Unwelcome Guests

[Darth Veles]

As the young Theowei’s training progressed, she grew in power, and it became significantly harder to present her with tasks challenging enough to test her skill. A particularly gifted thief, the girl walked in her amphibious master’s steps to become an excellent Sith infiltrator, the galaxy’s best, and eventually surpass the abilities of her mentor. In this aspect, Darth Veles saw no reason for concern; all initial doubts about the relationship between Kendrix and Sith philosophy also started to slowly give away despite the Sith Lord’s initial doubt. With the Sith Code guiding the girl and keeping her on the correct path, it was only a matter of time before she fully embraced the idea and became a true Sith.

Just a few more tests and challenges to overcome before Veles deemed her ready to join their ranks – unless Kendrix’ lack of care turned into a barrier, one final obstacle in her journey, too big and too strong to beat. It bothered the Mon Cal from time to time, as he realized the girl became too valuable to be discarded – plus it became night impossible to find a better apprentice with all the Force sensitive orders cramming the galaxy – and so the amphibious Sith had to search for a way to get through that think skull of hers, extinguish the dangerous flames of indifference and give her another reason to care other than shiny trinkets the heists had earned her.

This evening found Darth Veles and his apprentice, [member="Kendrix"], on Coruscant again. Not in the depths of the planet’s filth like the last time; many kilometres above Coruscant underworld, the master and apprentice enjoyed the better, clearner and more peaceful parts of this planet-wide city, usually inhabited by the richer portion of population, nobles and One Sith sympathizers. One such man representing all of the mentioned enjoyed a life of luxury and no worry, but not for long. Lord Soris was not afraid of loudly voicing his approval of the One Sith, supporting their actions with both words and credits until it earned him their favour. The man had even received a certain gift from the upper echelon of the 0S – an enchanted necklace, one serving as a proof of Soris’ value.

It’d be a shame if the item went missing, taken by enemies of the One Sith, proving that even those supporting the tyrannical dictatorship were not safe on their own playground. A fitting insult to the seemingly unstoppable war machine and its supporters; how to defeat an enemy one cannot see or hear? Naturally, the task became Kendrix’ test for tonight, by far the most challenging one yet. She was to sneak into the man’s large mansion, claim the pendant and whatever else she wished, then leave – all of that under orders of staying unseen and not killing anyone, adding challenge to the test.

Unknown to the Sith Acolyte, an anonymous message reached one [member="Knight Mullarus"] the very moment Kendrix became one with shadows and set off towards the mansion. This message offered only brief information, nothing solid, but more than enough to tell Darth Pyrrhus’ former apprentice about a Force sensitive traitor planning to rob Soris’ mansion tonight and bring disgrace upon the order ruling the planet.

 

[Kendrix]

Kendrix took the days as they came. When her master had different tasks to test her skills she took them as they came, refusing if the risk outweighed the gain. In this particular objective, the risk definitely outweighed the gain. The promise of an enchanted necklace from this Lord Soris helped to bridge the difference, but Kendrix still found herself with a sinking feeling.

The gauntlet with the hidden blade sat conveniently on her wrist. Her left hand traced the hilt of her lightsaber. Her father’s sword handle found it’s new purpose rather than just being a trinket. After the lightsaber’s reassurance, she pulled the hood of her cloak over her head. The hood casting a shadow over her yellow and violet eyes. The mask was already firmly in place hiding her nose and mouth. The last thing to do was to hid the part of her presence that couldn’t be seen but felt. One of the first think her master showed her. She masked her force signature shrinking it so that it was almost nonexistent. To any force user who couldn’t see through the mask she appeared as any ordinary person who wasn’t force sensitive.

She was ready. Although the mansion was better lit than she would hope. She still planned to play by her master’s rules however. She gave him a nod then scaled the wall of the large establishment pausing before dropping over to the other side. Spotlights lit the yard. She imagined the man had motion sensors put in as well. She couldn’t even begin to consider what kind of security he had on the inside. She walked along the perimeter of the wall finding the shortest distance from the wall to the mansion while staying out of the vision of the security patrolling. Luckily this was a domestic establishment and not military or corporate. Security would have been much more heavy.

