Chapter 68: The Lord Councilor

"Your guests have arrived, Lord Councilor."

Darth Avaryss, Dark Lord of the Sith, daughter, and one true heir, of Darth Feer, and Lord of three star systems smiled.

Lord Councilor, she thought, with a barely stifled giggle.

Has a nice ring to it.

She settled back in her new throne, slipping deeper into the shadows of it, she found the whole thing soothing…

This is it; she knew.

This…is where I belong.

The Dark Lord, and new Lord Councilor, had wasted no time using her new authority. She had ordered the throne room in the government tower opened to her; it would be the perfect place to see to her business interests. She could have used one of the board rooms in the tower, but they would not have served, she had a point to make today.

Normally, this room was closed off, only the Emperor or one of his staff would have been allowed to use it, but her new position as a member of the Dark Council did allow her some leeway.

Let the people know from the moment they see me that I now rule here, she thought.

Whatever they think of me, it doesn't matter…as long as they understand one thing…

She fought down another girlish giggle.

From now on…Avaryss rules.

Her fellow councilors had all left, returning to their various ships, with their leaving, she now found herself the highest ranking Sith on Oridanna, the true dark lord of this world.

She had already started to enjoy her new position.

Avaryss had just finished concluding some business. She had officially been confirmed as a member of the Council last night; which meant she still had many matters to attend to. Her coup had been mostly bloodless, but in its wake, matters still had to be handled. By Sith Law, all of her former master's holdings had now passed to her. It was an avalanche of new responsibilities, and privileges.

So many are depending on me, she realized, so much has to be done, choices had to be made, and so many bodies need to be buried.

She had gotten started with the meeting that had just ended.

There were twenty-three military commanders here on Oridanna, men and women that Darth Feer had installed to ensure his power here. She had called them all together including the newly named Moff Hissa, and Cynn Feer, her trade minister.

Hissa and Feer were safe, but the others needed to understand what she needed of them, what she expected…

Surprisingly, she had only needed to kill eight of them.

She had gotten the names from Synestra Feer, her master's widow had been more than happy to provide her with what she needed, especially, considering what Avaryss had offered her in exchange for that information.

The new Councilor took a deep cleansing breath, relishing the fading scent of death on the air, the droids had only just removed the bodies, but she was wise enough to know that it wasn't enough.

Soon, her commanders would understand that too.

She dismissed the remaining officers. Cynn was also allowed to leave, Avaryss had more than made her point to her late master's daughter.

She did ask Hissa to remain, she wanted him to see what was about to happen. While she awaited her next round of guests, she accessed the hyper-comm built into her throne, it bathed her scarred face in blue light as she made the calls necessary to the business of rule.

She enjoyed the slight paling of the new Moff's face as he listened to her making those calls.

Eight full strike teams were currently moving out across the planet, their mission was simple, purge any friends or family members that could possibly try and seek revenge for the deaths that she had caused here.

She had spoken with each team's commander personally.

"I want a clean sweep, no survivors." She informed them.

…and then…she smirked, an old memory coming back to her.

"And if…by some twist of fate you discover a Force sensitive among the victims, there is something that I need you to do…something…special."

"Whatever you need, councilor," one of her commanders assured her, "We will do what must be done."

Good, she thought.

She preferred to do business with loyal and smart people.

She leaned in closer.

"If you do come upon a Force sensitive, kill them quickly, do not take the chance of them escaping. Let none stand in your way, not even the Imperial Mission. If one of your subordinates try to talk you out of it, execute them as well, and send word to me so that I may deal with their families and loved ones as well."

All the commanders paled at that last part of the order.

"My Lord? Did…did we hear…?"

"You heard me correctly," she hissed, her red eyes blazing beneath her black cowl.

"No survivors."

She ended the transmission without further debate, there had been no reason to.

She leaned back in her throne, enjoying the sensation of letting herself slip deeper into the shadows.

It might have been better had she killed all of the officers, but restraint did have its place.

Eight would be enough.

