There’s no telling what kind of illusions you can create with the Force…

[Darth Zilti]

Dyspeth. It was the sort of place Maja had to visit given its history. It was a shadowy moon in the Varada sector of the Outer Rim. Grid coordinates I-20 to be precise.

It was almost a let-down that she found it so easily. It would have been poetic if the moon itself were cloaked when she arrived. But the colonised lump of rock that dated its history to over 500 years before the Battle of Yavin was in the flesh nondescript.

But she wasn’t here to find out about the moon itself, but rather an individual that came here 400 years before the history books started to take notice. Her name was Twilight and apparently she was a former Jedi. Her reasons for leaving the Order were poorly documented. Conjecture was that she simply wanted to leave the Republic’s employ and encouraged like-minded individuals to join her.

And it was these disciples that she was very keen to meet if any still existed – and search any local records if none were still alive. Their general Abilities were at best average but some of the their concealment Abilities sounded notable and Shadow Vision and their use of Force Illusion to conceal anything they wanted was particularly of interest.

So she entered orbit and searched her scanners for a suitable place to land.

[member="Jaron Lesan"]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

Dyspeth was a moon Jaron was not familiar with, but discovered there was something there he needed. His own master had just returned from a journey, and had answered his inquiry in the delivery of both the vaxtaal and stygium crystals he had collected for her. They had to be delivered alone as Sasha was his secret from Ayra. Dyspeth was where he stopped to collect the information on the skills he had heard of.

One of the most intriguing to him was the skills the Disciples of Twilight were known for in regards to illusions. This would come in handy to keep the home he had been building with Sasha in Sanctuary Rock. This was his hidden base of operation where the two Dark Jedi, and Sith, hid from those who would want to find them. There was so much he could do to help cover their location were he to need it.

His ship was landed, and his booted feet carried him through the terrain of the moon to a settlement his scanners had picked up before landing. The hope was to find a settlement of the daughters of twilight if they were still around. Any settlement was good start, and if anyone knew of their location, Jaron's mental prowess would be able to press into their minds and pull it out of them.

The settlement was a few kilometers from his ship. Jaron was avoiding detection, and moved through shadow. His aura was greatly reduced, though he could not fully mask it. Anyone stronger than him would find him if they were searching. For now, Jaron pressed ahead, looking for the secret to mastering illusion.

[member="Maja Vern"]

 

[Darth Zilti]

From this moon they’d expanded their reach but of late sightings and mentions had dwindled to the point where they could be non-existent for all Darth Zilti knew. For she was no longer Maja and the sooner she got used to her new name the better.

Yet, if they were as good as she expected them to be, regular scanners were unlikely to pinpoint them, so there could be a large colony here – hidden from sight. Except the scant rumours suggested they were around but few in number.

But she did it by the book. She’d landed close to where records suggested they were most likely to be found and she’d done the usual scans for life-forms, heat and even energy signals. They all came up blank. So she’d used Force Sense and once more come up with nothing – but once more that proved little.

So finally she’d used Force Sight. Traditionally it would show up any auras – but then they would be hidden. But hiding, in its own way tended to be a give-away. Kind of a null point on her mental map. And although there were some potential blurs on her map ahead, one to her side was far more promising. Clearly someone was masking themselves – and although it was faint, it was definitely someone that was moving. So she set off on an intercept course to see who it was.

[member="Jaron Lesan"]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

Jaron stopped in his tracks. There was a sudden prick of his senses, something familar, a sense of deja vu. He took to the shadows, deeper, until he was all but hidden to the naked eye. His movement stopped knowing it would be easier to track him if he were mobile. What he did not know was the person seeing him used a method which he was not trained to hide from. Had it been a normal person traking him, Jaron would not be discovered. This would prove to be his mistake.

Rgardless, he needed to ascertain why the presence seemed familiar, so Jaron took a gamble. Rather than keep his aura hidden, he pressed it against the familiar presence. This only caused him to smirk. She was stronger, more powerful than their last meeting, but it was certainly her.

The Sith owed his complete fall to [member="Maja Vern"]. Had she not led him to the burial chamber of Ludo Kressh, the Dark Jedi may have never embraced the rage he felt from the loss of his homeworld. There certainly would not have been the other encounters as well, though that may have actually been more likely. There was no reason to hide from her, unless of course she were there to kill him. Jaron sensed that wasn't the case though, so he gambled further.

"So you're following me this time," Jaron pressed to her mind. "Miss me too much?"

