Sith: Shatterpoint
Chapter 2
Of Mind and Matter

The first thing that struck Ranna about the tombs were the sheer silence. Outside she could hear the wind blowing across the desert, the click and whirr of droids, the chatter of people and the hum of ships as they flew through the air. Here, there was none of that. Both her and Quarra's footsteps echoed ominously and Ranna was painfully aware of her own breathing.

The second thing she noticed was the darkness. Even near the entrance, the place was oppressively dark. A few meters away from there, and light was swallowed up completely. Even the torch droid that hovered near Quarra seemed far dimmer than it should have been.

Despite the desert heat outside, the tomb was notably cooler, though it wasn't pleasant. It grew colder from the moment they entered the tomb, and grew colder the further they journeyed in. Though her uniform was supposed to be functional in even extremes of temperature like Hoth or Mustafar, here she began to shiver. The cold went deeper than just the physical. She began to feel her heartbeat increase, her breathing speed up, and her hands stiffen. She felt frightened, hopeless, small. She looked towards Quarra, who didn't seem to be noticing anything, still walking forwards undaunted.

Then the voices came. Indistinct whispers so soft at first that she dismissed them as stray thoughts, only to grow louder and louder. Then she saw something move in the corner of her vision. When she turned, she saw nothing. Then she saw something else move. And another. And another. Ranna closed her eyes. This couldn't be real.

She felt something on her shoulder, and a breath on her ear. Ranna gave a shriek and spun around while grabbing her training blade.

She saw nothing.

She heard an annoyed sigh and turned around to see an exasperated looking Quarra.

"What's going on, Blue? I can sense you pussing out."

Figuring that not fighting Quarra's insults would be in her best interests Ranna explained. "I hear voices, whispers."

"This is the tomb of Ajunta Pall, the original Dark Lord of the Sith. Many more of his followers are buried here as well. Their spirits still haunt these tombs to this day."

"I stopped believing in ghost stories when I was 6." Ranna answered dryly.

"You'd best start again, Blue. You're in one." Quarra stated. "This is the Valley of the Dark Lords, on Korriban, homeworld of the Sith. This place is powerful in the dark side of the Force. It's why the most promising of Sith are sent here to train. Though it can be overwhelming. Soldiers and grotthu who are sent into these places sometimes go mad. That your having such a hard time does not make your future prospects promising."

Ranna said nothing and continued walking. The pair traveled in silence for a while, with Quarra again taking point. While they walked, in an effort to stave off madness, Ranna took the time to examine the tomb itself. Like outside, despite however many thousands of years old the structure was it was in very good condition. The floors and ceilings were carved with intricate patterns, while the walls had carvings depicting the Sith of past eras, and words written in what she presumed was the Sith language. The architecture of the tomb awoke an interest and intrigue that Ranna had never knew she had. The history of this place was fascinating!

Then she heard a moaning sound from the distance, echoing ominously through the hallway. Ranna immediately drew her training blade, while Quarra ignited her lightsaber. There were a few tense moments of silence as the sound of shuffling feet drew closer. Then the source of the noise came into the light. A Human male about the same age as Ranna and Quarra staggered into view. He was clearly a fellow acolyte, judging by the uniform he wore, though it was heavily torn. He was covered head to toe in dust and he clutched his side as he limped. He stopped and attempted to lean against the wall only to collapse to the ground.

Ranna rushed forwards to help. However, when sat him up, her hand came away wet. He was bleeding heavily from several deep gashes, obscured by the remnants of his uniform and the red light of the saber.

"Quarra, do you have any Kolto on you?" Ranna asked.

"Yeah, but what for?" Quarra asked, confused.

"We can use it to stabilize him long enough to get him to a med-droid. I saw one near the arrival station!"

There was a long silence before a severely confused Quarra asked: "Why?"

"Why? He's dying! We can ease his pain!" Ranna argued.

The acolyte gasped in pain and reached towards her. Ranna took his hand and held it. "Don't worry everything's going to be fine! You're going to-"

A bright red flash cut off her speech. When she opened her eyes, she saw a burning hole in the acolyte's chest. The acolyte looked at Ranna with tear-filled eyes and attempted to speak, though no sound came out. His grip weakened as the light left his eyes, staring blankly before slumping to the ground, dead.

