Chapter 2: The Exile
Darth Marr was dead.
The realization came to her as she sat meditating on the shores of Lake Natth. The sense of loss struck her hard, the sense of another major part of her life being taken away.
He is dead, she thought to herself.
I…I felt it.
Darth Avaryss shuddered, the knowledge that the Cabal's master was gone…it…it…troubled her.
She opened her yellow eyes and frowned.
What happens now, she wondered.
What will become of our empire now?
She was currently sitting a large flat rock overlooking the large, dark, and mirror like lake. She had slipped away from their little camp to attempt to find…perspective? The current situation in which she now found herself did little to silence the nagging thought that perhaps she had miscalculated this time.
Perhaps…coming here…had been a mistake.
The thought made her frown.
Then again, what choice did I have?
It is not like I could remain on Dromund Kaas or take sanctuary in my holdings.
The entire galaxy had been turned upside down.
Right now, she was simply trying to find her place in it, again.
The invaders were everywhere, she could sense that. Soon they would be coming for the rest of the Dark Council, those that didn't bow down.
She had been so arrogant when she had led her forces against them for the first time. She had hoped to prove herself a hero again, stop their advance in the Itae system, inspire the other lords to rally under her banner.
She had failed, and the Itae system was now in the hands of this new enemy. She had escaped with her life, but that survival had seen her branded a traitor, her fellow councilors had thought her escape as proof that she had betrayed them. It was an idea spear-headed by Acina and the rest of her rivals, and now…she was hunted, both by her own people, and agents of the invaders.
It was a hunt that she wouldn't have survived, her rivals would have made sure of that, the only choice she had had, was to flee. So, she had come here…to Ambria.
Neutral ground, she had heard this world caused once, a place that both the dark and the light could find succor.
She hoped that what she had heard was true. The galaxy was a hopeless place, but that didn't mean that sanctuary was impossible to find.
There were many shadows on Ambria, and she, Avaryss, had made camp right next to one of the darkest of them.
She could not help but wonder…
…Would it be enough?
Lake Natth had a long history, its existence being shaped by not only the dark side, but the light as well.
The dark lord could sense it, even now, even after so many long years, decades which had turned into centuries, but the result was the same.
The Force had left its mark on this place, and that mark would never fade.
It would remain on these all but barren shores…forever.
She looked down into the dark and oily water. Its surface was so calm, you could almost use it like a mirror. You could stand on the shore and look down upon yourself, while at the same time, the darkness reached out, or at least…it tried to.
The Jedi Master Thon made it far more difficult for a darksider to use this place to their advantage. The Jedi had found a way to trap the darkness within the lake's black depths.
She could sense its power, but found it hard to draw upon it. The lake was a cage for a vast darkness, but even that served a purpose.
Such darkness hid much, including the Dark Lord and her small party, the shadow of this place eclipsing their own Force signature, hiding them from prying eyes.
Useful, Avaryss knew, given what was happening across the galaxy right now.
She had far too many enemies, many who now sought her destruction.
Natth would give her time, time to not only plan her next move, but bring the necessary pawns she required into her service.
The enemy they now faced was far more formidable than anything else the Sith had endure in the past. A direct assault was an impossibility, but that was fine.
Where brute force failed, deception and trickery could sometimes rule the day...
If they couldn't overwhelm this new foe, then they would have to out think them. All that was needed, was a bit of time, sadly, if Darth Marr was truly dead…
Avaryss frowned.
If Marr was gone, time was one thing that was now in short supply.
I will simply have to make due, the Sith Lord thought.
What I now possess will need to be enough.
Her eyes fell on the tiny camp that she and her allies and built. A small hovel constructed from the junk that had been aboard the three scavengers' transport, as well as what they could salvage from the doomed Sith shuttle.
The sight did little to put Avaryss' mind at ease, in fact, it was enough to leave her daunted.
Once I sat on the Dark Council, she thought to herself, three full star systems were on their knees before me. I am Avaryss the reborn! I am a Dark Lord of the Sith, and a sorceress of terrible power. I was a commander of legions. Armies and fleets all answered to my whim, my dearest wish was their command.
