CHAPTER FIVE

The tomb of Marka Ragnos was not far from the Academy, and Necrolis had walked at a steady pace to finally stand at the entrance. He had gone over the data pad with the mapped layout of the tomb a few times on the walk, memorizing the image and where he needed to go. Much like previous trials, he had no illusions the tomb would have enough traps, beasts, and likely a few scavengers and acolytes that would get in his way. Unslinging the war blade from his shoulder, Necrolis stood staring down the stairs leading into the tomb. Taking a moment to calm himself, to find his center, he knew there was no point in wasting any more time. Blade out at and carried at his side, Necrolis headed down to confront the beast.

It was sunset before Necrolis would take the same steps, climbing from the confines of the tomb back above ground. His hand gripped the long dark brown claw of the beast's hand. He'd decided to take a trophy to show his success. At the very least, Tremel could mount it on his desk, he thought. With it there would be no doubt as to his success.

The beast had been large, standing double him in height. It had been a beige-rose colour, back plated and spiked. The creature had been all savage fury and rage, all teeth and claws. Finding the meditation chamber had not been hard. It had been a half circle in shape, with a high vaulted ceiling. Urns alight with dancing blue flame had framed the stairs leading up before the large tablet with the sith code upon it. He had knelt then, clearing his mind to meditate. That was until the beast had caught his scent and charged in. Necrolis had wasted little time then with the fight upon him. In the end he was standing, the beast was not, and he had taken his trophy.

Bathed in the blood of the beast, dragging the severed forearm and hand along behind him, Necrolis could feel the eyes of the other acolytes and Imperial troopers as he made his way back to the academy. He caught the low whispers as those he passed gaped and spoke of what they were seeing. Necrolis didn't doubt Tremel would likely know he had succeeded long before he reached his office. It took a little longer on the walk back to the Academy, but soon he was at the top of the long entry ramp. Necrolis caught the wide eyed stare of Loun, and he gave a thin lipped grin and nod to her. He knew he made quite the sight, and he wondered which shocked her more, his appearance, or the fact he had been successful and was dragging the beast's hand as proof of such.

Not a single person spoke with him as he passed into the academy. The red robed guard that stood at attention in the hallway before Tremel's office bowed their heads to him at his passing. Necrolis gave a grin knowing none were there to see it. He kept moving, his steps leading him into Tremel's office. It was then that Necrolis noticed the figure that stepped away from the wall to block his path. The tattooed, large framed form of Dolgis stood before him, arms crossed and eyes glaring.

"Stop right there." Dolgis growled. "That's far enough."

"Get out of my way, fool." Necrolis stated, not wishing for a fight, but already coming to the conclusion it was going to happen regardless of his feelings. Dolgis was Vemrin's lapdog. He had expected such would come, and now was the time it seemed. Opportunistic bastard, he thought, knowing Dolgis had picked a moment when he was seemingly tired out.

"Look around, no cameras, no witnesses." Dolgis snarled, brandishing his war blade in one meaty hand. "It's time for you to die."

Necrolis let go of the beast's hand and unslung his own weapon. Dolgis must have thought after his fight, seeing him covered in blood, that he would be easy prey. It was a fatal miscalculation. Necrolis kept no expression on his face as he readied himself. Dolgis would have the height and weight advantage, but he lacked skill. He was all power, no skill or style. Necrolis had taken his measure the moment they had met, and found him wanting.

"It is time for one of us to die." Necrolis agreed, "And that will not be me."

Necrolis let Dolgis make the first move. The mountain of an acolyte attacked with a massive overhand attack that Necrolis countered and blocked. The war blades of both of them came together hard enough Necrolis felt the vibrations through his weapon and down through his arms. Shoving back, Necrolis pulled back before spinning, blade swinging in towards its target. Dolgis was too big, too slow, to move out of the way in time. The blow sliced deep across his left thigh as it connected. A quick turn of the swing and Necrolis brought the blade back down the other way. This time the strike found the man's shoulder. Dolgis groaned and gritted his teeth. He could not fail Vemrin, he would not. With a deep throated cry, he launched blows at Necrolis, chopping away with his war blade. Necrolis frustrated him time and again, blocking and turning aside each blow. Each time he did so, Necrolis launched a quick counter attack that found a way past his guard. Dolgis could tell their skills were not even close even as he was cut time and again, his blood dripping to the floor of the hallway.

