Pride and Death

Lord Raivo's ship came out of hyperspace and the planet Korriban filled up the view in the cockpit. Raivo could sense the faint whispers of darkness from the planet, but this place was a shell of it's former glory. Raivo almost hated coming to this planet because of the pathetic sight it was.

"She better have something good for me." Raivo said to himself. Avalon was an Imperial Agent, so he figured it was of importance for her to have a face to face meeting. He took the ship down through the atmosphere skillfully, landing on one of the hangars at the Sith Academy.

Raivo unhooked his restraints and made his way inside. He could feel frustration, and fear throughout the academy's walls as very eager students struggled to learn in a fight or die environment. Raivo relished the fact that he had proved himself worthy of the title of Darth, and he held his head high while walking through the corridors.

He made his way to the living quarters, and settled down in a room that had been reserved for him, special for his meeting with his agent Avalon. He sat down on the bed, and called out in the silence, "There's no sense in hiding, I know you're in here." Avalon seemed to appear out of thin air from a dark corner of his room, and moved to stand in front of her new master. She eyed him over a few times, seeming to take in every detail about him. When Raivo said nothing she finally broke the silence, "You're better looking than in the holovids I have of you."

Raivo was amused, "Oh? Well I'm glad I can please your eyes, now please my ears. What news do you have?" Avalon was back to business quickly, "It would seem, there is a Jedi causing trouble on Ziost, he has infiltrated the planetary defenses, and is mounting unconventional attacks on our forces there. Lord Vizq was going to have the privilege of hunting down this Jedi, but since he is no longer among the living, the task falls to you."

Raivo took quite some time to think about the situation, "Well why hasn't anyone there found him yet? It must be quite embarrassing to not be able to find one Jedi." Avalon replied "Apparently he isn't being very cooperative, he obviously has an affinity for stealth, and he hasn't left any survivors of any of his attacks. Also many of our proper forces are spread out handling larger threats." Raivo saw his chance to test Avalon, "So I'm only fit to track down meaningless targets?"

Avalon's eyes widened "My Lord, of course that isn't the case, they just want to send one man that can do the job instead of sending an army after one Jedi." Raivo was satisfied, "Very well then, one last thing. Why didn't you just tell me to go to Ziost, why have me come all the way here?"

If Avalon blushed she didn't allow it to show for but a split second, "I had to see you in person just once, I have to know who I'm serving." Raivo smiled at her, "Well are you satisfied?" Her composure was stern, "Of course my Lord, I know I serve someone worthy of everything they have."

She turned and walked out the door, leaving Raivo to his solitude. She was a very beautiful woman, and seemingly loyal. He would have to be very careful with how close he allowed her to get to him, such beauty was better to behold at a distance. Otherwise she would be his undoing, but he had plenty of time to figure out how to deal with Avalon.

Now it was time to leave this depressing place and go somewhere the darkside was still a raging tempest of power. Ziost, of all the planets for a Jedi to be on, it was tragically funny to Raivo. Still something seemed out of place, why would the Jedi be able to get past all of the defenses, and how has he eluded capture for so long?

Didn't matter, either way this Jedi would fall, and Raivo would move on to the next kill. That was the way of things, that was how Raivo liked it, and that was how it better stay if the Sith empire didn't want Raivo challenging more masters.

Raivo barely slept on the way to Ziost, he trained, and spent time delving into the deepest pools of dark energies the galaxy could imagine. He was ready for this Jedi, and he hoped that the Jedi offered a challenge worthy of his skills. Raivo hated disappointment, especially in a lightsaber duel.

It didn't take long for Raivo to lock on to the Jedi's trail, and even less time for Raivo to find the Jedi. The Jedi was a young knight, brimming with lightside energy, a beacon in the middle of the vast darkness that was Ziost. The Jedi was daring Raivo to come fight him, this Jedi was proud, he had beaten many other Sith, and he didn't believe Raivo to be any different.

Raivo moved quickly to meet the Jedi, and once he reached him, he realized he had made a mistake. The Jedi had been masking the presence of a squad of commandos set up for an ambush. The Jedi shouted orders to his men, who in turn obeyed like the kath hounds they were, yelling, spitting, and shooting as if it would save their doomed lives.

Raivo moved with blinding speed, allowing himself to become enraged about the ambush he'd walked into. the first trooper fired five shots into empty air before Raivo came down on top of him. Raivo pulled his knife, and slit the troopers throat sending hot blood spraying into the humid air.

Raivo relished the thrill of the fear and anger pulsating from the dead man's comrades, even the Jedi was surprised at Raivo's brutality. The other three troopers were moving to pick up the slack but it was too late. Raivo turned and faced what seemed to be the most senior member of the group.

Raivo extended his hand unleashing red lightning from his fingertips, it was a rare display that Raivo was very proud of, and it melted the trooper's armor into the skin until it was impossible to tell where armor began and skin ended. It took less than a moment for Raivo to do this, but it was enough for the other troopers to flank him.

They both shot at Raivo one shooting high the other shooting low. Raivo laughed as he leapt into the air and ripped their weapons from their grasp, taking their trigger fingers with them. They both screamed in agony, and the Jedi moved to protect them, but it was too late.

