Dark Sun Rises: Chapter 4
Bathed in the blood of the dead Terentatek, Onyxa could feel the eyes of the other acolytes and Imperial troopers as she made her way back to and through the academy. She caught the low whispers as those she passed gaped and spoke of what they were seeing. Onyxa didn't doubt Tremel would likely know she had succeeded long before she reached his office. It took a little longer on the walk back to the Academy, but soon she was at the top of the long entry ramp. She must have made quite the sight, and couldn't help but wonder which shocked them more, her blood splattered appearance, or the fact she had been successful in killing such a beast all on her own.
Not a single person spoke with her as she passed into the academy. The red robed guard that stood at attention in the hallway before Tremel's office bowed their heads to her as she passed them. Onyxa gave a grin knowing none were there to see it. She kept moving, her steps leading her into Tremel's office. It was then that Onyxa noticed the figure that stepped away from the wall to block her path. The tattooed, bulky form of Dolgis stood before her, arms crossed and eyes glaring.
"Stop right there." Dolgis growled. "That's far enough."
"I wouldn't try it if I were you." Onyxa stated, but already coming to the conclusion a fight was going to happen regardless. Vemrin was making the first move, sending Dolgis to try and eliminate her. She had expected such would come, and now was the time it seemed. Opportunistic of him, she thought, knowing Dolgis had picked a moment when she was seemingly weakened.
"Look around, no cameras, no witnesses." Dolgis snarled, brandishing his war blade in one meaty hand. "It's time for you to die."
Onyxa drew her own weapon, twirling it once in her hand, the small smile never leaving her face. Dolgis must have thought after her fight, seeing her covered in blood, that she would be easy prey. The smile turned sinister as she readied herself. It would do him no good. The man was strong physically and durable enough to take a hit or two, but he lacked skill. All brute force, with no alternative for when his strength inevitably failed him. Onyxa had taken his measure the moment they had first met, and found him weak and worthless.
"By all means, try your best to strike me down," Onyxa challenged, "I could use some amusement before you die by my hand."
Onyxa let Dolgis make the first move. The mountain of an acolyte attacked with a massive overhand attack that Onyxa countered and blocked. The war blades of both of them came together hard enough Onyxa felt the vibrations through her weapon and down through her arm. Shoving back, Onyxa 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 Onyxa brought the blade back down the other way. The second strike cut through the armour and deep into the man's shoulder.
Dolgis groaned and gritted his teeth. Too late to turn back now. With a deep throated cry, he launched blow after blow at Onyxa, chopping away at her with his war blade. Onyxa frustrated him time and again, blocking and turning aside each blow, the smirk never once leaving her face. Each time he struck, Onyxa merely deflected the energy away from herself before launching 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. Another desperate overhead strike was effortlessly sidestepped, then she spun around, the heel of her boot coming up and connecting with the side of his jaw, staggering him.
Now Onyxa changed tactics. Shifting from a straight fight with war blades, Onyxa brought to bear her mastery of the force. Her golden eyes seemingly glowing in anticipation, Onyxa let the force flow through her, waiting until the war blade was less than a foot away before stopping it short. No amount of effort from its wielder would move it, and she waited just long enough for the fact to register on Dolgis' face before striking. Channeling another surge of power, this time sending it out through the palm of her free hand, she directed all her focus towards Dolgis' sternum. The force push launched the man back, sending him flying off his feet and crashing heavily off the steel wall several feet behind him. So great was the impact it had enough power to leave the wall dented even as Dolgis slumped to the floor. Vemrin's muscle groaned, barely able to struggle to his knees before the cold touch of steel pressed up against his throat, Onyxa looming tall over him. The smirk was still on her lips, her edge of the blade pressing against his throat.
"Vemrin… I've failed you." Dolgis whispered.
"You have indeed." Onyxa sneered before pulling the blade up and outward, slicing open Dolgis' throat and releasing a bloody spray that splattered against the wall.
"You've returned, and you have succeeded!" Tremel stated, allowing himself a small smile as he rose from his desk. His eyes immediately scanned the cuts and slashes, searching for any other, more serious wounds she might be concealing. Much to his relief, he could find none.
"It was quite the challenge, Overseer." Onyxa stated, watching the man and studying his reaction. "I quite enjoyed it."
"So I see. You have done well, Acolyte, but there will be time for praises later." Tremel's tone grew serious. Onyxa noted the agitation in the man, knowing it did not bode well.
"The death of the beast has caused tremors in the force. Darth Baras has felt such, and has now taken an even greater interest in you. He knows you're here and demanded an audience."