Necrolis caught Dolgis off guard, changing tactics. Shifting from a straight fight with war blades, Necrolis brought to bear his mastery of the force. Letting out a cry, Necrolis let the force flow through him, sending it out with the cry right at Dolgis from point blank range. The force scream slammed the man back, lifting him off his feet to bounce off the steel wall behind. The strike had enough power to leave the wall dented even as Dolgis slumped to the floor. Vemrin's muscle groaned, glancing up even as Necrolis loomed over him.

"Vemrin… I've failed you." Dolgis whispered.

"You have indeed." Necrolis sneered before bringing the war blade down for the final time.

"You've returned, and you have succeeded!" Tremel stated, a smile on his face as he rose from his desk. His eyes immediately went to the severed hand Necrolis had dragged in behind him.

"I brought you a trophy, Overseer." Necrolis stated, watching the man and studying his reaction.

"So I see. I'll have to see about finding a place for it, but time for that later." Tremel's tone grew serious. Necrolis noted the agitation in the man, knowing it did not bode well.

"Your slaying of the beast caused tremors in the force. Darth Baras has felt such, and has now taken an even bigger interest in you. He's demanded an audience."

Necrolis nodded at the news. He knew sooner or later it would have happened, but he was surprised the slaying had brought such about. It did not seem so dire in the end to him. Tremel had wanted him positioned to oppose Vemrin and supplant him. If it was sooner, rather than later, Necrolis knew he was more than up for the task. If he wasn't, the sith way was not forgiving. Necrolis had no intentions of dying however. Tremel should have known he could handle such, Necrolis thought.

"Do not be over eager, acolyte." Tremel cautioned, raising a hand. "Darth Baras is manipulative, intuitive, and dangerous. His curiosity has been peaked and he wants to know you better, what makes you either ally or threat. Heed this, do not ever let your guard down or take Baras lightly. To do so is death."

Necrolis nodded at the Overseers words. There was wisdom in them, and he knew he would have to ensure he kept his honed and practiced calm about him at all times. He was moving from one circle of power into a higher one. The danger he faced would likewise increase as he did so. Still, Necrolis knew he was one step closer to taking care of the thorn in his side, Vemrin, and that was something to like about the whole situation. Dolgis had only wet his appetite.

"I shall remember such, Overseer." Necrolis advised with a nod of his head. "I am ready."

Tremel eyed the confident acolyte before him and wondered. He had so little time to truly prepare Necrolis. The games of sith had forced his hand, his plans in jeopardy of unravelling. If that happened, Tremel held no illusion his life, and that of Necrolis, were forfeit. If that happened, then the sith order, with Vemrin climbing the ranks, would weaken and die a slow death. Tremel held no doubts about the future if Baras was allowed to advance sith like Vemrin.

"You will find Darth Baras in his chambers." Tremel stated, pushing aside his worry. "Get cleaned up and see him right away. Your true trials are now ahead of you, and all our hopes rest on your shoulders, acolyte."

Necrolis had taken time to shower, washing off the blood of the beast of Marak Ragnos. He had counted the cuts to his arms, his side, and a gash to his leg. All had been minor injuries, with nothing that had required immediate attention from the academy medical droids. He would deal with the nuisance injuries later, he decided. While he had been relatively unscathed, his armour had been another matter. While he had managed to acquire a few artefacts he had sold and turned into credits, he had found the academy sellers to be quite shrewd at gouging credits. In the end, Necrolis had just enough to get a set of duellist armour, red coloured, to replace his torn up gear. New grey boots and gloves accented and completed his new look. Necrolis could have cared less about looking the part, so long as the armour was functional. He'd dressed and then taken a moment to collect himself, staring at the expressionless face he wore in the mirror. Are you ready for this, he asked himself? Knowing there was no way to truly know, other than to face such head on, Necrolis left his room. Quick determined steps carried him up to the second level of the Academy. Darth Baras was waiting.

He was almost at the corridor to the Dark Lord's chambers when he spotted a group of acolytes. At seeing him they moved, gathering to impede his path. Necrolis wondered for a moment if Vemrin had yet again sent others to do his work for him. Reaching out with the force, he sensed no rage or anger from the group to give such away. Curiosity peaked, Necrolis decided to let things play out as they would. Cautious, but calm as ever, Necrolis stopped and eyed them all. He made a concerted effort in ensuring none of them even attempted to slide around behind him.

