Ah, time again for a PotDS update. Rejoice my readers! and do not fear the fact that I now hold a full time job in addition to writing, I thus far have still found the time to write my required two pages per day. It is a good day indeed! Sit back, throw your feet up, relax, and peruse at your whim. Then, as always, review your hearts out! My muse will thank you.
Chapter Twenty Three
Withheld Information
Septin felt a chill run down his spine as he stepped off the boarding ramp and onto the cold stone of the hidden Sith Temple. The air felt thick and filled with a menace that was almost sentient. He shivered from the cold, the ventilation of the structure having been long devoid from cycling any heat, and the vacuum outside siphoning off anything that remained.
Veneficus and Anguis looked unaffected at the odd sensations in the building. The two Darksiders immediately started toward the far side of the stone hangar to where an ancient doorway led farther into the darkness of the temple. Septin shivered again from something more than the cold, but followed them into the blackness, igniting his lightsaber and adding the blue glow to their twin red.
They proceeded down the shaped corridor, and despite several promising looking offshoots branching off to the left or right, Veneficus kept them all moving straight ahead, until the corridor came to a dead end.
"Where do we…" Septin started, but was quickly hushed by Veneficus, who seemed to be searching for something along the wall. Septin was only just starting to sweep the spot with the Force when the Sith apprentice pressed a hidden switch, opening the stone wall to a secret turbolift. The flashing console and dim overhead lights seemed functional, if not heavily corroded and covered in layers of dust.
The three young Force users crowded into the enclosed space, and Anguis gleefully took the controls, hammering the stuck button for the bottom level at Veneficus' instruction. The door ground shut and the lift started a very rough decent.
Both Veneficus and Anguis were silent during the trip, and Septin felt edgier the further down the lift took them, like sinking to choking quicksand. He was therefore startled when they suddenly jerked to an abrupt halt, the power in the turbolift dying completely.
Veneficus reacted instantly, activating his saber and beginning to carve a circular panel out of the ceiling. Meanwhile Anguis start to work on the controls, punching the descend button repetitively. Septin was having difficulty concentrating, and he struggled to think of something useful he could do to get them out of the situation.
"Septin, come here," Veneficus ordered, directing him to climb up through the newly cut hole he had made in the ceiling. Seeing no reason to object, and his head cloudy of anything else, Septin obeyed, leaping up to the top outside of the lift and examining the shaft around them. They had stopped right short of clearing another floor, the door dipping just below the lip of the lift.
Septin struggled with great difficulty to touch the Force, like struggling through a thick swamp, but managed to pry the doors open enough for him to squeeze through. Septin staggered as he emerged, turning just in time to see the door slam shut again as the power returned, sending his companions back on their journey downward without him.
"NO!" Septin shouted, hearing himself as if from a distance, and banged uselessly on the stone wall that had covered the shaft. His energy was leaving him, and he still didn't know why. Sliding to his knees, Septin wiped at his eyes furiously, trying to clear them so he could see.
Suddenly there was laughter from behind him, and he spun sharply, falling to the ground completely. But there was nothing there, just blackness and the same choking darkness that prevented him from understanding.
Fear, pure undiluted terror started to grip in Septin's chest, such as he had never felt before. Something slimy and cold brushed the back of his neck and he screamed in horror, bolting from the spot and running blindly through the tunnels. He needed to get out; he needed to get back to the ship, but where was he going? So many thoughts rushed through his mind but he couldn't hang onto any for long as he darted through chambers and passages, making abrupt turns to shake off whatever was behind him.
He burst around a corner, and over judged his path, tripping over an uneven patch of stonework. Crashing to the ground, Septin felt a burst of agony across his forehead before being consumed by blackness.
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Albus rose swiftly at the nod from Lord Blackmoore, eager to make his petitions to delay or divert the placing of foul Dementors around Hogwarts. He was incensed that the Ministry even considered putting such creatures near their children, let alone the danger that they might pose to Harry's safety in particular. Albus knew that the boy held true horrors in his past, even if he did not consciously remember them, and the Dementors would have power over him greater than any other child that attended the school.
As he presented his well founded reasons, Albus noticed that Lord Blackmoore in particular was following every word, which was only unusual because of the uneasy feeling that the man's scrutiny gave the aged Headmaster. It was… off… and quite unlike anything that Albus had experienced before, even from the likes of Tom Riddle or Gellert. The longer he observed the sensation, the more that Albus was sure that it was Dark in nature, and that worried him above anything else.