For a long while, Ranna stared, struggling to process what had happened. She then rounded on Quarra. "You killed him! Why?"

"He wanted to be free from pain. I wanted to use my lightsaber on someone. It's a win-win!" She said with a smile. "Why, was there something we could have gotten out of him alive?"

"What's wrong with you?" Ranna shouted.

Quarra's smile vanished quickly, and Ranna balked as her red eyes glowed slightly. "Diable su th'zioplys!"

"What?" Ranna questioned.

"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you?! What worth was that pathetic grotthu to you?!"

"We could have helped him!"

"Clearly your years of servitude have addled you to how the world works. You'll never get anywhere in life if you let yourself be held back by lesser beings. This grotthu was weak, and he got what he deserved for trying to play at being Sith. The weakness of inferiors will do nothing but drag you down if you don't put them in their place. Look at his wounds. They're fresh. Whatever did that can't be far behind. If we wasted our time dragging him back to the med-center, for Force only knows what reason, we'd be letting this fools weakness drag us down with him. We will become Sith! He is beneath our concern!"

"That's..." Ranna struggled to find the words to say, though not from sorrow. Memories of her time as a slave began resurfacing.

Surprisingly, Quarra gave a smug grin. "Is that anger I sense? Maybe even hatred? Good, use it! There may be hope for you as a Sith yet! Now get moving, Blue. We have trials to complete!"

True to Quarra's word, it didn't take long to find what had attacked the acolyte. As they continued through the tomb, Ranna's blossoming force abilites managed to detect something.

"I feel something." Ranna said.

"I feel it to." Quarra said.

"It's... hunger?" Ranna said. "I feel an endless hunger. It's coming closer!"

To her surprise, Quarra began laughing. "Finally!"

She ignited her lightsaber, while directing the torch droid higher into the air, illuminating a greater area.

"What's coming?" Ranna asked as she activated her training saber.

Quarra said nothing, and Ranna could see the savage grin on her face.

She felt the hunger approaching, along with a constant tak tak tak sound, like something sharp hitting against the stone.

Then, it came into view. A massive creature with a long red worm-like body carried by numerous legs ending in razor sharp tips. It's head was just a giant gaping maw lined with row after row of sharp deadly teeth constantly moving and grinding. The monster gave a shriek and Ranna heard more of the tak tak tak sounds signifying more of the creatures as they skittered forwards, crawled down the walls, and leaped from unseen balconies.

"K'lor'slugs!" Quarra said, laughing.

"K'lor'slugs?" Ranna was shocked. These looked nothing like the cute Dejarik piece. "There's a lot of them..."

"You're afraid. Use it! Fear leads to anger! Anger leads to hatred! Hatred leads to power!" Quarra leaped forwards, lightsaber held high. "Midwan nesti asha!"

She brought her blade down, cleaving slug in half and filling the air with the scent of burning flesh. She began cleaving through more of them. Her lightsaber was little more than a red streak as it carved through the slugs. Even with so many of them dying, the k'lor'slugs still surged forwards in blind hunger. When Quarra was surrounded she struck out with the force, sending slugs flying backwards, or leaped over their heads to a better position.

Ranna was so awed by her combat prowess that it was only by the warning from the Force that she avoided a bite from a slug near her. Ranna dove away, and rolled attempting to rise to her feet, but stumbling. She managed to fight her footing and then thrust her training saber into the slug. The electricity cloaking the blade discharged into the slug, stunning it.

Ranna dodged the claw swing of another slug and slashed. The blade didn't go very deep, but the electricity did it's work, disabling the slug. Ranna repeated the process, dodging the claws and bites, and striking with quick thrusts when an opening presented itself, wearing down the size of the swarm... or horde... Come to think of it, what do you call a group of K'lor'slugs? Ranna found herself wondering.

Unfortunately, the stray thought came at the wrong time. One of the slugs talons cut into her arm, making her drop the saber. When she attempted to go for it more slugs approached, stepping over it.

When she backed away to reassess her position, she saw Quarra perform a mighty leap over her head, into the swarm of slugs, whereupon they were dissected it short order. After clearing a circle, Quarra held out her hand, and three slugs were sent flying to crash into a wall with enough force to splatter them. She then lifted one slug and threw it into another, both of them impaling each other with their talons. More approached her where upon they were sliced into chunks while Quarra laughed. She then held out her hand again. This time bolts of violet lightning were disgorged from her hands arcing towards the slugs, causing them to convulse while also finishing off the ones Ranna had stunned.

