"Now how did I end up convincing myself to get a rooftop mansion in the first place?" Aaric grumbled.
"Oh come off it, master!" Vette comforted. "At least we got some new digs! Someplace to crash and store our stuff, and a place to call home!"
"We?" Aaric deadpanned. "This place cost me two hundred and fifty thousand credits!"
"That's cause it's a piece of prime real estate at a steal?" Vette countered. "Who knows? Maybe its market value will go up after a while and you could sell it at a profit!"
Sith and slave continued to bicker as they rode an airspeeder taxi to his newly purchased residence in the middle of Kaas City. But when they finally saw the mansion in the distance, they stopped their lighthearted jabs at each other to marvel the piece of property they bought.
"Wow! It looks even bigger than the pictures showed!" Vette gushed.
"Well, at least I'm getting my money's worth." Aaric sighed.
The speeder dropped them off at the drop-off platform inside the tower which was situated just below the mansion. A quick walk to the elevator and another floor up and they finally reached the doors to their new home. Aaric inserted the keycard into the designated slot which opened the sliding doors, allowing Vette to bolt inside and excitedly inspect every inch of the mansion.
Aaric, in contrast, took his time surveilling the mansion. So far, everything the property agent said about it was true. Anything and everything about the mansion that could have been upgraded or expanded had already been done so.
The first room they entered was what seemed to be the reception hall. A couple of sofas and chairs with accompanying tables were rounded off with a bar at the corner staffed by an inactive serving droid. Nothing interesting so far
This was connected to a common corridor which led to a few other areas. Turning right after entering the corridor was what seemed to be a large office. Right in front of the windows was a table fully furnished with holographic projection, communication and data retrieval paired together with a luxurious repulsorlift office chair which allowed the user to roam the apartment without ever leaving it.
The office also acted as the bedroom. To one side was what could only be described as an Emperor-sized bed which was big enough to hold up to five persons or maybe more. Beside it was a corner shower unit fully enclosed by transparisteel walls.
Aaric grinned. He was definitely going to make full use of that bed and shower. What was more enticing than a naked, voluptuous woman showering in full view from the bed.
Hanging off the wall opposite the bed was a large holovision screen that was fully integrated and could be used to watch Imperial channels and selected galactic ones. It could also be used for communication if one didn't feel like getting out of bed and using the office table.
The adjacent room was a place Aaric could only describe as a R&D-cum-torture chamber. Along with the numerous tables and scientific devices of all specializations, there was a torture table similar to the one Baras had in his own office. However, this one had multiple arms sticking out from the sides with different sharp tools attached on each end. Suffice to say, Vette ran out of that room as quickly as she entered it repeatedly muttering 'nope-nope-nope-nope-nope!'
The apprentice, though, had other ideas. He would add a decarbonizing station for his new jedi slave and also replace some of the arms' sharp ends with something more… phallic in nature. He would have to do some research on this one.
Reentering the corridor and walking past the toilet and kitchen to the end of it led to an empty garage. He currently didn't have any vehicles of his own, nor was he a gearhead enthusiast. But he surmised he would have an alternate use for the place later.
Two entrances at either side of the corridor before the garage each opened to reveal a flight of stairs that circled to the second floor from both sides.
The second floor itself housed a large hall, and the windows faced an open platform-cum-patio which could also be accessed from the aforementioned stairs. The hall was outfitted as a meeting room and reception area for special guests. In the middle was a large round table with a holoprojector accompanied by twelve chairs. There were several trophy stands with littered the edges of the hall, but they were empty. Aaric surmised that the platform-cum-patio could be used for his own vehicles or for receiving any guests.
At the rear of the hall was another entrance which led to a smaller common hall which connected three smaller rooms. There was nothing of note in the hall except for the bathroom, and the rooms were each furnished with a bed, table, chair and wardrobe for one person.
The spaciousness of the entire place coupled with high ceilings, a section of Transparisteel glass walls in almost each room, its high vantage point and state-of-the-art security suite in place made it more than worth the two hundred and fifty grand price tag that Aaric paid for it. He would have to spend significant time during his off-duty hours to think about how best to use the large amount of space he now had at his disposal.
But why did no one else buy the mansion? The property manager who serviced their purchase explained that potential buyers feared the ghost of the former Sith owner would come back to haunt any future potential buyers. Of course, Aaric was aware of the existence of force ghosts. But he knew that it was highly unlikely that it would happen. The spirit of dead force users would most likely be shackled to the place where they were last killed for all eternity.
Probably. Hopefully. He didn't want to think about it at the moment.
"This. Place. Is. Awesome!" Vette squealed as they finished touring the place. "Except for that mad-scientist lab place. Creepy as hell!"
"Well… it's alright I guess." Aaric replied. "Now, let us unpack and lets get some shut-eye."
"Okay!" Vette quipped. "I'll just take one of the rooms upstairs and-"
"Not so fast, Vette." Aaric clapped a firm hand on Vette's shoulder before she could run off. "You're my slave remember? You bed with me."
"Dang it." Said slave's shoulders slumped in defeat.
"Don't be like that, Vette. You should've known what you were in for when you agreed to join me." The apprentice scoffed as he pulled her in front of him and guided her into the main office-cum-master bedroom.
"Besides," He whispered into her ear, which caused her to shiver. "You did well in cleaning my cock back at the Black Talon. Its time I show you a little of what you get by continuing your service to me."
"Oh! Uh… is it, now? W-well, all in a day's work I guess! Heheh!" The Twi'lek laughed nervously as they continued to walk seemingly closer to the windows. "Y-you don't need to show me anything. Just credits make me happy!"
Aaric halted Vette in front of the transparisteel walls. Needless to say, the view from way up high was breathtaking. The skyline was lit with the lights from the buildings nearby and pitch-black sky would suddenly light up and illuminate the city as lightning arced from behind thick clouds. Whenever lightning flashed, she saw her own reflection and her master's bright emerald eyes staring into her from behind.
She was shaken back to reality when a hand suddenly snaked around her and gripped her neck. There wasn't enough pressure to choke her, but she still tensed out of fear.
"You don't get to dictate when, where and how you get rewarded or punished, Vette." Aaric replied huskily. "Only I, your master, get to decide that. Is that clear?"
"Crystal." She whispered. Fearful, yet curious as to what reward Aaric had in mind.
"I promise, I won't hurt you unless you want me to. Unless if you step out of line." He reminded
Slowly, the master took off his gloves and unfastened the flaps of her top which revealed a zipper which ran from her bosom down to her navel. One hand cupped a handful of her left buttcheek while the other took hold of her zipper and pulled it all the way down.
In a flash, both hands gripped the two halves of her top and abruptly pulled them apart, breaking the Twi'lek's breasts free from their tight prison and exposing them for anyone to see if they could.
Vette gasped in surprise and attempted to cover herself in reflex but her arms were held fast by Aaric's own. Her breath hitched as the cold air licked her nipples, causing them to stiffen and send tingles through her body.