The sharp eyed man that had absorbed so effortlessly the position held by Lucius a year previous was clearly no friend to the Light, however he seemed keenly interested in the nature of the situation at hand to be open to listening to both side, which gave Albus some small measure of hope. Perhaps like many families in the wizarding world, Lord Blackmoore had only marginally participated in old rituals that had tainted his aura and gave the appearance of him being a Dark Wizard. Even if that was the truth, and Albus wished with all his heart that something like it was, he had to be extra cautious.
Therefore, instead of presenting everything that he had to rebuttal the Ministers wishes, including Sirius' deep affection for his godson Harry, Albus decided that presence of the Dementors at Hogwarts would be worth it to keep a potentially dangerous and powerful enemy out of the loop for a bit longer, at least until Albus could get more information out of Harry via Remus. It was a long shot, but he would add extra security measures and enforce strict Ministry protocol to keep the soul draining creatures at bay.
As he sat, Albus saw that Lord Blackmoore was deeply disappointed with him, but before long the Minister had called for the board to vote, and the decided majority, Blackmoore included, sided with the increased security measures for the defense against Sirius Black.
Acting defeated, Albus departed from the room, beckoning for the other Heads of Houses to accompany him. the Board meeting would continue for a few more hours, and he had things he wished to do in the mean time, including protections to prevent the creatures about to invade Hogwarts from entering the castle proper.
Albus duly noted the eyes on his back from the esteemed head of the board as he departed, and the odd tingling sensation it caused through his spine.
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Anguis stumbled as the elevator jolted back to life, launching off with both him and Lord Veneficus downward once again. He turned to the Sith Apprentice in surprise, "Septin…" he said vaguely, somewhat concerned for the boy's safety, but Veneficus simply looked at him, "What of him?"
Pausing, Anguis waited for the bucking of the lift to cease so that he could focus on where they were in comparison to their lost companion. "Don't bother," Veneficus said, bracing himself against the wall of the lift as it started to slow to a halt, "If the temple wants to keep him from us it shall. We will find him when we're finished here, or what's left of him at the least."
Momentarily, Anguis wondered what sort of horrific trap that his master had led him into, but just as he thought this, the lift shuddered to a halt, and the door slid open with a harsh grinding sound, revealing a dimly light passageway that forked partway before fading into darkness.
"So we just leave him and proceed onwards then," Anguis surmised, quickly clamping down on his natural desire to be uneasy for Septin's welfare.
Veneficus nodded simply, "the boy needs to find his own way. These kind of ancient Force powered ruins have a knack for teaching lessons tailored to exactly what the learner needs to know."
Turning to face the only available passage, something clicked in Anguis' mind, "Do you intend for us to separate as well my Lord?"
Veneficus glanced up from staring into an empty corner of the lift chamber, "Yes," he said simply, before returning his gaze. Anguis looked at him, confused at the Sith's actions. Veneficus had been acting very oddly since they had arrived, and Septin as well for that matter, albeit Septin's could be explained by the powerful immersion into a place of the Dark Side when he himself had not given himself over to its power.
"Will it matter which direction we go?" Anguis asked, formulating his mind to some insane task that stood before him.
"No," Veneficus replied, an eerie grin forming on his face. Anguis' eyes widened as he realized what was going on with everyone. Their tasks, their challenges from the temple had started the minute they had landed.
"Fine!" he said hotly, stepping away from Veneficus, and turning down the left hand passage, "Right is always right," he announced as he ignited his lightsaber for illumination, "so I'll go left." And with that he charged down the passage, throwing his senses wide to keep ahead of anything approaching him.
Behind him, Veneficus broke into long, high cackling, sounding utterly insane, but Anguis left him to his fate. If there was nothing he could do to help them and proceed as a unified group, he needed to strike out alone and find what they had come for.
It was only as he entered a distant chamber that he realized that Veneficus had never told him what they sought in the first place.
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Millennial sat in remote silence during the remainder of the School Governor's meeting, ignoring the bland dialogue ironing out small details such as the appointment of the newest Defense Professor, and the persistent caretakers continuous requests for more latitude to punish the students that he resented so very much.