And now…look at me.
She sighed as she regarded her reflection in the calm water. The last month that they had been here had not been kind to say the least. Her fine robes had grown grubby, the dust of this place stained both her skin and her hair. To the unenlightened, she and Agony were simply two more refugees fleeing the violence, their ragged clothes no different from the scavengers that called this world home.
The Dark Lord barely recognized herself. She hated the fact that she had lost so much, that the wealth and prestige that she had fought so hard to build had been ripped from her fingers so easily, and so completely.
What are you now, Dark Lord?
Who…are you now?
She had no answer to that question, not even as she rose from where she was meditating and made her way back to their insignificant dwelling. If the conditions here annoyed her, she could only imagine how Agony felt. Her friend had been raised in a world of great wealth and privilege, and now…to be reduced to this.
It was enough to annoy the most resolute soul.
It may even have been enough to convince a friend to rethink her loyalties.
I need to be very careful, Avaryss thought.
My world continued to grow more and more dangerous. I live in interesting times.
Survival will not be easy, but that is fine…
A grim smile came to her lips.
Interesting times breed opportunity. She simply had to be mindful, to be ready.
It is okay, she thought as she walked proudly across the dry landscape.
She closed her eyes and reached out with the Force, so far, she had not found what she was looking for.
Be patient she thought.
Your time will come soon enough.
It would not be easy, waiting, the dark side was not typically the domain of the patient, yet it was important.
My time will come, she knew, she had felt it, and didn't question.
Soon enough…
…I…will be ready.
IOI
There were plenty of old structures built along the lakeshore, it wasn't hard for the two Sith to find a place that they could modify enough to be livable again.
Avaryss didn't see Agony, her friend was likely off training somewhere nearby. She preferred moving meditation to the standard variety. Even now, the dark lord could almost hear the slight hum of her friend's double-bladed lightsaber humming as she went through her combat drills.
She needs to focus on something, if she doesn't, she will slip deeper into depression, the loss of her family has hit her hard. Her loyalty to me keeps her grounded, but that might fade if I don't find someway to move us forward soon.
Zay hobbled around their camp, her leg brace and heavy boot clumping loudly on the rocky surface. She, at least, always seemed to be busy. She never stopped, the result of being forced to live a life of servitude, her previous master had not been…kind, that was for sure.
Avaryss didn't interrupt her, as long as her slave did her duty, she could keep busy with whatever small task that occupied her.
In the end, it all served her master.
As with all things, Avaryss thought.
Everything…serves me.
Currently, the girl was preparing food, they still had the military rations that they had salvaged from the shuttle, but all three of them had agreed to use those…sparingly, especially when real food was available on world. The scavengers and settlers that called Ambria home were aware of Lake Natth and the people that were drawn to it. They asked no questions, and would often bring items to trade with the new arrivals. This is how the people here maintained contact with the rest of the galaxy, bartering information for food and other supplies.
The Sith could have taken what they needed, but Avaryss saw no need, not when what was offered was purchased so cheaply. Besides, it would be foolish to kill a supply source for pleasure and short-term gain.
Such motivations were the tools of fool, and a Darth could not afford to be a fool.
Zay noticed her approach, and bowed deeply.
"Morning, master," the girl said politely, "Breakfast should be ready shortly."
Avaryss nodded sniffing the air. She could smell the local seasonings, and the vegetables purchased from the trader they had interacted with yesterday.
She nodded.
"Proceed, servant," she said coldly, "I will go fetch Lord Agony, we shall dine soon."
The girl curtseyed and went about her business, leaving her master to locate her friend and ally.
Avaryss frowned.
Once I had countless servants and followers to tend to my needs, she thought bitterly, and now there is only Zay, a poor girl with a twisted foot.
And all because of Pholis. She had tried to stop the invaders there, but had paid the price for underestimating them, or rather, not understanding exactly who she was dealing with.
So fast…it…it had all happened so fast.
It was a dark miracle that she had survived. The battle had been lost, and her house scattered across the galaxy, and now…here she was…living in a hovel on a distant lakeshore with only Agony, and one hobbled slave.
