Von Ricore let out a long drawn out sigh as he leaned back in his chair. While the majority of the Clan Embassies were rather spartan in nature it was not too arduous for the massive humanoid to convince the Dark Ascent guards of the necessity for a piece of furniture that could hold his larger frame. Serving as a one time guard to Marick during his tenure as voice and his credentials with the Shadow Academy helped to prove his loyalty, at least enough to get him a damn chair.
“But it wasn’t enough to speed this process up.” Von mumbled to himself. With the conflict between the Severian Principate and Tenexir Revenants simmering to a halt many wondered what future lay in store for The Unknown regions comprising Brotherhood Space. The Clan Vizsla information network, a series of criminals, bounty hunters and ne’er do wells, had been abuzz with rumor. It appeared the Dark Council were planning something known as Operation RAPTORSTRIKE. Some other fool may have made a massive mistake, attempting to torture the info out of guards, or break into the Dark Ascent. Von had no intention of making himself a martyr on this day. Instead he requested an audience with the Dark Council which led him to his current situation, lounging in a chair with mind numbing boredom as he waited to be summoned to the council chamber.
After what felt like an eternity Von was jolted out of his daydreaming by a knock at the door. Answering it, he found himself face to face with a Royal Guard in black armor armed with a force pike.
“The council will see you now.” The guard announced, their voice muffled by a voice modulator to protect their identity.
Von nodded and followed the guard out of the room. Despite no longer having the ability to use the Force he couldn’t help the ominous feeling growing within him. Perhaps it was merely a phantom sensation but the hybrid couldn’t help but feel nervous about the meeting. He was going to be in a room with some of the strongest Force users the galaxy had ever known. And that was more than a little unnerving.
The pair entered the lower level turbolifts. Neither dared to speak out of a mixture of duty, respect, and a little bit of fear. The lifts arrived at the upper level. The pair exited and trekked down a series of hallways filled with black robed royal guards. The duo then arrived at the opulent Antechamber of the Dark Council. Beskar ornaments acted as a showcase to the wealth of the Brotherhood, proof that the Council could afford to waste the expensive and valuable metal on pointless trinkets. 8 Royal Guards in Black Praetorian Guard Armor, the Elite of the Elite, guarded this chamber.
The guard escorting Von tapped their force pike on the ground 8 times. In response; one of the Praetorian guards inserted a code cylinder into a terminal, opening the way forward. The duo continued down that hallway entering a vast empty cavern. The room was empty except for a set of spiraling stairs which lead upward.
“Ascend the stairs. The council is waiting.”
Von did as he was asked; carefully ascending the winding staircase. At the top he saw a room with thrones arranged in a semicircle. Most were empty, save the center throne, occupied by a short human with amber hair and eyes.
“Darth Nehalem.” Von exclaimed as he prostrated himself before the leader of the Brotherhood.
“Now, now. There’s no need for that. Rise Von Ricmore.”
“But my lord…I.”
The Sith Lord held up a hand to silence him. “I appreciate your attempt to stand on ceremony but there is no need to debase yourself. I have things to do and it will be far better for the both of us if we get this audience over with.”
Von was visibly taken aback. Schooling his expression he refused to allow the Sith to get to him. “Yes my lord. You see I have sought an audience regarding…”
“Operation Raptorstrike.” The Sith interrupted once again. “I am aware. James foresaw your arrival several weeks ago. You have good timing Ricmore. The Brotherhood requires your services. The presence of the Crystal Soldiers used by our enemies is worrisome. But we’ve come up with a ritual of our own. Using it on any ordinary sentient would likely lead to a berserk trooper, a mindless brute like the crystal soldier. But you? A Force user who lost his connections to the Force. It may just be what you need to rekindle it. Will you take the risk, Von?”
“Of course sir. Just tell me what I have to do.”
A sinister smile spread across Evant’s face. “Excellent. Most excellent indeed.”
Unknown Planet
Von knelt in the circle formed from Sith Alchemy; Devoid of all clothes except a loincloth. An acolyte stepped forward, bucket in hand.
“With this liquid you are cleansed of your past. Your mistakes, your triumphs, nothing will shackle you any longer.”
The acolyte doused Von with the unknown liquid. His red skin took on a green tinge as the glowing green liquid flowed across his body.
“But power can not be gained without cost. An anchor is required, a chain to bind you until you have the strength to break it.”
A different acolyte stepped near the circle and handed Von a Sith Alchemy dagger. The hybrid raised the blade and took a deep breath to steady himself. He brought the dagger down, cutting and tearing his left eye from the socket.
“AHHHHH!” He screamed out in agony. Blood oozed from the wound, which ran down his face and dripped onto the alchemical circle. The circle began to glow an insidious, smoky, green.
“With that sacrifice, that anchor, you can now bear host to the strength that you deserve.”
A third acolyte stepped forward gripping a small case. Opening it, Von’s remaining eye saw a purple Kyber crystal covered in Sith Alchemical runes, fashioned into the shape of an eye. The acolyte handed Von the item.
The hybrid brought the eye to his face, slotting it into the socket with a pained grunt. Magic beyond his understanding fused the artificial eye. Von screamed until his voice broke and he could scream no more. All the pain he felt was secondary to a new emotion, happiness. He could feel it. He could feel the Force again.
Darth Nehalem was beside himself with joy. It had worked. “This is only the beginning.”