She found and opening and didn’t hesitate she crouched and weaved through the yard toward the mansion finding herself next to its power grid. Her master said for her to be unseen. They would learn someone is there, but she was sure their eyes would never see her. She lifted the saber from her belt. Pointing it in front of her at the box then using the force to ignite it. As it burned and melted the metal she forced it across. The spot lights near her changed direction about to land on the bright orange and red glow when the power final shut down. Kendrix’s eyes struggled to adapt after looking at the saber. She leapt upward however finding a window seal to cling to before climbing on up. She found that the automated lock no longer held it in place. She slipped in as the commotion below her tried to figure out what was happening.

[member="Darth Veles"] [member="Knight Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

The message, recorded only with audio and a voice he did not recognize, reached Mullarus during the late hours of the day while on his way to bed after a long day of looking at Sith Holocrons. He was tired, but this was important. Especially now that Mullarus had at last obtained the rank of Sith Knight. He no longer had to struggle to gain the title, now he had to prove he was worthy of it.

So he was left with virtually no choice but to quickly hyperspace back to Coruscant and deal with the traitor. A defector, perhaps, to the Republic? Or just one who opposes order in favor of blissful anarchy? It did not matter to Mullarus. The traitor would end up in chains or dead by the end of the day if things went Mullarus' way.

Patriot landed in the landing zone, being met with Lord Soris himself. The man met Mullarus as he walked off of Patriot's loading dock, "Sith Knight. Whatever brings you here uninvited had better be important..."

The Sith Knight proceeded to show the Lord the recording, to which Soris put faith in the fellow One Sith patriot and ordered his personal guard of mercenaries to double their patrols and keep his posessions safe. Mullarus offered the Sith Lord his own protection as well, and began to patrol the areas with the more valuable treasures the Lord kept hidden away, including the necklace that [member="Kendrix"] was after.

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Kendrix]

Kendrix slipped into the room and immediately heard the mercs padding down the halls behind the closed door to her room. They weren’t trained security that was for sure. They would be easier to outsmart than the guards she often ran from. She cracked the door slightly watching as their lights illuminated each part of the hall quickly and briefly.

A few mercenaries gathered and then left in a certain direction. Kendrix had to start somewhere so she followed slipping along the walls in the darkness. Her steps light like the hunter her father trained her to be. The mercs lead Kendrix right to Lord Soris. she followed them just inside the room slipping past the turned head of the guard by the door. Hired muscles not hired brains thankfully. She found a spot among his collection of antique armor standing behind one like yet another statue. The lord tapped away at a display case. trying to put in the four digit code to get his enchanted necklace out. His fingers fumbled with it however and he was left cursing it instead.

“Lord Soris, we need to go before they find you here. You’re life is more and more in danger the longer you stay.”

Kendrix couldn’t tell who was talking between the statue blocking her vision and the almost pitch black room. She glanced around a little more to see a few mercs going out the door shutting it behind them and Lord Soris with a few guards heading through a secret opening. It was rather smart, but if kendrix wanted him dead a better time and place would have been accomplished. All that remained was Kendrix. No… She sense another presence she leaned slowly to the other side of the armor mannequin she was behind and caught a glimpse of another armor clad figure. If Kendrix didn’t know better she would have thought he was a trophy. That wasn’t the case however.

Kendrix slipped out from her hiding spot creeping around outside of his field of vision. Her lightsaber in her hand. If he didn’t see her yet, she would make her way to the display case. tapping the code in quickly opening the case then turn to face her opponent as the beeping keys give her away.

