Author's Notes
Oh, I had fun writing this chapter. So this idea had come to me just before I started writing the chapter so there's going to be a little bit of a delay on Naraiz getting back to Terra. Next chapter he will... and not alone. Then after that will be Cloners arc and a time skip. Enjoy and please tell me what you think of this chapter, I really do love reading what you guys think.
The darkness was slowly lifting as Qui-Gon opened his eyes. The standardized light of a medical room filled his vision, telling him that he was no longer on Taris or even the Chilling Sound. As the Jedi slowly sat up in his bed, he saw that he was in a private hospital room, the window showed a tropical island below a shallow hillside with a ocean further out with visible islands.
"Seems we escaped well enough for me to wake in a paradise like this." Qui-Gon thought to himself before setting his senses in the Force. He could feel all around him the people going about their daily lives, those that were recovering and those that were not. But then he closed his senses as he felt a much more powerful presence in the Force come near him, a familiar presence that calmed his nerves.
Qui-Gon looked to his room's door as it opened to see his old Master Dooku enter in. The sight of the aging yet still strong man was a welcomed sight. He hadn't changed at all since he last saw him, still wearing simply designed regal robes befitting both a Jedi and a monarch. A normally stern face that was a bit weathered by age but still nobly handsome. His old master said nothing as he closed the door behind him and walked through the room to the bedside chair. Then he sighed as he sat down as if he was going to have to discipline a child but he really didn't want to.
"The council is quite upset with you." Dooku said finally and Qui-Gon gave a chuckle at that.
"And that is any different than their natural state with you." Qui-Gon answered back and they both chuckled a bit at the lot in life they lived. Neither of them were very popular with the Hawks on the council due to their objections to the Republic's expansionism. The Doves on the council didn't like the fact they both asked hard to answer questions about the nature of the Jedi in the grand scheme of things.
"You look better, both inside and out." Dooku said after a momentary lull. His old master didn't know how right he was. Qui-Gon felt like he had been pulled out of a endless pit of booze, guilt self-hated. And while he still felt like he was only on the edge of falling back in, he still felt more hopeful than he ever had in his life. "You were delivered here on Corsin several days ago by a unknown man. He said that you had been attacked while working for him and provided a great deal of credits for your recovery."
"Ulysses, a treasure hunter that required a Jedi's help in his latest hunt. He pulled me out from some bar on a Corellian station, forced me to get sober and dragged me along a adventure I'll never forget." Qui-Gon honestly couldn't begin to explain how he felt about this short but important arc of his life. Out of nowhere, this strange man pulled him out of the fire and saved his life. In more ways than one. "It was from him that I understood that I have been dishonoring my Padawan's legacy. I endeavor to better."
"Hm, I'm happy to hear that." Dooku said with a genuine look of relief and proud joy. But then his face stiffened a bit and he sighed. "And the Order will be happy to hear that as well. It took Master Yoda to stop the High Marshal from sending agent to arrest you when we learned of your location here. From the sounds of it, that was fortunate for you." Qui-Gon frowned after he heard that, it sounded like the Jedi were still stuck in their soft civil war between the those that wanted to continuing to act as they had been and those that wanted to slow things down. It was not an environment that he wanted to return to, but he had little choice. "Well, I see you're still resting. I'll make my report to the Jedi Council and ask the doctors how long until you will be ready to depart."
"Not even going to let me enjoy the weather are you." Qui-Gon chuckled as his old master started walking out of the room.
"You've had months on your little vacation to enjoy fine weather. Now is the time to return back your duties." Dooku said with a knowing smile before leaving his apprentice alone with his thoughts. Qui-Gon sighed before looking out to the wonderfully sunny weather of Corsin. Even as inviting as it looked, his old master was right. He had a duty to return to, there was much he needed to do with all he had learned in his latest adventure.
"So what your saying is… you want me to be you?" Dalla asked as we both sat a small upscale bar in the middle of downtown New Kaas City. After dropping Qui-Gon off at a very Republic world that would no doubt alert the Jedi to the appearance of a lost Jedi Master, me and my crew booked it Dromund Kaas. Where we docked and are currently having some nice shore leave.
"Wear my armor, use my name, and look for little goodies to sell to people with too much money. Vette will be with you to handle all the business stuff and also to keep track of everything you do and inform you of what I might want done." I said before taking a sip of what was the Star Wars equivalent of a Strawberry Daiquiri. And even in this reality, it was not considered a manly drink. Well, I killed the Eternal Emperor… I can have all the fruity drinks I fucking want. "This would only be for a month tops, and you wouldn't really be doing much. Just looking for a certain artifacts belonging to a certain order of beings that need not be named."
"You bloody crazy bastard." Dalla cursed as he turned a little pale. Even using the language I did was dangerous while on Dromund Kaas. But thankfully for the both of us, this bar was the primary front of Cipher Nine so the only bugs in this entire place were either his or were over ridden by him to selectively loop certain audio. "Your last little hunt nearly got me killed and didn't get jack shit."
"That was because the Jedi we were tagging along with was being hunted by crazy Droids." I waved off but I could sense that Dalla didn't believe me. Now that Qui-Gon was gone I was able to return to a little more comfortable percentage of power. Still not enough to tip off Force Users unless they were close to me or were looking for something. I wasn't going to be taken off guard again. "Listen, I know what you want to do. Leave me and find some other ship to hijack… given that the Kaas system is a major Republic stronghold I doubt you'll get far."
"…"
"Oh and didn't you still get paid like I said you would? Yes you did, but it's still a long ways off form getting a decent ship. Then you'd need to spend even more money to get it outfitted with legal weapons and boarding equipment. Then a down payment for a crew… this is all adding up." I knew that I had the pirate by the balls. He had nowhere to go but me, he had no friends in this sector of space, and it was a very unfriendly place for pirates and criminal scum. If there's one thing a Imperial hated more than the Republic it was a criminal. So I smirked as Dalla took a large gulp of his drink, some expensive whisky like thing… I was buying.
"I'm in charge?" He asked and I gave a small shoulder shrug.
"Of the boys yeah. The Twins will listen to you on anything they find reasonable. Vette is in charge of you but will be a team player." He grumbled a bit, but knew that was the best deal he was going to be getting. For right now I just needed him to act as me and do some of the busy work, as in actually find treasures and build up the reputation in the galaxy that isn't solely on paper so to say. Meanwhiel I will be heading back to Terra to check up on it. It was about 274 AC back in Westeros, that means I have roughly there more years until the next major event, the Defiance of Duskendale. That will also be when some of the older Acolytes will be ready for the for their last tests, I'll need to visit a certain witch hag to finish those. Eh… might as well get that on the way. "So, we have a deal?" He looked at me and then back to his drink.