"You're the acolyte Baras has summoned, the beast killer, aren't you?" A large, thick and youthful acolyte stated.

"I don't hide such." Necrolis answered carefully, fingers twitching, ready to grab up his weapon if needed.

The woman to the acolytes left moved forward, hand reaching out to press on the other's arm as she moved between them. Necrolis arched an eyebrow at her. She was slight, quite a bit shorter, reaching just below his shoulder. Dark black hair had been cut into a bob, with a braid hanging down from each side to frame her face. She was young, but her eyes told Necrolis she had already seen much as an acolyte.

"Forgive Teeno, he's a bit… blunt." The woman said giving Necrolis a soft smile. "I'm Phyne, and we've come to make you an offer."

Necrolis glanced at the group of acolytes before his red eyes found the woman once more. He studied her a moment before nodding. Things were not as they seemed, he thought. Letting such play out had only grown his curiosity. Seeing the pure blooded sith nod, Phyne continued.

"We know you've got enemies, and well if you ever need anything taken care of… we'll gladly offer to help."

Necrolis let his eyebrow arch at Phyne's words. Oh he got the meaning of them, but he was wary of just what the catch was. His pause in replying right away made the large acolyte, Teeno speak up. Necrolis almost laughed. All muscle, no brains, he thought. Did the academy clone Dolgis and give him out as a pet to acolytes, he wondered?

"What she's saying is, you want Vemrin dead, we'll take care of it."

"Teeno!" Phyne yelled, her hand turning into a fist to punch him as hard as she could in his arm to shut him up.

"And just what is in it for you?" Necrolis asked as he watched the group carefully. Already he was thinking of how best they might be used to his advantage. He had little doubt they would fail up against Vemrin, but sometimes luck had a way of surprising you.

"We get rid of a thorn in all our sides." Phyne looked him directly in the eyes, then grinned as she continued, "And we find we have a very powerful new ally for our group. We're known as the Shadow Cartel."

Necrolis nodded as he thought about what Phyne had said. Allies were not something Necrolis wanted, or in truth needed. Attachments were merely open invitations for attack. Propping yourself up was mere weakness. On the other hand, Vemrin had already sent Dolgis. Returning the favour would not be a bad thing at all, and if any of the acolytes lived, then they showed some merit and promise after all. Necrolis decided he would need to play the game on Vemrin's terms, and he'd already established the rules. So long as I don't have to associate with that name they call themselves, he thought. Who in their right minds would call themselves the Shadow Cartel?

"Let me just say I would not lose any sleep at all if something… unfortunate… were to happen to a rival."

Phyne immediately punched Teeno's arm at hearing Necrolis' words. She didn't need the man speaking any further. She locked her eyes on Necrolis and nodded. She then gave a slight bow in a show of respect to him.

"Say no more, it's not necessary." Phyne gave him a wink as she marched the other acolytes past him. Necrolis wondered if he would speak with her again, or any of them for that matter.

Baras was already speaking to a group of acolytes in his chambers when Necrolis arrived. He quickly spotted Vemrin standing off to the right of the group. He seemed almost bored, which Necrolis could at least understand. Glancing at the other acolytes, he could already tell they would have been no match in a straight fight against Vemrin. They were there because they'd simply survived long enough to put themselves in a position to be killed. Leaning against the doorframe, Necrolis waited and watched as Baras dismissed the group. Pushing away from his spot, Necrolis then ventured within. As he approached, Necrolis took in Darth Baras for the first time. Much as he knew Baras was studying him, Necrolis was doing the same right back.

Baras was just a bit shorter than he was, dressed in pale blue robes and armour, shoulder plates long and pointed. His head was encased in a smooth faceless metal mask. The man may have been a Darth, but he looked like a six slotted therma-slice, Necrolis thought. Darth Therma-slice. The thought struck Necrolis as quite humorous, but be brushed it aside. There would be time enough later to think about that. He had to be on guard and careful for the time being. Vemrin moved to stand just off to his right before Baras. The anger was literally rolling off him, rippling through the force. Necrolis knew his presence had unnerved the man, and he was on the verge of losing his cool altogether. The fight was coming, and quickly.