[member="Knight Mullarus"] [member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

Some of the mercenaries seemed genuinely concerned for the life of the Lord they worked for. It was likely just their fat paychecks they were concerned for, but it still took Mullarus by surprise. Soris retreated to his chambers, though telling his mercenaries that he was not afraid and would face his attacker if the need arose. However, the Lord was curious how loyal this mysterious armored Sith Knight was. Curious, but he was no fool, and had two mercs glued to Mullarus as he watched his most precious valuables. As if two guards could stop him if he tried to take what he wanted.

Suddenly, Mullarus heard the beeping of a keypad behind him and turned around. His helmet was on over his head, as well as the hood of his cloak. Sure enough, the masked traitor was there, staring back at him. In the dimly lit room, he couldn't see her familiar, different-colored eyes, nor could she see Mullarus' face past his helmet, though his aura through the Force would be familiar. Different, though. Mullarus had grown much since they had last met.

"The traitor shows herself" he says, his voice electronic coming through the speaker of his helmet, "Seal the doors, gentlemen." The two guards accompanying Mullarus sealed the doors, locking the four of them inside. Mullarus ignited his large, exotic lightsaber, lighting the room a deep shade of violet.

"Unhand the necklace, little traitor. You're playing with a flame you do not understand."

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Kendrix]

Her eyes shifted to watch the two guards as they sealed them in. It was odd to her. Why not just guard it? Did the knight think she would pad her retreat now? Did he know the necklace was all she wanted?

Kendrix hand placed the necklace into the folds of her armor as the knight in front of her commanded her otherwise. Her reflective green eyes stared at him as listened and purposefully ignored. She had no idea this was the man she met over a month ago. A man she had the slightest attraction for. Mullarus. Then name hid itself away in the farthest part of her mind at the moment. She had a job to do and this walking suit of armor was in her way. The purple lightsaber wasn’t familiar of course. Nor didn’t fool her. She could feel he was a sith as well.

She raised her free hand using the force to send a wave towards them. She imagined the knight’s current stance with his odd light sword would keep him from losing his balance. The two guards were not as lucky however. Their heads slamming against the sealed door just before they fell to the ground unconscious. Hired muscle… Kendrix ignited her saber next with an unnecessary flick of her wrist. The unique hues of red orange and yellow twirled on it. Her hands gripped it as she took her own stance ready for him to try and cut her down. This was what she saw from her time in the sith academy. Young acolyte willing to kill anyone who stands in the Dark Lords way even the unarmed and defenseless. Even their fellow classmates. She held to her belief this man was nothing more. He wore the strings tight around his wrists.

Her heart told her this man’s death would only happen if Kendrix couldn’t leave alive any other way. His death will serve a purpose to prolong her life.

“Teliam, Arphengar,” her mask hid her bared teeth. There was no play in her voice despite the response meant as a joke. She lunged forward erecting her saber for a forward thrust towards his chest.

[member="Knight Mullarus"] [member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/YFSP_n3llTU[/youtube]​

Her voice might have been familiar if it were not covered by a mask. In fact, because her words were a language he did not recognize, Mullarus assumed the woman was some sort of immigrant. Probably a Jedi sympathizer who felt sorry for the fools who supported the falling Republic. Her lightsaber was, however, red, so logically the woman must use the Dark side. Red crystals are synthetic and help to channel the Dark side more easily. They were created for that purpose. Perhaps she was just a Dark Jedi.

She lunged, her lightsaber coming at him in a rather predictable thrust. If she utilized any of the seven lightsaber forms, he could not see it. The thrust was easily parried by bringing the long blade of his crossguard lightsaber up, knocking the red-orange blade up a bit. It was a time like this, when fighting in close quarters, when Mullarus wished he had practiced Form II more. His strength in lightsaber combat came mostly from wide sweeps and lunged with Forms I and VII.

However, Form III could be implemented here. Soresu kept it's user's lightsaber close to his its body, both defensively and offensively. Mullarus would use it, keeping the long, violet blade close and advancing on her with a heavy step, thrusting the tip of his lightsaber at her sword arm. His plan was to either disarm her, or corner her to the point where he could detain her. Like [member="Kendrix"], Mullarus had no intent on killing this woman. He wanted to look into the eyes of a traitor and see her intentions and what she hoped to accomplish from stealing Lord Soris' necklace.

