2 weeks into training, you find that the academy is anything but easy. For 3 continuous hours you listen to the droid lecture you about every minute detail of the lives of the ancient Dark Lords of the Sith. Who they allied themselves with, how they defeated rival lords; and the innumerable rituals, edicts, theological treatises that they produced during their reigns.
> Following history, you are given 15 minutes to collect yourself so you can proceed to the lecture on intergalactic relations and the effects they had on individual worlds.
> It would be a breeze just to let the words aimlessly drone on from the re-purposed protocol droid. If it weren’t for the daily essay you had to make regarding the lecture. Failure to comply or give satisfactory results led to punishment. Simple things really, but after a few days you learned that a pillow, however thin was something to cherish and work for.
 
 
”And for the ten following years Marka Ragnos held his rival Garoush Magus in a continuous loop of wandering the deserts and bowing to every effigy of Ragnos. It was only when Simmus appealed to Ragnos sense of order that he left Magus be. By then he was only a shadow of himself. Since then the lesser lords of the empire made pilgrimage to Korriban …”
>You don’t even know how all these displays of power showed the power of the dark side. It all appears that Ragnos played his subjects like puppets pushing on their fear making spectacles of enemies. It appeared that more than thru the force Ragnos used power in the traditional sense. Only few glimpses of true mastery appeared but the droids claims of summoning terentaraks and reviving ghouls had little credibility. For one the feats just happened to those opposing Ragnos, More than the force you feel that belief can move greater things.
>Soon after your classes came a modest meal just to be driven to saber practice.
>The Sith saber or dual bladed light saber was the norm for initiates. With little explanation you were expected to follow your comrades. In the repetitive sequences meant to accustom you to the weapon. Best described as awkward, the Sith saber offered no insight to combat. The angles of attack were strange and forced you to shift and correct you weight to avoid falling forward or hitting yourself with the damn thing.
>Sequences were followed by practice rounds. Each initiate to beat the other was urged to find a new practice partner.
>But for you it was just an hour long beating. One after the other the practice sabers hacked your sensitivity away. Each slash or poke you made was countered by well-placed blows you never expected.
> Even the weaker initiates managed to best you clumsy excuses of attack.
 
>After practice the rest of the day was yours. But the only thing you wanted to do was crawl into a corner and fade into unconsciousness.
>Sadly there is no peace.
> While you lay in a corner seeing if your wrist is still intact You hear a small voice yell out to you.
“Hey loser! you’re pretty terrible with a saber. How did you ever manage to become selected as an initiate?.”
>As you look up you see her. Diamond Tiara; Smaller and younger than any other of the initiates, It didn't cost her from being respected in the academy.
“Are you deaf or something? How did scum like you became a Sith initiate?”
>Again that feeling, the desire to make her stop
>”I don’t know why I’m here. I just am.”
“You are as dumb as you look. As long as you do as I say you’ll get to stay.”
>”Yes, Diamond Tiara.”
>before you could finish the sentence a swift slap stings your face.
“She is daughter to the headmaster! you will address your betters with the respect they deserve”
>The offender was a another child. Her crony Silver Spoon never far away the source of power.
“lets ditch this place I want to see if the imports I ordered are here”
>As they left you to waddle in your own sadness. This is your life now; These are the rules to your existence. The strong prey on the weak; and yet the promise of power didn’t come for you. You were missing something; there was a way to free yourself of this suffering. Not through death not through escape; Diamond Tiara did as she pleased in the academy, you never actually saw her during lectures nor meals and during saber practice she did not form with the others for the sequences; only appearing for sparring. You wondered what do the privileged of the academy do? And while you wondered something crept inside you making you bruises pulse and your mouth salivate. While you pondered what exactly she might do that excuses her from lectures and the tediousness of practice; that feeling grew with each  thought. You wanted what she had.
>Students rarely talked to each other  around the hallways each was busy with whatever gave them peace is this  place.
>While wandering the academy halls, deep inside the cliff sides. You hear  two voices going back and forth.
“I don’t get it, why don't they just use the main training room?”
“Because they have a different training regime. If you mind yourself they might just give you a little something for your kind devotion”
>Fear courses though you but your curiosity grew stronger. What kind of training does Diamonds Tiaras’ entourage receive? You follow closely after the two initiates, your steps drowned by their chatter.
>As they reach the door to the private training room you creep slowly towards trying to hear before you see. Muffled voices and shifting steps come from inside the room. That's when you hear those words; you never heard a greater truth in your life.
 
“...Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through  passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken.
The force shall free me”
>You feel all the hair on your body stand up, your intestines retract and contort,  excitement like when you first rode your hover-board, when that  togruta girl said she thought you were cute. There was something here, something important.
>Your excitement was cut short when you heard the reciting voice ask: “Who is there? you shouldn't be spying. What are you fools waiting for? Get him!
>All that excitement was being pushed out of your body being replaced by adrenaline instead; justified in your mind by a simple thought “They will kill me if they catch me”. You didn't feel the weight  of your legs, there were more important things  at the moment, as avoid being seen and getting as far as you could.
>Your first task failed miserably. When you turned your head to see if you were being chased you met eye to eye with one of those diamond bothans, by the look on his face, he recognized you.
>As you exited the temple trying to gain some ground from those damn hounds your mind raced, as well, trying to think of a hiding spot.  Korriban wasn’t the most rich planet, or the most advanced. Necessity dictated how the stations worked simply because there was nothing else then the space stations; small pre-fabricated clusters and modified ships for living quarters dominated the slave houses and it wasn’t  much different for the overseers who had minor amenities and some privileges.
>The only thing that braked the industrial and metallic walls was the additional effigies and totems erected by the cultist. Marka Ragnos, Freedon Nadd, King Adas, Ajunta Pall even some other unknown sith lords were paid homage and adoration from the fractured cultist groups. Thousands of charms, icons and trinkets adorned the buildings near the monuments. Small group of cloaked sith some with more practical jumpsuits debated and discussed the nature of the force and how holy and sacred the old sith lords were.  