Quarra threw her lightsaber and the one remaining slug, slicing it in half, before sheathing her weapon with a satisfied sigh.

"Well that was fun, wouldn't you say, Blue?"

Clutching her wounded arm, Ranna walked over to where her training blade had fallen. She reattatched it to her back and turned to Quarra. "Kolto. Now."

Quarra gave an amused smile. "Sure. You're worthy of it at least."

She opened a pouch from her belt and tossed Ranna a small container. Ranna opened it and poured some of the kolto within over her wound. Within seconds the wound was already healing. The sensation was pleasant, and when the process was finished, not even a scar was left behind. She tossed the medpack back to Quarra and the two of them continued through the tunnels.

As they continued, Ranna started hearing the whispers again. She kept herself aware of her present, attempting to shut them out, but they journeyed deeper into the tomb, they continued, growing louder and louder, until she could start to make out words.

Meistras...

Meistras...

Kruso Meistras...

Atsiklatul negu tave Meistras...

Krusho tave Qyâsik Zvelgtiut...

Ranna drew her training saber again, gripping and fondling the hilt, attempting to ground herself. The chanting continued, growing louder and louder. She could now hear footsteps, shouts and blasters...

Ranna suddenly halted. As she listened again, she heard the sound of more blaster shots. They were real. They were definitely real.

"Do you hear that?" She asked Quarra.

"Yeah, sounds like fun! Let's see!" Quarra rushed forwards, and down a flight of stairs, with Ranna close behind, still perturbed by her companions definition of "fun".

The two of them entered into a larger room that was much better lit. In front of them was a group of imperial troopers crouched behind a barricade, firing at K'lor'slugs that approached.

Upon approaching, one of the soldiers turned around. He glanced at both of the girls, and then removed his helmet, revealing a middle aged Human male beneath.

"Greetings, my lords." He said, calmly as he bowed. The solders not near the barricade did the same. "Sergent Cormun, Fifth Infantry company, Korriban regiment. Can I- can I speak to you?"

Ranna paused. Their actions sent a flood of conflicting feelings to her. Their attention made her feel awkward and uncomfortable. Their bowing made her confused, though the clear reverence towards her was pleasant, though she felt ashamed afterwards. What had she done to earn such respect?

"Speak freely." Quarra said.

"You're part of the new group of acolytes that arrived?"

"Yes. Here to complete our initial trials. What's going on here?"

"As aspiring Sith, the two of you should think not only of impressing the overseers but building your ties to the military."

Quarra nodded. "What did you have in mind?"

"I'm here commanding a hard target mission to exterminate K'lor'slugs here in the tombs. They're horrific things, mouths bigger than your head."

"We've noticed." Quarra said.

"I've lost three squads of good men fighting them." Cormun said, shivering slightly as he did so. "They... come in packs, they'll just swallow a man whole."

He gestured to a partially digested corpse and Ranna winced at the thought of what the poor man must have gone through.

"I'm sorry." Ranna said.

Cormun looked somewhat confused at Ranna's response, and Quarra briefly glared at her before continuing.

"Your men clearly need better training if that's the case."

"Those were battle-hardened men. There's just so damn many of them. These things breed so fast. By they time we exterminate one swarm, it seems two more have taken it's place. There's no way to wipe them out conventionally, so we started targeting their egg chambers. However, the slugs went insane."

Everyone paused as a large number of ravenous K'lor'slugs charged towards the barricade, only barely stopped before they got too close by a flurry of blaster fire.

"Were fighting a losing battle down here. We managed to plant explosive charges into the main chamber, but we were driven off before we could detonate them, and the man with the remote trigger was eaten. We'll have to set them manually now. However, that's where you come in! With two Sith, we can fight our way back into the chambers, and detonate the charges! We'll even pay you for this!"

"Sounds like a good plan, Sergent." Quarra said.

"Excellent!" Cormun gestured to three soldiers. "You three, go with these Sith!"

The soldiers saluted, and took up positions behind Quarra as she leaped over the barricade, immediately cleaving through any K'lor'slugs in her way, while the Ranna and the troopers picked off any survivors.

As they fought their way towards the nest, Ranna took notice of how natural Quarra seemed to be as a leader. She gave orders with authority and confidence, and the troopers carried them out without question.