Which, by the way, he knew he must recover from the robe she tucked it into.

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Kendrix]

She was trained in sword fighting. She could hold her own against her father who was a trained peacekeeper, the best warriors on her home planet. She was quickly learning the lightsaber duel was nothing like a sword fight. Her training was with a different weapon. He was obviously trained with the one in his hand. She twisted and turned to parry and block. She tried to keep in close but the man towered over her. She found herself taking steps back. When she found openings she went for slashes and thrusts to his legs and elbows hoping to damage the armor first before hacking into him.

She saber wasn’t her only weapon. She parried and then used her foot to kick into his knee or close to it attempting to at least stop his advancing or give her time to land a strike. She had the advantage of speed over his large stature and heavy armor. She reminded herself of this and ducked around most of his attacks to force him back to the defensive managing to get a step forward for every few steps back.

She kept her focus despite the odd sensation of familiarity. Perhaps something unseen. She didn’t let her mind get clouded by it however. Kendrix kept her eyes on him and her sword up. She had no plans to die, but then again who does? She no longer feared it however. Whatever it took no matter how risky she would try to live even if she were close to dying.

[member="Knight Mullarus"] [member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

It was definitely new for Mullarus to duel a small, nimble opponent. Especially in such an enclosed area, where damaging any of the priceless relics and valuable items displayed in glass and locked in safes that could just as easily be cut open by a lightsaber could result in being denounced by the Sith Lord Soris to the same level as the traitor that he fought.

Violet and red clashed, sparks flew from the blades of each of their lightsabers as Mullarus practiced more defensive maneuvers with Form III. It was a good thing that his Imperial Shield armor came with kneeguards, because without them, the number of times she had kicked at them may have broken them. However, her 'Kick his knees in' strategy would end up failing, as Mullarus would begin to anticipate her leg rising up to kick his leg and start to make attempts to cut at it or grab it and throw her off-balance.

Eventually, he figured the woman would start to develop new strategies, as her old ones began to meet with anticipation as he - more slowly than before - continued to back her into the wall. He kept his strikes with his lightsaber to a minimum and focused more on lessening the distance between them, deflecting her attacks with tight Form III parries and blocks, and lessening the distance between her back and the wall.

[member="Kendrix"] / [member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Kendrix]

It was inevitable. Her saber fought his advances keeping his strikes at bay. Until her foot hit the wall she tried to spin out of the way but found herself caught between a display case and his saber. The tip graze her shoulder cutting through the light armor and burning the top layer of skin. The leatheris slipped from its position exposing her upper arm and part of the vine tattoo. She bit the tip of her tongue trying to stifle the scream. The taste of blood hit her mouth. If she didn't have the mask over her face she would have used it as a distraction.

Her eyes raised to the man. The yellow and violet hues voiced their disgust and anger. She was trapped between him and the wall. His figure towering over her only added to the discomfort. She fully expected him to end her but there was a pause. She looked into the faceless mask as it appeared to look back at her.

“I am not afraid to die, Arphengar. Are you?” Kendrix was a fighter and even in this moment she planned to fight.

[member="Knight Mullarus"] [member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

Finally, his advances were a sucess. The tip of his lightsaber burnt her shoulder and exposed the tattoo. Had he ever seen her exposed shoulder before, he may have recognized it, but it did look oddly similar to the tattoo he saw on the theowei woman's back the first time he had met her.

He passed it off, figuring maybe this woman was just from the same world as Baralin, as he had known her. That was when his gaze het her own. He couldn't forget the mix of gold and violet iris'. The same ones that had stunned him before. Now it was...a coincidence?

"No. But you are not to die today. I will first know of your identity." He reached up and touched a button by his armored neck, his helmet disassembling and falling back down into his collar. The familiar face of Mullarus stared down at her, his long black hair falling now to his shoulders. It had been a while since she had last seen him. She would notice how much he seems to have matured.