She had now freed up enough space to begin reconstructing the old farm system. The lands that the slain had ruled now fell to her, she would gift those lands to the most loyal farmers of this world. They would still have to pay her tribute, but she would offer them a fair contract, and in five years their lands would be fully theirs. The wealthy landowners in the south would be restored, and from there, she would be able to begin rebuilding the private farms as well.

Cynn had actually agreed with this plan, and it would cost far less than the military build up that Feer had used to maintain control.

The old system had worked, she saw no reason that it couldn't work again.

Oridanna would be restored to its former glory. She would not be as hands off a ruler as Daverus, but she would let those that knew how to rule this place, rule it.

It had been Feer's mistake to play micro-manager.

"Excellent, my daughter, excellent, do not make the same mistakes that I made."

I won't, father, she thought, I do learn from the mistakes of the past.

Yes, she had learned well. Both as a ruler and as a Sith.

Feer had been a fool to let her live, and he had paid for it.

She would not risk making that mistake, only she would rule here.

She would offer her enemies no chance for revenge.

She took a deep breath, and used the Force to pull a glass of green champaign to her hands.

She sipped the liquor from a flute glass, and nodded.

"I'm not my father," she thought grimly.

I will not repeat his mistakes.

"I know you won't," Darth Feer whispered from the ether.

"You…will make me proud."

IOI

She had not been sure what would happen. In the moments after she had slain Darth Feer, she had been briefly…unsure.

She had felt his end, and yet…yet…

She frowned.

His body lay at her feet, but even in that moment she had remained truly uncertain of her victory.

She had lived under threat of her master for so long, and now, that she had finally stepped out of that shadow, she had felt a brief frisson of fear.

Was it over, a part of her wondered?

Was he…truly gone?

She…she wasn't sure how she was to feel about this.

There was…pain, pain that came from more than the injuries she had suffered. She was shocked that she felt guilt. She had done what was expected, what she had desired for so long, but still…still…

He was…her master.

Was it possible to love and hate someone at the same time? She had avenged herself, she was now free, but…but…

She felt…

She felt elation and guilt, but she…she expected more.

Feer always filled a room with his presence, at least, that is how it always had seemed to her.

Now that he had crossed over, she felt…

She was…empty, again.

She felt…nothing, nothing had changed.

He's not dead.

It was an irrational thought, the thought of an animal caught in a trap or an abused child who could never find peace.

This is all some trick, a Sith glamour, or…or maybe…something else. He wants you to feel safe. He wants you to think you've won, but soon he will appear behind you, make you suffer for thinking you were strong enough to kill him, that you were foolish enough to even challenge him.

A shiver ran down her spine, she thought if she turned around, she would see him standing there, laughing at her.

"Scream for me, apprentice…"

"I want to hear one little scream."

She took a shuddering breath, and glared down at his corpse.

"No," she growled.

"You're gone. I got you…you…you bastard."

What did hate, or love, matter in the face of that cold hard fact.

She took another breath, slowly regaining control, finally throwing away the scared fifteen-year-old girl who had been inside her for almost half a decade.

You do not rule me, not anymore.

She stood straighter.

I'm not some frightened farm girl from Oridanna.

"I'm Darth Avaryss," she said to the fallen Sith, "I'm a Dark Lord of the Sith."

She sneered down at the body.

"I'm NOT yours anymore."

In that moment she felt it wash over her, the dark side that Feer had always kept to himself, that power that had always intimidated her, and at the same time, made her mouth water, hunger for it.

Master…and apprentice.

One to embody the power, the other to crave it.

The words flowed over her, much like the power, itself.

It filled her up, she accepted it. It was part of her inheritance too.

It was both cold and hot, it froze her fears and scoured her clean.

You are free, she heard her late master whisper.

And now…the galaxy…is yours.

Hearing that…it made her feel better.

Feer was gone, but his training remained.

He had given her what she needed.

The galaxy would be hers.

She turned, noticed several imperials standing there, watching her.

She gave them an icy glare.

"See to the body," she ordered, "Have it prepared for transport to Korriban."

The imperials nodded and hurried off to fulfill her wishes.

She didn't look back, she no longer needed to.

He was gone, but his legacy would remain. It would live on…in her.

