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While her apprentice Phoenix had engaged in his training mission on the moon of Dxun, Darth Suspiria aka Adriel Jailene Tilar had decided to engage in one of her own. A mission which was to 'change' everything. She piloted the Ebony Griffin, her WR-542 Shooting Star towards the surface of Onderon. The only reason she had secaped when the other thieves had been apprehended was that this little ship was fast. Very fast. A real sweet flier. Though considered outdated now, it was the only ship she required. Nothing ostentatious for her, it was not Adriel's way. It suited her in size and its droid brain was all the help she needed for landing and take off. Adriel loved to wander in it on her own and often did just that. It had a hyperdrive and a turret that held two laser cannons. It sufficed for her needs quite admirably.
She approached the planet and entered its atmosphere. The speedy little ship was known for the long beautiful tail it left during re-entry and she streaked acroos the sky heading for the spaceport on the outskirts of the planet's capital city Iziz. She only planned on landing briefly then moving onward to her true destination. Adriel requested permission from the control tower to land and it was granted. She landed at the spaceport and took a waiting speeder to the library complex. She remained there for some time studying maps and looking up information in both ancient scrolls and mor modern computer data entries. She entered everything into her personal datapad and eventually completed her research. Upon leaving the building Suspiria went to a nearby marketplace to pick up supplies. Now she was ready. Adriel went back to the spaceport and loaded everything into the Shooting Star's storage compartments. She sat in the pilot's seat and commed the tower once again. Lifting off, she flew towards the Onderonian moon of Dxun where her apprentice Phoenix and Darth Serratus were involved in a training mission. She was not however going to to the part of the moon where they were engaging in adventure. She flew over Kira Fortress the home of beastriders and continued onward finally ascending beyond the planet's atmosphere. Onlookers on the ground saw a blaze of flames in the dusk sky, a fiery comet's tail of incandescent light.
Darth Suspiria was here for a reason. When researching this mission for her apprentice's training she had come upon a great deal of information. Here on the Dxunian moon was the hidden tomb of Freedon Nadd. He had been a Dark Lord of the Sith, a Jedi who had turned to the Dark Side. His power had been great and he was a collector of artifacts and relics. After his physical death he had continued to influence other Sith namely a fallen Jedi like himself, Exar Kun. In the end, Kun had managed to banish Freedon Nadd's spirit to th netherworld of the Force forever with an amulet. Or so it was said. She wished to go to the tomb to see if the Dark Side was still strong there and to meditate in its presence. Darth Suspiria also loved artifacts and her research had revealed that many had been entombed with him in Mandalorian iron. The tomb had been breached by Exar Kun but afterwards resealed. Was there a way in? She wondered to herself as she piloted the shuttle towards the moon's surface. Suspiria set her sensors to searching for man-made structures on the western side of the moon. This was where her information led her to believe that she would find the tomb. Then Adriel had a strange feeling of a disturbance in the Force and wondered what it could be. She looked at her ship's instruments again. Everything seemed to be in order. The surface of the moon was now clearly visible and she piloted the shuttle lower. The moon had many forests and vicious creatures inhabited them. A sensor blip occurred and she looked at the data and coordinates. About 10 clicks from her position was a fairly large triangular structure. She zoomed in on the area and looked at the view screen. It had to be the tomb! It was weathered now by the long years covered in mosses and other fauna. Trees surrounded it. Wind had blown piles of dirt and leaves against the structure. To the naked eye, devoid of visual aids it might have appeared to be a hill, part of Dxun's surroundings. In this still and forsaken place the bones of Freedon Nadd lay forgotten. Only the stones and the small mindless creatures that inhabited the night lamented his demise. Suspira looked for a clearing to land. Open space was sparce however in the dense jungle and it was necessary to set down about five clicks from the tomb. No one had been there since Darth Bane and the trees had reclaimed their own. It was dark now and Adriel chose to wait until morning to travel to the tomb. She had a speeder, but the trees were so dense she knew going on foot would probably be necessary. This moon had fierce predators as inhabitants and she decided attempting it would be foolhardy. Adriel had a frugal meal of bread, cheese, fruit and water then prepared for a good night's sleep. That same strange feeling of a disturbance in the Force came to her and she looked again at the ship's instrument panel. Nothing out of the ordinary could be found. She slid the hatch of the ship open for a moment and breathed in the air. Only the night wind assailed her senses, clean and fresh. Suspiria shook her head and closed the door, sealing it against the possibility of attack. What could that strange intuition be caused by? She was certain it would be revealed to her eventually.