"You swear that I'll end up with my own ship and crew once we part ways." He said before looking at me dead in the eyes. I knew how important ships were to Corellians, and how much the sheer freedom of having a ship was even more important to a man like Dalla. Given who his grandson is its hard not to understand that.
"Yes, I promise." I said in no way intending to make good on that promise. I mean if he does survive this and ends up with enough money to get a ship and crew, good. But I wasn't bending over backward for this guy, no matter how important his line is. With that we both drank to the vow, as meaningless it really was, and he quickly left now that our business was done. I smiled and leaned back in my seat.
It really was a nice bar, upscale with a dim red and pink lighting scheme, tasteful furnishings that only an experienced eye could tell were very Imperial in style. It was a subtle nod to the fact this place was essentially a central hub for anti-Republic groups and a local favorite for those who dreamed of the old Empire days. And being that it was the main front of Cipher Nine, it also was a regular meeting spot for clandestine talks and business affairs. All while no one in the know saw it as anything more than a very classy establishment with a crowd mix of high end and upper middle class.
Cipher's work on Dromund Kaas had been wonderfully successful. He now had a working spy network that had eyes and ears in just about every corner of this planet's shadows. And he was beginning to get himself a decent galactic scale informant network. That however was far more slowly growing as compared to the local one. The Republic was far better at sniffing for spies than it had been in the past. The Jedi themselves were excellent dogs in this respect. But that's not what I needed, I needed information and very general information at that. It helped me put the pieces together and my theories on how things were going to play out were more or less confirmed. Another Hutt War, weakened Republic, CIS splitting off, civil war, some sort of Order 66 happening. That was still the idea, and it was one I could work with.
As my gaze turned from the bar to some of the others in the lounge area of the establishment. There were a few couples, and a group of local business men. The local plan to turn Dromund Kaas and the former Imperial systems to our side was simple, take its leadership. A tried and true tenet of Imperial culture that has survived was listen to Authority, that had been breed into the people by the Sith back when they were the authority. But now that rested in the nobles and local governors, as much as the Republic hates this its true. Thankfully, House Rhyhall is still a recognized noble house… those one that has faded to obscurity.
"The paperwork is all finished, one unregistered and data cloaked interstellar starship is waiting at Hanger G-89." Cipher Nine said as he casually sat next to me. He slid over to me a data drive, with what I knew was all the information I would need to take said starship. It was a small and fast personal ship meant for zipping across the galaxy for… private business. I didn't need anyone following me back to Terra. "Are you sure you can trust this Suul fellow, he doesn't seem to be quite the type you'd trust."
"And Gore wasn't?" I chuckled, it was true. The old Naraiz did tend to shy away from the dirtier elements of the galaxy… Vette and Gore excluded from that. If he did find a criminal or shady individual that did show promise he'd try to induct them in the True Followers but then let them take care of it. I on the other hand don't have such qualms.
"That was different, you raised him to be a weapon, even if the weapon he ended up being was a loose cannon." There was a uneasy silence between us. I continued to smile but there was a unnoticeable sweat on Cipher's brow. He didn't say anything more even though there was something he should be adding to that.
"Just because you're my most useful tool, doesn't mean you're not replaceable." We continued to sit for awhile. I eventually finished my drink and Cipher straightened his cuffs a bit before proceeding. "You will continue to carry out my previous orders, but now I want you to keep an eye on Damask Holdings. I believe that they are connected to the modern Sith."
"Of course my lord." Cipher said as he stood back up. "If that will be all, I have several meetings to attend to."
"Without anyone's knowledge I hope." I gave a mirthless joke as he left. My mood had been soured but now wasn't the time to sulk about because he made a poor taste comment about Naraiz's adopted son. I had a trip to the planet of witches to plan.
Darth Plagueis examined the ornate ring of metal in his hand. The Circlet of Saresh was a ancient artifact of the Jedi that held within it untapped potential. Capable of allowing a Force User to dive into the ocean of power the Light Side contained in a instant. The draw back was at first a gradual loss of sense of self. Then it developed into a disconnected from the present. And then lastly the mind falls into an emptiness of peace and total loss of agency.
"A horrifying fate worse than many the Dark Side can provide." Darth Plagueis thought to himself as he set the Circlet down on a custom made wire stand. A shimmer glossed over the Circlet as a Force Field activated around it, preventing anyone from touching it. It was a dangerous tool that needed to be handled properly, as this was an unexpected find the Muun lacked a place in his plans for the artifact. "My spies have informed me that the Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn is currently recovering on Corsin and will be travelling to the Jedi Council soon."
"So it seems that IG-99 failed after all." His apprentice said from across the room, the young Sith Lord was staring out onto the city skyline of Coruscant. Plagueis thought for a moment of just simply pushing him out of the window and ridding himself of the man. But then shooed such things out of his mind. Sidious was indeed a ambitions man, one that certainly had the drive to betray his master even though Plagueis had been trying to do away with such traditions. With immortality so close, the need for so a cycle will be pointless.
"Not at all, the droid exceeded expectation. In fact I will be giving that unit a personal upgrade and forwarding an approval for his line." It would of course be a limited produced line of IG Units. The 99 model would be a commander of lesser IG units, it had proven itself in battle and as a capable agent. "It's recovery of the Circlet aside, it did everything it could have done in its mission. Even using my blunted blade to a much fuller extent than she could have ever been on her own."
"What do you supposed happened to your Blade?" Sidious asked a question that had been on the Dark Lord's mind for quite some time. Plagueis had used the Falleen agent for several years now and she had been a excellent assassin and spy. Her actions on the Corellian station was out of character for her, and it cost her greatly. The injury to her face ruined her chances to be a successful infiltrator, indeed if she had retreated after sustaining the initial blast she could have recovered with only a faded scar.
"There has been a change in the Force… it could have affected her in ways we may not understand." Along with the sudden Balancing of the Force, there had also been this… influence. Darth Plagueis felt this slithering intent in the Dark Side that slipped away each time he tried to focus on it. Whatever it was didn't want to be seen by him… yet. "The Republic isn't yet under our complete control. The Grand Plan of the Sith has been changed and altered many times yet we must work with what we have. We must keep to our timeline, but be wary my apprentice… there are clearly other forces at work."
"Do you think she is involved?" Sidious asked with only a faint hint of fear in his voice.
"Possibly." Darth Plagueis stood up as he thought on this. "It would seem I have need to consult with my equals. The mystics of the Force are not my expertise, and thus I must not be so arrogant as to believe I know what might be happening." He explained as he and his apprentice began walking out of his real office and not the fake one on the Muun homeworld. The two Sith walked through dark sleek halls, side by side as opposed to how things normally was.