It was galling, how quickly she had lost everything, but…there were advantages to that loss.
The Dark Lord tried to focus on that, to stay focused on the overall goal.
Now, she realized, I have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
The thought pleased her.
The last time she had had nothing she had risen to the height of power in the Sith Empire, she had risen to the very ranks of the Dark Council.
This time was different, she was not simply some scared hopeful with nothing but potential, she was a powerful sorceress and a Dark Lord of the Sith, and…she had a plan.
Her enemies would soon that…it would be gratifying teaching them that lesson.
A Sith with nothing to lose was dangerous, who knew what they would do to their enemies.
The thought amused her.
Yes, who knew…?
IOI
It was not hard to find her friend, the hum of her lightsabers led the way.
She came upon Agony not far from their camp. Her fellow dark lord was lost in the midst of moving meditation, her lightsaber drills allowing her to give herself completely to the dark side and let go of the distractions of the material world.
Avaryss said nothing, she simply watched…
…it was an…intriguing sight to be sure.
Lord Agony was of the Echani blood, a warrior race known for their honor and martial prowess. The Sith, of course, knew the true value of honor, which wasn't much in the face of victory, but the skills that Agony's people practiced were still quite valuable.
The young dark lord's mother had been a feared marauder during the last war with the Republic. Tazia Dresco was a ruthless and cunning warrior, and had done much to pass on those skills to her daughter.
From what Avaryss was seeing now, it was clear that those lessons had finally stuck, time and experience had hardened the daughter into as fierce a weapon as the mother was.
She smiled slightly.
And such a beautiful weapon it was.
In the Echani tradition, when a warrior spared or trained, they stripped down the barest minimum of clothes, both to challenge the elements, and show that they carried no surprised or tricks for their opponents. Agony was so undressed now, just a pair of briefs and a mid-drift top, her pale skin shone with sweat and exertion, muscles flexed with each move of her athletic form. She breathed heavily as she twirled and lashed out with her lightsaber…it was an intimidating sight, and somehow…very sensual.
Avaryss' body stirred.
They had shared a bed before, Agony and her. When Avaryss had endeavored to bring her friend deeper into her service. The experience had left a bond between them, as such intimate acts did among Force users.
Avaryss might have preferred the company of men, but could still appreciate the skill and beauty before her, and had not been so closed minded as not to have enjoyed her friend's skills in more…intimate matters.
It had been…an experience.
With one final flourish, Agony ended her drills, she stood there, panting, her blade in a ready guard. Avaryss waited for her friend to notice her, she…
"AHHHHH!"
Before she could stop her, the other dark lord moved her forearm before her lit blade, her skin sizzled at the barest touch of the lightsaber, leaving a deep red scorch mark on her skin.
Agony hissed, letting the pain wash over her, letting it fill up the Force.
Avaryss frowned and shook her head.
This again.
Since the death of her family, Agony had taken to hurting herself, usually after battle, but sometimes after simple training like this. Her forearms and thighs were now crisscrossed with burns from the weapon.
The burn left her friend breathless; she made a sound between a laugh and a cry of pain as she closed down her lightsaber.
"Must you do that?" Avaryss asked her, "Is the pain so necessary to you now?"
Darth Agony turned a pained smile on her face, one that spoke not of joy, but fatalistic acceptance.
"The pain lets me know I'm still alive, and…reminds me of what I've lost."
The Force between them filled with images of Agony's daughter, poor little Aya, dead at the hands of the Emperor on Ziost.
Yet something else that was taken from me, Avaryss thought, my god daughter.
She walked up to her friend and ally.
She was vulnerable…
…it was time to remind her once more of where her loyalties lay.
She approached her friend, lightly removing the lightsaber from her hand.
Darth Avaryss smiled shyly, and stroked Agony's cheek.
"He will answer," she promised, "Vitiate may be an immortal, but he has so much to lose now. We are only now starting understand just how much…"
Her smile turned predatory.