Raivo was already landing, and he held out his hands as he did, using the Force to crush the skulls of the troopers below him. The sound of cracking bones and splattering brains was audible above the Jedi's cursing cries of agony as he watched his men die before his eyes.

Raivo sensed anger rising within the Jedi, and he welcomed it, supported it, bolstered it. This young Jedi would need the full power of the darkside to save himself. Raivo's smile was a morbid sight due to the amount of blood splatter, but it didn't seem to unnerve the Jedi. The young fool swore to avenge the deaths of his fallen friends, and Raivo spit in his face.

The young Jedi charged at Raivo using Shien, Raivo was enjoying the spectacle, even though the Jedi's friends had just been brutally murdered, the most offense he would use is Shien. Raivo dropped into a low Juyo stance waiting for the Jedi to reach him. The Jedi was striking down towards Raivo's head, when Raivo spun, and unsheathed his knife and cut the Jedi's wrist.

It was a small gash, but enough to make the Jedi cringe. He became more and more angry as the fight progressed, and he was unable to touch the Sith Lord he so desperately wished to kill. Raivo could sense the fall, and encouraged it with more frustrating moves, and impossible parries. Clearly this Jedi had relied on his strike team to do all the dirty work.

The Jedi was fully enraged now, and Raivo could sense that he was now calling on the darkside. "Good, you finally understand, but it won't save you now." Raivo said to the young fool, "Why won't you just kriffing die!" The Jedi screamed blood dripping from a newly opened gash above his eyebrow.

Raivo waited for the Jedi to charge at him, and he blocked the strong high strike he had been expecting from the enraged Jedi. As he blocked he used his free hand to grab his knife, and he buried it deep in his groin. The Jedi would have screamed had it not been for the excruciating pain that took his breath right out of him.

Raivo put both his knife and his lightsaber away. He then called to all of the carnivorous beasts in the area, they came willingly, already smelling the blood in the air. The Jedi sat stunned against a tree, trying desperately to cry though unable to. The beasts all circled around him, and started from the legs up eating the Jedi alive.

All the Jedi could do was mouth the words I hate you as the animals ate him alive. Raivo used the darkside to fuel the Jedi's body keeping him alive to the last bloody bite that ripped his still beating heart out.

Raivo searched the area in the Force for any other guests that might be on the planet, but there was nothing. The planet was once again fully under Sith control,
and it would kriffing stay that way as long as Raivo had anything to say about it.

Once Raivo had made it back to his ship, he contacted Avalon and notified her that the job was done. "Good my Lord, I will meet you on Dromund Kaas to debreif you, and give you a message from someone calling himself a friend." Raivo cocked his head sideways, "Very well then, I will see you there."

Fatal Flaw

The humid air of Dromund Kaas seemed to add weight to Raivo's long brown hair. He had been summoned by his master Darth Vizq, and Vizq did not like to be kept waiting. Raivo hated being summoned like some sort of trained Vornskyr, he'd much rather be out on assignment. Peace is a lie, but Raivo found some twisted sort of peace in killing, it was where he felt most at home.

As he ran through the thick forest the top of the temple could be seen, he picked up his pace and raced through the temple doors. He ignored everyone as he made his way straight up to his master's quarters. "Raivo, rise I have need of your assistance." "Yes master, is it a mission?" Raivo buried all traces of anticipation as he waited for his master's reply.

"No, well yes and no. You are ready for the mantle that you have worked so hard for." Vizq was grinning ear to ear, "Kneel Raivo." Raivo dropped to one knee and lowered his head, he had been waiting for this day for quite some time. Many years of silent subservience, clever manipulation, and sheer violence had brought him to this moment.

Vizq's lightsaber snap-hissed to life, and dipped the blade to each side of Raivo's shoulder. "You were weak when you came to me, a pathetic shell of anger and rage. I took you, I molded you into power, and now, arise Darth Daivo, and claim your rightful place in the galaxy!"

Raivo stood slowly relishing the moment, this was the day he had been studying for. He studied his master for what seemed like an eternity. Vizq cocked his head sideways, "Lord Raivo, it would not be inappropriate for you to be proud of this moment. Darth is a title many envy." Raivo twisted his lips into a sinister smirk, "Lord Vizq, what is there to be proud of? I was given a title by someone who has the authority to give the title, it is much more satisfying for me to seize the title for myself."

Vizq allowed his surprise to show through, "I don't understand Lord Raivo, what is it that you want?" Raivo's eyes narrowed, "I challenge you." Vizq's jaw went slack, "I don't understand, I picked you up from nothing and raised you to greatness, I have not failed you or held any knowledge from you!" "Yes you have been a great teacher, you've lead me to the power I so craved."

Vizq was utterly astonished, "Then what is it, why do you want to kill me!?!!" Raivo was studying the Sith master intently, "It is the way of the darkside, you trained me, and the only way for me to be complete is to destroy you, otherwise I'm not worthy of this title." Vizq's eyes were so wide Raivo thought he might die of shock, but Vizq quickly regained his composure. "Very well then Darth Raivo, we will settle this at dawn." Raivo grinned, "Very well master."