"Shall I make the arrangements for Jedi Master Jinn now that we know his survival?" Sidious asked as they entered into a wide hanger with two ships. One a luxurious Naboo style personal ship that was befitting a noble from the world. The other a slim and silently deadly craft designed only to be unnoticeable by all.
"No, until I have consulted the witch we shall be making no more moves brought about by visions from the Force. Procced with our original plans, your election must go as we need it." With that Sidious bowed and began toward his ship. Plagueis once again felt the urge to end his apprentice's life then and there. But decided that these thoughts were exactly what that troublesome Ulysses wanted. "Another thing to speak about when I arrive on Dathomir."
"-Exiting hyperspace in five… four… three… two… one.-" I watched as space turned back into the black void of reality. And then in came the planet Dathomir, along with a huge fleet of ships. That must be the quarantine fleet the Jedi put in place due to the Nightsisters. I activated my ship's not so legal cloaking systems and even added some of my own Force Cloaking powers to the mix. I hope it will be enough but just to be safe I'm going to have take the long way around and enter the atmosphere via the poles.
A Star Wars blockade fleet only ever covers the egress points for hyperspace lanes. This stops larger ships and fleets from gaining access to a world and if they try to go around the blockading fleet than that very fleet will chase them down. Mines and moon bases are also sometimes used. Then lastly a system of sensors and detection tech are used to pick up smaller ships and then if any are found fighter squadrons are deployed. A planet or system with multiple hyperspace egress points needs more coverage but those tend to be the more important systems anyway for that very reason.
"They really do look like UNSC ships." I mumbled as I dove below the blockade, my little ship was only fit for one or two people so all I had to do was avoid pinging their sensors. I watched from my cockpit at the Halo ships fly in formation, although some had the with a hammerhead bow. That I think is a holdover from their earlier days. The surfing of the holo-net has informed me that very few factions in the republic have their own navies, very different than canon. So I doubt I'll have to deal with anything but these and the CIS.
I shelve this train of thought for another day as I reach the south pole of Dathomir. The person I'm looking for will no doubt notice that I'm here. The question will be if she knows who I am. As I'm flying through the skies of Dathomir, I let my senses in the Force go and let it guide me to where I need to go. This world… something's not right here. I expected that, Dathomir is under a quarantine for a reason. But its more than just the Dark Side at work, eh… I guess this is what real Dark Side Sorcery feels like.
An hour later I find what I was looking for. Circling a large mountain range I spot a crude landing area in front of a large decorated cave mouth. I watch even as I land, several Nightsisters come out from the shadows, bows drawn and I can sense they are all ready to kill. Hm… seems they haven't been told to expect me. A less than welcoming welcoming-party leave the cave entrance and surround my ship as I step down onto the ground. They seem to stiffen as they see me, I'm not wearing my Ulysses armor and instead changed into another set of Sith battle armor robes. I guess they weren't expecting a ghost from the past to show up on their doorstep.
"H-halt! You are trespassing on the lands of the Great Mother Gethzrion." The lead Nightsister said, her voice becoming firmer as her confidence returned. Likely thinking that I was only dressing up in the visage of the Sith of old. I'll have to dissuade them of that mistake. I looked at them from under my hood and held up a hand.
"I have business with Great Mother Gethzrion, out of my way." I say through my Sith Rebreather, my voice the embodiment of dark authority. Dismissive and impatient, I had little time for these little girls. The longer I stay on this world the longer it will take to get back to Terra. I was very eager to see Lyarra and Joanna again and to see how my city was coming along. Oh and… to see if Jaesa had come back yet.
"Impudent man, the Great Mother ahs no time for fools." The lead Nightsister growled as she pulled back on her bowstring. My eyes widened as I saw them form energy arrows, that was not something I had seen in Legends. I do remember the cool bows that were used in the Clone Wars cartoon but these were not them. Oh well, if I figured out how to do energy projection doesn't mean someone else couldn't have. Mattered little in the end, I raised a finger in the air and then with a flick down I caused all the Nightsisters to crumble to their knees in a kneeling position.
"Much better, I'll see myself in." I said as I strode past the gravity locked Nightsisters. They struggled to fight against my power, only to fail. I walked into the mouth of the cave without interruption. The cave was exactly as I expected it, green flames lit the way with runes carved all over the place. Most I recognized others not so much. It didn't take long before I reached the end of the cave and found myself in a massive cavern. The floor led to a raised pillar of stone with several stone archways leading to other parts of the underground village. At the very center was ritual circle carved into the rock and inlaid with… I pretty sure that's crystallized blood. "Must these things always be so morbid?"
"Amusing words from one that has spilled an ocean of blood." An aged woman's voice echoed from no point of origin. Ah, so she does know who I am. Must have slipped her mind to tell her guards then… not likely. Geralt was right, Sorceress are too much damn trouble.
"Great Mother Gethzrion, it is quite pleasant to meet someone who knows my reputation for a change." I said as I walked down the stone stairs to the central point of the cavern.
"But not an honor is it?" She poised with an amused cackle. She should be the one honored to meet me, not the other way around. "But you have come seeking knowledge, and to meet with one of your peers in this new time and galaxy?" As she said this, a green smoke filled the space above the ritual circle. Once it filled out, her image formed in the smoke. She looked ancient and clothed in very ornate Dathomiri robes, in her lifeless bleak eyes resided a power and cunning that I had only seen a few others.
"We are speaking of honor? Then it is you that should feel honored I consider you my peer." I snapped back and then in several puffs of green smoke, eight Nightsisters appeared around the edges of the platform we stood on. Six of them had bows drawn and two of them went to the ritual circle and kneeled before the image of the Great Mother.
"Careful Revan's Heir, you are indeed the greatest warrior of the Force and unrivaled at the crafting of tools of peace and weapons of war. But the Dark Arts… you are surely lacking." The warned with a gnarled finger pointing at me like a disapproving grandmother accusing her grandchildren with not listening to their elders. But was right to an extent, but that didn't mean I would let her see me faulter. In a meeting between two insanely powerful users of the Force, it's a confidence game. "I have what you seek, the knowledge to create your own Trials for your new order."
"And you know of what I plan how?" I asked knowing that she was just going to say magic or some other nonsense.
"I do not know what you plan only that you plan it." She said cryptically and I groaned on the inside. It was going to be one of those conversations. "You have come here for two purposes, the first is to meet with me and gage my disposition to you, as well as make a show of force to cow me into backing off."
"Not wrong." I said with a shrug.
"And secondly to gain my assistance in the further creation of your Rule of Three. These are things I have foreseen. The future is blindly wild with possibility. It frays in ways it never has before." That was something I didn't know. Diving the future was like getting a bunch of similar plot lines that all diverged into different paths and the work was in picking the one that would actually come true. Shadowing the Jedi's ability to see the future was like making every single one of those either completely vanish or so unreadable that they couldn't even know what was happening in that future. This however, was making it sound like there were too many choices to accurately pick out the right one… I don't know how this could happen. "We have met, I see you as a threat that can be spoken to. Reasoned with."
