The greatest structure still standing on the volcanic moon of Oricon, the ruined fortress that once served as the headquarters of the Dread Masters, remains as a beacon of darkness. Impenetrable at its heart, the fortress is surrounded by a lava moat with a single bridge for access with walls two stories high and crafted of the hardest permacrete. Its walkways and open courtyards are decorated with eternally-burning braziers, hanging and broken chains, and even plaques and murals depicting acts of tyranny and strength. Statues, obelisks and pillars show signs of aging, crumbling, cracked and ruined, though their fearsome, ancient Sith visages still stand as a testament to the Dark Side and the imposing power that the masters of the fortress willed upon their visitors.

Down into the central palace and through one of the two sets of staircases lays the ruins of the atrium. It has long been looted for all of its artifacts and knowledge, left bare by the raiding and marauding of treasure hunters and researchers. Four side-chambers lead down, two to the left and right, deeper - these rooms, all abandoned, hold obelisks fused into the very stonework of the floor. Ancient Sith wisdom is etched into each one - messages of fear, of control, of domination and madness alike.

At the very rear of the palace is a large, tall stairway, leading up into what can only be considered the throne room of the wicked Council. A seven-sided platform sits atop a bottomless pit, with the walkway from the doorway taking up one side flanked by six green crystals. The remaining six edges are dedicated to walkways ending in a dais, resting upon which are the tall thrones topped with crystal where the ancient Masters of Dread once sat. Here, you can feel the twisted knots in the flow of the Force, plucked and pulled at with a more powerful grasp than you could ever hope to possess. As you approach the center of the massive platform, you hear footfalls behind you. The deathly silence is finally broken.

Darkblade marveled at the sights before him, the entire temple had been a sight to behold and truly respect the power of the Dark Side. As he heard footsteps behind him, the Seeker felt the very familiar Force presence of the Marauder approaching him. The light steps of the young Twi’lek were catlike, almost as if Tasha was trying to sneak up on the Anzat.

Their relationship had soured as Darkblade had listened to his instincts and fed on her on Dentavii Prime a few months ago. Whilst both of them had matured and moved on, there had never been a word spoken about those events after it had happened. Now, as equals and Quaestors of their respective House in Naga Sadow, it was time to take this opportunity to talk and settle their past history once and for all. This was not only for themselves, but also for the Clan. Two opposing Quaestors wanting to slaughter each other was not good for Clan morale.

The calm atmosphere of the Twi’lek amused the Anzat, knowing full well how hard it was to maintain such a composure standing before someone you disliked.

“It is nice to finally meet you again, Tasha’Vel Versea.” Darkblade spoke slowly and deliberately as he turned to face her and bowing slightly. The sign of respect catching the female off guard as she quickly returned the gesture.

Tasha was truly a sight to behold. Her blue skin had always attracted the young Anzat, one of the main reasons he had succumbed to feeding on her so many months ago. Her lekku seemed to dance and taunt him with every slight movement the Marauder made. Licking his lips, the Anzat breathed in deeply and allowed his proboscis to slither out from the pockets near his nose that they usually rested in.

“You smell delightful as always, I wonder if you taste any different than your Grandfather’s spirit who sacrificed himself to preserve your life force?” Darkblade asked quizzically with a threatening smile.

The air around the two Quaestors grew with tension, the Dark Side emanating radiantly from the Anzat as he stood before the Twi’lek.

“I’ll have you know I studied every single part of your anatomy, Anzat. I will be able to inflict pain on you like you have never felt before if you attempt to feed on me or anyone under my protection. I wasn’t strong enough back on Dentavii Prime, and paid the ultimate sacrifice for that. Now I am educated in your ways and do not wish to be easy prey again.” Tasha responded nonchalantly, placing her hands on her hips as she looked into the eyes of Darkblade.

That's interesting, the Anzat thought to himself as he raised an eyebrow.

“An impressive place you picked out to meet.” The Seeker stated as he started to walk towards the dias of one of the thrones once occupied by the Masters of Dread. Walking up the few steps to the chair, he reached out and caressed the throne with his hands, feeling the edges carved with precision. The armrests were smooth and felt cold, yet seemed to pull the Dark Jedi ever closer to it. He turned and sat down, slumped backwards and rested his arms lazily on the throne.

“This suites me well doesn’t it?” Darkblade asked with a laugh.

“Only if you want to rule nothing and become a forgotten memory of the past.” Tasha retorted. Grinning as she noticed a flash of anger pass across the face of the Anzat.

“I have asked you here for one reason only. We are to settle our differences in a duel, deciding which of us is actually the better. We are here now at equal strength, nothing stands in our way to distract us, and I would like nothing more to put you in your place where you belong, Anzat.” The blue Twi’lek spat the last word with clear contempt in her voice.