But the Sith Lord had far more pressing concepts in his brilliant mind. Puzzles and questions that needed answering. The Headmaster had deliberately moved to withhold information about something to do with the situation at the school, sacrificing his chance to keep the guards from the school, whatever they were. Somehow Millennial had an idea that they were less than pleasant due to the silent fear that spread at the merest mention of them.
Glancing across the still gathered audience attending the meeting, Millennial locked eyes with the portly Minister, Fudge. The small man was playing with his bowler hat and listening about as intently as Millennial was during the last remainder of the meeting. However, instead of leaving, Fudge remained with two of his personal guards as the other filed away to their own devices.
"Lord Blackmoore," the Minister began, offering his hand as Millennial started to pass, but dropping it when the Sith Lord ignored the gesture, "bad business this matter, Sirius Black I mean. Do you have some time?" he said sheepishly, motioning for Millennial to follow him.
Deciding quickly, Millennial chose to get what information he could from the man, even if he had to put up with the poor political maneuverings. "Of course Minister…" he said with a small nod of the head.
Fudge smiled, signaling for the Aurors to lead the way back to the lift in the main area of the government center. Striding casually through the Atrium after Fudge, Millennial grew bored from the foolish man's need to preen before a crowd of people, and spied a young man standing next to a large stack of papers depicting Sirius Black on the cover. He snatched one up as they passed, flicking the fold open and skimming the article as they exited the Atrium for the main floor offices, including the Ministers.
'BLACK STILL AT LARGE, Sirius Black, possible the most infamous prisoner ever to be held in Azkaban fortress, is still eluding capture, the ministry of Magic confirmed today. "We are doing all we can to recapture Black," said the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, this morning, "and we beg the magical community to remain calm." Fudge had been criticized by some members of the International Federation of Warlocks for informing the Muggle Prime Minister of the crisis. "Well, really, I had to, don't you know," said an irritable Fudge. "Black is mad. He's a danger to anyone who crosses him, magic or Muggle. I have the Prime Minister's assurance that he will not breathe a word of Black's true identity to anyone. And let's face it – who'd believe him if he did?" While Muggles have been told that Black is carrying a gun (a kind of metal wand that Muggles use to kill each other), the magical community lives in fear of a massacre like that of twelve years ago, when Black murdered thirteen people with a single curse.'
Millennial rolled his eyes at the ineptitude of the wizarding media. It was more a rag of rumors than anything of use to Millennial, who was unaware of the facts that the rumors were based on in the first place.
"Lord Blackmoore," Fudge finally said as they arrived at his office, the two Aurors taking up guard positions outside. The Sith Lord appreciated the irony as he allowed himself into the office.
"Minister," he started slowly, watching the man's every move as he addressed the issue, "I some get the feeling that someone, or a collective group of people, are trying very hard to keep something about Sirius Black from me and young Harry, as everyone is making such a large hype about his danger to Hogwarts, among other things…"
The man started playing with his hat again; clearly one of many nervous tells the man possessed. "I… well… you have to understand, we all have Harry's safety at heart…"
"Then why are you all refusing to tell me, the boy's guardian, of the danger?" Millennial countered, quite disgusted at the now sweating Minister seated before him. Could the buffoon be nothing more than a pawn of others' games?
Millennial saw this as his first challenge of the day, turn puttering Minister Fudge to a man who attempted to think for himself or at least thought what Millennial desired instead of Lucius or Dumbledore. "Minister Fudge," he said softly, injecting a hefty amount of the Force behind his words, "would it not be in Harry's best interest, for his parental guardian to know everything about the situation regarding his safety, and thus be able to make a rational decision. Last I looked; Harry was not the ward of either Albus Dumbledore or the Ministry. It would look bad in the papers if they were to find out that either was meddling in the life of a boy over whom they held no authority to make decisions for in such matters."
The play to the media threat was the trigger needed. Fudge's eye went wide. "I… yes, you're right, we shouldn't have taken such a hands-on approach to Harry's wellbeing when he has a perfectly capable guardian. Of course we'll fill you in on the details regarding Sirius Black…" and with that the portly man launched into the Ministry approved story about a madman serving a supposed Dark Lord, one who was so loyal that he betrayed his best friends and even his own godson to be killed, then lost everything when his lord fell.
The Ministry also suspected heavily that Black had now escaped to finish the job, and kill Harry Potter to avenge Voldemort. Millennial held back from laughing in the Minister's face. The lunacy of keeping such vital information from the boy was disgusting. If Veneficus was not trained the way he had been under Millennial, he would have presumed the boy to have died long before now.
