal, rather thick, and perhaps even lightsaber resistant, with strange Sith runes worked into its' surface.

Taking hold of the edges of the door, she dug herself in, face tightening as she would begin to rip the doors off their hinges, the whine of twisted metal sounded through the cavern, before they were snapped free and flung off to the side. As the door was removed, a familiar cold would bellow out from within the crypt, as some dark power had been awakened, and sought out the two Sith who had intruded upon it. There was no harm done to them, rather just a blanket of cold fell upon the two women for a moment, before dissipating. Mal had no intention to sit by and let this tomb torment her any longer, and marched forward, thinking that Amur would either follow her or not, she wasn't in the caring mood truth be told. The inside of this tomb was made of stone, Sith art decorated it's sides, and the air was stale. It wasn't hard to imagine that this place hadn't been touched by another person in years. As the pair moved onward, one thing would become apparent to those that looked at the art, it seemed to be mirrored on both sides of the hall; almost like a reflection of the other. As the two moved on, the opening corridor stretching onward, until it came to a small room with two pools of water marking the sides of the room. There was room to walk through the center, though a large stone door sat, seemingly unmoved over the years, that sought to block their way. A brazier sat in the center of the room, though the room itself was almost pitch black. Mal's implants granted her vision, as she looked about the room, trying to find a way forward. Then she saw it, movement in the water; at least she thought it had been. Upon inspection she found her reflection in one of the pools, and if Amur took part, she would find her own reflection in the pool opposite of her. Strangely, if the two looked into the same pool, only one of them would appear in the reflection. What sort of nonsense was this? As Mal stared at her opposite, she was taken aback to her her own voice speaking to her in her mind, as the reflection spoke to her. 'You are just a hallow shell, and that is all you will ever be. You are not Sith.' Her reflection criticized her, though it seemed no harm had come to her aside from the jab of words. Was this a trap of some sort? She couldn't be sure, though both would feel a power stirring within this room as time went by. One thing that the pair might not have noticed, was the shifting shadows that lurked under the water, as several black tendrils shifted to strike at the Sith from under the cover of the dark water.

Amur

 

[Amur]

Mal wasn't one to be trifled with that was for sure and the Sith made damn well sure to take note of that. Don't face her directly instead it was best to give a direction and point. Amur thought to herself as she ventured forth with the Lord and saw her rip it open. Times like this she realized that perhaps she was one who ought to do more espionage alongside the Tomb raiding. Still she immediately didn't like the opening of this tomb. It wasn't the cold but the way it just seeped into her. Much like the monster they just killed, this force energy just wanted to dig in and bind with the very fibre of her being. The stale air and art were of worthy note like the opening of a time capsule. As the two ventured it seemed easy to just forget and let the darkness to seep inside. This was power to this after all.

Though it was the corridor where things would start to go wrong for the scorched knight. The pools were entrancing as she made note of the reflections as they were personalized for each of the two raiders. She looked into the helmet of her own reflection readying for another vision, another nightmare but instead she got something else.

'You know he was right. You are a slut, a rather stupid one at that.' A anger started to flow through her as she looked down and she could feel her blood start to boil. It seemed that her reflection had found an exposed nerve begging to be touched. She tried to force it down her mind. This wasn't real, this wasn't real. It was just a trick. 'You know it's gonna happen again. You'll meet someone who'll make your heart flutter, you'll think they care and you'll spread your legs ignoring all the warnings.' Her hand was firmly grasped around her saber as she could feel the chequering on the grip begin to dig. She was just going to walk away, that was what Amur told herself. She very nearly did until she felt something rumble underneath. 'The best part too is that you're gonna do it despite knowing it's a trap, just like right now.'

With that Amur had snapped as she could swore she saw something lash forward from the pool. A horizontal swing would see to that as she swiped at the tentacles coming out of the water and her own reflection. Though that's when the true trick of this room would begin to play. The saber phased through the black tendrils like they weren't there and when they passed through the reflection... Amur would feel the most intense phantom pain when the blade pass through the reflections thighs. Dropping to the ground unable to move her legs she would feel something latch on to her. Like several syringes that had been forced into her body she could herself get drained as she tried to drag her body forward. Meanwhile she could hear a hysterical fit of laughter come from her reflection. Amur felt dejected as she knew why it laughed. It laughed because it was right.