"We will destroy everything he built, everything that he tried to hide from his fellow Sith will be turned to ash, and we will rise in his stead, we will climb the mountain of corpses to the very height of the galaxy."
Agony, the woman once known to her as Taya, nodded.
"He took Fimm and Aya from me," she said coldly, her anger building, "He must know an eternity of suffering, he must feel it when we do it, what it is like to lose his entire legacy!"
"He will," Avaryss murmured seductively, "Do not try and hide from your pain and anger, my love. Let it flow, and let the power nourish you. Accept it, and you will achieve more than anything you could possibly imagine."
She leaned in, her nose lightly touching her friend's.
"Trust me."
Avaryss could feel the heat from her fellow Sith, her desire through the Force, the loss of her loved ones had not numbed her to the desires she felt.
Agony looked at her hungrily.
"Am I to be your apprentice now, my lord? Are you teaching me so that I may better serve you?"
The dark lord shook her head.
No, she thought.
For the time being, there would be no apprentices.
Her previous students had proved to be…a disappointment.
She would rather not take on a new student so quickly, not when there was still so much work to be done. Besides, she knew how the master and apprentice relationship changed people. She was not about to subject her one true friend to the temptation of that role, she needed her aid, but…
…No, Agony would not be her student, but they would be close…very close.
Avaryss leaned in and kissed her on the lips. Agony accepted, melting into her arms. Hunger and need radiated from the blond-haired Sith.
She kissed her way up her friend's neck, the blond Sith shuddered with pleasure, a sweet sigh of desire escaped her lips.
She looked into her friend's eyes; lust flickered in their golden surfaces.
Agony was lonely, lost, and in need of comfort.
Avaryss was more than willing to fulfill her needs.
There was a small cave not far from where they were now. The two Sith had already explored it, used it to hide their supplies. They went their now. Agony took her friend by the hand and led her there.
I will do what is necessary, Avaryss thought as her friend smiled, her eyes downcast, lust radiating out through the Force.
She would give Agony what she needed…to ensure her continued loyalty, she would do anything…
The Dark Lord smiled slyly.
…Whatever it takes.
IOI
"Darth Marr is dead. I felt his passing."
Darth Avaryss sighed and shook his head.
"Unfortunate, I…I actually liked him."
"Mmhm," Agony replied, combing her blond hair with her fingers. She had wrapped herself in one of the cloaks they kept in their storage, at least until she could recover her clothes.
Avaryss rose, finding her skirt and briefs, pulling her sweat stained tank top over her head.
The business with her friend had been nice, but now it was time to get back to business.
They still had much to do.
Agony seemed better now, more focused, that was good.
Avaryss smiled slightly.
It was nice to see that she still knew how to ensure her old friend's loyalty.
"Marr's death," her old friend said, "Is it going to advance your plans, or hinder them?"
The dark lord considered that.
It was a good question.
In truth, she had hoped that Marr would have survived a bit longer. He was not just the main voice of reason on the council, but the leader of the Cabal as well. He had dedicated his life to preserving the Sith way of life. He had believed it necessary for the Empire's continued survival. Now that he was gone, things would likely start to spiral out of control.
Avaryss KNEW her fellow council members. Nox had been close to Marr too, he would try to hold the Cabal together, at least she thought he would, but without Darth Marr's voice to keep everyone calm and in check, she suspected that the council might devolve into a free-for-all, the rest of the council would have their own plans to deal with the invaders, without considering what that might mean for their fellows.
That…she knew…was a recipe for disaster.
This new enemy was far better equipped than the Sith had realized, they had proved that to her with their successful attack on both Pholis and Korriban.
This enemy was not the Republic, and worse yet, they had yet another advantage.
They KNEW the Sith.
That fact made them even more dangerous.
The Empire had known little of this threat when the invasion had begun. The enemy had struck without warning from Wild Space, while the Empire was still reeling from both the Republic attacks, and the decimation of Ziost.
Led by two Force sensitive conquers, identical twins, if Avaryss was not mistaken, the enemy had washed over the Empire like a tidal wave.