"Unlike the Jedi." I said and the image nodded while having snarl on her lips.
"Yes, much unlike the Jedi. You desire my knowledge of sorcery for your own Order while I desire my world to be allowed to govern itself." This is generally what I expected her to want. And it's something I'm perfectly willing to let her have. So long as it stays on Dathomir I really could care less. Doesn't mean I won't spy on you but I'm sure as hell going to let you have more freedom than you currently do. But then I watched Gethzrion smirk in a way that gave me chills. I have a bad feeling… the kind of feeling have when something stupid is about to happen. "And I believe the best way for us to seal this accord is in the same fashion as your new home does."
"Wait a minute." I said but was ignored as one of the kneeling Nightsisters stood up and faced me. Her hood came down and… yes… very pretty. She also oddly looked familiar, but that wasn't important as I knew what was coming next.
"I have foreseen a glimmer of the future. One in which you rule your empire as the rightful Emperor of the galaxy. And at each of your sides is an Empress of Light and Dark." Dear fucking god, does everything have to come in sets of three these days. Well I don't have any right to complain as I started it. "Here shall be your Empress of the Dark Side." With that the Nightsister walked over to me, doing a damn fine job of the sexy walk. "May I present Sister Talzin, I do hope that she is to your liking."
"I look forward to all that we can accomplish together my emperor." Oh thank god, she doesn't have that creep voice thing. But damn, young Talzin is really hot… like a more clean and less insane looking Ventress. However I still need to not think with my dick. For one thing, this is still Talzin… the same woman that tried to kill Dooku and unleashed Maul back on the galaxy… granted… I can kinda see her side for all those things.
"Sister Talzin knows all that will need to be done for your trials and beyond that." I didn't know how to feel about all this. It was certainly better than when Ayres arranged for me to marry Lysa. Talzin isn't a child and… a much more attractive option when it comes forced marriages. Even so I'm thrilled given how out of place this is. And no doubt the old hag is plotting something, I know for a fact she ahs plans larger than just Dathomir. But as I eye Talzin… I know she does too.
"This is all well and good, but I require some time to think on your proposal and possibly form a counter offer." There was a lot I could do in a counter offer. My empire was going to be structural different from the old one and perhaps offering an official place alongside the Sith could be tempting. Of course it would go unsaid that both factions would via for dominance in the empire, and the Great Mother's arrogance would likely make her think she has a chance to usurp the Sith completely. Other deals also remained possible, that was just the most likely.
"Of course. You will be free to spend the night under our hospitality." With that the green smoke began to waft away back into the large cave network behind the village. The Nightsisters all relaxed their stance and I turned my back to them all as I started walking back to my ship.
"I have no intention of sleeping here, please do not bother me until the morning." I said as I felt the other handmaid and Talzin start to follow me. I didn't want the Nightsisters to even have the ghost of a chance to try their tricky voodoo on me while I slept. I had a lot to think about and I would prefer to do that alone.
"Ahh… that feels good." Jaesa sighed as she slipped into the large warm bath. The past month had been a chaotic whirlwind of activity for her. But at last things seemed to be settled. She had her place here in Braavos, as a foreign noble woman that everyone knew shouldn't be trifled with. People fanned away when she walked down the street, shopkeepers made sure to save their best stock for her, and criminals now understood that to try and steal from her meant death.
It was a little lonely, she hadn't had sex since arriving in Braavos… or since the last time with Naraiz. She scared away anyone that might be a friend, it was too dangerous to have friends. But all of that was fine, she was healthy which meant the baby was healthy and she kept her mind occupied with people watching. Using her powers to learn everything she could about the people around her, their lives and habits. Sometimes she even messed with them a little, disrupted them just to see what happened. But that only amused her so long.
Which was why she tended to spend large amounts of time just relaxing at Braavosi spas these days. She had the money with all the gold that she stole from various nobles in Westeros on her way to the nearest port she could find. And while it didn't have the level of tech needed to be perfect, the Braavosi here really did their best and it was acceptable to Jaesa. Though she knew that soon enough she would begin showing and these little trips outside would have to stop. If those thugs knew that she was pregnant they would no doubt attempt to rob her again. She didn't want any harm to come to the baby and that could happen during a fight where she was further along. She would need to find a trusted ally to get her food during that time.
"I didn't think this through." Jaesa mumbled as she lowered herself deeper in the water so half her face was under. She admitted that that statement could be applied to a lot of her recent choices. She was beginning to regret running off, it was becoming increasingly obvious to her that she wasn't suited for long term domestic life.
"I see your finally coming to terms with your failure." Jaesa immediately sprang out of the water as she heard Rathari's voice. "Calm down, I'm on the other side of the wall." Jaesa looked toward one of the dividing walls that made up the bathhouse section of the spa. The rooms weren't completely separated as to allow the steam to build up faster and disperse among the rooms. "And we're completely alone."
"So he couldn't be bothered to talk to me himself." Jaesa snorted as she tried to pinpoint where exactly Rathari was so she could Force Push the wall and crush him.
"Darth Nagash has no knowledge of me being here, in fact he ordered all of us to not look for you. Even though he deduced exactly what city you would go to." That stopped Jaesa as she wasn't quite how to take that. Was she upset that Naraiz wasn't looking for her, thankful that he was giving her time, worried that she might need to change cities, or happy that he knew her so well as to predict her movements. Either way, what she did feel was fear. "I came here only to determine if his assumption was correct and to see to your well being now that you are carrying our future Emperor's child."
"Of course that's all you care about, the dutiful servant you are." Jaesa snapped back, she never liked Rathari and the idea of him coming to check on her was disgusting.
"Yes I am, I know my place in the galaxy. That far more than you can say isn't it?" Jaesa went pale, even though she was currently sitting in a warm bath. That comment stab right at her soul, the conflict in her heart. The toss and turn of her feelings over her master and the new Naraiz had consumed her to a degree that everything else was numb. "I don't have your magical eyes, I'm not even a great sensor of feelings with the Force, and yet I can read you like a book."
"Stop it…" Jaesa lightly sobbed as she tried to hide her emotions but found herself lacking.
"Not enjoying being on the other side of this situation?" He taunted but didn't stop there. "I do not engage with romantic entanglements, I find them messy and a unnecessary struggle of emotion. However, this affords a clarity of insight to those around me. And while my lord remains the greatest proof for my lifestyle, I still at times envy the joy he seems to have when with those he loves. And I know for a fact you crave that more than anything. More than your bloodlust or sadism, you crave his embrace. I would say it would comparable that your going through withdrawal right now, is this correct?"