Onyxa nodded at the news. She knew sooner or later it would have happened, but she was surprised the slaying had brought this about so soon. It did not seem so dire in the end to her. Tremel had wanted her positioned to oppose Vemrin and supplant him. If it was sooner, rather than later, Onyxa knew she was more than up for the task. If she wasn't, the sith way was not forgiving. Onyxa had no intentions of dying however. Tremel should have known she could handle such, Onyxa thought.
"Do not be over eager, acolyte." Tremel cautioned, raising a hand. "Darth Baras is manipulative, a master of deception, and extremely dangerous. His curiosity has been peaked and he wants to know you better, and that makes you either a great ally to him or a threat to be eliminated. Do not ever let your guard down or take Baras lightly. To do so will result in your death."
Onyxa nodded at the Overseers words. There was wisdom in them, and she knew she would have to ensure her mind was sharp and keep calm about her at all times. She was moving from one circle of power into a higher one. The danger she faced would likewise increase with each new step. Still, Onyxa knew she was one step closer to taking care of the thorn in her side, Vemrin, and that was something to like about the whole situation. Dolgis had only managed to wet her appetite, and left her hungry for more.
"I shall remember such, Overseer." Onyxa advised with a nod of her head. "I am ready."
Tremel eyed the confident acolyte before him and wondered. He had so little time to truly prepare Onyxa. The games of sith had forced his hand much too early, his plans in jeopardy of unravelling. If that happened, Tremel held no illusion his life, and that of Onyxa, 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 spawn 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."
Onyxa had taken time to shower, washing off the blood from the beast. She had counted the cuts to her arms, her side, and one gash to her leg. All had been minor injuries, with nothing that had required immediate attention from the academy medical droids. She would deal with the nuisance injuries later, she decided. Her armour had likewise received similar scratches and marks from battle. Though she could have buffed out the dents to the shoulder pauldron, try to lessen the glare of the scratches to her greaves or the tears in her robes, she decided not to bother. Such scars gave more character, she decided, made her more intimidating, an enemy that could be cut but never fall. So long as the armour was still fully functional, only the needed repairs were necessary. She dressed and then took a moment to collect herself, staring at the expressionless face she wore in the mirror. Knowing there was no way to truly know what lay ahead, other than to face the dangers head on, Onyxa left her room. Quick determined steps carried her up to the second level of the Academy. Darth Baras was waiting.
She was almost at the corridor to the Dark Lord's chambers when she spotted a group of acolytes. At seeing her they moved, gathering to impede her path. Onyxa wondered for a moment if Vemrin had again sent others to do his work for him. Reaching out with the force, she sensed no rage or anger from the group to give such away. Curiosity peaked, Onyxa decided to let things play out as they would. Cautious, but calm as ever, Onyxa stopped and eyed them all, making a concerted effort to ensure none of them slid around behind her.
"You're the acolyte Baras has summoned, that big beast killer, ain't you?" A large, thick and youthful acolyte stated.
"I do not hide such." Onyxa answered carefully, hand already resting on the hilt of her sword at her waist, ready to draw it in a single motion if needed.
The woman to the big acolyte's left moved forward, hand reaching out to press on the other's arm as she moved between them. Onyxa arched an eyebrow at her. She was slight, quite a bit shorter, reaching just below her 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 Onyxa she had already seen much as an acolyte.
"Forgive Teeno, he can be a bit… blunt." The woman said giving Onyxa a soft smile. "I'm Phyne, and we've come to make you an offer."
Onyxa glanced at the group of acolytes before her golden eyes found the woman once more. She studied her a moment before nodding. Things were not as they seemed, she thought. Letting such play out had only enhanced her curiosity. Seeing the woman before her nod, Phyne continued.
"We know you've got enemies, and if you ever need anything taken care of… we'll gladly offer to help."
Onyxa let her eyebrow arch at Phyne's words. Oh, she got the meaning of them alright, but she was not the type to require aid. Her pause in replying right away made the large acolyte, Teeno speak up.
"What she's saying is, you want Vemrin dead, we'll take care of it."
Onyxa almost laughed. All muscle, no brains, she thought. Did the academy clone Dolgis and give him out as a pet to acolytes? She was beginning to wonder.
"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?" Onyxa asked as she watched the group carefully. Already she was thinking of how best they might be used to her advantage. She 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 her 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."
Onyxa nodded as she thought about what Phyne had said. Allies were not something Onyxa wanted, or in truth truly needed here. Attachments on Korriban 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. Onyxa decided she 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, she 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 Onyxa' words. She didn't need the man speaking any further. She locked her eyes on Onyxa and nodded. She then gave a slight bow in a show of respect to her.
"Say no more, it's not necessary." Phyne gave him a wink as she marched the other acolytes past him. Onyxa wondered if she would speak with her again, or any of them for that matter.