"The tension is thick between you both, I can feel the anger. I wonder what will happen when it boils over." Baras commented as he glanced between the two acolytes.

Baras turned his attention to Necrolis. The red skinned, pureblood sith had surprised him. It was a feat not so easy to do. His network he had painstakingly set up had given him little information, and for that he was not at all amused. This upstart had been placed in his way by Tremel. That man had long surpassed being a nuisance. The time was coming to once and for all deal with him. All that was left was the how in that regards. What to do with this upstart, though? That question had yet to be answered.

"Vemrin, you are dismissed."

Vemrin cast a hard glare towards Necrolis but followed Darth Baras's direction and stormed out of the chambers. With his challenger gone, it left Necrolis standing and waiting as Baras paced before him. The Dark Lord was clearly sizing him up. Necrolis remained calm, unmoving, and patient. Finally Baras stopped his pacing and stood, hands clasped before him.

"You have had everything handed to you. You were fast tracked through your trials to your detriment. Even the beast you slew was here on Korriban, not out there in the galaxy in the wild. You have not earned what you have." Baras admonished his tone almost hateful. "Do you even know what it means to be Sith? Do you know the Sith code?"

Necrolis could feel the frustration coming from Baras. Keeping calm and as unreadable as possible was clearly getting to the man. Necrolis knew there was no point in arguing, and he was not foolish enough to care to try and bluff his way through a recital of the sith Code. He knew it of course, but scholars memorized and spewed such verbatim. A warrior knew such, they lived such. They didn't waste their time memorizing words.

"I cannot, my Lord." Necrolis simply answered.

"You will learn, or die." Baras retorted angrily, "You serve me now, I am your master. You will succeed and show your worth, or die."

Necrolis nodded and waited then, red eyes watching and reading every bit of body language, every inflection and tone in Darth Baras's words. He could sense the man was up to something. Sith politics, Necrolis reminded himself. It was all games within games, within even more games.

"Overseer Tremel schemes, he plots. His foolish, blind plans weaken the order. His handling of you only proves such. Such actions are those of a traitor. The penalty is death. You will go now and kill Tremel. You will be absolved of any wrongdoing, on this I decree."

Necrolis fought to keep the calm exterior, to show absolutely no emotion, no response to the man's words. He was being sent to kill Tremel. He had to kill the man who had pushed and promoted him, treated him better than he had his own daughter, in fact. He had brought Necrolis into this game of siths, and now he was being used to remove him from the game.

"Bring me his hand as proof."

Necrolis nodded to Darth Baras before turning about and striding from his chambers. Once his back was turned, Necrolis allowed himself to frown. He had passed the real trial, he knew, at least partially. He had gotten not just an audience, but a chance to show he was Vemrin's equal, and better. There was no doubt Tremel would be pleased at such. Necrolis knew he had worried over it since Baras had demanded the meeting. Still, Tremel dead was not something that Necrolis wanted. He had no desire to have the Overseer's blood on his hands. Betraying him was something Necrolis had not seen coming. Darth Baras had turned the tables on Tremel, and now used him as his instrument of destruction.

Necrolis walked the corridor away from Baras's chambers, managing to find his way down to the lower level of the academy. He was partway to Tremel's office when he finally brought himself to a stop, leaning against the wall and trying to breathe. Suddenly it seemed he could not get enough air, his thoughts scattering as he dwelled on what he must do. Killing was not a problem, he had done such enough times he barely lost sleep over it or paid it a second thought. This time however, it was something else entirely. Sith did not make friends, mostly due to the combative nature in the climb for station and power. Overseer Tremel was the closest Necrolis would say he had to being such on Korriban. And now I must slay him, he thought.

He barely registered Phyne and a group of other acolytes as they came down the hall and passed him. A few he recognized from the meeting earlier. The Shadow Cartel they had called themselves. He paid them little mind, consumed with his dark thoughts. Only when Phyne's warm hand touched his arm did Necrolis glance up, taking notice she had left the group and stopped there in the hallway with him.

"You look troubled." She said softly, leaning in close to speak so no others would hear the conversation.

"I am fine, merely tired." Necrolis lied easily, shrugging to the woman.

"If rumour is true, I don't doubt it." Phyne said, "You've done more in so short a time than anyone I think ever has at the Academy."

