Chapter 22: The Prodigal

"Master...is...is it really you?"

"Who else would it be, Xen?" the dark lord asked with a wicked smirk.

She flipped back her hair, letting her student, her FORMER student, get a good look.

"Didn't your Jedi teachers tell you that we are more than mere flesh? The ancient Sith understood that, but sometimes lacked either the knowledge or resources to make the best use of what was available."

Avaryss cackled.

"What was once wasted on a Jedi has now been perfected by a Sith. This shell was not simply my salvation, but the future as well."

Xen nodded; a cruel smile came to her lips.

After all she had KNOWN the original occupant of her master's new body.

It was interesting to gauge her reaction to this new form.

"Wasted? A good analogy, my lord. It is safe to say that T..."

Avaryss' eyes narrowed, they flared with yellow light.

"Say THAT name, and I WILL have your tongue!"

Xen's mouth snapped shut, once she would have questioned her teacher, sought more clarification.

Now, she seemed to have learned her place.

Avaryss readied herself, she was surprised that Xen had still not attacked, the other Sith had her lightsaber in hand, and…after what Avaryss had done to her, done to her child…

Why waste time on words…

…why…was Xen not attacking her?

Avaryss risked the slightest of glances at her lightsaber, she could pull it to her using the Force, but it would leave her open for a second or two, and that is all the time that a warrior like Xen Loor would need.

The girl had been a fine duelist even before coming to the dark side and Avaryss' service. Say what you want about Sy Dar Bynn, Xen's former master, but he had taught the girl well in both the Ataru and Djem So styles. He had left his student a sharp blade, a blade that Avaryss had only sharpened by expanding on the girl's teachings.

Then…there was her choice of weapon. Avaryss preferred the basic single hilt lightsaber, but that didn't mean she had no respect for the cross-guard variant.

She had seen Xen open many a throat with her weapon's cross-guard, that or remove a limb during a moment of blade lock up.

No, Avaryss was not foolish enough to doubt the other woman's skill, but then again, Xen had not studied the dark mysteries of the ancient Sith, in a battle of magic versus blade, her former master would have the advantage.

Yet, still, Xen did not attack?

The dark lord decided to force the issue.

"You escaped my custody," she began, "Mere hours after giving birth you managed to disappear from my facility without a trace…"

Xen winced at the mention of her giving birth, but beyond that remained mostly unaffected.

"I'm not without my wiles," she replied dismissively.

Avaryss nodded.

"Yes, this I know."

She flashed her former student her most evil grin.

"So, if you have indeed come for revenge, then…let's get to it."

The dark lord raised her hands, Sith magic already beginning to swirl around her fingertips.

"I do have a schedule to keep."

"KILL HER, XEN!" Beric roared, "SEND HER BACK TO HELL!"

Avaryss' former apprentice didn't even look at him, still a fly caught in the dark lord's web. Avaryss could have crushed him at any moment, but still stayed her hand.

Ninety percent of her focus was now on the other Sith before her.

She was ready, and…to be honest…

…still a little thirsty for blood.

Xen still didn't ignite her weapon, if anything, the girl seemed intimidated by her master's show of strength. After all that had passed between them these past two years, Avaryss was shocked that the other woman was not attacking her in a blind rage.

It seemed that Xen had another idea, an idea that revealed itself not through words, but actions.

She fell to her knees before Avaryss; she bowed her head in submission, and offered her neck.

"You misjudge me, master," she said matter-of-factly, "I have not come for revenge. If we fought, you would kill me, I know that as I know my own name."

"Then…what is the meaning of this?" the dark lord demanded, "Why are you here?"

"I thought that would be obvious," Xen replied, laying her lightsaber at her former teacher's feet.

"I've come to beg your forgiveness, my master. I wish only to return to your service. I wish to be a part of House Avaryss once more."

To push the point further, the girl bowed further, spreading her arms in submission, her nose to the very floor.

"I beg of you, master. Please…let me come home."

Avaryss paused, her mind awhirl.

What was this?

Was it a ruse? Was it a deception?

She…she didn't sense anything amiss.

Was the fool girl mad?

How could she even expect for Avaryss to trust her again, after everything that had happened?

The Dark Lord sneered.

This…it had to be some kind of a joke.

"You beg me?" she spat.

"Yes, my lord," Xen repeated, "With all my heart, I apologize for disappointing you."

The Sith Lord laughed.

Disappointment?