"You've done the right thing Minister," Millennial said, standing to excuse himself. He departed without bothering to acknowledge the Ministers final words, completely finished with dealing with the tool of a politician. Now that he knew of the supposed threat against his apprentice, he wanted to investigate the prison that the man was held in, find the secret that allowed Sirius Black to escape the inescapable fortress.
Waiting for him back in the Atrium was Bartemius Crouch, the curt man appearing rather out of place in the robes of a wizard. Millennial could sense that the man wanted to follow up on his offer for a private chat, and drifted toward him through the crowd of witches and wizards flocking the Ministry.
"Ah, Bartemius…" he said warmly, shaking the man's hand and matching the scrutinizing gaze the man gave him. despite Crouch's attempts to portray a strong Light oriented persona, Millennial could sense an underlying darkness inside him. Potentially things that could allow the Sith Lord to manipulate Crouch with ease if need be.
"Blackmoore," Crouch said with a neutral nod, "I was wondering, if you were finished here in the Ministry, if you'd mind accompanying me to my home for that chat we discussed. Too many ears here or in Diagon I find, wouldn't you agree?"
Following behind the rigid man to one of the many fireplaces in the Atrium, Millennial accepted the offered handful of sooty powder and flooed across the emerald green flames to the Crouch's family home. Sweeping the area with the Force, Millennial sensed only two others in the home, an elf and another human, both in the kitchen area of the small manor.
Bartemius arrived, hanging his hat and cloak on a nearby hook and speaking simultaneously, "Bad news, the escape of Sirius Black, is it not? I helped put him away you know, captured him out in the very street he killed seventeen people in. he just stood there, laughing madly for the entire world to hear. He was quite possibly one of the worst Death Eaters that I sentenced to life in Azkaban."
Millennial felt a stirring in the kitchen as Crouch mentioned the phrase 'Death Eater' but they arrived in a small parlor and the house elf arrived with tea, bobbing and bowing to each of them like the simpering servant it was. Millennial ignored the creature, choosing instead to simply observe Crouch at home. The furnishing reflected the man's personality, elegant yet somewhat cold. Dark woods and stones with little cushioning to deter prolonged guests, but Millennial ignored the front of unyielding virtue as the façade it was. something was clearly out of place with Crouch, and his demeanor of unease, even when in his own home, was telling.
"If I had any sway in the matter," he was saying when the Sith Lord returned to the conversation, "I'd try and get the Dementors out of Hogwarts, but I know you had little in the way of information or choice with that decision." He shivered slightly at the mention of the creatures, and Millennial sensed the other human react as well, despite the distance from them.
Crouch continued despite Millennial's distraction, "Nasty creatures, Dementors, steal the joy of life right out of you. The less I dealt with them the better. For Black to be able to escape it's a feat in of itself, and if it wasn't for the danger he posed, I'm sure that the entire Ministry would be attempting to learn how he did it."
"Not that this byplay isn't intriguing," Millennial gently interrupted, "but was there something specific you wished to discuss with me Bartemius?"
The man sobered, having been caught up in the memories of past days, "Yes, of course..." taking a sip of tea he pondered his next words before speaking, "I had been watching your interactions with Lord Malfoy for a short time, nothing underhanded naturally, but with all that happened at the end of last year, with manipulating or Dumbledore to be temporarily suspended, I felt that it was someone's duty to keep you appraised of the situation between the Headmaster and Lucius Malfoy."
This perked Millennial's ears. He had indeed been aware of the tension between the two men, but he was not aware, nor had cared at the time, that it was more deep seated than just a political disagreement. "I'm listening," he nudged, prompting Crouch to speak with the Force, and listened intently as the man described the end of the last war with the supposed Dark Lord Voldemort.
As the man spoke, mainly highlighting details Millennial was already aware of from his other sources, the Sith Lord's attention returned to the other being that had not moved from the back room. Far too still to be a servant, but too far to be a spy, and for Millennial, that left really one option, prisoner.
One of Crouch's darker secrets more likely than not, millennial mused, returning his attention to the man, just as he mentioned how both Dumbledore and Lucius was even now, in their own ways, vying for influence over him and by extension Harry and the Board of Governors for their agendas. The man was indeed paranoid, and if not for what seemed to be a distinct distaste for anything remotely dark, Crouch would make a perfect political face for the Sith.