"It's… complicated." Jaesa held herself as she struggled with Rathari's words. There was a silence in the baths after she said this. Jaesa didn't say anything more, only pulled herself in close and tried to be as small as she could. She felt more horrible than ever before, here she was a woman that was perhaps one of the most deadly people in the galaxy and she was brought low by feelings. "Everything was good, it could have been good. And then… I made a choice because I had this idea in my head. That even though things were looking like they could be better than they ever had been, it was all fake because…" She was going to say he was but couldn't finish it. For one thing, she didn't want to cause Naraiz those kinds of problems by making Rathari doubt him. But more importantly just saying that felt wrong.
"So, you regret what you did?" He asked and Jaesa loosened a bit, feeling a bit more relaxed now that his tone was less judgmental.
"Yes and no, how I went about it and the reasons why I did it yes. But this child, no." She said firmly as she moved a hand to her stomach. Even if she came to terms with the fact everything surrounding this child was wrong, she would never pass that along to the child itself. She would loved it in the ways her own mother never did. "I honestly don't know how to feel about all this. It's like my feelings are this fog were nothing can be solid but I know the answer is there somewhere."
"I guess you'll only know when you see him again." She heard the sound of water being disturbed and assumed he was getting out of his bath. "Darth Nagash has given you until the birth of your child to contact him. After that he will come for you and the child, I presume that he intends to bring you back to Harrenhal either peacefully or forcibly." With that Jaesa felt his presence leave from the baths. She just sat in the warmth of the bath water, trying to decide what she was going to do.
With every breath I took I waded through the Force. In moments it was like two oceans on top of each other. One was pure and tranquil, yet its surface was solid to the touch and only through great effort was I able to reach down into it. The other was violent and pitch, waves crashed and when I touched its surface for even a moment it would drag me down into it. This was one of the many visuals my more grounded mind produced while my soul extended out to the metaphysical.
There was something wrong in the darkness. Something was watching me, there was of course the Nightsisters but they weren't powerful enough to have a active presence in the Force. No mortal being has an active presence in the Force, we can only ever take short dives into the ocean but this thing lived in it. So this is my test of will huh, to stare at the madness of Abeloth and not blink.
Time had long since stopped meaning anything to me. I had been delving deep into the Force while I meditated on my ship. Here I was beyond the physical world. I stood between the divide of the ocean of tar and the one of liquid glass. Even with it as dark as it was, I could peer into the Dark Side and see a uncountable number of eyes all belonging to the same creature stare back at me.
"Servant." I said and instantly the being trashed wildly in shock and rage. I was not afraid, I couldn't be or else things worse than death would occur. Instead I found salvation in sadism and mocking this future foe. Focusing all my emotions on anything but myself. "You are nothing but a-" Before I could speak more, giant talons broke through the surface of the Dark Side thrusted toward me.
Outwardly, I'm sure I looked like I was putting a great deal of effort into something. But in the face of this monster I remained calm as I pushed back on the attack. The tips of the beast's claws were inches from my face and body but were struggling to get further. The surface of the pitch black ocean erupted with wriggling tentacles and red, black and yellow eyes. They all looked at me with an amount of hatred I haven't seen in a long time. The talons slowly were pulled back but only them.
"Dear boy…" Triple layers of voices echoed out from Abeloth. The one most vocal was a motherly one, kind and gentle but also very condescending. The second was a classical Dark Side echo, deep and evil at its most pure. I have it in my true form though to a small extent and on the other side of the spectrum Talzin had it in Canon to a much further degree. But the third one tripped me up, it was faint… barely there but it was there. A voice that was hurt and nearly crying. Was that Abeloth's true self, the mortal that had been corrupted by the powers she tampered with in the effort to stay with the family she loved. Now was not the time for pity. "… I don't know where you learned these things but they aren't your secrets to know. You are playing with things beyond your understanding."
"Crazy Karen elder god say what."
"What?"
"HA!" With that I cut my connection to the Force to near zero and open my eyes before I die. Was I smart for shitposting an elder god of the Force? No… no I was not. However it did give me just a moment of confusion and that was long enough to disengage from the Force before she could have done anything too me. I was going to have to stay Force null for a while. At least long enough for me to get back to Terra. I'll drop off the radar for Abeloth and she'll stop looking for me and back for Mortis. Afterall, I might be annoying to her… but I'm not a threat to her right now. She has bigger problems than me.
I stretched a bit in the spacious cockpit of my ship. It wasn't a large one by any means but stealthy and had enough room to be used for longer trips than I had planned. About a third the size of my old Fury. After pulling out a ration bar I sighed thinking over the whole situation with the Nightsisters. It wasn't that I disliked the idea of taking Talzin into my harem… dear fuck that fucking bastard really made me an anime protag didn't he. But at least I'm self aware enough to actually get laid. I guess the real issue I have with it is that it's someone that I know for a fact I can't trust. Vette and Jaesa I could trust totally, I stay by that statement even with what happened. Lyarra and Joanna I can trust due to their collars and the fact I don't intend to abuse that trust. The rest of my lovers all see me as a god. Talzin… she's crafty.
If I had to guess I'd say she's in her early thirties if she wasn't using a Mask. Which I don't think she was, her presence in the Force felt too pure. Given the timeline, she should be gathering allies to unite the Nightsister tribes under her control. But that hasn't happened yet and Gethzrion seemed to have the most powerful tribe at the moment. Oh… I see what's happening. Smart old hag. That means I can at least trust that this isn't a attempt to hinder me, as Gethzrion is getting more out of this than I originally realized. Talzin is just a pawn, which means I can at least trust this deal a bit more.
I stared up at the star night sky of Dathomir. It really was different for each world, though I couldn't tell. It was humbling to know that somewhere out there was all my loved ones and enemies existing without me on the same world as them. Always good for one's ego to stare up to the night sky, reminds you just how small and pointless you are. Even if the Republic and the entire galaxy burned… it's just one galaxy and hell it would probably come back in a few million years.
"Ah, enough of this cynicism." I said as I finished off my ration bar and then flipped the switch to open the cockpit. I stood up and began stretching a bit for the women in the shadows watching me… did I ever mention that I was currently topless and in very good shape. I've dealt with women teasing the fuck out of me might as well turn that shit around here. But then I glance down and see Talzin kneeling in a meditative pose next to my ship. Immediately I think that she could be possessed by Abeloth and that's why she was able to contact me in the Force. But then I dismiss that idea as if she was possessed by Abeloth she would be trying to kill me now given what I said to the evil force monster. "And just what do you think you are doing down there?"
"Saving your life." She said as she opened her eyes. "That was a very foolish thing you did, picking a fight with a goddess." She spoke with a amused smirk that would confuse any man… I included. Even after all I have been through, even after all I have done… I still for my fucking lives don't understand women half the time.