Avaryss had tried to stop their advance on Pholis, drew the enemy there, hoping the cold and the ice sheet would prove too much for this new enemy. Again, she had been surprised.
The invaders were extremely well equipped, armies of droids, a fleet of massive warships that moved like they were completely of one mind, and if that was not bad enough, they also had battalions of Force Sensitive warriors at their disposal, these fighters weren't Sith, but they weren't Jedi either.
They didn't fully embrace the dark side, but they were more aggressive than any Jedi she had ever faced, and then…there were the twin conquerors themselves.
The two had nearly killed Avaryss on Pholis, she had survived, barely, but her defeat had put into question her skill as a leader, and gave her rivals the excuse they had needed to remove her.
Now, here she was, living in hiding.
It was not the situations he would have preferred, especially if Marr was now dead.
Had she been on Dromund Kaas, she might have been able to push her agenda forward, try to ascend to the throne, but that would not have been possible.
She was not ready yet; Project Death Knell was not ready yet.
I still need to find the keys, she thought with no small sense of annoyance.
If they are not mine, the plan is all for nothing.
Death Knell would not work.
"Marr's end would have needed to happen," Avaryss informed her friend, "Though…I had hoped that he would have managed to survive a little longer, that he would help hold the invaders at bay."
Avaryss shook her head.
"Now that he is gone, I worry for our empire. This new enemy seems to know our every move, they seem to know our tactics and protocols intimately.
"It is for THAT reason that we needed to leave. It is for THAT reason that House Avaryss needed to scatter and to go into hiding."
Agony nodded.
"That is why we are here then?"
"Yes," Avaryss said pacing, "Between the invaders and Acina, I could no longer function openly within the Imperial system. I had too many eyes watching my every move. Only by going outside the system is there a chance to avoid detection by my rivals and ensure the continuation of my plans."
"So," the other Sith said dusting herself off, "Your plans are still moving forward? Marr's death…"
"Would have needed to happen eventually, for now, it will distract our rivals. The invaders will no doubt continue to pound our forces. I've seen the strength of their fleet, Agony. Even Grand Moff Vaiken would have had a problem resisting such a force."
"So where does that leave us when all is said and done?" Agony asked.
"With few rivals," Avaryss responded, "We need to be patient, let the Empire reels from these attacks, let our enemies clear each other out. When Death Knell is finally completed, the Empire will be ready to accept my help, and once I've bound the invader's powerful fleet to my new and massive army. The Sith will be ready to accept my rule. I will return not as an exile, but as a savior."
Avaryss turned seizing a bottle of water from their stores, her revels had left her throat dry, and despite the tepid water not being the wine she was use to, it did serve to quench her thirst.
Agony smiled at her.
"You had your tattoos redone," she commented, "They look nice on your new body."
Avaryss shook her head.
"I didn't have them redone, they burned into my back during the ceremony. The originals were bound to me for so long, they seem to have made the transition with my spirit, an interesting side-effect to be sure."
Agony walked up to her and wrapped her arms around her from behind.
"And how are you holding up," she inquired, "How does your new body fit? Have you experienced any problems since?"
Avaryss shook her head no, but recognized that the situation was more complicated than that.
The transition, though successful, had not been as straight forward as the spell's creators had promised.
She had survived, but it seemed that…echoes of the old Jedi's life remained. What that would mean for her in the long run she couldn't say.
Yet, she had had no choice, she had been out of time.
She looked at her reflection in one of the chrome crates. The face was close enough to what she was used to, but she would need a glamour when the next phase began.
She had no desire to distract the pawns she needed to draw into her service.
Agony leaned in and nuzzled her neck, Avaryss shivered with pleasure at her friend's touch.
"How long must we remain here, Avy?"
"As long as is needed," she replied.
My Empire is not ready to receive me, not yet…"
The dark lord smirked.
"We must be patient, my friend, now is the time of testing…
"Now the Empire must suffer."
"And when that suffering ends," Agony asked, "What will happen then?"
"The Empire will do what it has always done, it will endure, with a new ruler on the throne."
Avaryss chuckled.
"A new age…has begun."