Sith are leaders. Ranna thought. Were she to graduate the academy, she would be a full fledged Sith. She'd have soldiers, droids, ships, and more under her command. It was a notion that both excited and worried her.

"We're here." Quarra said. They entered into one of the burial chambers, and Ranna almost vomited at the stench. The room had been converted entirely into a breeding ground. Young K'lor'slugs fed off the corpses other slugs, in mindless hunger. Sarcophagi had been cracked open and the preserved corpses within dragged out to be eaten, while still decomposing corpses of captured troopers and slaves were currently being eaten, their remains scattered around the room, rotting. Slime, blood, and waste covered the entire area. It coated the walls, and dripped from the ceiling. The slugs payed it no heed, wading through the waist deep muck on the ground to find more food, or lay more eggs. The eggs were gathered into multiple piles all throughout the room, in countless amounts, quivering.

True to Cormun's word, the charges were placed near the nests, ready to be exploded, though their view was blocked by too many moving K'lor'slugs.

Not missing a beat, as the K'lor'slugs moved to defend their nests, Quarra shouted. "Incendiaries at the ready! Throw!"

The soldiers threw grenades into the room, in the midst of the charging slugs, where they exploded in a searing burst of fire, blackening the room with smoke and filling the air with the scent of burning flesh.

"Concussion grenade ready! Throw!" At her order, one of the troopers threw a different grenade into the room. The blast created a burst of expanding air, clearing away all the smoke, revealing the destruction that had been wrought, with burning, writhing K'lor'slugs. Also, now there was an unobstructed view of the explosives, which Quarra took immediate advantage of. Reaching out with the Force, she pressed the switches on the explosives, setting them to go off.

More slugs began pouring into the room from unseen entrances, though it was hopeless for them now. The group fled, and behind them there was a deafening explosion that resonated throughout the entire tomb.

The trip back to Cormun was relatively uneventful, the number of K'lor'slugs having been vastly reduced. The few who attacked them were easily picked off.

"Good work, my lords!" Cormun said when they arrived. "I could hear the explosion from here! The credits have already been deposited in your account. On behalf of the Imperial Military, we thank you."

Quarra said nothing, and continued down the path she had been following.

Ranna, feeling awkward and leaving without saying anything managed to force out an "It was an honor." and then left the confused Cormun behind her.

They didn't have to walk for very long, as it turned out. Only a few slugs remained, moving erratically through the tombs, and were easily dealt with, and so things returned to the silence that Ranna dreaded.

To her surprise, it was broken up by Quarra, who halted at an intersection.

"So, Blue, I didn't bother asking before, but what's your trial?"

"I have to find this hermit called Spindrall?" She said.

"Huh, Spindrall." Quarra said.

"What?"

"He's kinda an oddball among the Sith, from what I've heard. Deliberately lives in these tombs and almost never comes out."

"The Overseer called him a lunatic."

"I'd say so. The academy sends failed acolytes to him. Few ever return, and those that do never speak of what happens down there."

Ranna paled.

"And on that note, this is where we must part ways Blue."

Ranna's heart sunk further. Despite how distasteful Quarra was, she wasn't blind to the fact that the skilled acolyte was the only reason Ranna was still alive.

"Why?"

"My trials down a different path. I have to find some old Sith warblade. Don't see why I need it, but whatever." Quarra began walking off. "Spindrall lives down that way! Have fun!"

Beyond the heightened danger and crushing solitude, the more pressing concern was that Quarra had taken torch droid with her, leaving Ranna in darkness lit only by the light of her electroblade. It wasn't long before the voices returned, in greater number. Any ability to identify individual words was lost among the sheer number of voices. Ranna tried everything she could to block them out, but they only became louder, and louder. She felt hands grasping at her, pulling at her clothes, and her hair. She felt breath against her ears. She began to feel colder and disoriented.

The whispers continued, drowning out the sound of Ranna's footsteps.

Ranna closed her eyes, trying to get her bearings. When she opened them, she saw a decayed hand grasp over her face, covering her mouth. She pushed free and screamed, though nobody answered her cries. She attempted to move, only for hands to grab her ankles and trip her, sending her sprawling to the ground, her electroblade clattering down near her. From her perspective on the floor she saw bare, dirty feet in front of her. She tried to look up, only for her head to be forced to the ground.