"Ah so you saw that." I dropped down to the ground, I was curious as to what she had seen and what her angel here was. "Also be aware, if I hadn't made her as mad as she was… you would have been driven insane just being that close to her." I told her and she just gave me this look of I know that but I'm still sure of myself. She was confident bordering on smug, powerful and very capable. Ooh… that's not good… I'm deeply attracted to women that can get shit done. "And I can take care of myself in the Force, I don't need a sorceress tag along."
"You don't even feel it yet." She then pointed to my ship and I turned to see my reflection. Oh… fuck. There were six bleeding wounds on my torso and two on my face, then a myriad of bruises that looked like binding ropes all over my body.
"Hehe… that's…" Everything went to black after that.
Darth Plagueis watched the Dathomirian landscape fly by as he enjoyed the feeling of such primal elements in the Force. Worlds like Dathomir really did provide a wholly unique view to the Force. It was no wonder that it was worlds like this that tended to provide such great users and unexpected powers of the Force.
"My Lord, we are approaching the destination." The pilot droid stated, taking the Dark lord out of his musings. This wasn't a pleasure trip, it was an extremely difficult and uncomfortable thing for him to do. Even admitting that he had peers left a bad taste in his mouth. But this needed to be done, things were happening in the Force that were beyond his understanding. It meant that he needed to go to someone with a better understanding of the mystic and supernatural side of the Force. "Landing now."
The Dark Lord of the Sith stood up from his seat and walked to the exit door of his ship as the craft slowly lowered to the landing platform that existed outside the cave entrance of Gethzrion's Nightsister tribe. As the landing ramp started to descend, Plagueis was able to see that he wasn't the alone person visiting the Nightsisters. There on the small planning pad was a off market stealth ship. Her narrowed his eyes at the accompanying ship, it wasn't impossible to break the quarantine around Dathomir but it was difficult. Then there were the limited number of people that would know of this place and its importance. The odds made it hard to believe that this was just a coincidence. The only thing that Plagueis could think of was that Gethzrion had invited someone to her lair via her sorcery. As he walked down the landing ramp, several Nightsisters exited their cave home. Less than a welcoming party and more like a squad of warrior he noted.
"Lord Sith, it is a unexpected for you to visit us." The lead Nightsister said with a professional yet uneven voice. They were hiding something, the sorceress was plotting something and didn't want outsiders to know about it.
"I have thought that I and the great mother have a… amicable relationship. It is I that has kept Dathomir from ending up a scorched rock." Plagueis reminded them all as he gentle stamped his walking cane in front of his body. He may appear to be a old banking magistrate but these women should know very well that appearances can be deceiving. "So you can see why I would believe that I could hear her advice on issue I may have. Especially when I don't do so regularly. It would be but a small modicum of her time."
"I uh… AYH!" The lead Nightsister screamed in agony as she fell over onto the ground. Plagueis watched on passively as the other Nightsisters stared at their leader as thousands of tiny holes in her body started to bleed.
"Oh dear… it would look as if something is quite wrong with her." The Dark Lord said knowing exactly what was happening. Never before had a Force User developed such a understanding of the biological component of the Force as him. His mastery of the Midi-chlorians of so great, that he could without effort force the Midi-chlorians in a person's body to rampage. To Infuse them with enough Dark Side power that the begin to rip and tear their way through and eventually out of the body. The process was agonizing as a person's body ripped itself apart on a microscopic level. "Now, unless the rest of you wish to fall as sickened as this poor girl is… I suggest you escort me to Great mother Gethzrion."
The Nightsisters quickly fell in line and showed the Dark Lord into their home. Plagueis past by the esoteric and mystical runes painted across the rock walls without a thought to them. His interest lied in what lived and died. The runes of the Sith and other orders were childish finger paints attempting to enforce one's will on nature. Plagueis saw it as the same as throwing a tantrum and brute forcing your way to power, where as his method was to guide nature to a much stronger and effective form. To evolve the body and mind beyond what simple natural selection can produce. He supposed that Sith Alchemist have always maintained a rivalry when they chose their specialties, but even so he saw himself as the objective one. Once he achieved biological perfection, he would have plenty of time to refine the craft of the other branches of Sith Alchemy.
Soon enough the Nightsisters brought Darth Plagueis to the central chamber of the cave village. There seemed to quite a lot of activity going around. Sisters going to and from tunnels and wall side hanging huts. There were even a few Nightbrothers hauling materials around. It all seemed to be centered around two places, a large hut off to the right that was one connected to one of the main stone bridges. Last time he was here Plagueis had assumed that to be the Great Mother's hut. The other focus of the tribe was the center ritual site, seems his theories that they had been preparing some sort of ritual was right. He was brought to the heart of the tribe where all made way for him. As usual, the Great mother employed her intermission of green smoke and theatrics. The Dark Lord honestly suspected that she was not even on the same continent.
"Lord of Locusts…" He truly hated that name she called him. "… this is a most unwelcome time for you to have come." She spoke in a hurried and distracted voice. She was doing something else while speaking to him? That was quite insulting but also added the theory that something big was going on. "I invite you to return at a later date, right now we of Dathomir have much to prepare for."
"And just what are the people of Dathomir preparing for?" Darth Plagueis asked in that Dark Lord tone that said he would not be denied. As powerful as the Great Mother was, it was by his influence that Dathomir wasn't being subject to complete annihilation by the Jedi and Republic. It was true that she and him were equals in terms of power in the Force but the same could not be said in political power. She wasn't even a player in the galactic community, even if she thought she was, and he was a major power and financial broker. His word could ruins systems or make them wealthy beyond their possible means.
"A union. It is a rare time that a male shows himself worthy of respect and won the right of ceremony." That was what all the fuss was about? A wedding? Plagueis sighed as he found the Dathomirian culture distasteful. But this was in line with their crude ways so he guessed he worked himself up over nothing. "If you must converse with me then speak and then begone!"
"Of course… I wouldn't want to interrupt such a grand event." He scoffed before glancing off to largest hut in the cave. "Is that were the bride to be is, might I say congratulations to her."
"No!" Gethzrion roared and that shocked Plagueis a bit. "Speak your questions Dark Lord." The Sith eyed the large hut with a keen look. She was hiding something, there was more going on here than a simple wedding. But… in the end it didn't concern him. Whatever the Great Mother was plotting could be ended by a simple word to the Jedi.
"Recently one of my assassins acted out in an unusual manner. For years she had been a very capable agent, and then suddenly chose a rash action that cost her nearly all of her usefulness. I have reason to suspect that a change in the Force may have caused this and other events to happen. I have come to you asking what is this change?" Plagueis asked as he chose to focus on what he had come for as opposed to what he had found. He could later order a chain of events that would lead to several Republic raids happening on Dathomir. That should teach the old hag to respect his appearances.