Necrolis spared her a quick fleeting smile. The woman had at least earned that small courtesy. It was unexpected that she had stopped to talk to him, but it was not unpleasant. It was giving him a much needed distraction at least. It was a chance to find his center and get himself together for what was ahead of him.

"You sure you are alright?" She pressed a bit, hand remaining on Necrolis's arm.

"Do you ever find you have doubts before a trial?"

Phyne cocked her head as she looked at the man, thinking on his question a moment before she smiled softly and nodded. It was a strange question, not one she would have expected from him. Clearly something had happened in his meeting with Darth Baras that had left the man in a strange mood. Whatever it was, she had no doubts he would handle it. The fact he seemed to have passed the introduction with Baras said enough to her. There were a lot of rumours and whispers happening in the ranks of the acolytes, all about Necrolis Darkstar.

"Sometimes." She said. "I find when that happens I take the time to look in the mirror."

Necrolis arched an eyebrow at the woman then before asking, "And what do you see?"

"Me." Phyne smiled and chuckled lightly. "I see myself, who I am… and then I remember what I need to do, and I do it."

Necrolis thought on the woman's words and then nodded in understanding. Who was he? He was an acolyte, a sith, and as such there was no weakness allowed or tolerated. There should be no remorse over what needed to be done, no regrets. Tremel deserved better than for him to be as weak as to cower in the face of adversity. He had brought him there, pinned his plans on his strength and success. The thoughts brought things back into perfect clarity for Necrolis. He knew what needed to be done. He was centered. He was comfortable with what he would do. He was sith, and needed to act like one.

"You have my thanks." Necrolis said straightening, and Phyne noticed the change immediately. Oh yes, she thought, he's back to his usual self. Whatever had plagued his thoughts was now gone.

"Perhaps when you are done…. Maybe we might… unwind together." Phyne winked playfully at Necrolis as she moved to leave and catch up with the group she had slipped away from to speak with him.

"Perhaps." Necrolis answered back, forcing a smile on his face for her benefit. The truth was he doubted any such thing would happen. If she was even around at all later, that was.

Necrolis paused outside of Tremel's office. Taking a deep breath, he set his shoulders back and raised his head high as he and marched inside. Tremel spotted him and smiled, rising from behind his desk to stand. He showed his eagerness to learn what had happened, let alone the confusion over his quick return to his office. There was no sign that Tremel even suspected anything was amiss. Baras had turned his asset to an enemy, and the man was completely in the dark about it.

"You've returned, and so soon." Tremel remarked, Necrolis nodding back in answer, not trusting his voice.

The Overseer looked at Necrolis then. It was hard to miss the young sith's stiffness, the tightened expression around the mouth and eyes on his face. Something, he knew, was wrong. Necrolis was always calm, always almost unreadable when it came to emotion. Now, however, Tremel could sense a deep troubling turbulence within him. It made the small hairs on the back of his neck rise. What have you done, Baras?

"What has happened?"

Necrolis looked at Tremel, then his gaze dropped, sliding down to the man's hand. The ring he wore, his family ring, glinted lightly as he watched. Shaking his head, Necrolis brought his head up, red eyes locking on the man. I am sith, he thought as if to re-enforce the fact with within himself.

"Darth Baras is now my master." Necrolis stated, words cold and devoid of feeling. "He has bid me kill you now."

Tremel eyed Necrolis and nodded. He knew there was little choice for the acolyte but to act, no matter how unpleasant he found the task assigned. Tremel had set the pieces on the board, had orchestrated his plans carefully. Baras, however, had out-manoeuvred him. There was no way out. Not for him, not for Necrolis. This was the end game for Tremel. Damn you, he thought of Baras, sensing the conflict of emotion within Necrolis. And yet he is still here, still prepared to do what he must. I chose well, Tremel thought then.

"All my plans come to this." Tremel said softly, nodding as he spoke to Necrolis. "Either I die, or you do. Baras wins, but only if you fail. Are you ready then, Necrolis?"

Necrolis stared at the man and nodded. He could not help the pang of remorse. Even staring death in the face, Tremel showed strength and resilience. He accepted what was and did not hide from it, or cower away as others might have. It was commendable, though it would not help him. They would fight, they would throw everything they had at one another, and in the end one of them would fall this day.