>Your initiate robes made you stick out like a sore thumb and sure enough you hear the yells of an old cultist screaming at you for the bothans.
“There goes your slave! punish him for abandoning his studies!”
>Before the old sith mongrel could finish ranting they started the chase; with you, playing the role of prey. Thru  the street of re-purposed containers they chased you to a short stretch of desert leading to an open mausoleum; littered with robed devotees and slaves chanting towards the entrance. With no time to hesitate, hiding, inside the tomb seemed to be the only reasonable place.
>With your hunters stepping on your trail you speed into the mausoleum only to discover the passageways that stretched into the underground. the darkness and turns of the grave promised to hide you, but, to leave the labyrinth was another ordeal entirely. In the halls you saw a number of niches adorned with symbols on the walls and fetishes guarding the alcoves. You pause for a moment to consider hiding but the sound of heavy steps hasten your decision.
> You lean into the niche and try to silence your breath the cracks in the wall were of no concern to you and their creaking wasn't part of your priorities. Leaning into the wall with each step of the dogs; the wall gave into your weight. As you saw their eyes meet you panicked expression; the wall gave way and you fell deep into the tomb. Darkness swallowed you and your screams. Disorientated and in pain from the fall you were still conscious; And heard the cowering barks of your pursuers.
“I’m not going in there!”
-”Well he’s as good as dead, If the fall didn't take him the spirits and terentaraks will”
“Lets get out of here, were already late for our meeting”
 
> Deep in the darkness of the tomb, the little light that came from the breach in the wall comforted you as the adrenaline and panic left your body leaving only sorrow and pain.
>Climbing out of the steep tunnel seemed impossible. At the very least you had time to collect yourself. But the only thought that crossed your mind was how weak you were how useless your escape turned out to be. What frustration and anger that caused you to bang on the floor and loose bricks soon became sadness and the punches and yells of anger became tears and sobs. You were going to die here and there was nothing you could do about it.
>As you curled  in the dark trying to stop your moans and sobs, You felt it’s touch. coming from the dark deep inside the secret cave it pulled you to come closer dense and thicker than the lack of light it called out to you. With nothing else to do you obeyed the call.
> traveling deeper into the darkness something shined stronger and stronger  with each step until you were surrounded by its blue glow.
> A single pyramid with etched lattices and pronounced edges. A single instinctual voice; yours or from someone else, you could not tell “touche it” echoed through your mind.
> As you fingertips made contact the pyramid opened its faces to let out a deep blue haze. Revealing a masked woman clad in robes you couldn't identify. Letting yourself be calmed by the light. The figure spoke with a voice marked by the familiar sound of a recording.
“Greetings oh seeker of power. I am Firefly,former jedi warrior and Lady of the Sith under the Dark Lord Ajunta Pall of Korriban.”
> Her voice cleaned you of what sorrow you had leaving only curiosity of her titles. What history they taught you, regarding the first lords of the Sith, was brief and masked in legend. But what was ma clear was that the Jedi were completely different from the Sith.
“The force smiles upon thee, for you have found my holocron on the knowledge given by the Sith. With this you will become stronger and learn to dominate those who must be dominated, for it is the call of the weak to be governed and our duty as the strong to rule.”
>crawling closer her words become etched in your mind.
“To begin; the Synthian Creed of the sith: Peace is a lie, there is only passion”
>Again those words what do they mean? you knew peace before the sith came and destroyed your home. Was that the true nature of the world? the galaxy would be destined to destroy itself?
“Peace, be it inner or external can not is not desirable in any circumstance except when you use it to rule the weak and even then it is better to have them suffer their own emotions. For it is emotion with can make a mighty leader or a cowering slave.”
>Yes you knew fear. Fear of death, fear of pain, fear of servitude towards the cruel lords, it made sense to control fear
“Through passion I gain strength. It is only with the mastery of your emotion that you begin to transform into a better being. First by controlling your emotions learning to use them when you need, accepting your nature so you may command them. Never repress or deny them for it is foolish to think that you are stronger. Strength only comes to those who accept the challenge to rule themselves.”
> Strength was something you never had; Always commanded, always fearful of repercussions. If you could manage to understand your fear then you would never suffer from it.
“Through strength I gain power. Once you control thy passions you can control the passions of others. This is to be strong and to have control over others. Still control is not power; To have power is to have possibility, once you have strength you have the possibility to use it and choose to fulfill the possibility.”
> You never thought of power that way. Until now power seemed something belonging to authorities or those who were able to decide for you. If you had the strength you had the power to do as you wished.
“Through power I gain victory. To conquer, dominate or impose your will over others is the duty of the powerful. Victory is not only to defeat those who challenge your desire; it is to have your desire rule over your rivals. It is a state of being, to be victorious is to not be defeated. It is never enough to beat your enemies, it is even easy to  defeat those who oppose you but victory will not come if you are not willing, to not only vanquish, your rivals but to conquer them and have them accept your rule as law. This is the true victory that the Lords of the Sith desire.
> Winning isn’t enough, you must be victorious and it feels that victory is more than winning. It is to have the spoils of winning without even contesting for them.
“through victory my chains are broken. Every living being is a slave. To ask the vornskr to not hunt is to ask it to die, ask the hawk bat to not fly is to ask any sentient to leave its planet without a ship. It is only in a state of victory that any creature can become free. Even we can not surpass our limits by ourselves.
>You see it now. you were a slave. Slave to your emotions, slave to your body, slave to the mercy of the galaxy. No more, never again will you be a slave.
“The force shall free me. For many beings the galaxy holds mysteries beyond their comprehension, but for a privileged few knowledge of the galaxy is given through the force. What is it? Why does it grant us power? where did it come from? these are questions that the Jedi believe are answered through contemplation, and passivity; This is wrong, due to the force being alive, It moves when  life moves, exists when life exists and dies with it as well. To know the force is to know life and as you know by now life is subject to our passions and plights. Contemplation is necessary but not from an empty mind, only when we understand our emotions and are willing to conquer them, then we are able to conquer the force and have it do our bidding.”