"But I feel it is of most concern to warn you Lord Blackmoore," Crouch said, catching Millennial's ear, "that as Mr. Potter had control of Black's money in Gringotts, he may be using some of that gold or property to help hide himself from the Ministry, and you as the boy's guardian could look and see if any funds were moved and check each residence for occupancy…"
"Now that is an interested option," Millennial said genuinely. He had presumed that as the account was put into Veneficus' trust that Black would simply be denied it, but the goblins clearly did not approve of wizarding politics, and would potentially move for whatever gave them more business, even if it meant giving gold to an escaped convict.
Not that gold concerned the Sith Master, but if the man was hiding in one of the many Black properties that neither he nor Veneficus had investigated, that was another story. Not to mention the fact that they had forgone searching any of them for more artifacts that would be of use to them once they finished with the tiny world. It would be in their interest to search each home, under the convenient pretense of seeking Sirius Black, while systematically removing anything interesting back to Blackmoore Manor, and the safety of the internal compound's vaults.
There were already many things hidden below the manor, as Millennial did not for an instant trust the tiny goblin creatures. They were clever, and greedy, and knowing many beings of like minds to them Millennial had interacted as little as possible, moving swiftly to remove everything he felt would ever be needed from all the vaults under the Sith's control.
Crouch had fallen silent, watching Millennial as the Sith mused on the Black properties, but the lack of sound quickly brought the Dark Side Master back to the present, and he shifted his weight in his chair to signal restlessness. "I thank you for your concern and advise Bartemius," He said genuinely, "I should retire for the day and make preparations for what may come in the near future, from either of the feuding parties, or Black even, if he is where you suspect."
Crouch stood to guide him back to the fireplace, "Of course, the pleasure was all mine Lord Blackmoore. Perhaps we could have another chat like this in the future, hopefully over more pleasant circumstances."
Smirking to himself, Millennial replied softly as he departed, "Yes, perhaps we shall…"
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Veneficus wandered aimlessly through the passages of Valik Kodank's Sith Temple. From the time they had left their ship, he had felt the spirit of the long dead Sith Lady watching them, looking for an opening to get her 'apprentice' alone. Part of the reason Veneficus had allowed Septin, and even Anguis, to come along was so that he had more time to get closer to the hidden vaults deep within the temple before Valik's spirit approached him.
And his strategy had worked splendidly, the Sith's spirit targeting and leading away each of the weaker Darksiders before focusing on Veneficus. The Sith apprentice had been intrigued with the varied methods that Kodank's ghost had separated Septin and Anguis from him, driving Septin with doubt and fear, while playing on his Acolyte's pride mixed with his last remnants of compassion.
But now that he was alone, Veneficus knew that Valik would have a free reign to try and weaken him, stringing him along to the tomb where the spirit would be able to manifest itself fully in the corporal realm. Once there, the ancient Sith would begin her 'training' for him, which Veneficus had no doubt in his mind involved him securing an artifact that prevented her from leaving this tomb and prison.
From what Darth Zeemar's Holocron had taught him about the Sith Lady, Veneficus knew that she had secreted some very potent spells and ancient manuscripts within her Temple, writings that would predate anything that the inheritors of Darth Bane's legacy had collected.
The problem was that he now needed to survive long enough to both find the relics and destroy or entrap the Sith Lady's spirit. Simply evading or resisting her was not an option, as she would very easily move on to either Anguis or Septin, whose lack of power in the dark Side would make them very susceptible for possession. Therefore, for his own safety, Veneficus had to keep her focus on him.
Eventually, the spirit essence that had been following him from the hanger led Veneficus down a long stairway and through a narrow corridor lined with Sith Hieroglyphics. He took several moments to study the ancient stonework, and allowed himself to marvel at the craftsmanship that was lost to the Galaxy when the Sith Purebloods were obliterated in the Great Hyperspace War.
Unfortunately he didn't had time to study what the Hieroglyphics could mean, as the tiny wisp that was Valik Kodank's spirit returned to beckon him further down the passage, whispering sweet promises of greater power in the chambers beyond.
Soon enough, Veneficus arrived in a large burial chamber. The sarcophagus in the center of the room was pulsing with Dark Side energy, along with many of the urns and other ornaments decorating the perfectly untouched tomb. The wisp darted through the assembled items before halting before the stone container that housed Valik's remains.