The whispers grew even louder, drowning out the sound of Ranna's screams.

She felt hands running along the entire length of her body, squeezing, pinching, clawing. She managed to free her hand, and drag her self forwards on the ground, attempting to escape. It didn't work. She felt teeth biting into her legs and she could no longer move them. She felt hands claw into her torso, and it went numb. Something covered her eyes, and she could no longer see. Something covered her ears, and she could no longer hear. She flailed about with her arms, desperate for anything to grab on to.

The whispers grew even louder, drowning out the sound of Ranna's thoughts.

Blind, she managed to grasp onto the hilt of her electroblade, and activated it. The electricity crackled along the length, dimly lighting up the hallway. Ranna quickly sat up to find that she was alone and unharmed. She tentatively stood up, keeping the blade in a defensive position.

The whispers began starting again. Ranna took off, running down the hallway. As she ran, she saw a light, and made straight towards it. Upon entering the room, the whispers were silenced. Ranna breathed a sigh of relief, before taking stock of where she was.

She was in another tomb, though this one appeared to have been converted into some sort of training area. Practice dummies were scattered about the room, while hooded figures wielding training sabers struck at them. Some turned to look briefly at Ranna as she entered, leering at her with yellow eyes, but most just focused on their training.

Beyond the training area was a staircase leading to some sort of altar. Kneeling in front of the alter was another figure in brown robes. Ranna walked up to them, noting the lightsaber at their belt.

"Slave, welcome to my humble hole. You are here for your trial, I presume? Come to learn the ways of the Sith from a doddering old man in a tomb?" Spindrall turned around, to look at Ranna. He was an elderly Human, heavily wrinkled, with gray hair and beard. However most notably, his eyes were a normal shade of brown instead of the unnatural yellow or red that Harkun and Quarra had. "And hopefully return to your master with the mark of my approval?"

"Yes, my lord." Ranna said.

"Of course you are. I know the way of things on the surface. They come into these tombs for power because they sense that they hold the secrets of the Dark Side." Spindrall said, with some weariness, Ranna noticed. "And they do. But before I pass judgement either way, you must pass a trial of blood. Survive, and I will teach you what I know."

The old man returned to his kneeling position before the altar, which Ranna noted was covered in old bloodstains.

"What's the trial?" She asked. Spindrall didn't respond.

Ranna walked down the stairs into the training area, looking at the other acolytes as they practiced their abilities on the dummies. However, they soon stopped, and as one turned towards her.

Ranna's senses immediately picked up on what was happening, and guessed that this is what Spindrall meant. She raised her training saber as the other acolytes drew close towards her, weapons drawn as well.

They formed a circle around her, and Ranna's experience with fights against other slaves told her to get all of them on one side. Two acolytes moved towards her. She ducked beneath the swing of one and circled around him, striking him in the leg with her own saber. The electricity discharged, both numbing and burning, simulating the loss of a limb to a lightsaber. He crumpled to the ground, moaning in pain.

The other attacker rushed towards her, and his blow was blocked by her own blade, with a crackling sound. The two exchanged blows, testing each others guard. The acolyte then attempted a thrust. Ranna knocked it aside and then kicked him in the shins. He stumbled back and swore, before Ranna struck him in the arm, causing him to drop his saber, before she struck his side, sending him down next to the first acolyte.

She backed away from the fallen acolytes, catching her breath, only to find herself hurled backwards. She impacted against a dummy and knocked it over. She quickly righted herself, getting her bearings, only for a bolt of discharged lightning to strike her square in the chest. She cried out and fell to the ground in pain, convulsing. Before the force wielding acolytes could strike again, Ranna rolled away, hiding behind the dummy. The other two acolytes leaped at her.

As one landed, Ranna swept her leg, sending him to the ground, where she struck him in the chest with her saber. He went limp. She avoided the other acolyte's swing with help from the force, and stood up. The two exchanged blows, before Ranna dodged to the side, putting her opponent in the path of another bolt of lighting. She stumbled, only to be struck in the neck by the saber and went down.

Ranna then held up her training saber as one of the two remaining acolytes discharged more electricity at her. The blade absorbed the lightning, and Ranna rushed forwards, striking her with the training saber. She then turned to the last remaining acolyte, who raised his blade just in time to block. She pushed forwards, knocking him off balance, before striking him on the arm, and then leg.