>You feel as though a blindfold has been lifted, there is hope that you may live as you desire. Perhaps not as you are now, but as something else, something worthy of calling it self Lord of the Sith. The Sith may have destroyed your life and everything you knew, but without that suffering, without conflict your true nature would have never emerged, now you see your destiny, your purpose in life: To take revenge over the warring sith, to conquer them and becoming their Lord. The means to power have fallen to your lap, maybe by chance, maybe by the will of the force; soon to be your will. Trapped in darkness you found the way to freedom.
>For hours you listen to the holocrons gatekeeper explain for you what was never mentioned during your lectures in the academy. The nature of the force, how it supported life, how the ancient lords used it to establish power; and how that power consumed them. the basis of Sorcery and alchemy; its use and how proper concentration on the force surpassed them.
>But the most important lesson you took from Firefly was meditation. The Jedi started with breathing techniques, using them to block out the external world and inner thought until only the force remained. The Sith way started out with the same breathing techniques but instead of abandoning the material world and the thoughts that  came with it; you were asked to concentrate on a single object and let everything course though you. Every mundane thought, every slight annoyance; never holding on to them but experimenting them. In the words of your holographic teacher: “Concentrate on a single object, let everything flow through you, until, the nature of that object reveals itself; you will see that it’s nature is in the force. “
>The object that you had in front of you was a single pebble but with your gaze set on it, everything passed by all the words related to stones, all the times you saw a rock, all the words that a rock could be; until, You saw it, not with your eyes, but with your mind through the force, and with it emotion: Safety, stability, weakness , minuscule, unseen, unnoticed.
>while you contemplated the small stone your teacher commanded you “hold the object” and you did, through the force, the pebble confidently floated towards you under your gaze it orbited like a small planet.
>Excitement, joy, hope, they all made the pebble spin faster you couldn't contain yourself as the pebble orbited around you and with it the rest of the stones followed. Overrun with euphoria you saw yourself as the center of your own system; everything at your command.
>That is until you couldn't contain it anymore; there was too much joy and excitement going through you to contain the stones. As disappointment crept inside, it transformed into something else: You wanted to feel that again. But your thoughts were interrupted by the gatekeeper “ Only thought concentration and knowledge over thy emotions will you be able to achieve greater feats; until then continue meditating and learning of the force. TO access other  lessons give a voice command”.
>”Show me how to fight” as soon as you uttered the words  the figure became smaller so you could see its whole body.
“The lightsaber is the most practical  close range weapon, with some training initiates into the force can even fend off blaster bolts; Of course a saber duelist must never underestimate what a barrage of plasma fire could do to living tissue.”
>paying the utmost attention you inquired: “What about the saberstaff?”
“The sith lightsaber offers no conclusive advantage over another lightsaber; It only has one situational use and that is for those that are not accustomed to the saberstaff, after that fact one can easily overcome a saberstaff and even  manage to have your adversary self mutilate by forcing them into a pace where they can’t manage the second blade.”
> Then why would they teach you to use a saberstaff? “What is the best technique to learn?”
“Regarding the lightsaber they are form VI Niman, form VII Juyo and sith sword dueling; Regarding fighting the best technique to learn is not to fight; If you need to fight  then your victory  is placed under doubt, you must  not let the illusion of fighting blind you what truly matters; To obtain victory, which can be gained without even closing a fist, let the duelists duel and the generals march; like everything else they can be manipulated to, unwittingly, follow your desire.”
>This is something worth meditating about but for the moment you are weak and you need to become strong “Teach me to fight with a lightsaber”
“ You must procure a larger area to practice the necessary techniques”.
> Right, you’re still stuck in this hole and you won't be able to start without at least a training saber. Analyzing your surroundings, the hole you fell from is the only source of light.
>placing the holocron in your pocket it immediately shuts down as if it knew that the lesson was over for now. Taking a few steps back into the cave you rush out of the hole with new found strength. Navigating the labyrinth of the tomb  was a daunting task for any explorer but your instincts did not lie, following them the soon gift you the warm gusts of  the afternoon breeze of the surface.
>Taking your time  to reach the academy you pass by some makeshift market near one of the open launch platforms; your curiosity peaked by the sounds of unfamiliar tongues, and the smell of shuttle fuel mixed with animal filth guided you to two known faces.
>Flim and Flam despite being trandoshan, weren't anything near the stereotype of the species, Bartering in at least three different languages and guarding a large pile of assorted amenities from the spectrum of merchants and spacers at the port station. With little ceremony  Flim caught sight of you and gestured for you to come closer.
“Well will you look at that Flam? It's our good friend Anon! “
Indeed it is! What brings you out here friend? looking for some treats to hide back at the academy? Sorry to say that we’ve mostly cleaned up what these nerf herders had to offer”
>”Nothing like that fellas, I thought I’d come out here and just browse what's for sale.” It was a lie but you don't know how far did Diamond Tiaras influence reached.
“Well there's not much  to look at now, most of the spacers have already finished selling what they had, the only ones left  are waiting for their orders to be picked up.
>” Are you guys heading back soon? Id rather walk back with some company”
“What scared that some cultist will mess up your robes? You know that you just have to say some dark side sounding words and they scatter right?
>”It’s not that I just need to get past some bothans that are out for me”
“Why would rover and his gang be after you?”
>”they’re just picking on me; since I can’t fight back they think I'm a good punching bag”
“Tell you what Anon buddy, we can smuggle you in no problem but, it wouldn't be free”
>”What? you guys know I only have the robes on my back I can't pay you”
“Don’t sweat it, all we ask in return is a favor”
>”I have a feeling that I will regret it”
> As soon as you finish speaking you feel it, following your instincts with your eyes you see the smaller of the bothans  crossing one of the streets. With little hesitation you act
>” You know what? whats a favor between friends? “Today you help me out, tomorrow I help you out”
“Its a solid deal Anon you wont regret it”
> Hiding behind the merchant brothers horde you wait until they pick up shop and head back to the academy. Sure enough your deal paid off, the bothans were still patrolling the surrounding buildings when you left well hidden in the brothers haul of  the day.