They stayed in that position for several seconds; Vette attempting to bring her breathing back to normal, and Aaric staring salaciously at Vette's bounteous breasts as they rose and fell with each breath she took.
"Don't. Move." Aaric hushed, slowly loosening his grip on her arms.
The apprentice gradually slipped the rest of the offending clothing off her arms and onto the floor. His hands roamed across her abdomen, feeling every inch of her developed muscles. Something which hinted that Vette did quite a fair bit of exercise prior to being captured.
He trailed his fingers on the underside of her breasts, teasing them and making Vette gasp as she felt sensations she never felt before, struggling to stop herself from covering her bosom in embarassment.
Suddenly, the trailing stopped and were just as quickly replaced by warm hands cupping her tits, which brought an all new set of sensations coursing through her body. She could feel her body heating up, tingles spreading from her nether regions. Vette squirmed a little but dared move any more than that.
Aaric gently groped and lifted the pair of mammaries in his hands, examining their weight in his hands and testing their firmness with light squeezes. Suffice to say, he was very satisfied with them. They were the perfect size, coupled together with perky nipples and pertly shaped. He thoroughly enjoyed the expressions thatVette was emitting and decided to have a bit of fun.
Positioning the nipples inbetween his pointer fingers and thumbs... and pinched.
"HAUGH!" The Twi'lek involuntarily yelped and jumped out of his arms in shock as if struck by lightning. She spun around and pressed her back against the cold transparisteel wall, but before she could protest Aaric was on top of her and grabbed her wrists, pressing them against the wall above her head.
"I told you not to move, slave." Aaric whispered dangerously as his warm breath tickled Vette's cheek she turned her face away in fear.
"I-I'm Sorry! It was so sudden and I-I couldn't stop myself!" She stammered.
"Hn." Aaric grunted before smiling mischieviously. "I'll forgive you this time. Looks i'll have to train you thoroughly if you are to stay still. For now... Let's continue your reward."
"W-what?! You mean there's still more?" Vette mutterred.
"Yes." Aaric replied, releasing his slave's hands once more. "Now, I say again: Be. Still."
The Twi'lek's vision followed Aaric's hands as she wondered what her master was up to next. Said hands grasped the hems of her trousers and panties then jerked downwards, causing both to slip off her hips and fall to the ground. Now she was as fully nude as the day she was born.
Vette managed to stay calm. She was nude before when they were in the Black Talon. What else could Aaric up his sleeve?
Her questions were answered when Aaric extended a hand towards her in a come-hither motion... And in one swift action cupped her pussy firmly, holding her in place.
Vette jumped yet again but bit her lip in her attempt to stop her body from wrestling itself away from Aaric's grip. Aaric grinned as he observed his slave's reaction closely. His fingers began rubbing up and down, exploring the entrance of her sex. She was already wet, a testament to his ministrations on her body. He could feel her clitoris against his palm, already swollen and poking out from under the hood.
"W-what are you doing?" she stammered as her mind and body was a whirlwind of sensations and emotions she had never experienced before. No person had ever touched her nether regions that way before. Not even herself! And now this man, this Sith, her master, her savior, was welcoming himself into her precious place and she didn't know whether to feel happy, disgusted or relieved. It was more of a mix of all three and now these pleasurable semsations were threatening to take over her consciousness.
Aaric started rubbing his palm against her clit while his middle and ring fingers pumped her sex. It started slow, but gradually sped up. Vette struggled to keep her legs from shaking as they fought a slowly losing battle to keep her from crumpling onto the floor. She could feel something growing from the core, and as Aaric rubbed and pumped faster and faster the sensation just kept growing.
"S-Somethings c-c-coming Aaric!" The Twi'lek moaned. "I d-d-don't know what it is. But I can't s-stop it!"
The pleasure was starting to become addictive in the heat of the moment. She couldn't understand how this feelimg came to be and her mind was gradually shuttin itself down as the toxic mix of endorphins and adrenaline clouded her mind. The pleasure was mounting and she couldn't do anything halt its ascension.
Her mouth hung agape, her eyes rolled into the back of her head, her body was starting to shake in sync with her master's motions. The balloon within her was going to reach its peak, waiting to burst. What happened of it did, she did not know, nor did she care to know anymore.
The pressure grew and grew until she was bucking her hips involuntarily. Aaric was having fun. He was going to savor seeing his first slave cum for the first time. He could feel her pussy muscles squeeze and pulsate. It was coming. She was going to explode any minute now.
"Oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god, OH! GODDDDD!"
The pleasure was almost there, she could almost feel it. She was going to peak, she was going over the edge. A little more now... Just a few more strokes... And...
BRRRAAAAAAPPP!
Aaric stopped his motions abruptly, causing Vette to freeze as well as her body and mind teetered on the edge of explosion. She didn't know whether to cry out in frustration or breath a sigh of relief! She was so close to finding out what lay across that precipice and now someone or something had to interrupt them.
Slowly, Aaric pulled his wet and musky fingers our from the sopping sex of his slave, which resulted in Vette exhaling vigorously and Sliding down onto the cold floor. Aaric, though, was annoyed as hell! Who dared to disturb him and who even knew this apartment was inhabited! He just bought it for Force's sake!
"Stay here, Vette. I think someone's at the door." Aaric grunted. "Clean yourself and stay in bed. I'll deal with whoever it is."
"Y-yes, m-master." Vette shook, still reeling from her ordeal.
Aaric approached the main entrance cautiously, ready to pull his lightsaber to him at a moment's notice. Tapping the security screen next to the sliding doors, the image of a dark skinned man appeared. He was obviously Sith, if the lightsaber clipped to his belt was any indication. As if noticing Aaric watching him through the holocam, he turned to address him through it.
"Already you move through the Citadel as if it were yours. Perhaps someday it will be." The stranger's voice crackled through the speaker.
"Your name, now." Aaric ordered.
"I am Sandor." The dark-skinned apprentice bowed slightly. "I am the apprentice and voice of Darth Charnus. I speak in his name, and I would bargain for your services."
Aaric raised a brow. "And you would know to whom you are bargaining your services from, Sandor?"
"No." Sandor admitted, much to Aaric's surprise. "I simply sensed a figure powerful in the dark side and the force led me to this mansion. I need not know who you are, but I do know that you may be best suited to assist me, and in turn, assist the Empire."
Sandor didn't sound confrontational. If anything, he was a little too soft-spoken for a Sith… Which meant he had to be careful. Finally, he unlocked the entrance and it slid open. The two apprentices stared at each other, attempting to read the other's expressions but found none behind them.
Aaric made the first move. "Come in. Care for a drink? I can only provide water since I literally just moved in an hour ago."
"No drink necessary." Sandor refused politely as he stepped in. "You know my name… but I do not know yours."
"Aaric." He replied curtly.
"Yes, that was what I though when I looked at you." Sandor gave a hint of a smirk. Which made Aaric's brow twitch in annoyance. Maybe he was becoming a little too conspicuous.