"May the force serve you well."
Baras was already speaking to another group of acolytes in his chambers when Onyxa arrived. She quickly spotted Vemrin standing off to the right of the group. The man seemed almost bored, which Onyxa could at least partially understand. Glancing at the other acolytes, she could already tell they would have been no match in a straight fight against Vemrin. They were nothing more than stepping stones for his attempts at ascension. Leaning against the doorframe, Onyxa waited and watched as Baras dismissed the group. Pushing away from her spot, Onyxa stood tall as she ventured within. As she approached, Onyxa took in Darth Baras for the first time. Much as she knew Baras was studying her, Onyxa was doing the same right back.
Baras was a bit shorter than she was, dressed in pale blue robes and armour, shoulder plates long and pointed. His head was encased in a smooth faceless metal mask that stared blankly back. The man may have been overweight, but he was still very much a Darth, Onyxa thought. A Darth that must never be underestimated, lest you find yourself at his mercy. The thought was quickly brushed aside. She had to be on guard and careful for the time being. Vemrin moved to stand just off to her left before Baras. The anger was literally rolling off him, rippling through the force and impossible to miss. Onyxa knew her presence had unnerved the man, and that Dolgis had failed to eliminate her. That failure angered him now to the point 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 Onyxa. The child had surprised him, angered him even. It was a not an easy feat to do so. The network he had painstakingly set up had given him little information, and for that he was not at all amused. How long had Darth Seraphus known about the spies in her midst? How long had she all but waved back at them, a knowing smile on her face while she secretly concealed and protected her daughter from him so effortlessly? And now, her upstart of a daughter had been placed in his way due to Tremel's interference. That man had long surpassed being a nuisance. If he could not deal with Seraphus directly, he knew could still eliminate one of her allies. The time was coming to once and for all deal with him. All that was left was the how in such regards.
But what to do with this young upstart, though? That question had yet to be answered.
"Vemrin, you are dismissed."
Vemrin cast a hard glare towards Onyxa but followed Darth Baras's direction and stormed out of the chambers. With her challenger gone, it left Onyxa standing and waiting as Baras paced before her. The Dark Lord was clearly sizing her up, the mask concealing his thoughts as he calculated his next move. Onyxa remained calm, unmoving, and patient. Finally Baras stopped his pacing and stood, hands clasped before him.
"A great disgrace has been placed upon you. To all of us." He finally announced. "You have had everything handed to you. You were fast tracked through your trials, much to your detriment. Even the beast you slew was here on Korriban, rather than a truly dangerous creature out in the wild. You have not earned what you have." Bars admonished, his tone bordering on hateful. "Do you even know what it means to be Sith? Do you know the Sith code?"
Onyxa could feel the frustration coming from Baras. Keeping calm and as unreadable as possible was starting to get to the man. Onyxa knew there was no point in arguing, and she was not foolish enough to care to try and bluff her way through a recital of the Sith Code. She 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." Onyxa simply answered.
"Further proof of your disgrace." Baras retorted angrily. "You will learn or you will die. I am your master now. You will succeed and show your worth to me now, or you will destroyed."
Onyxa nodded and waited then, golden eyes watching and reading every bit of body language, every inflection and tone in Darth Baras's words. She could sense the man was up to something. Sith politics, Onyxa reminded herself. It was all games within games, within yet even more games.
"Overseer Tremel schemes, he plots. His foolish, blind plans weaken the order. His handling of you only further proves such. These actions are those of a traitor. The penalty for such crimes is death. You will go now and kill Tremel. I absolved of any punishment, provided you are successful in eliminating him."
Onyxa fought to keep the calm exterior, to show absolutely no emotion, no response to the man's words. She was being sent to kill Tremel. She had to kill the man who had pushed and promoted her, treated her better than he had his own daughter, in fact. He had brought Onyxa into this game of siths, and now she was being used to remove him from the game.
"As you wish, my Lord."
"Bring me his hand as proof, or do not return at all."
Onyxa nodded and bowed to Darth Baras before turning about and striding from his chambers. Once her back was turned, Onyxa allowed herself to frown. She had passed the real trial, she knew, at least partially. She had gotten not just an audience, but a chance to show she was Vemrin's equal, and better. There was no doubt Tremel would be pleased at such. Onyxa knew she had worried over it since Baras had demanded the meeting. Still, Tremel's death was not something that Onyxa wanted. She had no desire to have the Overseer's blood on her hands. Betraying him was something Onyxa had not seen coming. Darth Baras had turned the tables on Tremel, and now used her as his instrument of destruction.