>Flim and Flam weren't exactly exemplary students, sure enough  their activities were less than permitted by the academic authorities. but they managed to get away with it thanks to some well positioned friends among the acolytes that guarded the temple school. Soon you found yourself in the relative safety of the academy. After you leave Flim and Flam to their business you retreat to your personal chamber, only, to find  your bed and personal study materials gone. You weren't terribly attached to those things but what was hurting was your pride, what little you had any way. Revenge had to wait; you had more immediate problems to solve as to where you would sleep without getting assaulted and be able to hide your newly found holocron.
>The Temple used as the academy was a massive structure, built on the back and blood of countless slaves dating back to the time of the first Lords of the Sith. The chambers used for for training and housing the initiates was only a quarter of the complex; having the entrance and main hall as a general assembly area for initiates as well as working as a mess hall. Deep into the ground where the initiate rooms, as well as your classrooms were carved into the  planet's crust. What worked as a training room for combat practice were re-purposed halls near the main temple area. Inside the cliff side, where the temple was embedded, was the grandmasters quarter entirely dedicated for him and his staff. What was left of the old temple was abandoned; mostly left as a ruin from the great sith holocaust. But could provide a nice hiding place for your holocron, maybe even somewhere you could sleep undisturbed.
> After taking your ration from the distribution droids stationed in the main hall; you started to make your way into the old temple ruins.
The halls to the upper ramparts was lightly guarded. Sneaking past the acolytes begrudgingly keeping post was surprisingly easy; Other times that you met  these masked sentinels they were able to see you even when you sneaked through the shadowy corners of the temple. But today you had purpose; a drive like you never felt before. Your desire guiding you into the old temple halls.
>Even in ruins the ancient passages gave off an eerie sense of beauty. Echoes of greatness long gone vibrated through the alcoves, inner plazas and withered gardens told of a time of opulence and wealth long gone. The walls were not completely barren; some old imperial banners and tapestries still hanged conserved by the planets arid atmosphere. A pity that the ancient treasure rooms were completely pillaged by the new Sith, what untold wealth and knowledge used to reside here? You would never know. But for now  what you needed was a resting place, hidden and safe from the vorrskers and fellow initiates. Making your way to the outer hallway of the upper temple  you found a small rotunda littered with broken pillars and dusty banners. Among the rotundas walls was a small crack big enough to house a terentarak and hidden from plain sight by a small garden of stone columns; this would do nicely for your purposes.
>Ripping a few tapestries from the adjacent halls you decorated your new quarters. Far from luxurious  it would at least keep the howling desert winds from freezing you.
With just the light of the stars spilling into your new hideout you plotted what should be done for tomorrow.
>Confronting Diamond Tiara directly would be suicide; facing any of her goons would be suicide. As of now, your only asset is Fireflys holocron and even with it; others might find it more profitable to take it away from you  then join as allies. Most students did form their own factions; even Flim and Flam had some of the other initiates assisting them, but most students did betray one another quite often. Only few groups managed to stay united and it was mostly due to their respective leaders appealing to the initiates instinctual greed.
> For now dinner was at hand. Literally, this time around it seemed someone deemed that putting a bunch of beef, from parts unknown, with conserved vegetables in some sort of bread shell was decent enough for you. An odd but practical meal you thought to yourself; but one bite proved that all practicality is useless without any taste. You figured that the water ration could hold you for tonight, After a few moments of  just observing your holocron you decided to activate it; greeted by the now familiar image of Firefly she started her lecture on the different lightsaber forms; each ones strengths and weakness.
>The comforting blue glow of the holocron kept you company  as Firefly continued its history lecture on light-sabers, suddenly, the lesson was interrupted by the echos of crying. You Instinctively reacted and  hid your treasure in the rotundas cracked wall. Quickly  taking to the shadows you followed to the source of those pitiful sobs; hunched over herself you saw a girl, a fellow initiate, huddled by one of the outer hallways that oversaw the ancient temple grounds. Korribans stars lit her silky blue hair, made into a ponytail; as you crept closer you recognized her, Flim and Flam  told you about her and her peers, the Dazzling s. Sonata kept weeping into her uniform's sleeves, occasionally shivering from the night winds.
> With a sudden snap of awareness she lifted her teary eyes into the dark; she hasn’t seen you yet, A choked “who’s there?” came from her side of the hall. Hesitant you remained silent; Sonata never had antagonized you, neither had her friends, she wasn't an immediate threat, still you never had the chance to properly meet her. How much would you be risking revealing yourself? She’s clearly alone, and a trap is very unlikely.  Stepping closer,you emerged from the shadows into her sight. Holding up a hand you called out.
>”Hey, are you alright?”
>As she made eye contact with you she fumbled with something at her side, Standing up she pointed a training saber at you.
“S-stay back! I don’t know who sent you but leave me alone!
>”Whoa, whoa! I’m unarmed, see?
>Showing both hands you slowly stepped into the light so she could see you were telling the truth. Still with fear she shifted back not lowering her guard
“How do I know you’re not lying? How do I know the acolytes did not send you to find me?”
>”Why would they send an initiate when they’re perfectly capable of coming up here by themselves?”Why would anyone care where you were? Why would anyone care if you were alive?”
“That’s not true Aria and Adagi-”
>”are not here, they probably don’t even care where you are”
“...that's not true… they do care about me”
>”Maybe you’re right, maybe they’re planning on getting you back with them”
“Yeah! They must be on their way here right now.”
>”Why don’t you go back to them instead? There is nothing here
“ I can’t the acolytes are gonna see me! I got up here before it got dark so they weren't any around; Ohhhh! and I missed dinner! And we were getting tacos!”