"Great Balance has been brought to the Force, this is true and all have felt this. The Light seeks to return its dominance and snuff out resistance. But Darkness holds in it a great beast that now takes advantage of the confusion." Plagueis raised a eyebrow at that last comment. The first two statements he understood but the last… he would need to look into this. "But what you wish to know is that the influence of those long held back has begun to ride the waves that have been casted. The Words of Balance caused great change and powers long dormant were brought along with it."
"What powers?" He asked hoping that there would be a point to all this supernatural nonsense.
"The one who carries the wrathful caused your Blade to become reckless. His power ravages the peaceful and brings fury to the dutiful. Your Blade fell victim to his influence." Plagueis was dissatisfied with what he heard. It was all nonsense to him. All he got out of it was he was going to need to learn how to shield his mind from even more forces and to do the same with his tools.
"This was a complete waste of time." Plagueis thought to himself as he turned and began walking away from this farse. He knew that he should have just researched into this himself instead of getting a superstitious-cryptic-infuriating old hag. None of the Nightsisters made any attempt to stop the Dark lord from leaving their midst. Though some felt the urge to stop him only to get revenge for their fallen sister that had died for nothing.
Oh… I did not feel good. This was worse than a hangover, lightyears worse. I felt groggy all over my body and sore in the places I recalled being stabbed by Abeloth. Shit… I made a mistake there. Looks like The Mother has more bite than I realized. I guess I owe Talzin a thank you and a apology.
"Fucking hell. Saarai! I want food!" I shouted before I even opened my eyes. I could sense that I was alone… too alone. I sat up from whatever sheet I was under when I felt my swords were no where near me. I looked around and saw I was on a slab of marble in the middle of a tribal hut. Glancing down I could see I was totally naked with my entire body covered in Sith style tattoo markings but thankfully it was just black paint. I was also in my true form, someone had broken my Mask. "Okay someone better explain shit to me right now." I growled as I looked around for something to take out my aggression on.
"Are you not thankful to us for saving your life." I turned and saw Gethzrion herself walk into the hut flanked by two burly Nightbrothers. He smiled at me with a knowing smirk and I could feel her eyes look up and down like a piece of meat. Right, this is karma for that teasing show from before… though considering the wounds I doubt it was as good as it thought it was.
"What is this?" I said standing on my own two feet, I was still a little wobbly and thankfully I didn't just instinctively reach out to the Force to try and heal myself. Even if I solely pulled from the Light, Abeloth would still sense me and come as she was still freshly pissed at me. "And where are my swords?"
"Your Foci are here, just sealed for the time being." Gethzrion said as the two Nightbrothers pulled out my swords bound in rune carved leather. I felt my blood boil at the sight of my Force Blades bound like that. "Calm yourself, it was for your own protection. She-Of-Many is searching for you and they are like beacons in the Force. You must wait for She-Of-Many to return to her search of the Father."
"Very well." My teeth were grinding together as I said this. But it was partly an act. That would be the case for those were normal Force Foci, things used to channel the Force. My Force Blades were completely different as they stored Force Power in them rather than help me use greater amounts of power from the Force. But I needed to keep up an appearance, though it was nice to know that I knew a Force Power that the hag didn't. I watched carefully, my eyes glowing yellow as the Nightbrothers placed my swords on a nearby table. "Now, about this?" I motioned to my naked body.
"It's for the ceremony." She chuckled in what I am sure was once a very cute giggle long-long ago. But now was this amused cackle of a decrepit witch. "You will be marrying Sister Talzin today, do this and you will have the knowledge that you seek and the Nightsister tribes will forever be your allies." She said as she circled me around the hut. He eyes never leaving my body.
"But you don't control all the Nightsister tribes… yet." I said with my own knowing smirk and she smiles right back at me. I knew what she was doing here, hitching her tribe to the future Emperor of the Sith would create a good deal of clot among the other tribes. Plus, there was the business with Talzin. Given what I know from canon, Gethzrion knows that Talzin is plotting to take over all of Dathomir but she's too popular to just get rid of conventionally. So this provides a means to coop her support and get rid of her all at the same time. This will no doubt lead to Gethzrion Replacing Talzin's role in the Clone War era of this reality. We'll see how that goes down. And with all that in mind, I still need to know exactly why am I naked for this. "So what does this ceremony entail?"
"You and your betrothed shall be brought together at the heart of the village. There, I shall call upon the Winged Goddess and the Fanged God to bless the union." Ok… standard stuff. "The two shall exchange vows of loyalty and prosperity." Good-good. "Then, to determine who shall rule in the marriage, a fight for supremacy shall take place!" The look on the hag's face was of pure excitement and glee. I needed more info here.
"A fight for supremacy? I know that Dathomirian culture has some very strong gender norms so I expected a sort of contest to determine who's dominant between us… but could elaborate on this please?" I asked and she… licked her lips in anticipation. Oh god.
"Before the village and the gods you shall consummate the marriage, where one must either force the other to submit or submit themselves, the only other option is to die by the other's hand for being too weak." Yup… that sounds very much like something that could happen on Dathomir. I'm not ashamed of the idea of having sex in front of people… okay maybe this hag I have a issue with… and the whole force yourself on the other thing isn't really rape given that we're both trying to do the same. This is essentially just going to be some very rough fucking. But I really have to do this, seems like a lot trouble for something that they have to know I won't abide by.
"Sigh… I'm not exactly in fucking slash fighting shape. And I'm pretty damn sure that Talzin like the rest your sisters is highly trained and skilled killer with a host of mystic Force powers." I feel like things are stacked against me but… most of those things are because I decided to be a dumbass and pick a fight with Abeloth when I didn't need to.
"We are about to start the ceremony, we were just waiting for you to wake." Damn hag planned this. She cackled as she walked out of the hut followed by her Nightbrother guards… slaves… fucktoys? Eh, doesn't matter. The second that they leave I immediately rush over to my Force Blades and unbind them.
"Master/Naraiz-sama I tried-" They begin but are silenced as I quickly grab them in a worried hug. I can tell Saarai is at first embarrassed at both me being naked and the sudden action but relaxes into it. Midwan just was happy for the contact as usual. I broke off the hug and took a step back and they still looked quite confused.
"Where were the two of you when they bound you up, I thought you could manifest even while I was unconscious?" I asked now that I was finished expressing my concern over them and relief that they were okay.
"We've been asleep since you let that Jedi on your ship to avoid him getting suspicious." Midwan replied with a huff but then just started ogling my body. That felt a lot better than the hag.
"We only just know have been awoken, where are we and what has happened?" Saarai asked after she had averted her gaze, her face still flushed with embarrassment.