"You said you worked for Darth Charnus." Aaric said, attempting to drive the conversation away from himself. "Forgive me if I sound rude, but I've never heard of him."
The pair strolled across the reception room and each sat on a couch opposite of each other.
"Of course, you wouldn't." Sandor replied, unoffended. "My master prefers to remain in the shadows, but do not doubt his power. Now his ability to reward success."
Aaric folded his arms and leant back into the couch. "Go on, I'm listening."
"I require individuals capable of gaining prestige in a society weaned on secrecy and madness. Individuals who can earn…respect, if not love." Sandor explained, leaning forward and pointed a finger right at Aaric. "I need infiltrator to eliminate an enemy of the Sith. You would serve well."
"Is it now? And you would know my abilities?" Aaric narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "And what is this enemy you speak of? If it really is as you say, wouldn't the might of the Empire have already crushed it beneath its boot?"
Sandor's expression remained neutral, however. "I only know that you are strong, and our enemy has a penchant for taking in strong and promising individuals to their cause. This enemy is the Order of Revan: A cult of fools hidden at every stratum of Imperial Society. They aren't so simply found or eliminated."
"Revan?" Aaric repeated. He came across that very same name before back in the Mecrosa Order's libraries. "You mean these people worship the Sith Lord Darth Revan?"
Sandor scoffed. "Indeed. For years, the Revanite heretics have secretly recruited military officers, powerful Sith, wealthy mercenaries; anyone who can add to their power. Instead of following the Emperor and his Dark Council, the Revanites follow a long-dead Sith Lord tainted by Jedi ways."
Aaric kept his expression neutral. It was obvious that Sandor and probably the rest of the empire had only been told one very botched side of the story. His own order's archives told that Revan was once a Jedi Knight, but returned from the Unknown Regions as a Sith Lord together with his Jedi-turned-Sith Apprentice Darth Malak. They waged war on a scale that rivaled even Exar Kun's own crusade. However, they were defeated and nothing was heard from Revan ever again. Eventually, the Jedi and the Republic forces would destroy remnants of Revan's faux-Sith empire.
This was an opportunity for him to dig up for information on what exactly happened to Revan, and investigate for himself if the Revanites were truly a threat to the Sith. He wasn't going to take whatever Sandor said at face value. Sith rarely told the pure, unadulterated truth unless it suited their own interests.
"Hn. Interesting." Aaric nodded. "Perhaps I could lend a hand into this investigation. What is it you need me to do?"
"All I need you to do is to join the cult, earn their trust and then uncover the Revanite leader's identity for us." Sandor explained. "If you can do this, my master can reveal him to the Dark Council and the Revanite's destruction would be assured."
Aaric closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Cutting off the head of the snake was usually the most common and effective tactic when dealing with groups like pirates. But a fanatical cult filled with men and women from a myriad of positions from within the empire? This would clearly be a strategic failure if not executed properly.
"Alright then. Where are they, how do I even begin entering into their circle of trust?" he questioned.
"I have managed to locate the Revanites secret compound in the jungle. Here are the coordinates." Sandor tapped a few buttons on his bracer, then handed him a small trinket. "And take this token to the cultist at the entrance. He will see it as a sign of trust and begin your initiation."
Aaric took the trinket and eyed it curiously. It was a simple square, red pendant which was emblazoned with a cross partially hidden behind a small circle. A symbol of the Revanites perhaps?
"Of course. I will set forth for the compound tomorrow, but do not expect me to return quickly. I have my own master's instructions to carry out." Aaric stated.
"Just don't take too long," Sandor warned. "or I may assume you have become one of them."
Aaric narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Is that a threat?"
"Just making sure you know what's at stake." The other apprentice replied, still calm and expressionless as ever. "Here is my holofrequency. Earn an audience with their leader. When you have seen his face, contact me and you shall have you reward."
Sandor stood up and saw himself out of the mansion with Aaric glaring daggers at back of his head.
"Hmph. Prick." Aaric spat.
Aaric re-entered his quarters and found Vette no longer at the window and already in bed as he requested. However, his attention was turned to the Twi'lek currently shaking under the sheets and breathing rapidly. Was she crying? Did he frighten her with his actions earlier? He stepped closer, extended out a hand and pulled sheets away.
There still naked and sweating all over, was Vette clumsily groping and rubbing her pussy. Clumsily trying to get herself off.
"W-what did you d-do to me, A-Aaric?" She moaned and cried desperately. "I can't get t-the feeling back anymore! Its n-not enough! Its not the same!"
Aaric chuckled lightly. His little Twi'lek was learning how to frig herself after almost cumming earlier. He had shown her a taste of what he had to offer and she couldn't recreate it. All he had to do was give it to her once, and she would slowly become dependent on it.
Taking off his armor and suit, he climbed onto bed and on top of his still frigging slave. Trapping both arms above her head once more. He slipped his fingers into her one last time for the night, eliciting a mewl from Vette. He curled his fingers upwards inside her pussy… and applied a tiny force push with the tips of his fingers into her G-spot.
"OoooOh-Oh-OHHAAAAAAAAAAA!" Vette screamed as the entire ordeal from before played out again, but compressed into a matter of seconds. Her toes and fingers curled while her body shook and her hips bucked against her master's fingers as she orgasmed for the very first time in her young life.
Her eyes rolled into the back of her head, her tongue lolled out of her mouth as the mind-shattering pleasure bomb took over all of her senses. She mind could not even register that her body squirted itself all over Aaric's hand as the apprentice smirked at the effects his force-powered fingering had done to Vette.
The effects of the orgasm lasted for about a minute before her body relaxed and became still, only leaving behind deep breaths of blue-skinned Twi'lek who was knocked out by an orgasm.
Satisfied with his performance, Aaric pulled off the rest of his clothes to reveal a raging hard-on that the scene before him had unfortunately gave him. He still had the will to resist temptation, so he climbed under the sheets and rolled Vette by her side before spooning her with one hand groping the unconscious Twi'lek's firm bosom.
Within minutes. He was sound asleep.
When Vette woke, she could feel a warm breath down her neck and the feeling of a warm body being pressed against her. Slowly opening her eyes, she tried to gather her thoughts and remember what happened the previous night. Aaric had cornered her against the windows, he pinned her against it, stuck his fingers into her nether regions... and then everything else came rushing back to her.
The Twi'lek blushed furiously. That was the first time any male had tried to touch her like that, not even during her slave days as a girl since she was too young and underdeveloped. By the time she mature into a young adult, she had already left the slave life behind. Even then, she didn't understand the concept of carnal pleasure or desire. What she experienced the previous night was the most intense of firsts.
This and the fact that their previous tryst was just last night aboard the Black Talon. She wondered how insatiable Aaric could be if every night she would be having to entertain his perverse desires.
"Awake, Vette?"
Vette's body jolted in shock as Aaric's gruff voice punctured her thoughts.
"What the hell!?" She cursed, scooching away from him and glaring at Aaric's face which still looked like as if he was still deep in sleep. "You scared the crap out of me! H-How are you awake?! Your breathing was the same the whole time!"