In the morning she rose, and once again had a simple meal. She made certain to have two canteens of water and set out, sealing the shuttle's door with a numeric code and closing the cover over the small terminal. Adriel moved warily wondering which of the moon's fell beasts she would encounter first. She had brought her blaster pistol, lightsaber and throwing daggers with her. She was quite proficient all of them, that she knew. Animal control was a force power she had been practicing on Kuat and hoped that it would serve her well. Twigs snapped beneath her feet and she moved steadily onward. Suddenly out of the deep underbrush came a creature she knew was a Boma. It was carniverous and immediately attacked. She was prey too tasty-looking to pass up. Boma had been known to kill the Mandalorians who had once inhabited the moon. Adriel fired her blaster pistol several times in succession and the boma fell dead before it could reach her. She looked down at the homely, squat creature with its clawed feet and krinkled her nose. She stepped over it and moved on her way. The next one won't be so easy. Something prickled her thoughts and she looked around. What was that again? She continued to hike through the jungle, diagnal to the tree line, heading in a northwesterly direction. Then a huge scream broke the silence. Small trees snapped and plants gave way as they were trampled by the coming of the giant predator. A huge red lizard the size of a tank came out of the jungle. It screeched, a horrible noise that pierced the eardrums and charged. A Zakkeg!
Utilizing her force powers Darth Suspiria jumped high into the air, over the monster She landed on its other side, and it wheeled dirt flying to attack again. It's mouth dripped salivates and beady eyes bore into her. She knew this creature had few weaknesses and was heavily armored. Aim for the eyes, she told herself. She fired her blaster pistol again and again, aiming for the creature's eyes. it careened directly at her and she was bowled over. Adriel leapt to her feet as the creature turned again. Blood poured from a deep cut to her arm, and she was angry now. Using force speed Suspiria sped towards the creature, firing her pistol andd with her lightsaber out. She ignited it with a crack-hiss and as force speed carried her by the creature she stabbed directly at its eyes. The lightsaber blazed as it struck home, the violet blade shearing through the armor to strike an awful blow. The creature twisted its great bulk, knocking her sideways. Now blood poured from her leg where the creature's armored tail had struck her. The two combatants, one human, one bestial faced each other across the small clearing. Spittle dripped from the creature's mouth and a green substance oozed from the blasted eye. It hissed its fury and as its charge ensued, Adriel used force jump. She soared high in the air and landed on the creature's back. Lightsaber in one hand, blaster pistol in the other, she fired shot after shot into the massive head, while stabbing with the lightsaber. The Zakkeg writhed in agony, and she was almost hurled off. Finally however, Adriel prevailed. The creature stumbled to its horny knees, head lolling forward. Using the lightsaber like a saw, she hacked through the thick armor, the heat of it making the armor plates crack and curl. Finally she hawsered her way through the main muscle and nerves that held the creature's head and allowed movement. The domed skull dropped and as the creature fell Adriel leapt, landing not far from it. Blood was everywhere, and she watched the unmoving creature for a second until certain that it would not rise again. From the pack she carried, Adriel took some bandages and then some water from the canteen. She washed and dressed her wounds, then concentrated on them a bit with the Force. Healing was a Jedi not a Sith skill. Should she go back? I hate to after coming this far. Suspiria resolved to go forward and did, though slower and with greater caution. She hobbled a bit, but otherwise continued the journey without further interruptions. Though trees surrounded the Tomb, the growth was still thinner here than in other parts of the jungle. As she approached the area of the complex, that tingle returned, stronger this time. She studied her surroundings, reaching out with the Force. Something is here. I know it is. What I don't know. No doorway was visible from the southeastern side of the tomb and she approached closer, beginning to search for an entryway. Suddenly a lilting voice spoke, astounding her. "Och tis a Sith limmer ye be. Where di ye think yer going? Nay in there. Busk te dee, lassie."