>” That’s what you call those re-fried flat-breads? They were disgusting! I couldn't even take a bite without gagging”
“What do you know about good food? I bet you wouldn't know good food even if it you had it right in front of you”
>”I don’t. I only know what I like and I don't like tacos. I still have them if you want”
“For realsies?!! Please, please please can I have them I’m so hungry!
>” Fine! Follow me.”
>Leading the way back to the rotunda you showed her you new living quarters
“You sleep here?It’s…”
>”It serves its purpose; better than getting my life beaten out of me.”
“It’s really awful. I think it would be better to just let them kick your ass”
>”They’re not just going to beat me; they’re going to kill me.”
“What? They can’t do that who ever they are, not even Diamond Tiara can kill other acolytes and she’s super important”
>”I saw something. The headmaster is keeping most of us behind, I don’t know why but they didn't want me to see them”
“And? I don't think they’d kill you just because you saw some secret meeting?”
>”Still, I’d rather not get beaten. Here, eat”
>You handed your rations to the girl, you really don’t mind going hungry, at least for tonight.
>As she enjoys you meal you ponder: can you trust her with the knowledge of the holocron? As far as you’re concerned  Sonata, nor the other Dazzlings, haven't done anything against you, they haven’t done anything for you either; they haven’t even acknowledged that you exist.  Still, having an ally could prove useful.
“Hey, I never got your name.  I should thank you, at least for the tacos, I think”
>The break from the silence took you aback; It was a very awkward pause you endured
>“Anonymous, my name is Anonymous”
“That's a weird name, I never heard that name before.”
>”It was pretty common back on my home planet”
>Home. these ruins aren't home.
“Where was your home planet?”
> “Empress Theta, I lived in one of the smaller cities. You came here with 2 other girls?”
“Yeah! Adagio and Aria, we’re basically sisters”
>”It must be nice to have people you can trust, that are looking out for you.”
“Aren't you friends with those two trandoshans?”
>I wouldn't call them friends, at least their not out to get me.”  
“Uhm,  not everyone is out to get you Anon; even if this place isn’t that nice, not everyone here is a meanie”
>”Maybe you’re right, maybe I can enjoy my time here…”
“That's right, it wouldn't hurt to smile more, people would approach you more if you-”
>And I’d get skewered before the sun set.”
“That´s not true...”
>”It is, are you going to tell me your sisters don’t plot and plan how they can take Diamond Tiaras place? We all do, its just nature”
>She remains silent, looking away into the ruins darkness; she knew the truth, but still decided to ignore it.
>The stillness of the night passed as you started to arrange a makeshift cloth bed. Separating some of the ancient drapes for your first guest. Your voice broke the silence that reigned between you.
>”Take some of those rags and make yourself comfortable, you can stay if you like, just don’t push it”
“How can I trust you wont try anything?”
>”you can’t. just as I can’t trust that you’ll try something with that  training saber”
“ I wouldn't! I’m not like that”
>” We’re all like that. the whole galaxy is like that; just one chance and we’d  try to eat each other alive”
“That’s gross! Why would you think like that?”
>”Because I learned the truth, the same truth that the first jedi to leave their order had learned; the same truth that's being denied to you, so you can be a slave to the sith lords”
“You think you’re so smart; but you’re just as dumb as the rest of us, you can't even win a sparring match. What makes you think you’ll ever be anything but a ser-”
> A sudden flush crept your back, burning your skin under your clothes and with that heat you palm closed in front of Sonata; squeezing an invisible  object, at the same time the girls voice was cut off, replaced by desperate whimpers as air was blocked from her throat.
> Her watery eyes pleaded at you as she clutched at her neck trying to remove the invisible pressure. You weren't thinking, there was no logic or reason behind your actions, Just anger. As it faded you let go of Sonata who gasped  and coughed for air. She crawled away from you, stopped by a crumbled pillar.
“H-how? How did you do that?”
>Not sure of the way you did it, you examined your hand.
>”I learned the truth; the same one that Diamond Tiara knows and is desperate to hide from the rest of us. I don’t know if I should tell you; I want to trust that you wont try anything or tell anyone that would”
“ I won’t! I promise”
>”Promise me I can trust you and I promise I will never hurt you again”
“I do! I promise I will never tell anyone!”
>You quickly  retreated to the crack  at the back of the rotunda and retrieved your treasure. Placing it in front of Sonata it glowed and turned it’s latices summoning its guardian.
>Sonatas eyes widen and she couldn't help but express her amazement.
> You pleaded to the guardian to repeat the first lesson. Repeating word for word of the lecture the holocron greeted you with in the tomb, you couldn't help but stare at the girl.
>The soft glow on her blue skin revealed her soft features, the feminine eyes, her smooth skin, her delicate neck and your eyes couldn't help wander to her more than ample breasts. A heat crept again to your face, but this time it was different, pleasant, a heat that didn't sting like the past ones.
> You had very limited experience with girls, Back home, some girls like to tease you and giggle when you talked to the togruta girl at the playground. You weren't sure why but you liked  it when they giggled. It’s been awhile since you heard laughter, since you laughed yourself; Could you make her laugh?
>Sonata broke your entrancement with a quick “Anon, this is really important! For realsies!” You quickly averted your lewd stare and responded an awkward yes.
>”This is why we can’t tell anyone, with this we can stand up too Diamond Tiara, we won’t have to do anything we don't want to, we wont feel sadness or suffering again, we can rule the sith, we can be free!”
“Anon, thats a wonderful sentiment, but…”
>”I know it's not going to be right away but we will grow stronger, we will become powerful, If we take our time, no one will hurt us”
“But I don’t want to rule; I just want to live my life, be free with Adagio and Aria.”
>” Didn’t you listen? we can’t be free unless we gain power, If we don't rule someone else will rule us, we will suffer; its the only way Sonata”  
“I’m scared Anon; I think I should tell  Adagio and Aria”
> She promised, she's thinking on turning on you; Calm down she's just scared.