"Makes any would-be assassin think I am asleep when I'm actually awake." Aaric mumbled as he popped open an eyelid.
"So you're saying you weren't asleep the whole night?" The Twi'lek asked incredulously.
"Oh I am. I've been trained to hover the thin line between sleep and being aware of my surroundings." He smirked. The nude apprentice climbed out of bed and began suiting up. "But that's all you'll get from me. Get up. Its time to go."
"But its still dark out!" Vette groaned.
"Its Dromund Kaas. It's always dark." Aaric deadpanned. "It's morning already. Now get your cute butt out of bed before I spank you."
"O-okay okay!" Vette raised her hands in surrender. "Geez... no need to get so pervy in the morning."
An hour later, Sith and slave were on a speeder bike heading towards the Revanite compound. Vette enthusiasitcally offered to drive it, but Aaric shot her down almost immediately. Citing his mistrust of his slave's driving capabilities until he could gauge her skill without being at risk of crashing himself. Vette snarkily replied that he didn't want to look like a sissy hugging his slave from behind while riding a speeder.
That earned her a good smack on her ass for that comment.
"So this Sith-apprentice-Sandor guy came by and asked you to investigate this cult?" Vette asked.
"Yes." Aaric replied.
"Don't cults usually have crazy people in it?"
"Maybe."
"So why are we walking into a compound full of crazies?"
"Because I know if anything goes wrong, I can just kill them all."
"Yeah... Right."
Aaric slowed the speeder down as they approached a narrow pass. After about a minute of endless mist, a makeshift fence guarded by hooded figures began to appear. Parking the speeder to the side, the pair got off and slowly made their way to the entrance of the compound.
Vette put a hand onto her holster but was immediately stopped by Aaric.
"Don't." Aaric hushed. "Agitating them by appearing hostile isn't the best thing right now."
"Whatever you say." Vette shrugged. "But if they suddenly attack and I can't get to my pistols on time, that's on you."
As the couple approached the hooded men, they could feel their eyes on them. Aaric couldn't sense any outright hostility but the looks seemed to give off an aura of caution. Aaric raised his hands anyway to show he wasn't a threat and he walked up to the guard nearest to him. He had a large beard and was dressed in brown robes, something which struck Aaric as odd since Sith usually wore black, crimson or any color in between.
"Did you lose your way in the jungle?" The man addressed Aaric. "You have my sympathies, but we can't help. We have no food or water to offer. There's nothing for you here, and strangers are not welcome in this place. You'd best be going."
"Well aren't you a ray of sunshine?" Aaric replied snarkily before handing the token him. "I was given this token. Does it tell you anything?"
"I'm not sure…" The bearded man took the token and brought it up to eye level. After squinting at it for a few moments, a look of understanding crossed his face and he smiled. "Ah, you do have the token. Someone must have had great faith in you to send you our way."
"Well, you could say that I suppose." Aaric shrugged.
"Welcome to the Order of Revan, Initiate. Welcome to your new life." The man continued. "My name is Dzoun and I am the gatekeeper in this compound. I help to orientate new initiates to the Order."
"Charmed." Aaric nodded curtly. "Why didn't you say you were a Revanite in the first place?"
"You must know by now that our ways are secret. We have enemies who believe we should be silenced." Dzoun explained. "This place is our haven, built by the Master and protected by the faithful. Here, we leave our duties to the Empire behind. This is where the Master guides us in the mysteries of Revan: The one who began a Jedi but grew into a Sith… and then something more."
"I see. I look forward to learning more about Revan." Aaric nodded. "Who is the Master, exactly?"
"Our leader, founder and teacher. Learn of Revan, and you'll learn about him." Dzoun replied without hesitation, smoothly answering Aaric's question without answering at all. "As a Jedi, Revan was a warrior who slaughtered armies. As a Sith, Revan was a teacher who trained a thousand dark apprentices. Eventually, Jedi and Sith both turned on Revan. But instead of being destroyed, Revan was reborn."
Aaric furrowed his brow. He could try other avenues to find out the master's true identity, but at the moment he also genuinely wanted to learn more about Revan. He would use that desire to acquire what he wanted. "What do you mean, 'reborn'? What was Revan's final fate?"
"Revan was stripped of power, stripped of life, of memory and left to rot." Dzoun continued. "And still, Revan relearned the ways of the Force. The reborn Revan destroyed Jedi and Sith and came to Dromund Kaas. Although Revan's life ended here, the Master preserved that life so that we may learn from it."
Aaric attempted to process this new information and piece together what he already knew from the Mecrosa archives. Darth Revan was defeated by the Jedi, that was for sure. But he was apparently captured alive and brainwashed. He eventually overcame his brainwashing then came to Dromund Kaas, probably sometime after the destruction of his Sith empire.
The claim that Revan destroyed the Jedi and Sith seemed off to him. The Jedi were still very much alive and kicking when they annihilated the remnants of Revan's empire. It was probably false since the Revanites weren't exposed to the Republic's side of history, so it didn't matter anyway.
"I heard that we have agents embedded in all levels of the Empire's hierarchy." Aaric questioned. "I don't believe this cult is just about simply learning is it?"
"Yes. We learn to be better, more powerful. Even though the Empire may not publicly support us, we believe in the Empire's ways." Dzoun asnwered. "Revan mastered the light side and the dark side. War and peace. We seek to walk the same path. Take part in our rituals. Learn Revan's path to greatness. Succeed, and you earn the right to join us."
"And what happens if I fail?" Aaric questioned.
"I believe you won't." Dzoun smiled. "Anyone who is sent our way will most likely succeed with our teachings and guidance."
The apprentice kept his expression neutral. Dzoun had once again deflected his question and answered ambiguously. It was obvious to him that if he failed the Revanites would seek to silence him through any means possible to keep their existence a secret.
"Alright then. What do I have to do to meet the Master? I'm eager to speak to him."
"Around you, you'll find your new teachers: Revanites who have spent their lives recovering the works of Darth Revan." Dzoun explained. "Speak to them. Complete the tasks you are given. When you are through, return to me, and the Master will give you your final lessons. Now, your first trial will be given by Elder Jhorval. He's over there by the tent. You may go to him now."
Aaric nodded and so the pair left the gatekeeper behind. They approached the old and wrinkled Jhorval who beckoned them towards him.
"Come here. Come closer." He rasped. "You are among the initiates who wish to join our order, yes?"
"I am." Aaric stated.
"That is good." Jhorval nodded. "Tell me something: You are here because of the Order of Revan. Are you ready to die for us?"
Aaric's fingers twitched towards his lightsaber. "I'm sorry. You totally lost me."
"Consider carefully," Jhorval explained. "for every Revanite must face a trial of death just as Revan died at the hands of the Jedi and Sith. Death freed Revan, left him unbound from all oaths and promises. It paved the road to rebirth. Will death free you from your past?"