Really?

"I imprisoned you. I tortured you. I ripped your baby from your arms the moment it first drew breath, and now…now…you expect me to believe that you hold no grudge, that you wish to come back like nothing happened?"

Xen winced at the mention of her child, but still didn't rise, Avaryss sensed no anger, only shame and longing.

"Your...lesson was…most harsh, my lord. I cannot deny that, but it has been learned. As for my suffering, well, didn't you tell me once that Lord Feer often tortured you as part of your training, demanded that you suffer so that you could become stronger in the Force?"

Avaryss pursed her lips, that was true, but…

That was not the reason that she tortured Xen, it was not meant to be a lesson to her student, she had been angry at the girl's betrayal and…

I was jealous.

The thought came unbidden, but Avaryss couldn't deny it.

She…she had been jealous, insanely so, but how could she not be?

After defeating Feer, all she had had left was power, and the virus that had been slowly killing her, that and the realization that Feer had sterilized her like she was some pet cur.

Xen being strong, healthy, and with child. It had filled her with an almost unreasoning rage, between that, and Beric's betrayal…

She had not meant for what happened next to be a teaching experience, she had wanted the girl to suffer. She was not Feer, she didn't hurt her students needlessly, she…

In that moment, she could almost see his face, Darth Feer glared at her.

"Was your torment so needless, my child? See how strong you have become? Would you have been anywhere near as powerful as you are now if not for those torments, those lessons?"

Again, she could not deny it.

Feer had been a monster, HER monster, but his teachings had brought her to this point, to the cusp of nearly unlimited power.

Her pain had served her well, perhaps…it had served Xen as well, but…could she, do it?

Was it smart to even consider?

Could she take the girl back?

Should she?

Perhaps she has learned her lesson, my child, Darth Feer's voice whispered in her ear.

Maybe you should consider this offer.

The idea sounded ludicrous, and if, even if she accepted, it meant that she now walked a similar path to her master.

That…was something she didn't like to acknowledge.

Darth Feer had been cruel to her, in so many ways. Yes, he had given her everything that she now possessed, but he had taken away so much as well.

Besides, she was not him, she didn't enjoy seeing her students suffer for the sake of a mere lesson. She did not…

Avaryss paused.

For the briefest of moments, she had felt it, a familiar pressure on the back of her skull. So many times, had Feer reached out through the Force and touched her in this way. It was how their conversations in the Force began, usually with mind numbing pain and…

How dare you question my methods, girl! You will be punished! You will be…

NO!

Avaryss shook her head.

No, she thought taking a deep breath.

Impossible!

Feer was dead!

She had cut his fool head from his body!

He couldn't hurt her anymore. He couldn't control her anymore!

She looked down at Xen, debasing herself before her former lord.

Part of her wanted to lash out, to kill the girl. It would be the first step in cleansing herself, preparing for her new life, the life after she had submerged the galaxy in eternal shadow.

She wanted to lash out, punish her former student, but…that had been Feer's way too.

A hint of a smile came to her lips, an idea began to form.

Perhaps, there was a better way.

"You wish to serve me again?"

"Yes, master," Xen repeated, "It is my one desire now."

"And how can I know that you are still trustworthy?'

Xen looked up, her smile wicked and sly.

"Your power will keep me in line, master. As long as you are stronger, I will remain leal and loyal to you, and if that is not enough, then…remember…you do have leverage over me, the child that you plucked from my arms still lives. I can sense her."

"Yes," Avaryss purred, "Dear little Mya, that is what I called her."

Avaryss chuckled.

"What if I asked for a life? Proof that you were willing to take a life to come back into my service?"

"I would ask a name, my lord, and ask your permission to be set loose on this person."

The Dark Lord grinned.

"What if I named your child? What if I said kill the girl and you can come back."

"Keera!" Beric snarled, but fell quiet as she began squeezing his throat.

"Silence," she hissed.

"Your betters are talking."

She looked down on her former student, she could see the fear in Xen's eyes, the sense of disquiet.

It was one thing to kill a stranger, even a complete innocent, to kill part of yourself, that was something else.

"Well?" Avaryss asked.

Xen sighed.

"My life is yours, master," the fallen Jedi said, "But I will not take THAT life."

She rose up and offered her neck, her hands behind her back.

"I ask only that you spare my child, and offer me a quick death."

Avaryss stood before her, her former student, bravely accepting her master's will and wishes.