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Their duel among display cases showing shiny treasures of all kinds appeared to be over, just as the woman’s little heist. Wounded and cornered, either usually signing an inevitable end of any thief’s journey, the auburn-haired girl could not possibly hope to escape this seemingly inescapable situation. What awaited poor [member="Kendrix"] now? Imprisonment? Death? Something far worse given who her captor was? Fortunately for the Theowei girl, her master had deemed her too valuable of an asset to be abandoned and discarded – good students were very hard to find these days. Too hard, and the Mon Calamari greatly disliked the idea of wasting both time and resources on the young Theowei, only to let her perish when she stood so close to claiming a Sith mantle. Her short fight against a Knight, a former apprentice of the infamous Darth Pyrrhus, only showed her amphibious teacher needed to devote more training to lightsaber combat. Then again, testing Kendrix’ skill as an infiltrator and duellist was not the real point of her task as much as serving as a distraction for Pyrrhus’ former student. Unknown to the unconscious guards and both Kendrix and [member="Knight Mullarus"], another being observed their fight, readying a powerful spell under the guise of heavy shadows and undetectable presence in the Force.

An unnatural flash of blinding light filled the room, consuming valuable relics and combatants alike, painting the walls white for a second before it vanished as quickly as it had appeared, forcing small and delicate electronics such as lights and cameras to take a temporary break – seamlessly followed by green strands of Dark Side energy snatching after Mullarus from the man’s side like a glowing net, seeking to wrap around him with its unbreakable Force - severing mesh and sap away the young man’s strength. The ancient spell also revealed its caster; a Mon Calamari whose silhouette suddenly became distinguishable as he took a soundless step closer to the two Force users, offering them a kind smile. Darth Veles’ bulbous eyes darted from Mullarus back to Kendrix – the answer she sought could be found within his big amber orbs and smile. Not a particularly intimidating sight if not for the fact he could apperently blend into the background and disappear at will, silently stalking the two the entire time.

“Good evening.”

No cameras, no conscious guards, no witnesses. Just the way Veles liked it. Nothing to interrupt whatever was going to happen in this locked room.

His cloak moved away on its own as a metallic cylinder hidden beneath pushed the heavy fabric away, finding its destination in the Mon Cal’s left hand where it patiently waited to be ignited.

One more step brought him even closer, yet his signature remained hidden still.

 

[Kendrix]

As he removed his helmet, she saw the moment as her time to strike activating the hidden blad bringing it up to gouge or slice his throat. Focusing on his face however she stopped. Her hand and the blade stayed suspended in the air just a mere inch from him. She recognized him of course. It all came back to her as she remembered.

“Mullarus…” The blade retracted back into the gauntlet and instead her hand found his cheek and brushed his hair.

A great flash of light followed. She balled up into the wall then closed her eyes. When she opened them her surroundings and the man over her was a blur. The sudden light harming her delicate eyes that weren't adjusted. She imagined it had the same effect on her captor, the knight Mullarus. Next she noticed the energy forming around him. If she were thinking, she would have got out of the way in this moment, but she wasn’t afraid. In this moment, her heart only held concern for Mullarus. She had never seen the material before, yet instead of concern for her own life, she worried for him. The man who was just her captor. Her master’s voice reached her ears. She glanced around the knight until her own odd eyes met his.

“Limbthír,” Kendrix confirmed his appearance yet didn’t leave Mullarus’ side.

[member="Knight Mullarus"] [member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

As Mullarus' helmet disassembled, he blinked, and before he knew it, he had no time to react to the woman quickly darting around the long blade of his crossguard lightsaber and come inches from plunging a knife from on her wrist into his throat. Yet, she stopped, whispered his name, and reached a hand up to seemingly touch his face. Still unaware of who she was, Mullarus reached up and grabbed her wrist to prevent her from doing so, but not before a blinding flash of light filled the room.