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja smirked – his line was predictable and welcome in equal measures.

“I came to learn – I’m sure the rest was just coincidence. If you believe in luck that is. The problem I have is that the reason I seek the Disciples out – and I’m sure you’re here for the same reason – is the very thing that makes it hard to find them. They don’t seem to have left out a welcome mat. Unless we quite literal bump into one, we could be here the rest of our lives. But…”

She looked around, “My methods of detection are crude but broadly effective. Hiding works on the naked eye and can even fool Force Sense. And even Force Sight to a point but unless it’s something like White Current, masking or hiding still leaves an image. Like a gap that’s a bit blurry. Not like Voxyn that are sort of a gaping hole where the Force can’t penetrate but…like a shadow I guess. I mean, you have to be specifically looking for it, you can’t accidentally see them – but if you’re looking hard enough, it’s possible to detect something.”

“Like you. You weren’t obvious to see but I saw something and sure enough, you turned up. Anyway, how have you been? I have to say, I’ve been busy!”

[member="Jaron Lesan"]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

"And yet in all of that you didn't answer my question," he pressed again.

He stayed in his place. This was now a game of whether she would find him in the shadows. His mental connection to her at the moment, would likely lead her to him. Jaron didn't mind. The game was only half the fun anyway. This one, Jaron knew on a more intimate level.

"I suppose you would know I am here for the same reason as you. There is a settlement not far from here which I planned to conduct interviews, cooperatively or not, to determine whether or not the disciples of twilight are here. You see, this game could be so much more fun were I able to conjur some illusion to hide myself further. Though, I may have incentive to be caught by you."

Jaron finally stepped from the shadows and leaned behind Maja to whisper in her ear.

"I have been very busy as well..."

[member="Darth Zilti"]

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja shook her head. She’d forgotten how much fun the games were. “I forgot the question.” She laughed softly. “Anyway, who are you again?”

As he approached her, she considered toying with him further. But there would be plenty of time for that later. Of that she was sure.

“Great minds and all that. The Disciples had a few tricks that I’d like to try out myself. Force Cloak sounds like fun…as does Shadow Vision and Revelation.” Of course what Maja took as fun wasn’t entirely everyone’s standard – but she was looking to learn beyond what Zannah knew – and even if the application of the Force was intended for Light-siders, she would do her dandiest to make it work for her.

“So what have you been up to,” she said, not turning her head but instead walking in the direction they both sensed the presence of others.

[member="Jaron Lesan"]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

"Oh ha ha," Jaron retorted. "You could perhaps get away with that question had we not spent the better part of two days finding as many places in your ship we could find to.... well...." Jaron pumped his brows. He may be a Telosian, but he behaved more like a Corellian.

She was here for the same reason as he was then. It seemed this was how they would always meet, though it was only the second time they had met as such. They continued in the same direction, and being together would give them a better chance at finding what they were looking for. However, Jaron was more concerned finding them was the easy part. Once they were found, the disciples would have to be convinced to share their secrets with them, something they may not willingly wish to do. If that were the case things would get.... messy.

"What have I been up to? This and that, among other things. Still playing errand boy, but that will be coming to a end shortly."

Yes, Jaron was tired of playing errand boy. He wanted to control his own fate and destiny, and that seemed to be more doable on his own, or with a Master willing to actually instruct him rather than give him toys to play with. There was also the matter he was certain his master would not approve of the woman he had taken to be... whatever it was they were. Partners was the word they had been using, yet they constantly fought for dominance.

"How about yourself? You're stronger than when we last met, I can sense it. A promotion for you, perhaps?"

[member="Darth Zilti"]

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja stuck her tongue out at Jaron. “Was that you?” She laughed softly. “I must have been tipsy…for two days.”

“And an errand boy eh? A like a man that knows his place.” Her smile was fixed in place now, she was clearly enjoying the banter.

“Oh that…” Maja said when the subject of a promotion was mentioned. She slipped off the shoulder of her top – the opposite side to the scar. There was a faint mark – it’s design not discernible.

“I have no idea what it might become,” she said. “It hurt like heck when it was done – like Force Lightning – but ramped up a hundred-fold. They say it will grow as my Abilities in the Force develop. Who knows what it will look like in the end?”

Realising she hadn’t really done much explaining, she blushed. “It’s a mark from the Dark Lord himself. I am a Sith Knight now. But you can call me Maja if you’d like.” It was odd that she was still using that name. It wasn’t even her real name – and the logic was that she’d ditch it as soon as she could – but for some reason she still connected with it. But for how much longer?