Darth Malevolum

 

[Darth Malevolum]

While Mal felt that the words of her reflection were true, she ignored it, feeling a greater danger at play. She looked towards Amur, and found the Sith to be equally fascinated with a possible reflection. Alarms blared in Mal's mind, as it was obviously a trap. She pulled away from the reflection, or attempted to, but found herself unable to do so. A searing pain tore through her chest, like someone driving a vibroblade into her midsection and thrusting upwards with it. She gritted her teeth, feeling blood begin to trickle into her mouth, her lungs struggling to suck in air now.

Her eyes fell to the reflection, and saw her mirror self had been impaled as well. 'Poor little Alana, if only Ines could see what has become of you. She'd be more with pity over what you are now.' She ignored the illusion, her mind flushed with rage as the pain began to grow. The shadowy tendrils split off, and began to thread through the Darth's reflection, lacing through her shoulders and down through her knees. Mal felt her body give way, sending her into all fours as her body was slammed by pure agony. Her body felt heavy, the tendrils seeming to work like anchors as they attempted to keep the Sith down, her strength seemingly fading with every passing moment, as Mal felt her life essence being seeped away. 'You're going to die on your knees. Just like the pathetic worm you are. What did Ines ever see in you?' Instead of breaking her will, the reflection only served to enrage the Darth, as Malevolum let out a low growl, fury coming upon her as she channeled the pain into power, pulling back against the shadow that dared attack her. It had underestimated her resolve, her vigor, and now it was going to pay. A new strength over took her, as she began the fight. She pulled at her arms and legs, and felt the best give, it's hooks within her dug and tore, tormenting her with pain, but it was desperate to seize hold. Blood began to slip past her lips, dripping off her chin as she could feel her victory nearing. Only question was how to best this creature. She hadn't figured that out yet. She pushed up, the stone work giving under her might, as the beast slipped more and more, Mal could feel it's hooks slipping, the pain dissipating as she was growing stronger by the moment. She was back to her feet, the hooks still digging into her chest, but she was fighting to keep it at bay. With her newly freed hands, Malevolum snapped a bolt of lightning towards her reflection, only to watch as the blast only distorted her reflection, but did nothing to weaken the shadow beast. "AMUR, SNAP OUT OF IT!" She demanded, spewing out the blood that had collected in her mouth in the process. She wasn't sure how the other woman was faring, but ideally she'd be combating this creature as well. It was taking ever bit of concentration Mal had to fight the creature off, as while she was stronger than it, this shadow beast was persistent, and it didn't seem that any sort of attack could hurt it. Other than the brazier in the center of the room, there didnt seem to be an answer to the problem facing the Sith, so they would have to get creative soon or this tomb would be the death of them.

Amur

 

[Amur]

Amur's mind was now in survival mode. Feeling like her blood was being stripped from her and replaced with fire itself. Her legs crying out in exorbitant amounts of pain as she tried to drag herself and felt something drag back. As it pulled it felt like her entire lower body was slowly being ripped away. "Ooh did I strike a nerve? Well here you are again. Think you can pull yourself out of this one, or the next, or the next after that?' Amur was rather growing annoyed with this thing masquerading as her. It violated her mind and had to just reach inside and hit something sensitive and use her own thoughts and feelings against her.

She looked around and saw Mal struggle as well with this beast. She needed to move. Her breath was quickening both from the pain and her realization that was going to be the end of her if she didn't act now. Her sense were being overloaded as she tried to take control and even the bones in her legs were... Amur's snapped at that sensation. They felt like they had a saber cut through them but they still ached. They still hurt. A comfort and relief as she focused on that and tried to tune out the phantom pain. It wasn't real. Move your fething legs She screamed that thought as she tried to force through will and the force to get them to respond again. She got her wish as something seemed to reinvigorate them but every twist and twitch of her leg muscles came more pain. She was now able to crawl and she fought on trying to reach the brazier hoping she could prop herself up.

She heard Mal scream out to her, and with that Amur forced one of her legs to kick into the ground and could feel it get traction. Quick she forced her other leg to respond and managed to work herself into a barely controlled run as she felt it try to resist and stop her. Only stopping when her body collided with the brazier as she then grabbed onto it. Seething and heaving she look into the brazier and saw that the inside was coated in Sith runes with a inky black substance that sat in it. Twitching and moving rhythmically like a heart beat. If she were to touch it she would have found it's consistency to be like a thick oil that had just been raised above it's melting point. Noticing it's life like quality she tried the only thing she could think of and that was to take her saber rotate the unignited blade downward and activate it as the blade came to life and jutted down into it's contents. Whether or not it would work was unknown to Amur.

Darth Malevolum