Adriel turned, stunned. There in the thinnest area of the complex's surroundings in what would have once been a clearing stood a woman. She had long red hair with beads at the ends. Her face was freckled and her eyes as green as an emerald. She wore a long cloak with silver embroidery. A dragon emblazoned the pocket area and scrolled down the sleeves. She wore a familiar tunic. A Jedi! That is the disturbance I have been feeling. Now Suspiria knew what the premonition was. "What do you want Jedi? Why did you follow me here? Who are you? Is it battle you desire? So be it. I am Darth Suspiria of the Eternal Empire. Perhaps it is you who should prepare to die." Adriel ignited her lightsaber. Snap-hiss seemed to echo as the Jedi ignited hers as well.
"I be Khelsia Erain Jobert, Jedi Knight of the New Republic. Why be ye here? Te seek the Dark Side in this forbidden place? That tomb will be yer mooles. Tis glad ey be tae redd the galaxy of yer kynd. Nae screed necessary. Any hindermaist wirds afore I sneddit yer pate?" The green eyes gleamed and Khelsia raised her lightsaber taking up an en garde position. Adriel followed suit and the two women bowed to each other. Neither doubted this was a fight to the death. They circled, booted feet crunching the gravel as each sought an advantage over the other. Then Suspiria struck first, feinting forward then moving in with a slash towards her opponent's midsection. Khelsia blocked the parry and retreated back a few steps. She then advance-lunged slicing at Adriel's right shoulder. Adriel blocked and the two women parried back and forth, seeking to find the other's weaknesses.
"Tis a mirkie sowel ye be Sith lewl." Khelsia taunted Adriel. The Sith Master ignored her however and continued the battle. Suspiria fleched using force speed to pass her opponent, slashing as she went by. She had drawn first blood. Khelsia hissed and feinted. She ballestra-lunged throwing Adriel off balance and slashing at her side. Adriel gasped as pain blossomed in her. The two women warriors retreated momentarily, collecting themselves. Almost as one they both raised their hands. From Adriel's fingertips came red-tinted Force Lightening and from Khelsia's a shade closer to white. The lightening struck and the two combatants were blasted backward, each by the other's assault. They lay on the ground, unmoving for a few seconds. Then they began to struggle back to their feet, each trying to be the first to rise. Adriel made it to an upright position first, and fired more force lightening at her opponent who was still on the ground. Khelsia yelled. "Skilly aiblins ye be Sith, but nay enough!" She managed to rise onto one arm and in an unexpected movement threw a small dagger which hit Adriel in the shoulder. She gasped in pain and the lightening stopped as she attempted to pull out the dagger.
Khelsia was now on her feet and she charged into the fray. The two women, lightsabers forgotten for the time being rolled on the ground, striking and hitting one another. Khelsia fought like a madwoman. "Tis a shangie ye want, tis a shangie ye get! Here be a cloot for ye!" She hit Adriel in the face and more blood spurted, this time from a broken lip. Now Suspiria began to feel the anger rising and she fed her connection to the Dark Side with it. She used Force Push sending Khelsia tumbling backwards across the relatively open area. She then ran and leapt, landing boots first on the other woman. Ribs snapped beneath her feet. The Jedi Knight however would not be so easily defeated, and Force Pushed Adriel off of her, sending her flying to hit her head hard on a tree. Adriel lay in a crumbled heap at the foot of the trunk as Khelsia grabbed her long black hair attempting to cut her throat with a second dagger. Adriel however held the arm away, finally palm-striking the other woman in the face with her free hand. Both of them were now injured and the fight was becoming more desperate.
On their feet once again, the two lightsabers, violet and silver shone cold and deadly. Theclash as the blades glissaded was immense. Sparks sprayed all around, raining down on them and starting a small fire in the fallen leaves. The weapons twirled and the two women stabbed and jabbed, parried and slashed. Both were now wounded in several places. Each one of them had a dagger in one hand and fought with their lightsaber in the other, their fury so intense that all technique was abandoned. Adriel sliced at Khelsia, striking her in the face with the dagger. Khelsia struck back, slashing at Adriel's neck. Crimson stained the plants on the ground and the two fought close to the tomb now.