Aaric was sensing that the old man was referring to more of a spiritual rebirth than a literal one. If the Revanites wanted him dead, the smart move would have been to strike him down the moment he entered the compound... or he was just sending him to a secluded place where they could ambush him.
Either way, he would play their game for now.
"Well I am here to learn more about Revan. One way or another, I'm ready to find out." Aaric exclaimed.
"Good, good. Before us is a path. Beyond the path is a cave. A cave dedicated to Darth Revan. Initiates fall on the path. Initiates are torn apart by the things inside the cave. But initiates who reach the end are reborn. Remade."
"And You expect me to go to this cave? I could just walk the path out of your sight and come back later without even stepping foot inside that cave. How will you know I've done as you asked?"
"If that is your choice then so be it. I expect nothing of you." Jhorval shrugged. "The choice, to walk the path of Revan or to return to the life you left, is yours. The path is here. The cave… the cave will be more trying."
"I see. I best be going then."
"Remember: survival is not your goal." Jhorval said. "Trust in the path of Darth Revan. We have nothing more to discuss. Go, and return to me when you reach the end of the cave."
With that Aaric nodded and turned to walk towards the forested path with his slave following close behind.
"Did he just hint that there may be some big ass creatures on the path to the cave?" Vette asked.
"Yes." Aaric responded.
"And also in the cave?" She questioned further.
"Maybe." he shrugged.
"So why are we walking into such an obvious death trap?"
"Because whether or not it is a trap, I'll just do what I do best: Kill everything across my path."
"Present company not included, right?"
"I'm not going to dignify that with a response."
"Just checking!"
True enough, the path was littered with malfunctioning probe droids, vine cats and Yozusks. The probe droids were easily dispatched by Vette. The smaller creatures stayed clear of the Sith's path, but the larger ones who tried their luck against the pair were dispatched with similar ease. Vette would distract them with blaster fire while Aaric would simply run around them in circles and cut them to pieces.
Future revanite initiates would find the path oddly littered with animal parts for the next month.
When they entered the cave, they found their path blocked by Gundarks. Fearsome, horned, red-skinned creatures who were highly aggressive.
Didn't make them less susceptible to the same tactics though.
After killing three more of them in the cave, they turned a corner and finally came upon the shrine Jhorval had mentioned. In the middle of a large chamber was a statue of Revan covered in his cloak and wearing his signature T-visor mask. Flanking it were two shorter spires engraved with Sith inscriptions. At the foot was the statue was an altar where a collection of weapons and trinkets were found lying on top of it, and two lit camp fires.
Aaric kept his weapon at the ready and his senses heightened just in case as the pair climbed up the stairs.
"Stay here and watch my back, Vette." Aaric ordered.
"Sure thing, master."
As Aaric approached the altar he extended his presence with the force to try and discover any revanites lying in wait to ambush him. He could sense none, however.
What he could sense, though, was a familiar aura emanating from the shrine. It wasn't as obvious or strong as the tombs of Marka Ragnos or Tulak Hord, but it was there. Maybe if he meditated on it, something would trigger his 'rebirth'?
The apprentice decided to follow his gut and before it, focusing his thoughts on the dark side and pouring more power into his presence.
You are everything.
Aaric snapped his eyes open. Had he heard a whisper? He tried to listen closely, but all that filled the empty chamber was the crackle of firewood and Vette humming to herself. Finding no tricks, he resumed his meditation.
You are nothing.
There it was again! This time, the apprentice didn't let the voice break his concentration. He would find the source of the whisper and...
You will forever stand alone.
Suddenly, the heat from two fires became larger and more unbearable. Aaric opened his eyes and stood up as the flames churned and shot outwards, zipping across the ground and surrounding the entire shrine until both met in the middle and blocked Aaric's only escape route.
"Aaric!" Vette cried as she attempted to get to her master, only for the flames to lash out and drive her back.
Said master couldn't hear his slave, however. He had his lightsaber activated in his hands, ready for any attack that might come. Hearing the familiar crackle of lightning, Aaric had less than a second to react before jolts of violet lightning climbed the two spires by the statue before shooting out and striking Aaric.
"GgrrraaaAAAHHHHH!" Aaric roared as the sensation of a million needles stabbed into him at once.
He tried to focus and utilise whatever he learnt about tutaminis to try and absorb all the energies bombarding him at once. But even that failed as Aaric's focus was not enough to take in and let out the energies at the same time.
Collapsing to his knees, the pain became almost unbearable, his consciousness started to waver and his vision became blurry. Was he going to die like this?
He tried to look for Vette through the flames. He could hear her voice but couldn't see her. But all he could see amongst the flames was a black hooded figure staring at him from behind a T-visored mask.
Revan? Aaric thought is disbelief.
As if hearing his thoughts, the figure started striding towards him as if coming to take the final blow.
And then all became black.
"Evelyn of... House Pelagia. With the evidence presented to me and none that you can give to contradict the accusations against you, I hereby pronounce you guilty of high treason against this noble House Mecetti. You will be sentenced to death and your body left to rot in an unmarked grave." Lord Tritum the Ninth exclaimed gravely. "Take her away."
As two uniformed guards grabbed Evelyn by the arms, she burst out in anguish. "I am innocent, and you know it! Someone framed me! I have done nothing but to care and nurture my son. Your son!"
"He is no longer my son. As you are no longer my wife." The man said as he motioned for the guards to continue.
"GET AWAY FROM HER!"
A young boy dashed out from the crowd and behind the guards. He kicked one in the jewels, sending him collapsing to the ground and moaning. Then he quickly kicked the other behind the knee joint, forcing him to kneel before knocking out the grown man with a well-placed haymaker.
Evelyn panicked at the sight of her eight-year-old son as he ran to hug her tightly "Aaric! No! Get away from here! They will kill you!"
"I won't leave you mother!" The boy cried.
Another guard managed to get close and grabbed the boy by the shoulder. "Get off her stupid boy-YEOUCH! You'll pay for that!"
"You will not TAKE HER FROM ME!" Aaric roared as blood from the third guard's bleeding forearm streaked across his mouth.
"Someone take him down!" Lord Tritum ordered.
"Mother! Are you alright?" Aaric patted down his mother for injuries. "They didn't hurt you, did they?"
"I'm fine, son." Evelyn cried. "You have to leave, now!"
"I'm not leaving you mother." Aaric continued to pull her up. "Let's go before they-"
Before they could do anything, four more guards surrounded them with lightfoils activated. One of them standing behind Aaric decided to take his chance and charged forwards, fully intent on stabbing both in one thrust.
But Evelyn saw it coming.
"Aaric, watch out!" She cried forcefully pushing Aaric to the side and sprawling him on the floor.
The sound of plasma cutting through matter and the burning smell of flesh jerked Aaric to attention. He pushed himself off the ground to see a horrifying sight: A blade stabbed straight through his mother's heart.
And inside the little boy's mind, something snapped.
A surge of power rushed through his entire body as his muscles clenched and he took a deep breath...
"MOTHERRRR!"