I will claim everything we talked about, master, she thought.

I know you will, my child, she heard him whisper back.

I know you will.

IOI

What followed had been a whirlwind.

Vowrawn confirmed her as Feer's heir, and her appointment to the Dark Council. None of the lords objected, despite her young age.

Despite the injuries she had suffered during their final duel, she had not sought out medical attention, she had used that pain to make her powerful. She fed on it, and grew stronger.

There was no pain where the power lies.

She paid close attention to her fellow Sith, the other lords of the Dark Council.

Nox nodded thoughtfully in her direction, she could feel his acceptance, even Darth Marr, somewhere out on his destroyer radiated pleasure through the Force.

They thought she had removed an overly ambitious Sith, and was now working strictly towards cabal interests.

The thought amused her.

If they thought that way, then they were fools.

The cabal had given her what she needed; they had taught her the secrets of rule. Once she had the throne; she would deal with them. She had no need of them looking over her shoulder, questioning her motives and plans.

No…an Empress had no need of such a distraction.

An Empress…ruled.

Be patient, my child, Feer's voice advised, let them believe they have won a victory here, take your time, and gather your strength.

All will be yours…soon enough.

Wise advice, she thought.

She would be a fool to ignore it.

Dealing with the Cabal would come later, but first, she needed to cement her power.

She could leave nothing to chance.

Her first order of business had been to make sure that any chaos in the Feer controlled systems would be kept to a minimum. She called the Lady Synestra forward. She had felt a brief sense of fear from her master's widow, by the old traditions, Synestra and Cynn would need to die to ensure Avaryss' power base.

She was tempted to do just that, given their history, but decided against it.

Tradition had its place, but knowledge and experience could be useful.

In a somewhat surprising move, she declared the Lady Synestra the new lord of House Feer. Her house would continue to exist under Avaryss control.

The move surprised some of her fellow councilors, at least, until they heard her reasons.

"Your daughter will remain here, on Oridanna, my lord," she informed Synestra, "She will continue in her role as trade minister."

Synestra glared at her.

"As a hostage?" she asked.

"As a loyal servant, and minister of trade," Avaryss responded, "You will be welcome to speak with her, whenever you desire, and when she chooses to marry, you will have some input in that choice, I'm sure."

Avaryss smiled.

"Cynn deserves her own life, not to be caged like some pet. She will be protected here, and respected."

The woman said nothing, what could she say.

Avaryss had her, and she knew it.

"I'm sure you can see the value of her remaining here," the new Councilor said with a sly grin, "She will have her fingers on the very pulse of the Empire, and she will be close to me, so very close, so that she may advise me…"

The Dark Lord leaned forward.

"She will remain very close to me. I'm sure you can understand the value of that, do you not…Lord Feer?"

There was a brief and pregnant pause between them, but finally…the lady nodded, the threat was implied, but it was there.

She would have her daughter back, but a blade would always hang over the girl's head, should the mother get out of line.

It would keep things…civil between the two of them.

Synestra was not entirely happy, but that was the whole point of compromise.

Cynn had helped draw Avaryss' master here, she had played her part, and now that that was done, her continued presence would ensure the mother's loyalty.

Synestra knew that Avaryss was not above executing her daughter if it came to that, but Avaryss didn't think that would be necessary.

Cynn is her last living child, her husband and son are dead. Avaryss would honor them, and by naming her a lord, she ensured that the remnant of House Feer was now beholden to her.

She would keep her allies close, and her enemies…even closer.

Plus, it was a suitable revenge for all she endured as an apprentice, and it would help smooth over matters with any Feer loyalists that saw Avaryss as a usurper, and those that would not play along, Synestra likely knew their names too.

She would provide those names; it would be good to remove any troublemakers quickly.

Avaryss would not hesitate, she would show no mercy.

House Feer had finally learned its place, and if it wished to continue, it would remain there.

Yes, she thought.

In this, compromise was the best.

IOI

The last of the bodies had finally been cleared away by the time her inner circle had arrived.

Avaryss didn't rise from her throne, she saw no reason to.