The combatants breathing was becoming labored and neither had spoken in some time. Both were focused on the battle, and the damage they had done to one another was terrible to behold. Adriel's hair was drenched with blood as was the front of her shirt. Khelsia was missing an eye, only a bloody socket could be seen. Both were weakened, almost staggering with pain and blood loss. Yet they continued to fight, the hatred of their two disparate philosophies would allow no other outcome. Khelsia coughed, and blood formed around her mouth. She Force Pulled Adriel towards her and then tried to use Force Choke. With her strength fading, the Jedi was unable to maintain it and Adriel Force Pushed her away. They gasped for air. "Ey will scutter ye Sith cow. Tis snell tae come tae this." Adriel's eyes flashed and she said, "I will end you Jedi!" The lightsabers clashed once again, then the two warriors retreated. Adriel could touch the tomb, and she manuevered a little further away, not wanting to be trapped. Suddenly Khelsia attacked, and Adriel counter-attacked. The blades engaged, they compound-riposted, feinting and parrying.......back and forth.......back and forth. The conversation of the lightsabers as they struck...rat...tat...rat...tat echoed in the depths of the jungle. Khelsia and Adriel twirled and danced, lunged, retreated and attacked. They disengaged and engaged, over and over. Neither was in good condition, but both refused to give up or surrender. The two engaged and Adriel slid under Khelsia's blade, slashing across her midsection. The bronze-haired woman gasped and managed to get in a strike of her own. As blood stained the front of her tunic and internal organs began to spill, she got in one last blow. Her blade came down on Adriel's arm, cutting it off near the elbow. Adriel fell over backwards hitting the side of the tomb. Khelsia crumbled, attempting to hold coils of intestine from sliding between her fingers and she landed on her knees. The two women looked at one another and realized what they had done. A panel in the tomb slid open as Adriel bumped into it and she landed inside. The door slid back across sealing her within.
Adriel felt the overwhelming presence of the Dark Side, this place was imbued with it. All other Forces were diminished here. She drew it into her lungs, dank rank air and all, attempting to give herself strength. She could feel the Force all around her, yet not the presence of Freedon Nadd. It was true then, his spirit had been banished to the netherworld. She held the stump of her arm close to her chest, and felt herself shaking. The dagger wounds were bleeding profusely and she tried to staunch them, using her lightsaber blade as a cauterizing agent. Her pain was immense and everything seemed far away. Her life's essence was pumping from the neck wound and the arm. She was having trouble stopping the flow. She lay on the cold stone floor of the tomb in the inky blackness, and the Dark Side offered no solace. She was utterly alone. Adriel reached out with the Force, attempting to communicate. [i]"Darth Crozeus, Dark Warrior. I am on Dxun, grieviously wounded and trapped inside Freedon Nadd's tomb. I have fought a Jedi Knight here named Khelsia Erain Jobert. If I should perish, I ask one boon. Avenge me."
Outside the tomb, it was apparent that request was unnecessary. A hand could be seen protruding from the undergrowth. As the insects buzzed closer a figure could be seen upon the ground, red hair spread out. The legs were bent in an unnatural position. Crimson stained the woman's tunic and puddled in the plants. The eye that remained intact no longer shone a brilliant emerald. It was instead the color of dull, unripe fruit, discarded upon the jungle floor by a careless breeze. It stared unseeingly at the sky and the chest of Khelsia Erain Jobert did not move. One hand was splayed across her stomach to no avail. Soon the limbs would stiffen. Not a sound came from the surroundings, not a leave stirred by a fitful wind. The sound of death was silence.
Inside the tomb, Adriel Jailene Tilar's breathing was shallow, her pulse reedy. She lay contemplating on what had been. A scarlet bubble formed on her lips and.......popped. A second did the same, then a third. Her remaining hand shook and her legs trembled. Her breathing began to slow, a rasp then a rattle could be heard now in the chamber. The rise and fall of her chest became less distinct and blood poured from her ears. Adriel felt the coming of the darkness.
She flew along the silver cord and the pool was dark, no light shimmered there. A black wolf sat at the edge of the woods, waiting. After a while it turned, and disappeared into the trees. A baleful howl could be heard. The glade was dim, and faded away to nothingness.
A sigh escaped, to flee the crypt. Her chest rose no more and her violet eyes turned black and rolled upward, sightless.
In the corner of the room a holocron suddenly glowed and in its depths could be seen the brown plains of Kuat. A mirthless laughter could be heard jubilant in triumph. The stone bridge came into view. Across the fields, in the rock-strewn canyons and among the deep green forests that accursed wind would forever blow, until Kuat was no more.
A final thought....
Mice scamper now among the bones
The years took a terrible toll
Silent planet only the wind doest moan
Across the empty hills and knolls
Upon the field the deer still roam
For on this world gone cold
Bitter hatred too deep was sown.
Death came and claimed even the bold.
Finiti.
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Not get the body.