A force-powered scream blasted from the boy's tiny diaphragm and out his vocal chords. The force of the sound waves causing a visible ripple through the air which struck the guards and tossed them into the pillars and walls, cracking them badly and causing them to bleed from their ears. Windows shattered and rained down upon the crowd of onlookers as they screamed in terror and tried to escape.
The boy rushed over to his dying mother's side as he cradled her in his arms.
"Mother." He sobbed. "Please... don't leave me. Please don't die."
"Live... my son." She choked, as she struggled to lift a hand and caress her son's face one last time. "Live... and show them... show..."
And with that last breath her eyes went still, and her arm drooped onto her bosom. Tears began to flow like rivers from the young Aaric's eyes as his mind registered her death and he pulled her into her chest and bawled.
Seeing the entire scene happen before his eyes, Lord Tritum decided enough was enough. "Mecrosa Order, heed me! Take the boy into custody!"
Four crimson hooded and black veiled individuals melted into view from the shadows and dashed towards the boy and his now-dead mother.
Aaric, sensing their approach raised his head and opened his eyes to reveal dirty yellow irises. He gently put his mother's body on the ground.
"You will pay. For my mother's death!" He exclaimed.
Thrusting an open palm outwards one of the figures was suddenly blasted backwards. Swiping his arm threw another into a wall. Thrusting both arms outward in a gripping motion caught the remaining two in mid-air. As he closed his fist he started to force choke them.
Before he could finish them off, a short sharp pain shot through his neck and broke his focus, causing the two figures to drop unceremoniously onto the floor gasping for breath.
Aaric stumbled a little as he patted his neck for the source of the pain. He finally found something and pulled out what looked like a dart. Sure enough it was poisoned and his body began to grow weak and his vision blurry. Knowing it might be the end of him, he crashed next to the body of his mother and threw himself onto the now-cold body.
He continued sobbing as he began to lose consciousness, but not before overhearing one last conversation.
"I will take it from here Lord Tritum." A soft and gentle feminine voice said. "He can be useful. I can sense his potential in the force, and it is strong. Very strong indeed."
"He is a menace and now he thinks I am responsible!" Tritum argued. "I want him killed. NOW!"
"No. This one is special. It will be waste to kill him." The woman asserted. "I will ensure that there is a leash on him, so don't worry your pretty little head."
"I don't care!" The man spat. "You know I have the right to-"
"Nothing... You have the right to nothing!" She hissed. "The Mecrosa Order is my kingdom and mine alone! Without us, House Mecetti would not be powerful as it is today. Do not test me."
Tritum gritted his teeth. The Mecrosa Order will become under his command one day!
"Then enjoy your kingdom while it lasts, High Lady Brezwalt!"
"Oh, I will Lord Tritum."
"Aaric? Aaric! Wake up!"
Said apprentice got up with a jolt scaring Vette as she yelped and fell onto her butt.
"Ow! Ow! Ow! You didn't have to do that you know? So much for trying to get you out of your bad dream." She grumbled.
Aaric turned to look at his pouting slave rubbing her butt. "What happened? Where are we?"
"Well, I saw you surrounded by flames, then I tried to get to you but the flames just pushed me back. Then..." She paused, looking down sheepishly. "I lost my footing and hit my head on the ground. Next thing I know, I wake up and both of us are lying here in this tent back at the Revanite camp."
"Huh." was Aaric's intelligent reply.
"You okay?" Vette crawled closer to him. "You were mumbling pretty loudly in your sleep. I couldn't make out what you were saying but it looks like you were having a bad dream."
Aaric looked at his slave straight in the eye and saw only that she was speaking the truth. "Everything's alright, Vette. I'm fine now. Let's get back to the old man."
The pair cleaned themselves up and walked out of the tent. There stood Elder Jhorval at the very same spot he was standing before they began their little journey. As they approached him, the man simply gave them a smile.
"We have returned, Elder." Aaric coughed.
"Yes you have indeed." Jhorval stated. "Dripping with the blood of the womb, you are reborn. Your old life, everything you were, all of it is dead. Buried inside that cave."
Aaric opened his mouth to ask how they managed to get back to the compound but decided against it. Instead, he simply nodded. "Of course. Whatever you say."
"You're free now. Free of everything you once were. Savor the moment. It won't come again." Jhorval continued. "Tell me how it feels. Your obligations have vanished, your past no longer burdens you… how does it feel to see the world reborn?"
Aaric paused, deep in thought. The dream felt so real, as if he was reliving the entire scene again. He hadn't had that dream in a long while. Although he did not forget his vendetta, it reminded him again his purpose of becoming part of the order. His purpose for becoming a Sith. He still wanted to see his mother's killer dead at his feet, but it didn't feel an all-consuming or blinding rage like it before. He simply felt more clear-headed, like as if a weight was lifted off his shoulders, his conviction strengthened.
"It feels different… Just different." Aaric replied.
"So it should." The old man nodded. "You've done well. And I'm proud that you've begun your new life as a Revanite, choosing allegiance to us first of all. You may leave now. Raymon is your next instructor. He stands there by the other tent. May the Force make you strong."
Aaric nodded and left the man to his own devices. He approached Raymon; a bald and younger man whose expression seemed to look constantly constipated. Before Aaric could greet him, Raymon had beat him to it.
"More initiates? Huh. The compound's getting less secure all the time." He scoffed gruffly. "Still, I suppose the Master knows what he's doing... and if you can follow the ways of Revan, we'll judge your worth."
"Well, hello to you too." Aaric deadpanned. "I'm ready for my next task"
"Alright then." Raymon explained. "One of the most important things about Revan is that he didn't work alone. Revan had allies from all walks of life. Humans, aliens, you name it. We're no different. If you want to join us, you need to face the men and women who got here first and who've proved that they're loyal to the Master."
Aaric nodded in understanding. The empire was very human-centric and it showed in almost every place administrated by the Sith. Aliens were considered slaves at worst, and second-class citizens at best. The only exceptions were members of the red-skinned Sith species, who were given as much if not more respect than regular humans. The Chiss came a close second and ranked slightly lower than humans. Finally, equal or greater respect were given to the Mandalorians no matter which species you were.
Personally, Aaric didn't subscribe to the empire's views as strongly as it did. He could see why the Revanites were an appealing group amongst a sizeable minority. Perhaps this little tidbit of information would help later on...
"You need to show those in the master's inner circle that you understand Revan's teachings. They'll ask questions, then you'll answer." Raymon smirked. "If they're not satisfied, they'll abandon the tests of wisdom and begin to test your strength. Revan didn't suffer the weak."
"I understand. Just tell me where to go."
"Your pilgrammage starts in the jungle at these coordinates. You'll find your first guide there. He'll determine whether you're worth sending on to the rest. Be ready for anything, initiate. The Jungle's dangerous, and so are the true Revanites."
Aaric gave a slight bow and left towards the entrance of the compound. As he passed a large tree, a female Sith revanite called out to him.
"You there, initiate!" She beckoned.