It was…surprising.

Yet, somehow…it was pleasing.

Avaryss pulled her lightsaber to her hand, and ignited the blade, it would be so easy to take Xen's head, to let Beric watch the mother of his child die.

Avaryss let the blade rest over the girl's should, and then moved it to the other.

"I have other plans for you."

She deactivated the lightsaber, a proud look on her face.

"If you had said you would kill your own child. I would have known it to be a lie, and slew you. It took courage admitting as much to me, accepting your end at my hand."

The dark lord stepped back and gestured.

"Arise, my former student."

Xen did as she commanded, her Sith eyes wide with surprise.

"Former?"

Avaryss nodded.

"You may return to my house, but NOT as my apprentice. I will need to evaluate you further before I can decide to take you back into the succession of my house. Plus, you will need to work with Jedi and their Republic allies, they are my…servants in this endeavor. Can you work with them?"

Her former student nodded.

"They must know nothing of your child, or the change that I've endured." She placed the choker around her neck, using the Force to secure it.

Again, Avaryss appeared as she had when she had worn Keera Lylos' body.

"MY secrets, are YOUR secrets, and they must be protected."

Avaryss paused dramatically, her eyes boring into her former student.

"Do you accept and understand?"

Xen bowed.

"I understand, my lord."

The girl wasn't lying, she could sense that, but she also sensed disappointment in Xen, that would not do.

Avaryss reached out and gave her arm a friendly squeeze.

"Do not take this as a punishment, you are still a powerful warrior, and I will still continue to offer my wisdom and teachings. I remain committed to rewarding those who are loyal to me. Succeed in this endeavor, help me fulfil my plans. I will elevate you to the rank of Darth, and give you a command in my service."

The Dark Lord placed her hands on her shoulders.

"Prove your worth there, and I will take you back fully as my student, and heir."

Xen giggled; a single tear ran down her cheek. She radiated a happiness that was almost unbecoming of a Sith.

"Thank…thank you, my master! You…you have no idea how good it is to hear these words."

"Most Sith would be angry for being demoted," Avaryss reminded her.

Xen shook her head.

"All my life, I was lied to, by the Jedi, my parents, the Republic soldiers I fought beside. Only you…you have never lied to me, you told me more truth about the galaxy and myself than I ever realized."

She stepped back and bowed low to her lord.

"My life is yours, always."

Avaryss resisted the urge to cackle, she could hear Beric struggling behind her, no doubt angry seeing his woman grovel before the one he hated.

The thought sent a shiver of pure pleasure down Avaryss' spine.

Delicious!

Yet, there was more here, far more than anyone might realize.

Xen said she never lied to her, and that was true, but…she was not telling her everything now.

There was another part to her service, one that the former Jedi would not have accepted.

Xen was known to the survivors, and to Fenn, once…she had been one of the vaunted Padawan Pack, a group of young Jedi heroes that had saved a class of younglings during the Sith sacking of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.

Xen and Fenn had both been of that group, they had survived only to return to an order that had accepted a Republic surrender, that realization had scarred the young heroes, leaving them feeling betrayed and angry, Fenn had worked through that anger. Jas Dar Bynn had saved him.

Xen…had not been.

She had been apprenticed to Sy Dar Bynn, Master Jas' arrogant brother, he had not helped the girl, merely convinced her to deny her anger, but eventually, it had grown too strong to remain buried.

It had exploded, and like a volcano had destroyed many of the girl's former allies, including her former master.

Sy Dar Bynn's death had been a great victory for Avaryss, and she had taken the girl in as an apprentice as a reward for that victory, but now…the Dark Lord had found something far more.

She…now had Zay.

Zay…she was pure potential, a piece of stone just waiting for a master artisan to carve their masterpiece. Yet, that work would take time…and effort.

Avaryss would need to convince the girl to take up the role of apprentice, and then…her training would begin. Yet, it would not be that easy. Her Jedi allies would not wish the girl trained in the Sith way, it would take time to convince them otherwise, or deceive them into accepting it.

Xen…her history, it would prove a useful distraction. Fenn and the others would be so focused on trying to save her, maybe they would ignore the fledging Force-user in their midst.

Plus, there was another reason to take Xen back.

It would take Zay six months to a year to be combat ready. Xen…who was already a skilled fighter and duelist, was ready now.

Yes, the more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea!

A placeholder!