Raivo lay awake in his new illustrious chambers that were granted to him as a result of his new promotion. He could sense the entire temple buzzing with anticipation of the fight that would take place. It wasn't often that there was a challenge these days, and it was even more unusual that a loyal apprentice such as Raivo would challenge such a master of the darkside as Vizq.

Raivo was different, he didn't care about numbers, he didn't care about the war other than he didn't want the Jedi to win. Raivo was interested in being the best, and he couldn't be sure that he was the best unless he killed his own master. He finally had to force himself to go to sleep, because it wouldn't do well for him to be tired for his impending duel.

Morning couldn't come soon enough for Raivo, he was in the arena several hours before the beginning rays of daylight. Raivo was seething dark energy, tapping into the deep wells of rage within him. Vizq showed up promptly at dawn, strolling in wearing light combat robes, and wearing a scowl that could probably kill some beings.

Vizq was emanating power, dark power, and there was plenty of it. "You don't have to do this Lord Raivo, there is nothing to prove by this." Vizq said earnestly, Raivo was attempting to peer into the deepest depths of Vizq's mind. "Is that fear Vizq?" The short phrase set Vizq off, anger burst forth from deep within Vizq. "I taught you everything you know Raivo, it's a shame to have to kill you."

Raivo gave no reply except the snap-hiss of his crimson blade, Vizq assumed his favored stance using Juyo. Raivo loved Juyo, and mimicked his master's every move during training. However, Raivo also studied martial arts from all different corners of the galaxy to couple with his swordsmanship. He had been told it was pointless, but the empty handed arts had saved him more than once.

Raivo rushed in feinting impatience striking in a convincing vertical slash towards Vizq's head. Vizq took advantage of the opening, and aimed a thrust at Raivo's heart. Raivo grinned and spun out of the way bringing his deadly arc around nearly taking Vizq's head off.

Vizq moved just in time, and brought his blade up taking off some of Raivo's long flowing robes. Raivo turned and caught another strike with his blade, and Vizq pressed the attack. The darkside energy crackled around the dueling arena as Raivo and Vizq poured rage, sweat, and blood into the fight. Vizq created a Force whirlwind, and sent it towards Raivo.

The technique was merely meant to distract him as he had rooted himself to the ground with the Force. Raivo sent a telekinetic push through the whirlwind catching Vizq off guard throwing him into a weapons rack. Raivo jumped high in the air executing a front flip and dropping with Force augmented speed back towards the ground where Vizq had landed.

Vizq rolled out of the way landing on his feet, but was quickly blasted from his feet by the force of Raivo's landing. Vizq turned just in time to catch a powerful strike from his former apprentice, and he re-payed him in full with a powerful flurry of his own. Raivo made his first mistake, struck high allowing Vizq in too close. Vizq drove a knee into Raivo's ribs and an audible crack was heard by everyone present.

Vizq backed away "You can end this now Raivo, just admit defeat and I will not press the attack anymore." Raivo replied with a growl and another flurry of strikes. Vizq switched to soresu, waiting to tire Raivo out, hoping to save the apprentice he worked so hard to build. Raivo recognized the change of pace, and started timing his blows.

The duel had seemed to drag on forever, and had attracted the attention of some notable masters. Raivo didn't care, the only thing that mattered was the humiliation of his master still standing before him. He remembered the last thing his master taught him... Patience, Raivo lowered his saber to his side exposing his entire body outstretched arms seemingly accepting death.

Vizq used the Force to speed up his movements almost too fast to see, he lurched forward bringing his lightsaber around for a horizontal slash through Raivo's midsection. Raivo grinned and spun bringing his blade up and through Lord Vizq's right lung.

Vizq's shocked scream reverberated through the entire arena, and seemed to stretch out into the forest. "Lord Vizq, your one fatal flaw, is that you taught me everything you knew. You are of no use anymore, you are obsolete, and now I am worthy of the title of Darth." Vizq groaned as Raivo skillfully pulled the blade from his chest without damaging any other organs. Raivo moved to face his old master, as his master was standing, still gripping his lightsaber.

Raivo moved quickly using the Force to augment his punch sending his fist through Lord Vizq's stomach. He withdrew the punch, and Vizq fell to the floor spilling his entrails onto the arena floor. Raivo turned and walked away, soaked in blood with a grin the Emperor himself couldn't wipe it away.

The gruesome sight was even too much for some of the apprentices as they turned away, and one of them even vomited adding to Raivo's satisfaction. When Raivo returned to his quarters there was an incoming transmission waiting for him. An Imperial Agent stood before him, "Lord Raivo congratulations on your win, I am Avalon, I served your master, and now I serve you. I have important information for you, and a mission worthy of your talents awaiting you."

Raivo raised an eyebrow, "Yes, and what system should I meet you on?" She looked him over, "I am on Korriban my lord, Perhaps you should heal for a-" Raivo cut her off, "I don't need rest or healing, I will meet you on Korriban, and you better have something good for me." Avalon nodded, "I understand my Lord I will be awaiting your arrival." Raivo grinned "Good."