Aaric looked around him before pointing at himself.
"Yes you! Come forward."
The apprentice decided to do as he was told.
"You need something from me?" Aaric questioned.
"Speak to me." The Sith smiled. "We're all students of Darth Revan, and I enjoy the company of initiates."
Aaric blinked. "Right... I don't have much time and I really need to continue my initiatio-"
"I remember when I was like you," The Sith woman cut him off mid-sentence in a dreamy voice, seemingly oblivious to what she just did. "I remember my trials and the joy of killing in the Master's name. You're so fortunate."
The apprentice grit his teeth. He would entertain her... for now. "I guess so. How often does the Master ask that someone be killed?"
"The Master doesn't have to ask. He trusts me with that burden of judgment." She explained before her eyes widened in realisation. "Oh! My apologies! I haven't introduced myself. I'm Ladra. Once the personal assassin of a Sith Lord, I am now the serene protector of the Master and his students. I contemplate on Revan's teachings as I execute intruders and heretics. But I also guide initiates and help determine their trials."
"Uh huh." Aaric bit his lip. She seemed kind of off. "I am... incredibly impressed."
"Thank you. Your praise is kind, but unneeded. Helping you join us will be reward enough." Ladra blushed. "Speaking of your initiation, every Revanite goes through trial of the past; a rite to bind the initiate to Revan."
"Is it now?" Said initiate quirked a brow.
"Yes of course. Your rite will be very special. You will find the mask of Darth Revan, what he wore after becoming Sith. It's a powerful symbol of his greatness, long lost to us."
Aaric groaned inwardly. "If I do this will you let me see the Master?"
"Of course! The Master doesn't waste time with students who haven't completed their initiation." She exclaimed. "The mask is in a collection of antiquities possessed by my former teacher, the Sith Lord Grathan."
Her eyes and expression turned almost maniacal as she hissed. "It must be freed from that heretic. Rescued in a rain of blood and death!"
Both Aaric and Vette gave each other bemused expression. "Why are you so interested in it?" Aaric asked carefully.
"I'll give it a place of honor here in the compound, of course, so every Revanite can see it." Ladra replied, immediately reverting back to her chipper self which spooked the pair even more. "Speak to Torrun, our curator. He'll give you the spiritual guidance you need and tell you where the mask is. When your journey's done, bring the mast back to me. Good luck! Welcome the peace that comes with serving the Master!"
With that, she happily skipped away leaving both master and slave wondering what in the galaxy just happened.
T9-N9 alert = stranger approaching. An astromech droid beeped as its sensors picked up two individuals walking towards it and its owner.
Said owner turned to see two faces he had not seen before. Most likely initiates.
"What have we got here?" He hummed. "I wasn't expecting a visit from any initiates, but you're welcome to stay and talk, in any case. I'm Torrun, devoted servant of the Master and student of Revan. What can I do for you?"
Aaric nodded his head politely. "Good day to you Torrun. I was wondering if you could tell me more about where Darth Revan's mask is."
Torrun sighed heavily as he rubbed his forehead in frustration.
"So, Ladra sent you. She wants me to ritually prepare you for contact with Revan't mask eh? A pointless ceremony." The curator said dismissively. "Ladra's devoted to the Revanites, but she's also obsessed with that mask. Says it talks to her! Ladra wants the mask to represent everything Revan every was, but he wasn't just Sith. Before his rebirth, he was both Sith and Jedi."
"Sounds like someone didn't read up enough on Revan's history." Aaric agreed. "I could tell from talking to Ladra that she's lost a few marbles."
"I'm glad you noticed. There is a fine line between worship and mindless obsession." Torrun nodded. "It's tempting to seek answers in material objects, but Ladra will use the mask to teach that Revan was a being of only darkness. I don't want that mask becoming our order's sole focus."
Torrun rubbed his chin in thought. "I have an idea. Why not bring it to me? I'll keep it safe among a few like-minded scholars."
"What about my initiation?" Aaric questioned. He wasn't going to let this derail his plans in meeting the master!
"I'm sure Ladra promised a grand reward for the mask." Torrun replied. "I can't match it, but I can promise your initiation will proceed smoothly. Will you help me preserve the real Revan, or will you let Ladra overshadow everything with a Sith relic?"
Aaric thought hard. There was a reason why Darth Revan was loved and reviled by both Republic and Sith alike. He would hear both sides of the story, then judge for himself.
"The truth of Revan's history should be preserved." Aaric stated with finality. "I shall bring the mask to you."
"Thank you. You're doing a fine thing." Torrun smiled.
T9-N9 reliquary database = activated / / Mask of Revan = contained in secure vault in estate of Lord Grathan. The astromech whistled as it uploaded the coordinates to Aaric's holomap.
"I don't have to tell you to be careful, but... may the Force be with you." The curator said. "May it keep you strong and guide your return."
"That was nice of you." Vette spoke after they departed the compound.
"Which part?" Aaric asked curiously as the speeder swept through the forest.
"When you agreed to give the mask to Torrun instead of Ladra."
"Is that so? What part of it makes me nice?"
"Well, you know… I thought you would be all 'Grrrrr! Rescue in a rain of blood and death! Rawrrr!' but you didn't."
"I didn't do it to be nice, Vette. I did it because I stand to benefit from doing it. What am I? A Jedi?"
"Sometimes I wonder if you are one." Vette mumbled.
"What was that? I can't hear you!"
"Nothing!"
Nearing the coordinates, Aaric slowed the speeder down and came across a makeshift camp in the middle of nowhere. Standing inside the tent next to the campfire was a Chagrian Sith staring blankly at him as if expecting his appearance. Aaric parked the speeder opposite the alien and the pair approached him.
"So, you have come. You who would join the Order of Revan." He spoke. "I am Morrun Dokaas, lord of beasts. I am Revanite, and I am Sith. What do you say to me?"
Aaric narrowed his eyes in confusion. Was this a trick question? And right off the bat? He decided to just go through with what felt best.
"Morrun Dokaas, I have come to prove myself worthy." Aaric bowed slightly.
"Very well. Then listen." Morrun explained. "For decades I have served the Master. He found me when I was a larva and saw that I was strong in the Force. Against the Empire's traditions, he trained me. This is the way of Revan: to teach all species the path to power."
"I understand." Aaric said. To him, it made logical sense. If aliens within the empire were given the same opportunities to advance and succeed, then it could foster trust, loyalty and sense of belonging to the empire. It would eliminate one key advantage the Republic always had against the empire: Strength in unity, regardless of race, language or creed.
"Good. Now you will answer a question, and you will answer well. Or face the claws of my pets." Morrun warned. "Why do you think Revan trained aliens in the ways of the Sith? Why did Revan offer power to all seekers?"
Aaric gave the question some thought. Obviously he could explain the tactical and strategic benefits for Revan to do so. But he surmised that the Revanites were looking for a more philosophical answer instead.
"He believed everyone should have a chance to aspire to power." Aaric answered.