>” It’s OK, I’m scared too, but my fear warned me; my fear guided me to this. You can be afraid, but don't let it govern you; as we master the force we master fear, we master ourselves.”
“I still think we should tell Aria and Adagio, they’re much braver than me, they can help us!”
>This is a bad idea, you can’t trust those two. There’s not really any reason to doubt them they could prove to be trustworthy allies
>”Alright, we can tell them tomorrow but no one else. We can’t afford to think no one is going to steal the holocron from us”    
“You wont regret it Anon! Adagio is really smart and Aria might seem mean but she really cares for me; and they’re really good at learning ; and they fight really well; and...”
>Something is moving in the halls
>” Sonata, wait, we’re not alone; be quiet for a second”
>You stare into the shadows trying to decipher what's hidden in the dark. As your eyes become accustomed to the lack of light, you wonder if you just imaged it or if your eyes are getting tired, when you suddenly see a pair of pale red orbs flash from the shadows, barely moving out of the way a vorrsker leaps out at you with hungry maws  gnashing at you.
> Sonata arms herself with the training saber and calls out your name distracting the beast. Drawing its attention, the beast crouches ready to strike at her.
>Fear invades the room, fueling the  vorrskers hunger, you have to do something; Sonatas bravery soon drained by the beasts leer left her as an inviting meal for the animal.
>Before she could move, the vorrsker charged the pantoran girl who only managed to flinch against the creature.
>Concentrating on the monster you stretch your arms out, reaching with the force, you take a hold of the creature; Suspended in the air, it thrashed and struggled to free itself straining your concentration, threatening to break free you screamed for Sonata to react “Do it! Do it now!”
>Shaken from her stupor Sonata stabbed with all her weight into the vorrskers head. With a yelp and a final spasm you let it drop into a pool of its own blood; drowned in its own cries the animal finally stops leaving, you with the adrenaline still pumping in your veins  and your head about to split open from the effort; and Sonata trembling with a pattern of blood on her face.
> Running up to the girl you hold her shoulders Asking if she was alright. Tears swelling into her eyes she only managed to stutter the word: “ I killed him” over and over again.
>” You had no choice; it was going to kill us,  you did the right thing. Thanks to you we’re alive, you saved us Sonata.”
“Then why do I feel so awful?”
>”you're still shaken up! It’s alright, we’re safe now. It can't harm us!”
>The only thing you could think of was holding her in your arms and while she sobbed she only managed to return your pitying embrace.
>Leading her back to the crack in the rotunda you hid the holocron and wrap the both of you in one of the old rags.
> Only managing to repeat: “Its over now”, “you’re safe”, “ I'm here for you”. Sonata slowly replaced her nervous weeps with the silence of sleep.
>As you both drifted to sleep in each others embrace, you think you hear a soft “thank you” come from her soft lips. After some time, you both fell asleep, covered by darkness and warmed by each other.
__
>Surrounded your eyes darted through the forest of acolytes simply watching you; The one leading them  speaks in a deep masked voice.
“Anonymous, from Empress Theta, you are charged with invasion of sacred areas , you are to be detained until the headmaster decides your fate.”
>Having no choice but to obey you are chained by the wrists and dragged to a holding cell deep into the academy cliffs.
>You are beyond fear at this point. Still wondering if Sonata shared a similar fate, time passed building on the anxiety of your impending doom The moment the door opens you will learn of your fate.
>As one will’s imposed on the force, nothing stops the force to impose its will on us. Some sith saw the force as energy and were blinded by arrogance, other sith saw volition in the force, vaguely reported only due to the little understanding the ancient sith had.
>Hours pass,the room stays in its relative  darkness. The only light, the view hole on the metallic door; casting shadows on the crackled walls of your cell.
>You wonder when are they going to get rid of you, maybe  they won’t, maybe you over reacted  out of fear but they don't really have a reason to kill you.
>Anxiety builds up  as time goes on. Anything, even if its Diamond Tiara herself, ready to execute you, would be welcomed. But still, only the light of the view hole is the only constant.
>You're not sure if a day has passed, but you’ve been left to rot in  this damn hole, the cracks in the walls move  due to your tired eyes desperately trying to make sense of the still shadows. Still hours pass, hunger gnaws your entrails, thirst drys your mouth. Sleep comes but it is a black void that offers no rest from your prison.
>Still, you wait; something, anything  must happen, yet the only constant  is the light from the view hole.
>Finally it comes, the moment you’ve been waiting for, Someone blocks the constant light and with a heavy click of the lock the door opens spilling light and shadow into your prison.
>A familiar figure, the solitary uniform of an acolyte blocks the only exit of the room.
>You tense at the sight of the masked sith; clenching  your fists, you only manage to stare at  him
>The acolyte steps in and meets your gaze. Surprisingly you hear a woman's voice come from the mask.
“Anonymous? I’m Starlight Glimmer, I come on behalf of a friend”
>you hesitate, but   weak  whisper gurgles from your mouth: “You’re lying. Diamond Tiara is toying  with me, just get on with it and end my misery.”  
“You’ve made some powerful enemies at this school, Fate has given you even mightier allies”
>”Why would I believe you?”
“Because you have no other choice”
>You can't trust her, as far as you know she could be another follower of the headmaster, But, if she is telling the truth then she is your best and only way out”
“Quick, drink this; it will keep your hunger at bay,”
>She forces a liquid container to your mouth, pushing it  so you tilt your head and receive all of the thick drink directly to your throat.
>Feeling your stomach soothe from the lack of food, you naturally lean into her trying to get as much of the elixir as you could.
“You’ll be feeling stronger in a bit, now, listen to me carefully and do exactly as I tell you.”
>She takes your full attention as you nod  in agreement.
“In an hour, two acolytes will escort you to the headmaster to be judged, deny all of their accusations, claim that you followed the dark side to the temple ruins, demand a trial by combat, do not accept anything that they offer except for a duel to prove that the dark side favors you, after that; you will be detained again and all you have to do is wait for your allies to arrive”.  