Mullarus winced, the circuits and implants in his body shorting out for a brief moment. The flash deactivated the camera in the room, and even some of the implants keeping Mullarus alive. He still managed to hold on to consciousness - barely - but an immense pain shot down his spine, causing him to fall down to a knee and gasp for air. He lost his grip on Bleeding Cross, his lightsaber, and it ended up falling to the feet of [member="Darth Veles"].

Meanwhile, he glanced up and looked into the amphibious face of the first Mon Calamari man he had ever seen in person. There was something strange about the man's aura. It was the Dark side, but yet, it felt just like that of [member="Kendrix"] . It was dark, but more of a grey than a black. The man even smiled. Warmly. Friendly.

Mullarus opened his mouth to speak, wondering if this was another Sith Lord here to help him detain the Sith traitor, or if he, too, were a traitor. Alas, he could expel no air from his lungs, for there was none within them. He continued to wheeze and cough dryly. Eventually, his implants would reboot and he would restabilize, but since it was due to a strange Force Flash and not electricity or water, it would take a bit longer.

 

[Darth Veles]

[member="Kendrix"] received a nod acknowledgement from her amphibious Master, but the Sith assassin cared more for the crippled Sith Knight now, for what put the One Sith to greater shame than removing a freshly promoted Knight apprenticed to one of the most prominent Sith figures? The stolen pendant was just a tiny little pinch of salt tossed into the wound in an unspoken mockery, though Veles had more in store for his old ‘friends’. Everything revolved around Mullarus; momentarily incapacitated, the knight posed no immediate danger – which Veles used to telekinetically summon the uniquely shaped lightsaber shamefully collecting dust on the marble floor into his webbed hand. The cybernetic eye of the Sith Lord observed its design, giving it a nod of approval and admiration. Setting his personal opinion of the One Sith aside, he had to admit some of them would have made solid apprentices if trained elsewhere and by somebody else. Unfortunately, such bright examples resembled drops of clean water dripping into a poisoned lake. One of the several reasons Veles treasured his apprentice, keeping her away from the corruption within the organisation – only the last two Sith in the galaxy would be her teachers to ensure her mind remained free of insanity and madness plaguing the One Sith, at least until she grew strong enough to resist harmful influences seeking to break her will.

“This is a very nice lightsaber, Knight,” the assassin commented, rotating the lightsaber around, but careful enough to never point the blade emitter at himself, “A very brave and unorthodox design – especially since vong staves seem to slowly replace traditional lightsabers.”

Veles’ amber gaze shifted towards the kneeling knight. His armour also wasn’t one of the vong family tree. It actually surprised the Sith Lord – the last time he saw Pyrrhus, the Togruta sported one of those popular vong crab armours. Quite curious that his apprentice did not share the sense of fashion – but before Veles pondered about the matter further, he had to determine the man’s fate.

It was then that both crimson and violet snapped to life as the Mon Cal ignited both lightsabers, bringing the beams of plasma closer as if to compare the difference in colours, only to cross the blades like scissors with the knight’s neck in between the two blades. He would feel the immense heat licking his skin, an unpleasant sensation not quite enough to burn him though.

“[member="Knight Mullarus"],” the amphibious Sith addressed the man calmly, patiently, both to ensure he got the dark-haired man’s attention and also to have Mullarus know he won’t hesitate to give him a deadly shave should it prove necessary, “How much does your old master, Darth Pyrrhus, like you?”

 

[Krux Mullarus]

Well, there was the answer to that.

Slowly, Mullarus' vision cleared and he regained full consciousness. It was a relief to feel his vital organs fully functioning again. Now he just had to look around and remember exactly what had happened a moment ago. The masked traitor was very close by his side, seemingly concerned, and then suddenly, beams of red and violet crossed over his neck as the Mon Cal Sith held Mullarus at his mercy with his own lightsaber.