Things had finally changed between her and her loyal crew. She was far above them now, but that didn't mean she would forget where she had come from.

No, she would remember who she had been and who had helped her rise to such heights.

She honored those that stood beside her. She had always been generous when faced with loyal service.

She intended to remain that way.

Bleez, once again clad in full trooper armor led the others in. The War master's suit had been polished to a mirror shine. The black cloak with crimson lining she wore was new, but it fit her position as Warmaster for one of the most powerful houses in the Sith Empire.

Avaryss smiled slightly.

Now that she knew what was under that helmet, she felt more…relaxed around Bleez. The dark-skinned woman had defended her against the rebels, had aided her despite her injuries.

The dark lord would not forget that.

As for the others, they would see their own rewards. Such was her generosity.

Her three apprentices said nothing as they approached her throne. She could guess what was going on in their heads at that moment.

They likely now realize how close they are to achieving great power of their own. Avaryss knew that she would need to be much more careful around them. How long before their hunger for her station grew too great, how long before temptation proved too hard to resist?

She would need to watch them…closely.

Taya and Abominus followed behind them. Her friend, and her pet monster, their trio reborn. The Dark Lord was pleased to have them back, and even more pleased that her vengeance against the creature that had once been Nass would continue.

You hurt me, she thought as she regarded the winged enforcer.

I'm going to enjoy watching you suffer.

Taya, of course, would have a large part to play in her new order. Avaryss was now certain that she could trust her friend to help with her resurrection. The spell would be trying, both on the caster and on the one that it was being cast, but Avaryss was not worried.

Taya's own feelings would keep her loyal, the affection that she still had for "Her dear Avy" would keep her on the right path.

Avaryss had no reason to doubt her old friend.

She would play her part.

Dr. Vrann came next, once again being orbited by her various micro-droids, recording notes and taking readings as their mistress asked. The Chiss remained committed to Avaryss' health, or claimed to anyway.

I still need her, the dark lord realized, she could feel the sickness now, like a shadow cast over her life.

Vrann's work would allow her to stay functional, at least until the spell was completed, and she could live anew, in a strong healthy body.

Holli and Rink brought up the rear, her first servants, and true friends, next to Taya. Both the street rat and the Changeling had been invaluable to her work, she would have never made it this far without them.

They had their roles to play in her final plans as well. Holli especially, which was why she knew she needed to be careful, she didn't wish to give the game away too early.

They would have questions, and the final gambit might seem a bit confusing to them, but…she was confident that it would work out.

Avaryss had no time for anything else.

Moff Hissa, who had stayed behind when the other officers left leaned in closer to the throne.

"Where is Wilkes?" he asked her.

Avaryss blinked.

"What?"

The newly minted Moff frowned.

"Surely, you have not forgotten about him, my lord? I assumed you would be promoting him to Magistrate," the man added, "He would serve well in that post, I think."

Avaryss nodded.

"He would," she agreed, "But I have other plans for Ro. Do not concern yourself with such matters, Hissa. Everything will make sense soon.

The Imperial nodded, accepting her take on the situation, and why not.

She had given the man his dreams.

Why wouldn't he accept her handling of the situation?

"Hey, Boss!" Rink called out waving, "Looks like you have finally found your throne. It looks good on you."

Avaryss smiled beneath her hood.

"Yes," she said running a finger down the arm rest.

"Yes, it suits me."

Her pilot grinned broadly.

"We've definitely come a long way from hunting droid heads on Nar Shadda."

The memory of their first mission together made her chuckle.

Simple times.

"Indeed," she nodded, "We have."

One of Vrann's droids flew up to her and began scanning her face. The light hurt her damaged eyes; damage that had only been made worse since her fight in the temple. Avaryss only just resisted the urge to swat it away.

"Must you, Doctor?"

"I need to take new scans," the Chiss informed her typing on her data pad, "Your condition has not improved, despite the increase in your ability to heal."

The doctor frowned as she looked up from her pad, her red eyes glowing brightly in the dim light.

"I fear that your time for games is quickly passing, my lord. We will need to do something about this soon."

