PART II: RECKONING
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CHAPTER TEN
--Kursid, six months ago--
The sound of thunder rolled through the arid fields of Kursid. Lightning struck the horizon, lashing out from black clouds. Not a single ray of sunlight shone on the planet; whether it was night or day, no one knew nor cared to find out.
A large procession of a dozen moved through the dry lands, walking in an orderly single file. Not a single piece of clothing covered their blood-red bodies, leaving them fully exposed to the harsh icy winds. Waiting for the parade at their destination were three figures -- two males and one female -- all dressed in simple dark robes. Black tattoos of archaic designs marked their red faces, and their eyes glowed yellow.
Once the procession had come to a stop before the trio, one of the three -- an aged Iktotchi male -- raised his arms in greeting.
"Welcome, children, and congratulations for making it this far. You twelve were the only ones out of fifty to make it through the trials. Without food, water, or clothing, you have fully embraced the dark side and have become one with it. His Darkness Valtheran has truly blessed you."
He gestured to the leader of the procession, a muscular man with long black hair. He stepped forward and, at the Iktotchi's beckoning, knelt before him.
"What is your name, child?" the horned Iktotchi asked.
"Haarkon, my lord."
"Haarkon, you have been blessed by His Darkness Valtheran and been marked his disciple." As soon as the Iktotchi had spoken, the robed woman -- a Twi'lek -- stepped forward and dropped a pair of arthropods onto the man. Immediately the pincerbugs started to move all across Haarkon's bare form. He screamed in pain as their venom burned into his skin, creating patterns along his body.
"Fear is our fuel," the three robed ones said in unison. "Anger is our conduit. Hate is our weapon. And through suffering, we are one."
Finally, the screams ended and the bugs returned to the Twi'lek's hands. Panting heavily, Haarkon stood to his full height, baring his new tattoos with pride.
"We are the Marked."
* * *
"Barbaric, isn't it?"
Standing next to Varon as they witnessed the ritual from afar, Karis folded her arms. "And yet somehow I'm not surprised someone like Prodd came from a cult like this."
"It also produced Zashra," Varon said. "I suppose they're not all savages."
Karis snorted. "So long as they're useful."
Varon glanced at her. "You sound doubtful, Karis. Do you not think they'll be enough to destroy the Jedi?"
The winged woman did not look at him, keeping her icy gaze on the continuing ceremony. "It's not the Jedi I'm worried about."
"Then what?"
"The three scions of Vader."
At this, Varon's hands started to curl into fists, his breathing becoming heavier with anger. "You overestimate their abilities," he muttered. "They won't pose a threat at all."
"Are you sure of that?" Karis asked, raising an eyebrow. "They must be strong in the Force."
"Strong or not, they won't stop us, even with their fellow Jedi. With our combined strength, they will be outmatched." Varon then turned, walking away from the scene. "Besides, they aren't the only ones with someone of Vader's bloodline."
Karis blinked, looking back confusedly at the retreating Varon. "Are you saying... we do?"
"Yes. And he will prove most useful when the time is right."
--Kesh--
The last few rays of sunlight shined across the Takara Mountains. The Sith Temple appeared gold under the light.
Darish Vol, Grand Lord of the Sith tribe, stood outside the temple on a cliff edge, watching as the sun slowly vanished behind the horizon. As the cool night air started to set in, he sensed someone approach him from behind.
"You'll have to do better than that if you plan to kill me," Darish said darkly.
The man behind him softly chuckled. "Now, what would ever give you that idea?"
"Here I am, standing on the edge of a cliff, alone and vulnerable. Who wouldn't take the opportunity to take the title of Grand Lord when it is made easy for them?"
The other Sith came to stand next to him, his blond hair shining brightly as a ray of light hit his face. He looked at the Grand Lord with a smirk. "Please. You know I always do things the hard way."
Darish considered this. "True," he admitted. "You would probably try to make the mountain shake to topple me over the edge."
"You know me too well." The other man fell silent for a moment, watching the sunset, before saying, "So, any word from our 'protector?'"
Darish shook his head. "I have not heard from him. He did say it would be some time before we were needed. I imagine he is getting other things prepared."
"Are you certain of that?" the Sith Lord asked, raising an eyebrow. "For all we know, he could be leading us on."
"You think someone affiliated with Taral would deceive us?"
"For all we know, he could have been deceiving Taral, or Taral us. If I were you, I would err on the side--"
Darish whirled on him, anger in his eyes. "You are not me, Xaros. You never will be. For as long as I still breathe, I shall do everything under my power to make sure you never become Grand Lord."
Xaros stared back at him evenly. "You are welcome to try, my lord."
The two men stared each other down. It wasn't until the sun had completely vanished behind the horizon did Xaros break eye contact, turning and walking away. Darish watched him leave before following him back to the temple.
--Elsewhere--
"A new age is upon us. Can you feel it?"
The man in black kept his head down as he knelt before his master. "Yes," he replied, his voiced altered by his mask.
The tall figure before him leaned back in his seat, fingers tapping against the armrest. "As with any such transitional period, there shall be many changes, large and small. Some which may even affect you."
"I am prepared to face them, Supreme Leader."
"Are you? Even you, master of the Knights of Ren, have never faced such a test. In time, you will be faced with a choice. Whatever your decision is, it will create ripples that shall influence the course of everything. Are you confident that you shall make the right choice?"
"I shall. I will not fail you, Supreme Leader."
The figure chucked as his image started to flicker and fade. "We shall see."
Once the Supreme Leader had vanished completely, Kylo Ren rose to his feet and walked out of the chamber.
The long night had begun.
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