>You are  hesitant but a firm “I understand” seals the contract, Starlight Glimmer is quick to leave you to your dark cell and as abruptly as she entered, left you.
>Questions roam your head, seeding doubt and unease; She’s toying with you, it's some sort of game for her. What will you do if she was lying? What can you do if it's a trap? For now all you can do is wait.
>Sooner than you thought, the door opens again, again the image of an acolyte blocks the way; but this time he steps in and wordlessly frees your bindings.
>Pushing you into the hall; you are leaded deep into the carved corridors. After a few turns the acolyte delivers you to a magnificently ostentatious door, depicting a scene of a pure-blood Sith, axe in hand, leading a massacre of some furred sentient species that you don't recognize.
>The doors opens in half, inviting you to step into the chamber. Old weapons, ancient maps, glittering idols and radiantly colorful tapestries.
>The large chamber housed a central desk with a matching chair facing what seemed to be a large holo-projector. From the center office a deep voice greeted you.
“Well, well, well. What am I to do with you initiate? Trespassing on to  hallowed grounds, you should have known better, and There are also rumors that you have been conspiring against your fellow initiates; to make them seem weak in front of my eyes, so you could gain some favor. I have very little tolerance for those who believe themselves able to deceive me.”
>Rising from the furnishing, Head master Filthy Rich paced in front of you, a duplicitous smile, expecting to see you crumble in fear.
“What have you to say, initiate Anonymous?”
>There is no room for doubt now.
>”Those accusations are false, I did not trespass, the Dark Side lead-”
“Lies.”
>”I-I ‘m not lying, I felt it, it called me”            
 “Did you not run from two initiates that chased you for spying on their private affairs?”
>”No, I followed the force, it lead me there, I can prove it.”
“ It doesn't matter, you are to be flailed in public and sent to the slave pits”
>”No.”
>The headmaster let out a mocking chuckle, looming near  he softly asked
“Is that fear I sense?”
>”No, I demand trial by combat; the force is at my side, it shall set me free”
>The smile faded into a scowl on Filthy Rich’s face.
“Who told you? there is no way for you to know the laws of this academy; Someone told you, confess and I might show you a merciful end”
>Just as you weighed your options an acolyte bursts through the door panting from the run to the chamber.
“My lord! Darth Scorpan is here! he came unannounced!”
>Anger was being etched on the Headmaster's face as he yelled at the desperate acolyte
“Where is he exactly?  Is he  in orbit?”
“I am right here, Lord Filthy Rich”
>The tall cloaked figure that stuck you into that transport all those weeks, Still a vortex of darkness, the only emotion that could be felt was a thick smugness coming from the dark lord.
>A pause of silence occupies the chamber, it's obvious that the headmaster was not expecting the presence of another Lord of the sith, for that matter neither were you.
>But this is your savior, you continue to breath thanks to his good grace.
>The shrouded Lord steps forth, grinning, revealing the predators teeth in his hideous maw.
“Lord Filthy Rich, this is no way to receive a fellow lord; you wound me”
>Silence still hovers over the academic director until he manages to break it with a choked response.
“Your landing on Korriban was unannounced, I would have prepared a proper welcome committee for you if-”
>Scorpan interjects, as if fueled by Filthy Rich’s doubt
“You could have done this, yes; If you weren't so busy, so busy plotting and conniving; Your ambitions betrays you, just as your emotions betray you now.”
>  Another silence  falls  over the chamber, The head master tries to keep a calm demeanor but the sweat staining his headdress calls his bluff.
“Please, headmaster, continue. I can wait for you to finish your duties; time isn't a pressing matter, for now.”
>The gruesome sith lord moves around the chamber as to clear way for Filthy Rich, as he ends his trek through the chamber he  glances to one of the acolytes as if speaking without words. The acolyte trembles with nervousness quickly bringing a chair for Darth Scorpan who Adopts a neutral expression  while watching over your judgement.
>Filthy Rich mumbled something to himself as he looked around trying to regain his bearing, Looking straight at you he restates his sentence.
“Anonymous, for your disregard of the laws of this academy, you are to be flailed and sent to the-”
> You cut into the hesitant lords uttering s  with a desperate cry.  
>”I’m innocent! I demand trial by combat! I followed the force! I demand trial by combat! I demand trial by combat! I dema-”
>Something silences your cries with an invisible hand to your throat
“You lack respect, initiate. If you are to become a lord, you must conduct yourself with the dignity that title carries”
>Darth Scorpan casually holds a hand in the air, as if softly pinching an invisible string.
>Releasing you from the telepathic hold, he rises from his seat and moves towards Filthy Rich.
“This is most disturbing, Lord Filthy Rich, an initiate claims innocence from his charges, and he challenges your authority, what are you to do?”
-”Deny him of course, I have witnesses of his disobedience, he has no evidence that he was lead by the force”
>Hunching his head to meet the Head masters stare, Darth Scorpan continued.
“Much like the lack of evidence of the forces’ existence, except for its clear manifestations in the galaxy; and much like those who disregard the force, in favor of evidence, they find themselves victim to the manifestations of the force.”
-“Is that a threat my lord?”
“A warning, my lord, it is most unwise to ignore what the galaxy whispers to us.”
“What would you have me do to this whelp?”
“Let the force decide; an initiates transgressions doesn't merit for my visit, but the noble tradition of the Kaggath does, the Dark Council asked me to evaluate the academy before their arrival, If the force truly guides the boy he will survive, possibly, even result victorious.”
-”I think that his claims do not merit such mercy”  
“It has nothing to do with mercy,  If you feel that the boy needs to be disciplined then please, whip him, then let fate chew him up”
>You quietly look around for the promised ally, doubting that the callous lord was it.
-”Very well then; Anonymous, you are to be flailed and sent back to your quarters to prepare for the Kaggath”
>”Please, my lord. I-I-”
>Darth Scorpan interrupts you
“The sentence has been given initiate, have some esteem for yourself and serve it”
> As if on cue, two acolytes cover your sides, both with studded whips, waiting for the order to begin your atonement.