"You need not worry about that, doctor," Avaryss replied dismissively, "Soon, you will all bear witness to the true power of the dark side, and will understand the miracles that are possible within its shadow."

The dark lord leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers before her face.

She sighed.

"I owe much to you all. You have all…served me well. I ask much of those in my service, but you will all see that the rewards that are on offer are far more than any losses or pain you have suffered in carrying out my orders."

Her expression turned cool, her eyes cold and flinty.

"Sadly, one of you has not remained loyal. One of you has abused my trust, and consorted with my enemies, and that…is a matter that I shall deal with…now."

She pressed a button on the arm rest of her throne.

"Bring him in."

The door hissed open again, Mithel and Brunt dragged the traitor between them, he had been taken into custody shortly after Darth Feer had died, her master could no longer protect him.

Avaryss hissed under her breath.

One last step to take, she thought, one last piece to remove from the board.

The two troopers flung the beaten imperial at her feet, Avaryss could sense the discomfort in the room, particularly from Xen and Holli.

She understood why, but she could not let it affect her judgment.

Treason…could not be tolerated.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself, captain?" she asked, "Do you wish to try and sway me with your words?"

Beric, her brother, looked up at her, he was frightened, but at the same time, remained defiant.

"I…I only did what I thought was best, for the Empire. For the lord of this system, for Lord Sadi."

Avaryss shook her head.

"The woman is gone, forgotten, yet she still holds your leash from beyond the grave."

Avaryss shook her head.

"Pathetic."

Her hand went to her belly, she could almost feel the scar tissue there.

"You shot me," she growled, "You shot me, and then went to Sadi like some pet cur. You sided with my enemies and the rebels that were tearing our world apart."

"Sadi would have brought order," Beric said shaking his head, "There was no reason for you to have killed her."

"She opposed my rise," Avaryss responded, "that is all the reason that I needed."

Beric looked around him, at her crew, his former shipmates.

"Sadi showed me what is going to happen. She showed me the truth." he called out to them, "My sister is leading you to ruin. You will all be…URK!"

Avaryss gestured, she lifted him into the air, her Force grip pinning him like a fly in amber.

Red flame glittered in her eyes, they blazed beneath the shadow of her black cowl.

"I didn't want it to come to this," she said, "I had such high hopes for you, Ric, but now…now…"

She shook her head.

"This…this is breaking my heart; I will never be able to forgive myself for this…this…I…I…"

A whimper escaped her lips, she put her hands to her face, to those that weren't paying attention it would have looked like she was sobbing, she was not.

She took her hands away, her whimpers turned into giggles, and those giggles into cold evil laughter.

"Oh, who am I kidding," she cackled.

Her smile turned predatory.

"I'm going to enjoy this."

She splayed out her hands, pulling at Beric's arms and legs, she could see him gasping, trying not to cry out in pain.

It will do no good to resist, Avaryss thought.

You can't…not for long.

She shivered, enjoying his suffering through the Force.

Now, she understood why Feer had tortured her on the Emperor's station. It was a test, to hurt something you love, to be strong enough to do it.

It was a strength greater than what most of her kind could understand.

She watched Beric gasping, trying so hard not to cry out.

His resistance amused her.

The last Lylos, she thought with a sneer.

Their treacherous bloodline had been a threat to her rise from the very beginning, threatening her rule by offering rewards of a past that she had left behind. They had become a torment, and had made Avaryss' life one of constant pain.

She was eager to be rid of that pain, to free herself.

It would be…liberating.

She watched her allies through the Force, particularly Xen and Holli, they had been closest to Beric, if they showed weakness, she would need to remind them of their place, but for now…

…Let them watch, let them understand.

Another pained gasp escaped Beric Lylos' lips.

Wonderful, she thought.

Delicious.

"My lord," Holli said, Avaryss could sense her concern.

Avaryss shrugged.

"You heard him, Lujayne. Sadi has ruined him for us. Far better to put him out of his misery, and remember the man he was, the man we knew as a friend and ally."

The words were to comfort her friend, but Avaryss didn't believe them.

