Noventa - A Star Wars Story

Nygmus' smile turned bolder, much more prideful in his student, while Rhaina's posture relaxed, her head tilting upwards, showing her own pride in her daughter. The Seneschal stepped forwards, clapping a hand onto Runi's shoulder. "You show great wisdom beyond your years, young one. Perhaps this Galaxy is yours to Forge into your image." He spoke again, turning his head slightly. "I only hope to see the glory of your achievements." Grinning, he then looked to the Inquisitor.

"To see you as the leader of all of Mandalore, your father would be proud." The Inquisitor beamed as she spoke, yet keeping herself wary of the milennia old Sith Lord.

"Well... basically exactly what I was saying - take over the galaxy, but in a functional way," she said simply and calmly, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. "I'll use being Mand'alor as a test run... The Darksaber is wasted on Bo-Katan Kryze anyway."

She tapped her lips. "The galaxy at large will have to be handled politically. Military takeover is both unsustainable and a waste of resources when you can get people to participate cheerfully in keeping themselves in line instead."

The two powerful Force users stopped, looking to Runi. Nygmus had a small curl to his lips, as he regarded her. "What did you have in mind, my child?" His words were soft, even showing affection.

Her mother crossed her arms across her chest, an eyebrow raised.

Rhaina shrugged calmly. "You still ended up locked up for twenty thousand years. Both orders fell. And one built on the old will, as well," she said. After a thoughtful pause, she said, "Both had valuable things to take from them, though. It's time to take those lessons and build something better than either, I think."

Rhaina shot a look to Runi, not really that of betrayal, but of deep consideration. "I can't say that you're necessarily wrong." She was still seething though, that the way the Seneschal seemed to just speak so condescendingly. It wasn't the message. It was the messenger. "But his ideas are only so self-fulfilling. He represents an order than collapsed on itself, because eventually, teachers get brought down by their students." Narrowing her eyes again, looking to Nygmus. "No matter how much power they had."

For his part, Nygmus never allowed himself to show any emotions being brought forth, other than a being of absolute control. "The mighty survived, the weak died. That is the law of the universe, and of the True Sith. And as you can see, I have been very mighty so far. Even when they tried to stop me, they failed in that regard. Only delayed the inevitable." There was a hint of something in his words, the first crack in his perfectly patient demeanor.

Runi sighed and rubbed her face. "You both have flaws and blind spots."

"As to that... Any New Order that's based on the Empire's ideas is going to bear its flaws as well, which means it will be short-lived at best, since its founders were long-sighted on gaining power and short-sighted on keeping it. I think you have so much more potential than keeping a bad idea on life support. And there's so much more to the galaxy than its government."

"At the same time, we can't ignore how people are running the galaxy, because the Force seems to like sentients. But I think there's a better road for it, and for the Force Sensitives in it, than the nonsense that was the Empire."

"He is wrong." Her anger was cold, but focused. "This is a place where a New Order will begin. Something that will truly bring Peace and Order to the galaxy." Rhaina looked to her daughter, not quite shocked, but not in full belief either.

"He represents something long dead, that was doomed from the start. He only speaks out of jealousy and forgotten memories." Her eyes narrowed, the grip on her saber tightening.

For his part, Nygmus stood stoically, his own broadsaber unwavering. "I speak as a man of clarity and vision. Removed from bias and perceived superiority. To continue on your course would only destroy you, and your daughter." The self confident smirk never left.

"Even a perfect being like you is fallible."

Runi looked over to her mother thoughtfully. She said, in a quiet and calming voice, "Mom... I wouldn't have put it that way, but he's not wrong. The Empire is a walking corpse."

She paused and continued, "It was never going to live long." She turned toward her. "You implied to me you joined out of a need for survival. But staying with it now is just... throwing good money after bad. If you'll pardon the expression."

Nygmus didn't say a word, watching the way that Runi wordlessly answered him. He stepped, footfalls heavy, closer to the pair. Regarding the Inquisitor brought forth to him with a cold detachment. Then, he turned, walking away from the pair. "I don't believe that her talents are needed here, Runi." He spoke coldly, looking over his shoulder to his student. "Whatever this... Empire... was, she has aligned herself with a shadow of it, that is on a course for it's own destruction out of hubris." His eyes narrowed. "I pity you." The words weren't spoken with malice or barbs, just mere observation.

The Inquisitor looked back to him, her eyes narrowing, as a flash of anger was felt radiating off her. "Arrogant." She spat out, her hand quickly moving to her hip, drawing and igniting the circle-hilted lightsaber, the crimson blade extending with the familiar snap-hiss. Her position was one of power and control, raising her chin as she regarded the ancient Sith Seneschal.

For his part, Nygmus drew his blade, the broad bladed lightsaber connected to a power cell at his waist, the humming noise of it filling the air as lightning arced through the air.

"She knows it is true, Runi. That this Imperial Admiral is only delaying the inevitable, yet here your mother stands, working with her, instead of pursuing something deeper and more meaningful."

She nodded. He wasn't wrong. There was no need for a verbal answer. Her body language was as unafraid as it has always been around him, despite the palpable aura of fear that still clung to the world around him. Fear seemed to flow off her.

The man regarded the two women for a long moment. He took in Rhaina's armor, her cloak, assessing the situation. "She is... with the Imperials who arrived the night before last, yes?" Raising an eyebrow at that, looking to Runi. His voice wasn't raised. Questioning, yes. His steps in the armor were heavy, but deliberate, almost delicate even, as he came down from his observation point.

Yet his fierce gaze remained on Runi, waiting for her to answer. Even as he felt the presence of the woman with them.

Runi gestured to her mother. "Lord Nygmus, this is my mother, Rhaina Fadel. Mom, this is Lord Nygmus," she introduced. Addressing the man, she says, "I apologise for not asking first, but I figured she'd want to meet you."

"I can feel it, daughter. The strength, the power here." The Inquisitor had removed her mask completely, her hair flowing free in the rain and wind as she marched behind Runi. She breathed in the cold air, smiling to herself as she picked up her pace, following the Carmine Mandalorian. Her hands were loose at her side, rain dripping from the gloved fingers, as they marched up the mountain. Though the Dark Side permeated all, she did not show any concern. She, and her daughter, could handle anything that came their way.

As they came over a cresting ridge, a certain figure was already there, waiting. Wearing the heavy ancient Sith Armor, his gauntlet covered hands folded behind his back, lightsaber at his hip. He seemed to be smiling, or at least content, looking over the cliff as lightning cracked through the late morning sky.


Human | Commmanding |Fearsome | Stronger in the Force Than You

"Runi. I see you've brought some company." He spoke calmly, before turning, the easy smile on his lips as he watched the pair. His eyes widened for a moment, the only bit of expression that broke through his usual casual glace he always maintained. "Oh... now this is most interesting..."

Runi trekked through the mountains from her transport, eyes ahead and watching the landscape. She had her axe strapped on - the world was more dangerous with the Dark Side so strong here. She reached out through it, seeking her mentor as she led her mother through the landscape.