Veneficus approached carefully, watching for traps that might have been placed on the ornate and expensive objects and treasures. The spirit started transforming, glowing a dark purple as Dark Side energies from the sarcophagus seeped into it, empowering it to take a more physical likeness.
Within moments Valik Kodank, her obsidian skin glistening in the false light projected by her tomb. If she was striving to impress, it may have worked on someone not raised and trained as Veneficus was. She was still a very respectably specimen of the Sith race, different by far than Darth Zeemar had been, and Veneficus could see why he had admired her skill and power. To be able to project a vivid and near corporeal form from beyond life was a difficult feat for a Darksider to master.
"Lady Kodank," he said calmly, slowly kneeling before her.
"Apprentice…" she responded dispassionately, motioning for him to rise and floating off toward a sealed side door. "…you have come to me at last…"
"I have, master," Veneficus said, feigning relief at her acceptance of him, but internally wary of the spirits every move. It was subtle, but with her every move Valik was keeping her eyes on him at all times. She trusted him about as much as he her, that was good.
"I am eager to begin my training, master," Veneficus continued, trying to keep the spirits attention off anything other than himself. It was very eerily similar to his fight with the specter of Tom Riddle, him stalling until an opportunity presented itself for him to exploit.
"All in good time, eager boy…" she cooed sickeningly, beckoning Veneficus to her. "But first, I had a task for you to accomplish to prove yourself, and you will need ample tools to assist in its completion."
Veneficus had expected as much, but he had no intention of doing anything for the selfish and rather deranged spirit, especially when he had an inkling that it would spell the deaths of his two companions, and they were still of use to him.
As he approached the Force ghost, Valik waved an arm over the seal door, causing it to slid open with a dull rumble, revealing a heavily dust covered treasure vault. All his senses on edge, Veneficus stepped inside after the spirit, carefully placing his steps to stir as little dust as possible.
A thought struck him, something that may buy him ample time to take what he desired and escape the temple. Changing his steps, he slowly shuffled in a wide circle around where Kodank hovered; speaking to him of the many treasures she had collected. Occasionally he bent down, as if examine a specific item more closely, and wrote a quick incantation in the dust with his finger.
He continued to drag a foot behind him, lining out a circle around the Spirit and the centermost plinth, upon which was a sphere of red stone that Valik was stoking with her ghostly hands. It was her most beloved treasure, she mentioned, but Veneficus was only paying enough attention to learn what it was. An Oracle Stone, a powerful Dark Side artifact that allowed one to project their consciousness across the Galaxy and see things and place farther and with more accuracy.
Veneficus was unimpressed overall, as Millennial achieved the same feat off his own skill alone, but thinking quickly, Veneficus came up with several interesting and useful purposes he could put the stone to.
Kodank pulled out of her recollection and called to him just as Veneficus finished the circle, muttering the incantation and activating the makeshift runes silently. Finished, he stepped over the line in the dust and joined the Sith Lady by the plinth. "I wish for you, young apprentice, to find for me the Soulsaber, a powerful artifact of the Dark Side, which the Jedi stole from us and his away with the Light Side. You will find the coordinates of the system in there," she turned and pointed, opening the far doors and revealing a private hanger with a ancient looking transport.
The particular ship looked familiar to Veneficus, but from a completely different period. To him, it resembled a Fury-class Sith transport from the resurgence empire, but that made little sense as Valik Kodank predated the Sith's return by over fifteen hundred years.
The answer became apparent when the spirit spoke again however, "It was a gift from Lord Naga Sadow, a prototype transport that never saw mass production nor battle with the Jedi. A true pity, as it flew marvelously and had firepower that would contend with anything short of a capital ship."
Veneficus nodded in appreciation, if the ship was indeed a, clearly not the only, prototype for the Fury-class that Emperor Vitiate had taken for his returning empire, then it would be a most sturdy vessel, and worthy of the only Sith Apprentice left in the Galaxy.
"Take what artifacts you may need to claim the Soulsaber, apprentice, and return it to me. Only then will I teach you the true nature of the Dark Side of the Force," Valik purred, passing a ghostly hand over Veneficus in a mockingly motherly manner.
"As you wish, my master." He replied. There were many object in the room, and under the pretense of cataloguing what would be on most value to him, Veneficus started to slowly move everything into the room with the Sith vessel, keeping careful sense to not shuffle over the circle he had placed in the dust, or alert Kodank to his true motives. It took almost an hour, but the treasures were finally moved, organized and partially loaded onto the ship, expect for one.