She had no ties to Beric Lylos, not anymore, and once she rid herself of this body, she would be truly free of the Lylos bloodline, she would be free to…

"STOP!"

Xen stepped forward. Avaryss glared at her, her hand going to her belt, if Xen drew her lightsaber it would be the last thing her apprentice did.

The girl didn't do that.

She dropped to one knee, bowing her head in submission.

"Spare him, my lord," she pleaded, "I beg you."

Behind her, Dym and Necris cackled.

"Those who are asking of mercy, are not being worthy of it," the Devish purred with a cruel smirk.

"She should die too, master," the Munn added, "she is weak, and unwilling to accept your judgment."

Avaryss considered their counsel, they made valid points, but…

"XEN," Beric gasped, "NO!"

The apprentice didn't step back she simply remained on her knees awaiting her master's whim.

"You would risk yourself for him," Avaryss asked, "How very Jedi-like of you, Xen."

She sneered at the girl.

"Sy Dar Bynn would be so proud of his little slave."

Xen Loor didn't rise to that bait, she simply remained where she was, offering her neck.

"I ask you for his life, my master. Please."

"Concern for your paramour? That is unlike you, Xen."

Avaryss smirked.

"Do you actually care for him, apprentice, aren't you the one that told me you didn't believe in love?"

She looked up finally meeting her master's gaze, her golden Sith eyes radiating fear.

"I know why you seek to do this, my lord, but the situation is more complicated than you realize."

"And why is that?" the dark lord asked, "Explain it to me, give me a reason to reconsider what is about to happen."

Xen looked at her master, and at her lover, Beric continued to shake his head no, trying to get her to step back maybe. It was, however, too late for that.

Avaryss would have her answers one way or the other.

Her apprentice sighed.

"Tell me, my lord, would you leave your little niece or nephew without a father? Would you do that to them?"

Avaryss blinked in surprise.

What?

She reached out with the Force, her apprentice stood submissively before her, her shields were down.

The Dark Lord frowned.

Ah, she thought.

I see.

She hadn't paid much notice, but now that she looked back, there had a been a change in the girl. Xen was not wearing her usual revealing outfits, and had not been for a few weeks, if she remembered their last couple of missions together.

Avaryss' eyes narrowed.

Now…the dark lord understood.

She could sense it.

Xen was pregnant, she could feel it, new life growing inside of her. She was only a few weeks along, but…

The Dark Lord growled.

Another Lylos, she thought, another generation of traitors.

She would not have it.

Kill them both.

The though came to her through the darkness, whispered in the voice of her master.

Kill both mother and child, make Beric watch, let him realize that his life was for nothing, and that his failure is complete.

Yes, Avaryss thought hungrily.

Yessss!

She gestured. Xen gasped as she was pulled to her feet, she now dangled next to her lover, struggling and gasping for breath. She tried to reach for her weapon, but Avaryss grip was too tight.

You made a mistake standing up for him. The Councilor thought.

Now…you will pay the penalty!

Even Rink looked shocked by her choice, but Avaryss didn't let go, she couldn't.

They all needed to understand.

All who opposed her, would die.

"Sister," Beric gasped, his face turning red, "Let them go, please!"

"No," she hissed.

"I don't think so."

She smiled at Beric.

"I warned you, brother," she purred, "I told you that Xen was trouble, but you didn't listen. Yet, now, I see that I had it wrong, reversed."

She rose from her throne, and went up to him, she still had a slight limp from her fight earlier, but that pain was good, it reminded her she was still alive.

She pushed back her hood, letting her brother see the scars that she had gotten in her battles with her enemies.

She was no longer Keera, no longer looked like Keera, mostly because of him, but that was fine.

The face of Darth Avaryss was fine enough for her.

She could live seeing that face in the mirror.

"You were the one that SHE should have feared," Avaryss said gently stroking her brother's cheek.

The Dark Lord shook her head in amusement.

"You ruined her, for me, and you doomed her, you doomed them BOTH."

The dark lord ignited her lightsaber.

"You made your choice, and now…I've made mine.

She turned to Xen. She raised her weapon, her apprentice's eyes widened, she was not strong enough to resist. She could neither free herself, or fight back.