Darkblade caught the familiar sight of the Marauder’s Echani blade as Tasha reached into her robes and procured her lightsaber. Taking a stance that left little room for further talk, Tasha’Vel Versea stood waiting for Darkblade to meet her as she ignited her crimson red blade. Pointing it towards Darkblade, she issued the challenge silently.

The Anzat smiled down on the Quaestor of Marka Ragnos. As he slumped forwards, he placed his elbows on his knees and folded his hands underneath his chin as he rested it on them. Cocking his head slightly to the left he spoke words that sent a chill down Tasha’s spine.

“Let’s hope the sacrifice of your Grandfather was not in vain. As Quaestor it would be unnecessary to kill each other, the duel will last until one of us is no longer in state to fight, the last one standing proclaimed the winner.” The Dark Jedi said.

Standing up from the throne, the symbol of power only served to bolster the Anzat’s already high spirit’s but failed to realize that the duel had already started once he spoke his first words.

A cry of anger left the lips of the Twi’lek, as she thrust out her hand towards the Anzat and shot out lightning from her fingertips. The mention of her Grandfather had stirred up many memories, which swallowed her in anger and grief. This only served to fuel the Force lightning as it arced across the gap to strike the cocky Seeker full on.

As the lightning traveled quickly, Darkblade hastily brought out his own lightsaber and ignited the purple blade. As he attempted to dodge the lightning by sliding a bit to the left, he still caught a bit of the lightning. The painful burning sting that lingered slightly in his left arm reminded him that she wasn’t the same weakened being he first encountered. There was a determined look in her eyes and a killer instinct that practically screamed out as she began to move closer to her opponent.

The Marauder glared at Darkblade. Inwardly, she wanted nothing more than to make this Anzat pay for what he had done to her. The long journey of healing since her grandfather’s spirit was taken had been hard and arduous. She had started to come to terms and had even reached out a bit towards the light to see if their perspective on life could help her to forgive and move on, but as soon as she saw that Anzat, the only thing on her mind currently was the vengeance vow she had taken.

“Darkblade, I have been able to forgive many things in my life, but what you have done in taking away my most cherished and beloved Grandfather is unforgivable. I may not be able to kill you as you are the respective Quaestor of your house, but I most certainly can deliver you the same pain and scarring you have left me.”

Moving closer to his proximity, Tasha suddenly felt a lot weaker than usual. Her movement's were not as agile and she felt less attuned to the Force. “Interesting, so he is protecting himself from my full powers. How noble.” She thought as she continued to observe the Anzat. "Underestimating him would be a grave mistake.” He may be cocky and full of himself, but there is more to him than just that.”

From all the times she had fought opponents, she had learned that charging to cut down the opponent will not always work and especially not against a force user such as Darkblade. For her to beat him, she had to keep her wits and strike a bit more calculated. The anger she felt was strong, however she did still remember what Sang had taught her. "Calm your mind, Tasha and resist the anger within you." She began to softly repeat the phrase. "There is no emotion, there is peace." Gradually, she felt the anger begin to subside and her mind once again became clear. Looking up at the Anzat she asked him two questions.

“Tell me one thing Darkblade, what makes you think that you deserve forgiveness? What could you say or do perhaps that would help me change my mind?”

Darkblade eyed the Quaestor carefully as he stood sideways a bit and placed his elbows close to his navel while holding his purple blade diagonally. “You know I can’t change the past and what has been done, but maybe I can change the future.”

“How so?” Tasha questioned as she continued to carefully move in towards the Anzat.

“I have my ways.”

He smiled as the area around the two suddenly went pitch black. Tasha couldn't see him or even her own hands for that matter. The lightsaber was also only a faint glow in the thick blanket of darkness.

“So he is forcing me to play things his way. No matter,I will strike him if he gets near me.” She waited a bit listening for any sound of Darkblade, but it was deathly quiet. She couldn't even sense his presence. He was clearly a master of hiding.

“You do remind me of a certain Aedile of yours. He was always good at hiding from his opponent.”

Not wanting to be driven mad by the darkness, Tasha concentrated on pleasant thoughts and memories. Glancing out into the blackness, she still could not make out any movements. She then thought back to her journeyman training when her master had sneaked up on her unaware. He also possessed the ability to mask his presence.

"Sometimes you just have to wait till they strike." She smiled as she waited for the Anzat.

“You know you can't hide forever in this darkness, Darkblade. You will have to face me at some point."

“It is not me who is hiding young Twi’Lek. This darkness represents your future should you embark down the path of revenge. Trust me, I’ve seen it. The Dark Side is not meant for you Tasha’Vel Versea.” Darkblade said as he stood on the fringes of the black pool in front of him. It warped the light away from the area, as if it was hiding something too wretched to show the world. Trained to see into the pitch black, able to make out the different shades of darkness, the Anzat could see the Marauder turn her head from side to side as she tried to pinpoint the direction of the voice talking to her. Feeling confident, the Seeker taunted her some more before he would lose control of the pitch black cloud before him.