“So…the Disciples. Do you have a plan?”

[member="Jaron Lesan"]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

"All these dark side tattoos. You really are the rebel woman aren't you," Jaron jested.

Of course he acted out on feigned hurt when Maja teased at not remembering their previous encoutner. Though, just as soon as she had begun her game, she was back onto the business at hand. So far, all this played out as it had before. Did Jaron have a plan for the disciples, not really. He was going to find them, and ask them to teach him certain things. Yes his alignment was off, but he was certain if he had to make an example of one, then he could get what he wanted from another.

"A plan other than finding them, and asking to learn, nicely or otherwise, can't say I really have one. I would expect their minds to be stronger than what I can influence, so really at the abilities I poses, I am dependent on their good graces I guess... and the fact that if I kill enough of them, someone will eventually teach me to stop the violence."

Was it a good plan. Likely not, but it was the only plan he had. Good thing Maja was here, she'd be able to come up with something else, unless she had the same idea. If that were the case, they would run with it. The two of them had proven before they could be quite persuasive when together. Between the Hssiss, and convincing Ludo Kressh to teach them persoanlly, the two had worked well asa team from the beginning.

"The settlement is not far from here, and I believe it to be what we are looking for. Sometimes the best place to hide is in plain sight."

[member="Darth Zilti"]

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja grinned. “A rebel? Perhaps. A woman? 100%. And if you’re looking at me for a plan, you’re most definitely looking in the wrong direction.”

“My first thought was to hope nobody was here and they’d left a book of instructions lying around.” From the look on her face, it was clear she was only partly kidding.

“If not, steal something I guess?” She looked a little apologetic at this stage. “I tend to make it up as I go along. Avoid killing until I have to. I’d rather convince one to show us what we want and then take it from there.”

“So let’s go and knock on the door and see what they say, OK?”

She picked up the pace and once she was a few feet ahead, said under her breath, “Oh, and I missed you.” Then she said in a louder voice, “But don’t expect me to say it again, alright?”

[member="Jaron Lesan"]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

Oh... she did? Had the woman just shown something beyond the Sith principle of passion? Maja was fun, they had proven they could work together. This bit about being missed, that was a foreign concept to Jaron, as his parents had shoved him off on his uncle. Jaron didn't know what it was like to be missed, or to miss. Well, he knew now, as he still insisted on traving alone despite his partner at Sanctuary Rock. His wild card, that was his reasoning. It was bogus, and he was starting to realize it was pretty selfish.

"They aren't going to be that careless. You know nothing is going to be laying around. Everything I've learned I've had to earn, and I don't see this being any dofferent."

As they approached the settlement, Jaron could tell the place was not used to seeing outsiders. Eyes fell on [member="Darth Zilti"] as the women of the village were not used to seeing another woman with a facial tattoo. Jaron skilled as some of the people walked passed them, but kept his eye locked on the shrine they were heading toward.

"It seems obvious, but sometimes the best hiding places are in plain sight."

Jaron knocked on the door.

"I won't ask you to say it again," he added mentally.

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja was aware she was attracting attention and applied a little Sith glamour. It was an old trick of Zannah’s. She was an attractive woman but could apply just the right amount of Dark-sided magic that she became instantly forgettable. They’d remember a woman, but little else about her.

So Maja mimicked that application of the Force and then focused on where they were heading. The shrine was plain looking and for that reason was possibly the best place to hide something interesting. She was walking proof of that right now, wasn’t she.

As Jaron knocked, she heard his voice in her head. ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about,’ she replied as the door opened.

“Ah,” she said to the grey robed figure that had the door ajar. “Glad someone’s home. We’re conducting a door to door poll. The last time we checked, you hadn’t chosen a side between the Sith Lord Darth Krayt’s Empire and the Galactic Alliance. Just wanted to check that was still your viewpoint, and if so, are you open for a bit of training?”

The man at the door stared at Maja blankly before coughing and opening the door wider. “I am so sorry where are my manners. We get so few visitors." He looked at Jaron now. “And to answer your question, we are neither Jedi nor Sith. All we care about is protecting the weak. I fear both Jedi and Sith abuse them, albeit in their different styles.”

The inside of the temple was similarly spartan and they were led to a large meeting room. “Please wait here and Twilight will be with you shortly. He will be in a better place to answer your questions.”