Pathetic!

Avaryss glared at her.

"You are no longer my apprentice. I will…"

"If I may, my lord?"

She turned, angry that she was being interrupted.

"What is it doctor? Can't you see that I'm about to pass sentence."

If the Chiss was worried about standing between a Sith and her prey, she didn't show it.

She remained as cool and analytical as ever.

"I merely wish to point out that it would be a pity to waste their talents. Especially when you might profit far more from their continued existence."

Avaryss paused.

What was this now?

She deactivated her saber.

"Speak quickly, doctor," she ordered, "Explain."

The Chiss regarded the two lovers.

"I've been reading through the files you sent me, this…Project Death Knell wish me to reactivate. The research you've provided has been most promising, but it is all theory, I will need more."

Avaryss nodded.

"More? Such as?"

"Lab animals," Vrann replied, "You wish to use this project to reshape the Republic military, yes? Having a soldier to test it on would be most useful. As for your former apprentice, the developing child might serve well in aiding your continued survival. The child will likely be strong in the Force, considering its parents, and it shares your bloodline. I may be able to use it to develop a new serum, to buy you more time."

Avaryss considered it.

Interesting.

It would hurt Beric to watch his lover die in front of him, to know that his seed was wiped out forever, but…

She smiled.

Until Death Knell melted him from the inside out, he would have to live with the fact that his lover and child had been reduced to nothing because of him, that they now existed simply as lab animals.

Her red eyes glinted wickedly.

Ooh, this was wicked.

She licked her lips, growing more and more excited.

Yes.

She liked the idea.

The torment that Ric would suffer would be delicious!

Yes, Darth Feer whispered through the ether.

The perfect revenge!

In this, the two were in agreement.

It was perfect!

"No," Xen gasped, "PLEASE! Let me fight! Let me draw my blade, and die like a Sith."

Avaryss shook her head no.

"You are no Sith," she spat back, "You're a failure."

She backhanded Xen with her metal hand, knocking her unconscious.

Beric struggled trying to resist her strength to grab her.

He spat angrily at his former lord, at his sister.

DAMN YOU!"

Avaryss laughed.

His impotent rage amused her.

He truly was nothing to her now.

Excellent.

"No," she said sweetly, "You are damned, Beric, or should I say, test subject. You will provide me with what I need to take the next step, to continue to climb the ladder of Imperial power.

She returned to her throne, and pressed one of the buttons.

The guards would come and take the two away. Vrann would have a place for them in her lab space.

All would work out for the best.

Her followers said nothing as the two were removed from the chamber, Avaryss kept Xen's cross guard saber. It would be a useful trophy, if nothing else.

Xen…she thought.

What a waste.

She was sad to lose her, but she still had Dym and Necris, the two would continue to fight for her favor, and that was never a bad thing.

She looked at Holli, her friend looked hurt, she still cared for Beric, but his continued survival was simply too much of a risk, and he was too far gone for her to forgive his failures.

Holli knew that, but would still try to save him, she knew that to be true.

She will try, but not here, Holli knew enough not to broach the subject any further here, not in front of the others. She knew how the Sith worked, and would not let her lord look weak in the presence of her apprentices and Sith allies.

She may try to reason with me later, Avaryss realized, but those pleas would fall on deaf ears.

Vrann was right, she was not the type to waste something that might be useful.

Beric and Xen would still serve her, after a fashion.

Xen had been a fool, she thought, she should have kept up with her injections, never took the chance of getting with child.

A foolish move on her part, if she thought that bearing Ric's child would endear her to Avaryss, she had been wrong.

Ric was part of Keera's past, and now…he would be removed.

That was for the best.

Kill the past, and let the future be born!

She nodded.

Yes.

Only one piece of business remained when it came to Keera Lylos.

She would take care of it…tonight.

I'm ready, Darth Avaryss thought.

The past must die.

The future…belongs to me.

A/N: Well folks we're almost there, one more chapter in Dark Reflection, and then…it is on to the next Avaryss story. Hope you have enjoyed the ride, and will stay with me, for the next one.

DG