The sphere in the very center, hovered over by Kodank, twinkled with a touch of the Dark Side as Veneficus approached it. "Not this, apprentice," the spirit chided, waving his hands away, "I will use the Oracle Stone to monitor your movements, and make certain that you are on the right path."
"Exactly why you cannot have it," Veneficus said swiftly, snatching the orb and back flipping away from the ghost as Kodank flew into a rage. The Force ghost struck out at him with the Dark Side, and Veneficus wove his way through her powers, trying with all his might to reach the edge of the circle before she attempted much more.
He only barely made it over the line in time, as Valik had been feet away, reaching out to grab and attempt to possess him, when a shining power slammed into her from the runic circle he had hastily drawn. The spirit shrieked, but the shield held her powers within it, safely away from Veneficus.
Clutching the orb tightly in his arms, the Sith Lord backed away from the ghost, who was not ranting and raving, unable to pass the barrier he had drawn with the Wild Force, and unable to comprehend what power it was that held her fast. "You will die young betrayer!" she screamed as the door to the private hanger slammed shut, sealing the sound of the mad woman from Veneficus.
Sinking to his knees, Veneficus took several deep breaths to steady himself. Quick and efficient as his escape had been, the unnatural energy of Kodank's spirit had drained him slightly nonetheless. Wasting no time, he quickly loaded the other part of treasures from Kodank's vault, and launched the prototype out of the temple, circling around and back to where they had originally landed.
Veneficus was unsure how long it would take before Kodank figured out how to escape his circle of entrapment, and he still had to recover Anguis and Septin before escaping, or the Sith Lady would possess one or the other and peruse him to the ends of the Galaxy.
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Griphook stared in disbelief at the paperwork on his desk. Chief Ragnok had sent over a plan to more fully investigate Lord Blackmoore's doings and what, if anything, the man had removed from the vaults that he clearly did not own.
It was incredibly risky, what Griphook had agreed to, but as he filed over to the Goblin Bank's private floo with a small company of account managers and goblin lawyers, he recognized that it was the only plan they had to determine the validity of several other discrepancies that had arisen surrounding the man, including his supposed guardianship of young Harry Potter. Officially, the Goblin Nation cared little for who the boy chose to take care of him, it was not their business. However, if such a guardian had taken the boy through fraudulent means as well as his other suspected crimes against the bank, Gringotts was ready to move in and alert select Ministry officials that would love to see the boy removed from Blackmoore's custody.
Chief Ragnok appeared in person to see the crew off and fill them in to the situation, "Citizens of the Goblin Nation," he addressed the assembled group of five goblins, "We are in a very tricky situation regarding the security of our beloved bank. The man whom you are about to visit, Lock Blackmoore-Ravenclaw, is under suspicion of defrauding the entirety of the Gringotts-Britain branch." Several of the more junior members glanced sidelong at Griphook, fear and concern in the most subtle parts of their expressions.
"However, we cannot expose the man without definite proof," Ragnok continued, "neither can we outright accuse and audit him, for reasons that are, as of right now, being kept top secret. Trust us when we say that the man may be far more dangerous than he seems, even for us goblins. Go there, discuss Lord Potter's claim to the Black vaults, and keep sharp eyes out for anything out of place or suspicious. Lore Master Griphook will be your supervisor for this mission. Now get a move on, you're all expected in two minutes at Blackmoore Manor."
Ragnok departed, and the younger members of the Clan gathered around Griphook, looking to him for leadership and wisdom. Unable to tell them more than their Chief had said, Griphook simply nodded, and started up the floo channel to Blackmoore's home. Stepping through with practiced grace, the Goblin immediately took inventory of his surroundings as the rest filed through the emerald green flames.
They had appeared in a small parlor, unoccupied except for one young human, around twenty to thirty years of age, wearing a grey tunic and seeming like a servant of sorts. The man also had no look of contempt as the Goblins approached, only mild curiosity mixed with caution. This was wise; Griphook acquiesced, and nodded at the man as he bowed to them.
"Master Blackmoore is awaiting you in his private study Sirs." The young man said neutrally, opening to door to the entrance hall of the manor. Griphook lead the delegation through the corridors of the manor, each keeping a sharp lookout for any of the precious heirlooms of the Blackmoore or Ravenclaw vaults.