The fight over, she leaned over to catch her breath, and surveyed the acolytes, all moaning in pain.

She heard footsteps behind her, and the sound of applause. She quickly turned to see Spindrall walking down the stairs towards her. He stopped applauding and took in the aftermath of the fight.

"Excellent. These former acolytes wanted nothing more than to gain a second chance at glory by killing you and earn their place as Sith. But your desire proved stronger."

Ranna looked at the acolytes.

"They fought well." She said. "What now?"

Spindrall gestured towards the fallen acolytes. "Why not kill them? Let their blood become the mantle of your victory!"

"What? The fights over! I don't want to kill them!"

"You wish to become Sith? Surely, mercy is a weakness to be purged?" Spindrall asked. "Why spare them?"

Ranna looked over the acolytes, still moaning on the ground. She tried to reach out with the Force. To sense them. Helpless as they were, it was easy. "They're alone, like me. They don't have anywhere to go. Becoming Sith was all they had left. Taking any more from them would be meaningless."

Spindrall seemed intrigued. "And you stand by this answer?"

"Yes." Ranna answered. As she did so, she felt more calm and at peace.

Spindrall held out his hand, and she felt something flow from him into the acolytes. The got up, groaning in pain.

"Get out, all of you, never return!"

The acolytes nodded and limped out. Spindrall turned back to Ranna.

"Interesting choice. Well done. But you are not Sith yet." Spindrall said. He then headed back towards the altar. Ranna followed. He stood in front of her and began to speak.

"Peace is a lie, there is only passion.

Through passion I gain strength.

Through strength I gain power.

Through power I gain victory.

Through victory, my chains are broken.

The Force shall free me."

"This is the Sith Code. Commit it to your heart, and you will have the strength to succeed. Do you understand?"

"Yes... I think." Ranna said. "I must use my drive and emotions to grow strong?"

"You have passed your first trial. But do not be timid. Humility is the attitude of a slave, not a Sith."

"Thank you, my Lord." Ranna said.

"Now go. Return to Harkun and nurture your hatred of him. Use your fear of him to grow stronger. He may raise his fist to strike, but it is Zash who determines where the blow will land.

"You know them?" Ranna asked.

"Yes. Both came through here in their time, though they have gone their separate paths since. You have my judgement. Now go, and leave me to my rest." He handed her a small stone tablet.

"Thank you, my Lord."

"You will seek me out again." Spindrall said, as he returned to his meditation. Ranna severely doubted his words, but said nothing.

She left the chamber, and reentered the darkness of the tomb.

Her journey was thankfully short, and the whispers remained at a very low volume. She ran into Quarra heading towards the tomb's exit, now with an ornate looking sword slung over her back.

"Hey, Blue, so you passed your trial too? How'd it go?"

Ranna gave a very brief description of Spindrall's trial.

"You got to fight actual people? You're the lucky one."

I wouldn't exactly call that luck. Ranna thought.

"All I got to fight were some old droids. Droids don't scream, it's boring! And all for what? An old sword!" She drew the blade, and pointed it at Ranna's face. Now acquainted with weapons being pointed at her (the thought of which was kind of unnerving itself) she remained calm.

"It's a rather nice looking blade." Ranna said, inspecting it.

"Yeah, but why would I need that fossil when I have this!" She said, gesturing to the lightsaber on her belt. She then paused. "Heck, you can have it, for all I care."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I just have to show it to Overseer Tremel first." Quarra returned the blade to it's sheathe, and then started walking again.

"So, Blue, what's your story?"

"My... story."

"Yeah, how'd you get sent to the academy."

"I was a slave, discovered I had the force, attacked the master, got sent to the academy." Ranna really didn't like thinking about it, besides, this was clearly just an excuse for Quarra to talk about herself. "What about you?

"Me? I come from a long line of powerful Sith, going all the way back to at least the time of this tomb's namesake." She said with a smile. "And yes, me being here is just a formality. I'm already stronger than any acolyte here. My grandfather, Darth Baras wants the prestige before I become his apprentice."

Quarra began talking about her family history, and Ranna stopped paying attention, thinking about the future. As they walked, she saw another source of light. Up a few flights of stairs, the acolytes found the exit to the tomb.