Onyxa walked the corridor away from Baras's chambers, managing to find her way down to the lower level of the academy. She was partway to Tremel's office when she finally brought herself to a stop, leaning against the wall and trying to breathe, feeling cold and sweating. Suddenly it seemed she could not get enough air, her thoughts scattering as she dwelled on what she must do. Killing was not a problem, she had done such enough times she 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 Onyxa would say she had to being such on Korriban. And now I must slay him, she thought. Further proof that such bonds on Korriban only left openings for others to exploit.
She barely registered Phyne and a group of other acolytes as they came down the hall and passed her. A few she recognized from the meeting earlier. The Shadow Cartel they had called themselves. She paid them little mind, consumed with the chaotic thoughts swirling through her head. Only when Phyne's warm hand touched her arm did Onyxa glance up, taking notice she had left the group and stopped there in the hallway with her.
"You look troubled." She said softly, leaning in close to speak so no others would hear the conversation.
"I am fine, merely tired." Onyxa lied easily, shrugging to the other 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."
Onyxa 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 her, but it was not unpleasant. It was giving her a much needed distraction at least. It was a chance to find her center and pull herself together for what was ahead of her. The immediate future promising nothing was certain later on.
"You sure you are alright?" She pressed a bit, hand remaining on Onyxa's arm.
"Do you ever find you have doubts before a trial?"
Phyne cocked her head as she looked at the taller woman, thinking on her question a moment before she smiled softly and nodded. It was a strange question, not one she would have expected from one so strong. Clearly something had happened in her meeting with Darth Baras that had left the woman in a strange mood. Whatever it was, she had no doubts that Onyxa would handle and overcome it. The fact she 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 Onyxa Solaris.
"Sometimes." She said. "I find when that happens I take the time to look in the mirror."
Onyxa 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."
Onyxa thought on the other woman's words and then nodded in understanding. Who was she? She was an a sith, descendant of a powerful bloodline, an acolyte without equal, 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 her to suddenly be as weak as to cower in the face of the adversity she previously desired. She had brought him there, pinned his plans on her strength and success. The thoughts brought things back into perfect clarity for Onyxa. She knew what needed to be done. She was centered. She was comfortable with what she would do. She was a sith, and needed to act like one.
"You have my thanks." Onyxa said straightening, and Phyne noticed the change immediately. Oh yes, she thought, she's back to her usual self. Whatever had plagued her thoughts was now gone.
"Perhaps when you are done…. Maybe we might… get to know one another better. Become... friends, even." Phyne smiled and waved at Onyxa as she moved to leave and catch up with the group she had slipped away from to speak with her.
"Perhaps." Onyxa answered back, forcing a smile on her face for their benefit. The truth was she doubted any such thing would happen. If she was even around at all later, that was.
Onyxa paused outside of Tremel's office. Taking a deep breath, she set her shoulders back and raised her head high as she and marched inside. Tremel spotted her and smiled, rising from behind his desk to stand. He showed his eagerness to learn what had happened, let alone the confusion over her 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, Onyxa nodding back in answer, not trusting her voice.
The Overseer looked at Onyxa then. It was hard to miss the young sith's stiffness, the tightened expression around the mouth and eyes on her face. The golden eyes, normally so calm and mysterious, impossible to read, were now filled with dread. Something, he knew, was wrong. Onyxa was always calm, confident, always almost unreadable when it came to emotion. Now, however, Tremel could sense a deep troubling turbulence within her. It made the small hairs on the back of his neck rise. What have you done, Baras?
"What has happened?"
Onyxa looked at Tremel, then her gaze dropped, sliding down to the man's hand. The ring he wore, his family ring, glinted lightly as she watched. Shaking her head, Onyxa brought her head up, golden eyes locking onto the man. I am Sith, she thought as if to reinforce the fact with within herself.
"My apologies, Tremel, but Darth Baras is my master now." Onyxa stated, words cold and devoid of any feeling. "He has bid me kill you now."
Tremel eyed Onyxa and nodded. He knew there was little choice for the acolyte but to act, no matter how unpleasant she 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 Onyxa. This was the end game for Tremel. Damn you, he thought of Baras, sensing the conflict of emotion within Onyxa. And yet she is still here, still prepared to do what she must. I chose well, Tremel thought then.
"I have been outplayed then. All my plans come to this now." Tremel said softly, nodding as he spoke to Onyxa. "Either I die, or you do. Baras wins, but only if you fail. Are you ready then, Onyxa?"
Onyxa stared at the man and nodded. She 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.
She drew her war blade, the one acquired from the tombs at his instruction the first day she arrived.
He drew his lightsaber, its crimson light highlighting the features of his determined expression.
There was no turning back. Only going forward. For both their sakes, she would not fail.