The sabers warmed his neck, making a nervous bead of sweat fall down his face as he glared up at the alien, whom he had just now noticed had a single, cybernetic eye. “How much does your old master, Darth Pyrrhus, like you?” What an odd question. Who is this alien? He must be with the traitor to be standing over Mullarus like this. Unlike his pal, however, he felt much more powerful. Perhaps he was her master?

Mullarus grit his teeth, "Enough to where if you killed me in cold blood here, he'd likely send a fleet of warships out to scour the galaxy and take your water-breathing head, traitor." Mullarus had much more to say, but in the position he was in, this wouldn't be the best time to say it. He contemplated Force Gripping the Mon Cal's throat, but then again, it would only take a single muscle twitch to take Mullarus' head off. It would be the final nail in the coffin. Maybe the traitors had a sense of mercy.

[member="Kendrix"] / [member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Kendrix]

With the sight of her master, Kendrix resisted the urge to leap by Mullarus’ side. To drop to her knee next to him and try to help. She was on a mission at the moment. On that was successful with the necklace in the fold of her armor. She couldn’t resist. She found herself on a knee next to the knight trying to help him hold his body straight so he could breath. She didn’t understand why his body seemed to be failing him. When the crimson and violet crossed his shoulders, Kendrix stood back. Watching the exchange between her master and the knight at one time she called friend. The angry knight threatening her master. Kendrix wondered if her master was truly who he was angry at or if he were angry at himself for getting into this situation. Either way, Kendrix feared for his life. She knew enough about her master to know that the life of this knight was just another thread in the One Sith web. Darth Veles mentioned it time and time again. Imposters who taint the name of Sith should be removed from the galaxy. This knight held no exception… Except for Kendrix. She moved to her master side as the knight spoke and placed her hand on her master’s forearm.

“Limbthír,” She began to remove her hood and mask as she spoke revealing herself as the ‘Baralin’ Mullarus knew. “I know this ‘Mullarus.’ Unlike the company he keeps, he is not like them. He is honorable. He proved it to me the last time we met when he tossed his saber rather than take my life.”

[member="Knight Mullarus"] [member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

“Excellent!” the Sith Lord offered another smile, one underlining the victory cemented by the black-haired man’s response.

That was exactly the kind of answer Veles wanted to hear – and it effectively crushed the Acolyte’s chances to get out of this situation alive, for the Mon Calamari found himself fond of the idea of sending Darth Pyrrhus his former apprentice’s head in a fancy package. It’d only take a slight move of his arms to bring the red and violet blades together, cutting through whatever stood in their path; the Knight’s neck in this particular case. Veles’ hands made one swift motion, but before the burning plasma had the chance to kiss the kneeling man’s throat and send him to the Void, [member="Kendrix"]’ hand landed on the Sith Lord’s forearm and stopped the him from completing the deadly shave, saving [member="Knight Mullarus"]’ head. Still piercing the defeated knight with his amber gaze, listening to what his apprentice had to say, Veles considered her words. Whether he truly believed the girl or not was not clear, but the soft tone of her voice indicated she did not doubt her own statement. If she believed this Knight to be different, the Sith Lord would offer the man another chance for as long as Kendrix took responsibility for stopping her master from slaying the knight – though the original plan had to be adjusted a tad bit.

“I see.”

Releasing the ignition button on Mullarus’ lightsaber, Veles extinguished its purple blade with a hiss announcing it no longer posed any danger. The same could not be said about his own weapon, which continued to threaten the Knight’s life in crimson light illuminating his facial features as a silent judge unwilling to let its prisoner go just yet. Ironically, it was the lifeless lightsaber that arched around in a fast swing and connected with the man’s temple like a club, a precise and strong strike to send him to the realms of oblivion for now. Only then the curved hilt stopped emitting its red messenger of death as the amphibious assassin clipped it back onto his belt and turned to look at Kendrix, calm and relaxed.

“Apprentice. It seems we’ll take an extra luggage with us today. Do know he will be your responsibility.”