Ranna walked out, abandoning the cold chill of the tomb, and welcoming the heat of the desert. After her time in the darkness, even moonlight felt energizing and uplifting. She took a deep breath and relaxed.

"And there it is!" Quarra said.

Ranna looked forwards once her eyes adjusted. Up close, the Sith Academy was much more intimidating, the massive pyramidal structure looming over the Valley of the Dark Lords. The path lead straight forwards, towards the massive ramp leading into the Academy. The overhang over the ramp was held up by two pillar like statues of slaves straining to lift the pyramid over their backs. The Sith were nothing if not consistent.

It was much more active here as well. As the two of them approached the Academy, Ranna noticed many more people here. Acolytes entered and exited the school, while troopers stood guard at entrances and exits.

Walking up the entrance, Ranna felt small again, but in a different way. In the tombs she felt the weight of danger and fear. Here she felt the weight of possibility. She was about to begin her true training as Sith.

She turned to look at Quarra, only to see her fellow acolyte had vanished. Breathing a sigh of relief, Ranna entered the academy alone.

The main hall of the academy was dominated my a massive 4 sided monolith. Two sides of the spike were carved in the shape of wailing souls, while the other two had carvings in the Sith language. Though she couldn't read it, judging by the pattern and form, it was the Sith Code.

"You made it!" Ranna was startled from her analysis and jumped to see someone behind her. The acolyte who had attempted to joke with her upon arrival on Korriban was now standing next to her.

"Yes, you too, I see..." Truthfully, Ranna had completely forgotten about her, and now felt ashamed for doing so.

"Thank goodness. I was worried I wasn't going to have anyone to talk to!" She said, smiling. "I'm Kory, by the way!"

"Ranna."

"Well, let's not keep Harkun waiting." Kory said. "If we only knew where to go..."

"Harkun's classroom. Room 2B-9." Answered a protocol droid as it walked past.

"Well that was convenient!" Kory said. "C'mon, let's go!"

The second floor room was not at all difficult to find, and upon entering, Ranna was rather surprised. The room resembled more a lecture hall one might see at a university, with rows of seats.

All the other students were currently gathered in the large area at the center of the room, standing before Harkun.

"Ah, and they're here. Just like slaves to be the stragglers!" There was some chuckling from the other acolytes, which made her blush. Harkun then gestured to the Pureblood. "Not at all like Ffon Althe here! This is real Sith strength! He will tear you apart and crush your bones! Look on him. No connections left in the world but pure Sith blood! This is Lord Zash's future apprentice, not filth like you!"

Some would be uncomfortable or awkward in the face of blatant favoritism like this. Ffon simply crossed his arms and smiled smugly. Ranna could even feel the arrogance bleeding off this man.

"Hello Ffon! Nice to meet you!"

Everything in the room paused, and Ranna turned to see Kory, now blushing heavily with shame while even Harkun stared at her in disbelief. The Overseer sighed, and quickly regained composure. "Case in point."

"Er..." Kory backed away, while the other students laughed again. Ranna stepped near her and held her hand. Kory smiled. She almost missed when Harkun began speaking again.

"You're rooms have already been assigned to you! You will have the night to get situated in your new residences. Return here at eight sharp! Dismissed! Except for you Kory. You stay behind for a moment."

The students left the classroom, Ranna looked behind her as she left, seeing Kory approach Harkun and feeling nervous.

She decided to put it out of her head. She had made it to the academy. She was okay for now. Ranna followed the directions of another protocol droid standing outside the class, and entered into her dormitory, hoping that Kory might show up soon after her. It was a meager room consisting of a bunk bed, a pair of shelves, and a pair of desks.

Ranna walked over to the bed. And a massive metal object was jammed into the wall near her. She jumped back in shock, before realizing that the object was a sword. Her heart sunk.

"Hey, Blue! Looks like were rooming together!"

Cue Darth Vader theme...

And that's the second chapter. Surprisingly, a lot to cover here. The tomb took up a lot more than I thought it would. I at one point considered dividing this into two chapters, but nowhere seemed like a good break point. Anyways, I had a lot of fun writing this. I tried to give the viewpoint of someone who's been a Sith all their life in Quarra. Tell me what you think of her! Also, Sith tombs would totally be freaky places, especially ones filled with giant man eating worms.

Thanks for reading so far! Please leave a review or comment. Feedback really does help me learn.

~Dragonexx