“You are weak, the Light Side of the Force seeps from you. I feel that you have already made your choice for forgiveness.” he said as he prepared to drop the cloud and strike her from the right side, his purple blade at the ready.

I’ve got you now! the Twi’lek thought.

Quick as a snake, the Marauder turned to her right unprotected side and dove forwards out of the blackness. Lightsaber still in her hand she came up with a swinging arc meant to sever the Krath’s saber arm from the bottom up.

Caught off guard and still concentrating on keeping the dark cloud anchored, the only thing that saved the Anzat’s arm was Tasha herself. On her knees with arm fully outstretched she stopped her crimson red saber centimeters from the intended target, looking up wryly.

“Seems that I just saved you an arm Darkblade. Tell me, is it the Dark Side that saved your arm or the Light Side? I may have forgiven you for your past transgressions, but do not for one second underestimate me. We are equals despite our paths. You have lost this little game of yours and the next time you try to test me, I will not forgive you a third time.” she warned.

The Anzat chuckled slightly and extinguished his blade.

“Indeed. Well done! My big mouth got the best of me in this situation. It seems I owe you an apology, as I cannot control my feeding instincts very well. I hope in the future I shall not succumb to them as easily as I did before.”

Her mission complete, Tasha extinguished her own lightsaber and tucked it back into her belt. A weight lifted from her shoulders as she realized she had truly forgiven the Anzat for eating her grandfather’s spirit. The Twi’Lek didn’t trust Darkblade, but for now their differences were set aside. Something that should have been done long ago.

The two Quaestors began their long journey back to Naga Sadow territory, towards a new beginning for both of them.

“You will have to face me at some point.”

The Anzat was observing Tasha through the darkness. He smiled to himself as he watched her eyes dart about searching for him, but to no avail. Like a Vornskyr stalking its prey, Darkblade silently edged closer to her, circling just outside of the Marauder’s reach. The time was now or never. Charging forward, the Mystic brought his lightsaber out and struck for the back of the Twi’lek. Tasha felt something inside urging her to turn and quickly brought up her scarlet lightsaber as Darkblade struck, parrying the blow. “There you are.” She grinned as the blades went back and forth against each other. Unrelenting, the Marauder kept pushing against the Seeker’s saber as they danced about the room. Because the Anzat had to focus on her attacks, the room slowly became visible again.

Not wanting to be skewered, Darkblade leaped back to get some distance between them. Tasha was furious. He wasn't going to get away for all the pain he had caused her.

Taking her blade, she threw it towards the Seeker with all of her righteous fury.His eyes widened a bit as the blade struck into his right side and sliced deep before returning to Tasha’s hand.

Instinctively, he placed one hand to hold his bleeding side while backing up slowly.

“I'm not finished with you, yet.” The harsh words snarled from the Twi'lek’s lips. She leaped forward and slammed her hand hard into the ground sending a rippling wave of telekinetic force that knocked Darkblade backwards onto the hard ground. Groaning in pain, he struggled to rise. As he looked at the oncoming Maurader, he realized that his lightsaber had been knocked away from him.

Approaching quickly,,Tasha deactivated her lightsaber and placed it back into her belt. She then grabbed her Echani Vibroblade and let out a battle cry before charging. She leaped into the air a bit and drove her blade into his left arm,pinning it to the ground while she sent a kick into his gut. Darkblade screamed in pain as he spat blood from his mouth. Mustering what strength he had left, he brought his right hand forward and sent out a spiraling cascade of blue lightning from his fingers. The lightning struck Tasha’s side making her yell in agony. As she looked at the heavily injured Anzat electrocuting her, she paused briefly.

He was still the Quaestor of Shar Dakhan, a member of Naga Sadow and someone she had sworn to protect. The Maurader felt some of her rage subside at the realization of the damage she inflicted. Remembering back, she could hear Sang once again gently admonishing her to let go of anger. The smell of burning flesh filled her nostrils and pulled her back to reality.

Looking down pitifully at the bloodied Mystic, Tasha removed the blade from his left arm before she smashed the butt end of the hilt into the side of his head. Darkblade crumpled into a heap.

“I have won this round, Darkblade, however, because you are still a member of the Naga Sadow Clan and a Quaestor, I have chosen to let you live and consider the vengeance repaid for killing my Grandfather. I can now forgive you.”

Pressing a button on her communicator, she called for the medical droids and began to walk away whispering. “You will be patched up and back to normal soon. I will be seeing you around, Darkblade.”