Darth Veles’ mastery over bending light and sound helped immensely, just as his augmented muscles, turning the way back into an easy task, even when carrying the unconscious body. The mansion’s security performed poorly trying to keep him out, and did an even worse job at imprisoning him inside. As soon as the majestic building in their back disappeared along with its desperate guards running in circles like ants in an attempt to discover and seize the intruders, Veles let out a chuckle, the sound no longer concealed by bending sound waves. The trio materialized out of nowhere, trekking back to Your Deathbed under the night’s merciful blanket of darkness that hid their creeping figures.

 

[Krux Mullarus]

Mullarus' mind filled itself with a wave of different emotions as he stared angrily up at the Mon Cal with the single amber eye and the other a cybernetic. Would this fish of an alien actually kill him in cold blood here? For whatever reason? Hate ran through his head. Hate for this man looking down so arrogantly at him with a smile on his face. The desire for revenge planted itself in Mullarus' head. There was also sorrow, for Mullarus felt that the alien actually would kill him here and the years he had spent suffering through training and studying to get to where he was today would be for naught.

However, just before his head was taken off of his shoulders, the masked woman stopped him. It came as a huge surprise to him when she unmasked herself and threw off her hood, revealing herself to be...

"B-Baralin?!"

The theowei-vahl hybrid woman he had coincidentally been wondering what corner of the galaxy she had dissapeared to recently had shown herself again. Considering how well she had held her own against Mullarus, a Sith Knight, only moments ago, he was somewhat happy to see how talented she had become.

Through the grace of the Force itself, she even managed to convince her alien friend, presumably her master she mentioned briefly before, to spare him. His own lightsaber was deactivated, but the Mon Cal's red remained. It was funny. Mullarus recalled Baralin saying her master was one of honor and justice, somewhat like himself. Yet all the Knight could see from where he stood was the same malevolence and heartlessness many Sith portrayed nowadays.

Not another word was spoken before the Mon Cal used Mullarus' own, unignited lightsaber as a club to knock the lights out of the young man's consciousness.

[member="Kendrix"] / [member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Kendrix]

Kendrix hand gripped at the armor over her heart as [member="Knight Mullarus"] called her by her nickname that her father gave her. Her heart feeling guilt for the situation. Guilt that they met again in such an unfortunate place. Her master ready to end the life of what he believed to be yet another spawn of the One Sith tyranny. One less. This was what Kendrix believed as well. One less power hungry killer in the world. She didn’t believe Mullarus to be this however. He was different, and she hoped he would prove that to her master. She only prayed that no hard feelings be felt. A prayer she felt would fall on deaf ears as she watched her master strike him with his own saber. His limp body hitting the ground.

Kendrix was prepared to take responsibility for this decision. She feared the consequences of the action and how Mullarus would view her, but she still hoped so relief could be felt. She went with her master as he carried their luggage. She wasn’t sure what the point was of taking him but she didn’t object. He mind raced and wondered why either were there. Why was Mullarus guarding trinkets? Why this time did [member="Darth Veles"] follow her? These were questions that plagued her.

Kendrix asked that he be left unbound. She didn’t want to think of the man as their prisoner nor did she want him to feel he was one. Veles placed him in one of the spar cabins at Kendrix request laying him on one of the cots. Kendrix stayed on the other side on a separate cot waiting for the man to regain consciousness. Her lightsaber she left with the rest of her belongings in the room she claimed as hers. She sat silently. The only thing that remained from the night was the greaves of her armor she left on. The boots, cuirass, bracer, and cape removed. Leaving only a grey tank top, the armor greave, and the gauntlet with the hidden blade on her arm to cover her. A poorly wrapped bandage covered her arm where the saber caught her. She wasn’t afraid of him, but the gauntlet offered some protection should the situation get worse.

He still had his armor. Her master kept his saber however. What he did with it she wasn’t sure. She just knew her master was in the cockpit taking them to some undisclosed location. This was for the best. She wanted to speak to him, before and hostility happened between the two gentlemen. Hopefully clear up what was going on.