Xen would be useful, she would be able to fulfil any apprentice duties while Zay was beginning her training, and…when the girl was ready. She would be an excellent test of Zay's skills.

They will fight for my pleasure, Avaryss thought suppressing a hungry grin, and the strongest will serve me.

She suspected that it would be Zay. Zay was far stronger in the Force, at least, that is how it felt to her future master.

Strong enough to kill me?

The thought gave her pause.

Could she train her future killer? Darth Feer had. It had always confused Avaryss when she was younger, why take the chance…the risk. Why train your own murderer?

Now, with experience, she understood.

It was not just about the training of a student; it was the challenge. A Sith Master had to accept that challenge, if they were truly to be called master.

Are you brave enough to make the order stronger, or are you too weak to take up that challenge?

If the student failed because they rebelled too early, that was their failure, if the master trained them to fail, that was the master's.

If you trained a Sith strong enough to destroy you, then…you had done your duty. Your apprentice was your legacy, they carried their training on to the next generation.

That legacy…it was an immortality of sorts, and far better than what their former Emperor had sought.

To be immortal, was to distance yourself from the material world, to rise above and beyond it.

Was it any wonder that the Emperor had become so out of touch that he had betrayed his own people? He had o longer been a part of the world he ruled; he had been so high above them; they were just cannon fodder.

That was not the immortality that Avaryss thought.

She would train Zay to be Sith, but she would also impress upon her the need to train her master's children. She would not only give Zay power and knowledge, she would give her an apprentice ready to train, and thereby continue her dynasty.

Avaryss would build a dynasty!

Her progeny, either of her blood or wisdom, would rule for the next thousand years…!

She smiled at Xen.

…that dynasty would begin here, with this small sacrifice.

One Dark Jedi whore for the future of the galaxy!

It was a fair trade.

"I accept you back, dear Xen." she informed her former student.

"Together, we shall begin again."

Yes, my lord," Xen said bowing again.

She glanced over her master's shoulder.

"What about Beric?"

Avaryss didn't bother to look at him.

What did Experiment 016 matter?

He was a tool, nothing more.

"He will survive," she said, "He will take one of the executive escape ships on this vessel. The lab and all the scientists and guards will be atomized in the next twenty minutes, so that all that Acina sought here will be destroyed.

"You think that I will obey you," the Moff spat.

"Of course, you will," Avaryss replied, "I order you to go, and you cannot disobey that part of your conditioning."

She turned to her former brother then, her loyal placeholder at her side.

Xen giggled savagely.

The Dark Lord smiled down at the beaten man who had once been her brother.

A pity, she thought.

He could have been…so much more.

They could have been so much more.

Oh well.

What was done was done.

She looked up.

"Computer, are you online?"

"Standing by," the mechanical voice answered.

"Engage data purge and self-destruct protocol, authorization Avaryss…two, two, one, zeta, kappa!"

"Avaryss codes have been disabled, unable to comply."

"Execute Dark Council override protocol. Avaryss authorization one, two, one. Password…Oridanna."

The lights went out in the chamber, emergency lights and alarms blared to life.

"Code accepted: self-destruct in twenty minutes."

Avaryss nodded.

There…done and done.

Now to join her new allies, and reintroduce them to Xen.

She looked down at 016 again.

"Acina will be looking for someone to blame for this. I would suggest putting it on the late lieutenant, he had no family, so he makes the perfect patsy. I'm sure that Acina's agents will find his links to me. She will believe you; I think."

Beric glared impotently at her.

He could hate her all he wanted, but he had to obey.

His programming would allow nothing else.

Avaryss sighed.

She was happy to be done with this distraction.

She still had keys to hunt, and an apprentice to train.

"You should wear your refrigeration suit, as well," she advised her former brother, "I want you functional when you finally return to my service."

"Kriff you!" he growled.

She didn't bother responding to that.

She cared nothing that her tool hated her.

He was, of course, her tool.

He would do what he was programmed to do.

"Come, my friend," she told Xen, her loyal pawn.

"My new friends are waiting. I'm sure that Fenn will be happy to see you again, and want to help save you."

Xen smirked.

"Coming, my lord," the girl replied.

"As always…I'm yours to command."

Avaryss beamed as they made their way to the turbo lift. She let Beric fall like the piece of refuse he was.

He grunted, and spat obscenities at her, but again. she didn't listen.

He was hers to command, like Xen.

They were hers until their final breath.

She chuckled to herself.

They were hers…

…always.