Maja shot Jaron a glance. The name Twilight spooked her for a moment, but the mention that it was a male calmed her somewhat. But regardless, they would have to wait to find out if they could be taught.

[member="Jaron Lesan"]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

Jaron shrugged. He didn't know much about this Twilight, only that she was a she and not a he. Still, Jaron also knew essence transfers were a thing and it could well be the real Twilight. Essence transfers didn't seem to be a Lightside thing though, but maybe they weren't dealing with a totally Lightside organization here? Jaron was still wearing a smirk with what Maja had said earlier, and thought in return. It always played to a man's ego to be told he was missed.

"SUUUUUURE," the mental retort came.

At that moment the man returned followed by another, a female, this was not Twilight. The female spoke.

"He will see you now. This way."

The pair was led down the hall, Jaron placing his hand on the small of Maja's back when they stopped in front of massive door. The touch came natural, and all movement had stopped. They could only watch as the massive obsidian door opened itself, or seemed to. With all the theatrics they were seeing, Jaron hoped the skills they would learn were worth it. If they were not, his anger would take him to a place no one wanted him to go.

[member="Darth Zilti"]

 

[Darth Zilti]

If Maja could mentally stick her tongue out at Jaron, she was trying it now. She settled for wrinkling her nose as they awaited Disciple.

It was either high drama, or they were about to be let down royally - as instead of their host arriving, they were escorted once more to another room. This time they had to wait for two huge doors to open.

If the rest of the temple was spartan, this room compensated for it. Opulent was the only word to describe it. It was high-ceilinged and the walls were covered in paintings and tapestries. Around the room were various sculptures and facing them was a raised dais and atop it was a golden throne. And seated on the throne was...a boy.

He couldn't have been much older than ten, but the others with them bowed to him and Maja started to wonder if this was some kind of joke. But then she felt a presence emanate from the boy, touching her, invading her mind before she'd even had time to protect herself. He was powerful, more powerful than any Sith Lord she'd met.

"Welcome," he said. "You come here seeking knowledge. So tell me, what makes you think you're worthy?" It was like Korriban all over again.

[member="Jaron Lesan"]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

Had there been a voice which sounded like russtling leaves, Jaron would have sworn they were back on Korriban. Was this going to end the same was as well? Jaron could only smirk at the thought. What would he do prove his worth here? It wasn't like this was some Sith that he could simply kill one of the men and prove his power. Worth here was valued differently.

Unlike Maja, Jaron had not been put off by the age of the boy. This was a group which perfected the art of illusion after all. Likely this was a mere illusion itself. Anything was possible, and that was the nature of illusions wasn't it. The value rest in what was possible with such an art.

"What makes anyone worthy," Jaron asked. "Knowledge and power such as you weild is not simply given at random, nor is it easiy found. You've managed to remain hidden, keep your power from being sensed through the force, and yet here we have found you. This means you either wanted to be found, and your question is a formality to delay what you already know you will teach us, or on our own merit we have gotten past the illusion and discovered you. If the later, our actions prove us worthy."

It was fact, not arrogance, that Jaron spoke. He looked to Maja to see if she had anything to add to what he said.

[member="Darth Zilti"]

 

[Darth Zilti]

The boy smiled at Jaron’s words. “Our knowledge is not mine to give or take away. I do not wield it like some sword brandished for effect. I am instead a harbinger of justice. No more and no less. We protect the weak from then strong. I need to know how you will use the power, not how clever you think you were to find us.”

He looked at Maja. “You have been silent so far, what do you say?”

She stared him down. Lying was fruitless, she had to say what she believed but in a way that might appease him.

“Equality is a myth to protect the weak. Some are strong, some are not.”

The boy’s face suggested her early words were not what he was hoping to hear.

“But that does not mean the weak are to be killed, exploited or even dismissed. There is always a bigger fish – that is the natural way. But most sentients have a value. That much is obvious. A right to live, even if that means to serve.”

“I remember the day I found out I was a able to use the Force. My question of my discoverer was a simple one. Who is a better ruler? A good but weak king that allows his people to be attacked time and time again with the loss of tens of thousands of lives? Or a strong but tyrannical ruler that oppresses freedom but has low crime, low mortality and is never invaded?”

“I do not judge but ask you, who deserves your attention? The good king or the cruel one? All I can promise is that I will not abuse the powers. I will not upset the natural order or use them to my own ends. Can anyone truly promise you any more? For talk of justice leaves me cold. In my experience the effort of fairness is too often misdirected.”

[member="Jaron Lesan"]