"Short version, we're on Dathomir and I'm about to get married and have gladiator sex combat in front of a bunch of Nightsisters and brothers." They both looked at me with their laws nearly dropped from shock. Eh I guess I would be shocked too… hell I am pretty shocked.
"You can't be serious? Are you really just letting all this happen?!" Midwan screamed only for me and Saarai to shush her. But her question was valid. I wasn't so much as letting it happen as I was simply okay with it all. Yeah I certainly didn't plan for all this to happen but I don't see any negatives to this. I get the cooperation of the Nightsisters, all the sorcerous knowledge I need, and a hot new wife… I see no downside here. "He's thinking with his dick again."
"It appears so." Saarai added with a cold glare to me that I honestly don't recall her ever using on me before.
"Oh you two shut up, It will turn out great, I know it." Again, I don't see a downside here. "But first I need you to heal me with the Force Power you have stored up." I said looking to my Light Sided Tsân. Saarai looked worried and scared for me, very different than her normal expressionless face. But then gave me a feint smile and then nodded. The Tsân then slowly vanished and I could feel myself heal back… and then I threw up a bit. Black sludge poured out of my mouth and god fuck did I feel a lot better after it was out of me. "Oh… they want to play dirty do they?" Seems Gethzrion was taking no chances, I don't know why she wants Talzin to take the dominant role but I'm sure there's something underhanded here.
"That certainly kills the mood." Midwan said playfully as she came to my side and helped me over to a nearby chair. She took a rag from the table next to us and started clean me off. "This is really dumb you know that right, I mean I'm all for fucking a bitch and showing her who's boss but this really doesn't feel like your speed. You tend to keep things on your terms while here you're playing by theirs."
"That's because they have something I need. In order for me to rightly make my new Order I need people that know how to perform real magic. I'm trying to create a Force User Order to end all others, I can't half ass it." This wasn't about Talzin or whatever plots and schemes that Gethzrion had in her maggot addled head. This was about making sure that the foundations of the Rule of Three Sith were built right. I had already died twice in this pursuit, if I can tackle a Starweird in one on three combat than I can handle a bit of combative sack time.
"Fine, but I'll be watching to make sure that the old hag doesn't try anything crazy like try to bind your soul." She said this and it made me laugh as I stood back up.
"Oh no… soul binding… how evil." I mocked and Midwan just smiled devilishly.
"Mi please just trust me… it will turn out fine." I say as I stand at the door and it took a moment before she finally demilitarized. I sighed and then walked out of the hut to the thunderous beats of drums. I looked out and saw the cave was now filled with Dathomirians… okay… that's a little more than I was comfortable with. I began walking down the stone path toward the center of the chamber, the sound of drums and cheering echoed everywhere and the smell… wasn't right. There was some sort of incense in the air and it smelled good.
As I walked down the beat of the drums became more rhythmic and the smell in the air became more heavy. I saw Gethzrion and Talzin down at the village heart. It didn't look like a place where a wedding was being held… though this isn't exactly what I would call a normal wedding so I guess all rules are out the window. To me it looked more like some sort of alter and throne combo, with it being modeled after a serpent like beast with lots of fangs and spikes. That must be their Fanged God I supposed.
"Sisters and Brothers! Our Emperor has arrived!" The Dathomirians cheered in a roar as I made my way to the center of the event. Were some of them crying… oh my head feels light. The drums echoing in this place, that's on purpose. And there's something in the air. It's already in my body. "Today we celebrate, the day has come were our avatar of vengeance and freedom has come. We are but one half of the greater whole, today is the day where we offer ourselves to the Chosen of the Fanged God and the Master of the Winged Goddess. The Emperor of Quills has arrived!"
"Hey now…" I said… I… I really hate that. I am not a damn hedgehog. Ooooooh I'm sooooo high right now.
"Sisters! You shall offer yourselves as tribute to the Emperor of Quills, your bodies and minds are his to use in the shadows of the galaxy. Never will a whisper be unheard by you, nor will a heart continue to beat should he wish it!" Hold up… whoa… everyone's getting naked. Did I just get a free legion of hot assassin women? "Sister Talzin, are you ready to become the Empress of Dark, to forever be the voice of Evil and emotion to our great Emperor?"
"Yes I do." Wow… Talzin is really hot. Like super hot… skinner than I prefer but damn… dat ass.
"Brothers! Today you shall be the enforcement of the Emperor of Quill's will. Decent shall never trouble his mind for he has war to carry out and blood to spill. Those that he conquered you will bring his law and judgement to without mercy?" I AM THE LAW! Hehehehe I'm soooo going to be giving them cool horny judge Dredd helmets or something. "Now, let us seal this union."
"Ahhh… I walked into this one." The very last thing I that goes through a still somewhat sober mind is the feeling of Talzin kissing me. Then… I think I might have gone full Jaesa on everything.
Author's Notes
UwU happy writer noises. So now the Witches of Dathomir has pledged themselves to Naraiz and now he has a surprise wife. I was going to do a lemon but this ended up being too funny and a good way to mess with Naraiz while also throwing him a curveball asset. Now here's the thing, Gethrzion is a schemer. And for right now she see this as the best way to unite the Nightsister tribes under her control. She's also going to be replacing Talzin in a lot of ways as to Clone Wars events given that Talzin is now with Naraiz... or is she?
And Darth Plagueis nearly met Naraiz, the reason why he didnt; sense him in the Force was because just before Naraiz pasted out he reduced his presence in the Force to almost nothing to hide from Abeloth. And Plagueis was dealing with other things on his mind. Just a neat paths crossing type of thing.
Reviews
Starlord Master - roughly the same as he was in the Movies to a point. Other than that I'm not sure really. I do have one thing I need him for beyond his canon role.
GhostFang GF - He'll do something to show up on time but I'm keeping what a secret.
Kalvernus - Fair, Vette is certainly used to one thing most of the time and Naraiz at minimal power is not nearly as reliable as normal Naraiz. The first three-way between those three will be mostly as you described given how things are developing. Naraiz reaction to learning about what happened will be... dependent on when it happens, and exactly how it is presented to him. If Pierce comes clean himself and Naraiz is a good and Light Sided mood then the damage will be limited. However even in a worst case situation, Naraiz isn't ever going to outright kill Peirce or even hate him. The worst thing that could happen is Naraiz saying that they are now simply comrades and no longer friends. But given what happened to Quinn even that is subject to change with time. You're really pushing me on this Fay thing.
SirGLOCKsalot - How Naraiz finds Jaesa is already decided. The Circlet will make a comeback but will have a minor role to play in the grand scheme of things. As for why Naraiz left it in the hands of the enemy, it's because he didn't really need it and knows where it is now, with the Rule of Two Sith. So that means he knows where to get it back eventually. And he knows that as a Light Side artifact, the Sith aren't going to use it.