“Only to wait.”, Maliphant motioned as he crossed his arms across his stomach and closed his eyes. He didn’t trust Sephi - but he didn’t imagine transporting into the Nether was a great way to offer any amount of trust. Leave alone he wasn’t in the condition to go to the Nether for any amount of time, nor did he want to. The Sith sighed, and waited -
And waited.
Almost an hour later, he could feel a slight tinge on his mind - ever so slight as his eyes opened. There was a presence in his mind - feeling like it was behind him, then standing over him, and eventually within an inch of his face; breathing against his cheek. Maliphant slowly sat up and glanced about -
“He’s here.”, he acknowledged, though he wasn’t entirely sure.
The room grew cold as the magicks rotated and fluttered - and Maliphant could feel a pressure growing in side his chest. He wasn’t sure the dynamics of the ritual, but felt as though this might’ve been the direction he was supposed to lean in - so he acquiesced to it. Physically, he remained in place, but through The Force he took the backseat and allowed the spirit to drive its way into his soul.
For a moment, he could feel it working away. Stitching what portions of his soul it had collected back together - he could even feel his connection to the Force slowly returning, slight as it was. It filled him with an excitement he hadn’t known in months - a sensation that drove a chill up his spine as he focused on the feeling. Sephi had kept his side of the Deal; ensured that Maliphant received his soul once more.
But Maliphant had to keep his end too.
With unbiased access to Maliphant’s Soul, the spirit began to twist things it had no right to touch. Maliphant inhaled sharp, feeling it come over him as the Darkstaff had once done years before - pulling him, prodding him, using him as a puppet that drove the Force around them in a hurricane. Vytal, the other Witches, they’d realize what was being done almost instantly -
But their preparations did little to assist Maliphant at the moment. The Sith Lord’s hand rose as he cried out, gasping to regain control of his own limbs; but the Force worked through him miraculously. Forming before them was the figure of a being, from Skeleton to muscles, to flesh - and eventually, a smile.
The man they had witnessed once was formed before them, naked as Maliphant was, and older - but grinning as the control over Maliphant was let go; letting him fall back, only to catch himself on the table. Sweat dripped from his brow as he glanced to the newly formed figure -
“You could’ve asked…”, he said through heavy breaths. It was never easy to do what had just been done, but to do it so soon after reciveing his strength back felt debilitating.
“No, I couldn’t have.”, Sephi offered in return before glancing to Vytal.
“I’ve done what you asked, Nightmother - now, could I have some robes?”