Her journey to the Academy on Korriban was spent reminiscing.

Advena had few good memories, but the ones she did have – her time with Ixtasha; playing with Anubin in their master's house, between cleaning and other work, sometimes even while working; having her tattoos done in the style of her people – she looked back on fondly. She could very well die on Korriban, she knew. She wouldn't let herself go down easily, but she could die nonetheless.

So she spent the last time she had before throwing herself fully into Sith trials and tribulations reliving her few good times. She reminded herself that she'd known love, and that was all she needed in life, really.

She was jolted from her reverie as the shuttle touched down on the landing pad. Immediately, she stood and descended the landing ramp, eager to get out of the shuttle after the long trip.

The first thing that greeted her was a statue of the Emperor, its face shrouded in shadow beneath its hood, its hands folded in front of it in such a way that it looked like it was looking over them down at something – a reminder that the Emperor was always watching the goings-on in his Empire.

The next thing to greet her, when she headed down the ramp from the landing pad to the building in front of her, was the Overseer who'd called her to Korriban – Tremel, she remembered.

"Finally, you've arrived. Good. We have much to do, and every moment is critical. I am Overseer Tremel. I called you to Korriban to take your trials."

"Of course. What will these trials entail?"

"Yours will be slightly different than usual, but all the trials undergone here at the Academy are in essence meant to root out the weak, separate the Sith from the incapable."

"I think I'll be the first one."

"This is no place for levity," Tremel chided. "You are here ahead of schedule only because I saw your potential in the arts of the Sith."

"And my family name," Advena muttered.

Suddenly, she found herself being lifted by her collar and held in front of Tremel's face. "Enough flippancy. I brought you here; I expect you to obey me. Do that and I will make you the most powerful acolyte here." He released her, and she took a step back, brushing herself off.

"Why do I suddenly find myself skeptical?"

"Don't dig your own grave. Recognize who is on your side. Be critical, yes, but be smart about it. The trials are hardly the greatest threat you face. There's another acolyte here, named Vemrin. He is your enemy, and he will try to kill you."

"How do I already have an enemy?"

"All that matters to you is that you are a threat to him, and he to you. We'll ensure that you can stand up to that threat." He ran a critical eye over Advena. "The first step is finding you a greater weapon, as those practice swords you arrived with are insufficient. Go to the tomb of Ajunta Pall, to the old armory. A strong Sith warblade awaits you there. Be speedy, but careful – the tomb is thick with k'lor'slugs. When you've finished in the tomb, come to me in my chambers in the Academy."

"Where is the tomb?"

He gave her directions and sent her on her way. Advena wasted no time in leaving.