The Chagrian seemed to ponder on his answer for a minute, then nodded his head. "Your answer is not my answer. But it is… sufficient. It is worthy of a Revanite. You may proceed on your pilgrimage and seek worth in the eyes of another."
"Thank you, Lord of Beasts." Aaric bowed. "Any suggestions on how to deal with this guide?"
"No. You will do this on your own." Morrun shook his head. "Seek the mercenary called Ceta Farr as she teaches her soldiers at the nearby Mandalorian encampent. Then shall your trial continue."
"Takan! Have some of the men head into the city. They've earned a break from training." Ceta Farr ordered.
"Yes commander!" The Mandalorian snapped to attention before departing.
Seconds later, Aaric and Vette appeared down the path inside of the Mandalorian camp. The surrounding men were staring at them as they walked past, as if itching for a fight.
Ceta Farr smirked. No way those anyone from the empire, even a Sith, would stroll into a Mandalorian camp willingly. That meant either this guy was here on business, or he had a death wish.
"You the initiate?" She called out.
The pair stopped in their tracks and Aaric looked around to make sure he was the one being called before nodding his head.
"Good. Come over here." The mercenary called out. Then she hollered. "AND WHAT IN THE FORCE ARE YOU ALL STARING AT? GET BACK TO WORK!"
Immediately, the rest of the mercenaries turned away and went on about their own business. Aaric was impressed. Out of all the women he had been with, he had never tried having a tryst with a Mandalorian female. They were strong, independent and every bit as deadly as their male counterparts. They were the type of female he would never try to fuck, both literally and figuratively, unless he was confident enough to take them on.
"It's good to see you alive. Not everyone makes it past Morrun." The blonde, heavily armored woman greeted. "Raymon contacted me from the base, said you wanted to join our society. Is this true?"
"No, I'm just here for the scintillating conversation." Aaric replied, trying hard not to roll his eyes. "Of course it's true. I'm seeking the approval of the inner circle."
"You can cut the sass, initiate. I know when I've asked a rhetorical question." She replied. "I'm called Ceta Farr. I teach these mercenaries how to fight and my service to the Master is a matter of honor."
"Centuries ago, my clan fought Revan when we invaded the Republic with the rest of the Mandalorians. It was our privilege to battle Jedi." She stated proudly. "We lost the war of Malachor Five, but that was a privilege too. It's out of respect for Revan that I agreed to join the Master."
The mercenary stepped forward until her breastplate was almost touching Aaric's and gave him a menacing look. "I serve the order to ensure Revan's name isn't forgotten. Revan was a warrior, a leader, and deserves to be remembered. Since you're not bound by honor, how do I know you won't sully the Dark Lord's memory? What can you do for the order in Revan's name?"
Aaric knew the question was simpler than it sounded. Most of the Order's members were Sith, military officers and influential or powerful individuals. Strength was the last thing they needed right now.
"I'll scour the galaxy and learn all the history I can about Revan's past." Aaric answered with a smirk.
Ceta Farr narrowed her eyes and continued the glaring match until she finally relented. "Tch. Fine. The order has enough warriors. You might be able to serve. You'll need to talk to one more person before you head back to the compound. Find Major Pathel. He oversees security on the Wall near Grathan's compound."
"You have my thanks. Let him know I'll be there soon." Aaric said. He turned to leave but stopped mid-step. Turning around, he grinned foxily at the dirty blond woman. "Any chance I could buy you a drink tonight?"
"Heh, if you didn't pass my test I would have shot you dead myself." She smiled. "Break a leg, initiate. Anyone dumb enough to go after a Mandalorian female is either trying to get themselves killed, or wants to become a Mandalorian himself. Go figure!"
"Another time then!" Aaric replied as he turned back and left.
"Come one over, there's nothing to trouble us here, and we can speak freely!" A cheerful officer greeted as the pair approached him. "I'm Major Pathel at your service. It's always wonderful to meet new initiates. The Order of Revan needs all the dedicated young people it can get."
The apprentice quirked a brow at his… enthusiasm. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Major"
"I don't know how your other meetings went, but I like to conduct these interviews informally. No point making your life difficult, eh? Come, please walk with me." Before Aaric could respond, the spritely man was strutting along the edge of the wall towards the entrance.
"Quite a few initiates, young officers, acolytes and the like, think our 'secret society' will help them become Moffs or Dark Lords." Pathel explained. "You're not like that, I presume?"
"No, I simply joined to learn more abour Revan's teachings." Aaric responded honestly.
"Hmm. Fair enough. If you've gotten this far, you've at least shown some dedication." The officer nodded. "Not every initiate realizes that advancement in the Revanites does not guarantee advancement in the Empire, nor how dangerous being a Revanite really is since the Dark Council seeks to root us out."
The trio stopped just as they were about to enter the Wall. "So how do we respond? How do we answer the Empire's accusations of heresy?"
A normal Sith would have said that they would fight against the Council's persecution. But Aaric thought differently.
"We should demonstrate to them that our ways are more beneficial to the Empire than theirs. We need to show our enemies the truth and make them understand." He replied.
"And we will, wherever we can." Pathel smiled. "Not to say we shouldn't defend ourselves, but we won't become traitors to the Empire, either. That's all I needed to make my Judgement. I'm going to send a message to the compound. Raymon will be waiting for you."
"Thank you, Major. But I'll be needing your assistance for a little while more."
"What do you need?"
"I need to get inside Grathan's compound." Aaric explained. "I'm going to bring the mask of Revan back to the Order where it belongs."
"Ahh yes." The Officer acknowledged. "I'll be glad to help initiate! Come, let me bring my commanders together and we can discuss this matter further."
"All right! I was getting bored about all that talk." Vette exasperated. "Back to Sith business. Grr!"
A/N: Finally got this done after so long!
Apologies again for making all of you wait. I just recently resubscribed and I have been playing through the Sith Warrior storyline and expansions so I can record them and put them into this story at a later time (If I even manage to get that far).
I thank you all for hanging on to this story ever since I started it last year. There's been lots of ups and down, hiatuses and strings of posts. But now I think I've got a good pace going on. So I really appreciate all the reviews and messages I've been receiving. It really pushes me to make sure I get a chapter out no matter how busy my schedule is!
So Aaric gets to know the Revanites and will soon infiltrate Grathan's compound. I hope you guys like the little snippet of Aaric's youth and how he reveals his talent in the Force. I also hope you guys are enjoying the lemons/limes that I'm throwing out as I slowly ramp up the acts Aaric makes Vette do.
I know some of you may think I rushed through the Revanite quest, but I hope I have made it up by embellishing the thought processes and the dialogue between the characters so it isn't so cut and dry like in some side quests.
So just to let you all know, this story is going to be as epic in length as the storyline in SWTOR itself. If I plan on including everything in the game then I don't know how long it will take. But I will try my best.
I am also planning on publishing another "story" which is simply just a re-enactment of scenes in SWTOR but with repurposed dialogue from some movie scenes. Stay tuned to find out more!
As always, read and review people! Peace out!