First Reply The Variance of Two Paths

[Canm-Bulnu Bi]

Wild Space - Planet of Auratera - Acablas Complex​

The amber clouds of Auratera parted, revealing a world that had long been forgotten as the shuttle approached. In the cockpit, Canm monitored the scanners for any signs of life though received nothing but the outline of the nearby temples dedicated to both Sith and Jedi. The landing pad creaked beneath the weight of the craft as it finally touched down on the rugged limestone plateau.

As the ramp descended, a humid, metallic scent poured in, filled with the odor of wet stone and ozone. Below was the Acablas Complex a blend of architecture and nature. Sun-bleached Jedi stonework rested atop the stark foundations of ancient Sith empires, creating a complex of temples that filled the valley. In the center, Aca's Funnel could be seen, a deep hollow leading into the planet's core.

The Force here exerted a powerful pull on him as Bi descended the path, his boots echoing against duracrete slabs that were already beginning to crack under the pressure of the vergence. As he entered the mouth of the Funnel, the light of the sun was replaced by the faint glow of the cave walls.

He reached the stone walkway encircling the central pool, where the clear water revealed the white gleam of ancient skeletons and discarded artifacts resting on the silt below. As he stepped onto the platform, the air felt thick, resisting his movement, but he pressed his boots into the center of the stone and reached out.

Despite the overwhelming presence of the Light Side of the Force on this planet, he managed, with an expression of hatred, to conjure the Force around him, verifying the raw power potentially at his disposal should he manage to unlock its secrets.

 

[Aurelian Sigismund]

​

Wild Space | Auratera | Aca's Funnel

The Force. The Force was vile, hedonistic, sadistic and treacherous. The balance which was so faithfully served by the Jedi was nothing other than the propellant for millennia of warfare, decay and slaughter. It was the core problem every living being had, the archenemy that nobody saw and many even believed to be a salvation, either in form of power to protect or power to exploit. It was terror.

Aurelian had not been on Auratera and his recent research had brought him here, followed by a squad of Heralds of Zildrog that were here to aid his aspirations. To defeat his enemy, one has to know the enemy. And there were very few places where the volatility of this cosmic oppressor was as strong as here, in this vergence.

The Heralds were researching, their skill in Farsight and Force sense was remarkable and they were all over the Acablas Complex to find access, clues, visions and whatever else they could drain from this diabolic mystic energy field.

He was deep in the funnel when someone else entered, neither was he warned nor did he notice until the person delved into the Force. The environment was outright oppressive to his senses, to his instincts. It got under his skin and he despised it, but he was the only among his group to be able to go so deep alone. Now he moved up though, his armoured figure calmly climbing the circular ramp until he could lay eyes on the figure that stood there.

Aurelian's helmeted visage looked at Canm-Bulnu Bi . "You are merely adding fuel to the fire."

​

 

[Canm-Bulnu Bi]

Wild Space - Planet of Auratera - Acablas Complex​

"You are merely adding fuel to the fire."

Canm remained silent as his boots pressed against the wet stone. He followed the curve of the walkway around the central pool, increasing the distance between them with each careful step. He had sensed Aurelian Sigismund long before he saw him. The man's presence was neither Jedi nor Sith, but something more refined.

Canm had not come here to debate philosophy. His goal was to seize the power of the vergence for himself. Still, understanding an opponent was often as valuable as defeating one. His right hand hovered loosely near the hilt of his lightsaber. He measured the distance between them and studied the rigid posture of the stranger's armor.

In this place, any confrontation would be difficult. The man carried himself with the confidence of a seasoned warrior, and Canm intended to treat him accordingly. "The flame will grow regardless of the fuel supplied. Jedi or Sith, it matters little." His voice rumbled low as he came to a stop beside the pool. Settling into a balanced stance, he allowed his eyes to focus on the dark visor of the helmet.

 

[Aurelian Sigismund]

✠ Avenging Knight of the Empire ✠

Aurelian

Imperator · Lord Indomitus · Hegemon

✠ Directive ✠

Taking Measure

✠ Sector ✠

Auratera · Aca's Funnel

✠ Wargear ✠

Armor · Sword

Rigid. Straight. Aurelian carried himself with the bearing of a warrior-king, a paladin of pragmatism. Proud and confident, but not arrogant or overbearing, his stance was perfectly calculated and measured, knowing everything from where his foot was to how long it took to get to his potential adversary. No second guesses or assumptions, no grandeur or flourish, pure facts of the situation he took in as naturally as some others were breathing.

"You have come for power." It was not a question but it also seemed not entirely directed at the Weequay. "Your bearing and your smell suggest you are Sith or some offshoot. But you will find no power here, only a sensation, a taste of it that will never satisfy your needs until it destroys you."

He knew that his words were wasted. The figure was powerful, otherwise they would not have dared to appear here. The volatility of this place even harmed the senses of Aurelian who stood on neither side of the Force at this time, therefore he paid the alien silent respects for its control and determination. Similarly warning him of the potential threat this figure posed. The hand ready to draw, the mind prepared. And for a second or so he considered drawing Valoris and give in to the sensation of battle, to fill this place with the violence and disturbance it craved.

But he did not.

"Proceed with your efforts, unless they are ruined by my mere presence, I want to see how you hold against this place and take what you want."

✠ Dispatch Directed To ✠

Canm-Bulnu Bi

Eternal Duty · Eternal Loyalty · Eternal Order

 

[Canm-Bulnu Bi]

Wild Space - Planet of Auratera - Acablas Complex​

Canm kept his attention focused on the man, eyes rarely straying from Aurelian Sigismund as the stranger claimed that the power on this planet would ultimately consume him. He found this assessment entirely unpersuasive, viewing death as the inevitable end for all those who embraced the Dark Side of the Force.

The pursuit of eternal life was at odds with the Sith Code, as he felt the influence of the vergence surrounding them. He viewed it as a tool to be mastered or studied, rather than a temptation to recklessly give in to. The strain in the man's posture was evident; the brief instant when a clash could have occurred slipped by, as Canm chose to disregard that option.

"Conflict for its own sake is a form of vanity," Canm stated, his voice devoid of emotion. He was indifferent to whether the man perceived his refusal as a sign of weakness or caution. He did not take the time for a formal goodbye or a challenge. Canm merely adjusted his stance and proceeded toward the secondary corridor.

He walked with a steady, efficient stride, keeping his body positioned to remain aware of the stranger until he was out of view. He refrained from looking back; the armored man was no longer a consideration in his plans. As he entered the dimmer, narrower path, his breathing stayed steady, and his mind was already transitioning to the next steps of his mission.