>the impending pain makes you shake to your core; without warning a casual “begin” uttered from the headmaster, was your only warning.
>Silently, a third acolyte used the force to rip your upper tunic off and hold you down for punishment.
>almost immediately the first two started to strike at your naked back each crack of their whips followed by your screams, and pleas of mercy
>Lord Scorpan laughed at your  cries as he and the headmaster exited the chamber. His sadistic cackle muted by the doors as they closed.
>It wasn't quick, after the first series of whippings, pain took over the role of the third acolyte that restrained you with the force.  after a short pause they continued, and you continued your cries.
>Still the whipping continued, in short bursts the acolytes tormented you each stud burying itself in your flesh and ripping it away with the momentum  of the strikes.
>After a while you didn't care  for the pain, still, moans of anguish were all you could produce.
>Later, relief finally came as you lost consciousness from the pain.  A short  period of black gave way to  the relative safety of your room. In a bizarre turn of events, you felt no pain, trying to look over the damage caused on your back, the only thing left were small scars, already healed, as if, it happened months ago.
>A voice interrupts your disbelief, Starlights voice.
“an alchemical balm, Anonymous, We need you to be in fighting condition for the Kaggath.”
>”Why?”
“Because you must prove your innocence, and the only way to do that is fighting”
>”No, I don't mean that, why are you helping me?”
“Because we’re the same, you and I. We’re both weak, but with the power of the dark side we become strong. There are those who don't want us to be equal, they’d rather deceive us than risk  others having power.”
>”Wouldn't you prefer to have that power to yourself?”
>She covers a small giggle with her gloved hand”
“You still have much to learn”
>”Then teach me”
“Have you even seen a swarm of  fire wasps? By itself a fire wasp is just a nuisance, even the smallest of creatures but, in a swarm, even cities could fall.”
>”The weak can overcome the strong if they band together.”
“Precisely, Anon.”
>No one has called you that, not since the sith attacked Empress Tetha, not since your parents died in the bombardment.
>“Then why would Filthy Rich deliberately not train  the initiates completely? Wouldn't it make more sense to have more and stronger sith?”
“The headmaster has been blinded by his own pride; his plan to amass weak acolytes, faithful to his house that will sabotage any other Lord vying for power, is mistaken. He cares more for his own lineage than the prosperity of the order.”
>”Doesn't the code state: through strength I gain power? He acts as any sith would”
“And so do we. But there is a reason for the sith to remain in the order and not just wander out the galaxy.”
>”What reason is that?”
“Its not your time to know, for now, trust your instincts, learn from your feelings and seek all the knowledge you can. Well, if you survive the Kaggath, that is”
>” And how does Scorpan plan that on happening?”
“I'm here with you aren't I?”
>”So, How do we win a Kaggath?”
“There's no “we” in the Kaggath, there can only be one winner”
>A soft chill runs up your spine, the odds are against you, winning the damn contest , but there’s a chance that you can survive it unharmed.
>For the next few hours you and starlight go over the rules for the competition.
> First rule: There can only be one winner; be it by besting rival participants or their surrender.
> Second rule: Any means available to the participants can be used.
>Third rule: Alliances among the participants are allowed but can only be temporary so as not  confront with the first.
> Fourth rule: Initiates and acolytes are not allowed to murder one another; indirect or unintentional deaths may happen.
>Fifth rule: The Kaggath ends when a clear victor remains.
> After going through the rules with Starlight Glimmer,  you spend a few more moments just talking with her about all manner of things: Your fellow initiates, life back on Empress Theta, the awful excuse for food they served in the academy.
>It was odd, she made you feel at peace, a warm feeling you didn't have for the longest time; like you had a friend.
>She’s using you, Scorpan is using you, you can’t trust them; given the circumstances  they have done nothing to warrant distrust, as far as you're concerned they are the only ones on this planet you can trust.
>After a pleasant while, Starlight says her goodbyes and leaves you with a piece of advice.
“Find other initiates you can group up with for tomorrow, its not going to be easy and you’re going to need all the help you can get.”
>”I just have to survive right?”
“To be victorious is to survive, Anon, don't forget that”
>With those words  Starlight Glimmer leaves you to the solitude of your room and to ponder how to actually win the Kaggath.
>You start to think of possible allies for tomorrow; the trandoshan brothers, Flim and Flam, seem to be the best bet even though you still owe them for smuggling you back into the academy; the three adopted sisters every one calls the Dazzlings, you don't actually know them except for Sonata, maybe, she can speak on your behalf to the other two.
>Still neither of them seem as safe option, as far as you know, none of them won't just help you win;  its more likely that the brothers might ask you to just surrender to them to repay your favor; you need something that will make you a desirable ally.
>And at that moment the memory of Fireflys’ holocron returns; the secret pyramid of knowledge, the key to obtaining the strength you need.
>Rushing to the upper galleries of the sith temple, you notice that there are no acolytes guarding the entrances, with some luck  you can go in and get it out without anyone noticing.
>It takes some time but you manage to return to your temporary hideout in the rotunda, the vorrskers corpse from yesterday was removed and so were the tapestries; maybe Filthy Rich found it? Maybe an acolyte took it for themselves?  
>No, you can feel it, still in hiding, like if it knew the knowledge contained in the pyramid was your only salvation.
>Removing it from the cover of the hole you feel a soft warmth emanating from it, the path to freedom starts with it, the path to power.
>Storing it in your uniforms pocket  ready to make way,back to your room, you hear Sonatas familiar voice echo through the ruins halls, followed by two other voices.
>Now is the moment you find out if they are trustworthy; Focusing on them you use the fallen columns of the rotunda to stay hidden, unseen, unheard, safe from prying eyes.
>You should have suspected Sonata would betray your trust, without even trying to let you know, she lead those two too the holocron. But you are still in need of friends, useful friends.
>As they bicker and insult each other over their frustration, you step out into the open, they seem to preoccupied with each other to notice you.
 
 
 
__