Main Floor, Cellblock AA-52…

“Usher!!” The helmeted guard called out. Instead of answering, the woman in the cell next to Mrysti’s raised a hand. The two exchanged a brief look. After the previous night’s conversation, it was safe enough in Mrysti’s mind to at least call themselves ‘acquaintances’, not quite friends. Cornelia had officially introduced herself, but not much else. Introductions and talking among prisoners came hard. It wasn’t like the holo-vids of prison shows. No one just walked up to someone else, no one tapped elbows and smiled with a ‘Whadaya in for?’ type question. It took time, rapport had to be established. That first step was taken by Cornelia the previous night. In thanks for dealing with Farrgh. “You answer out loud when you’re called, Usher!!! You will get no further warnings."

The suppressor on the back of her neck whined loudly as it warmed up. A warning that they had control. The guard took his hand off the button attached to the datapad he read from, calling out names; giving a quick cursory glance beneath his visor back toward Cornelia. “HERE!!” She finally called out sarcastically. The guard’s thumb moved back to the button on the datapad, but a clearing of a throat behind him gave him pause. The Officer who was monitoring the roll call gave the guard a look and he moved on.

“De’nabre!!!” The guard called out. His helmeted face looked up and directly at Mrysti. She promptly folded her arms and glared back. “PS-Zero-Zero-Seven-Alpha….De’nabre!! Answer up when you’re called!!” Mrysti stayed silent, her face turning bored, rolling her eyes in an absent direction. Starting to move his thumb toward the button, the guard found the datapad snatched from his hands. Leaning in, the Officer behind him whispered something as the guard snapped to attention and quickly moved out down the gangway behind him, leaving the Officer standing there holding the datapad.

Slowly and with a leisurely stroll, the Officer moved down the gangway and the stairs, making his way toward Mrysti and Cornelia. He stopped just out of range and looked down at the datapad one last time before looking up at the massively tall Mirialan. “It’s probably time I introduced myself, I’m Captain Oberisk…Captain of the Guard here at The End.” Mrysti looked down at the Captain. Not many ever did. Oberisk was a tall man, just over six foot. But next to Mrysti he looked surprisingly normal. Not to mention all of the prisoners instructions that they were never to make direct eye contact with any of the Officers or Guards. There was a hint of surprise as she glared at him, saying nothing at the introduction. “I’m sure…” He went on after a moment, “…you’ve been read the rules by the central computer. Eye contact is strictly forbidden. And I am going to assume, that due to your extensive combat experience and injuries; you are suffering from acute hearing loss.”

“No” Mrysti finally said, still glaring at the man. “I was looking down at you. Unfortunately, all I could see was the top of your head. And I heard you and the guard just fine, I just don’t answer to my last name being called by underlings. You wish me to answer you, you will address me as I am meant to be addressed.”

The Captain smiled, releasing a slight chuckle. “Jokes. I love them. There is a lack of humor in this place.”

“I’m not joking.” Mrysti said seriously. Her eyes widened to emphasize her words. The Captain took a step back, snatching the Datapad down by his side.

“You believe I will address you as, ‘My Lord’ or ‘Darth’….” Narrowing his eyes, the Captain glanced over his shoulder toward the Guards. Two of them peeled off the wall and started toward him. “…then perhaps it’s time you were reminded of the rules.” Shock batons came out and into the hands of the two guards as they approached. Mrysti took a step back, getting into a semi-fighting stance. Once the central AI’s voice chimed over the quad very loudly, she looked up.

High pitched whines accompanied the opening in the ceiling as turrets descended from long hydraulic poles. They trained on Mrysti; the Captain looking up at them before glancing at her once again. “One of the first rules…don’t make eye contact with the guards.” The two black armored figures jumped in, hitting Mrysti on her side and the back of her legs. She buckled slightly, but did not fall. Fighting the urge to lash out and fight back. Standing back up straight after giving the ceiling guns a quick glance. Smiling at her restraint, the Captain continued.

“Rule two…” The guards struck again. This time hitting her in the back of the neck and the small of her back. Again, Mrysti buckled but only went down to a knee. Propping herself up with a grimace, she rose to her full height slowly. “…when addressed. You will answer verbally. The first and last words from your mouth will be ‘Sir’….” Starting to move in again, the AI and the Captain were interrupted by a non-automated voice, which simply said ‘Stop’ in a calm tone. The guards were caught mid-swing, stopping to glare at Mrysti as they lowered their batons. The Captain gave an annoyed look toward the loud speaker before looking back to Mrysti again.

“We…all have a boss.” She said softly.

Annoyed, the Captain turned around sharply and marched off. The guards trailing behind him. Mrysti waited until they were out of range before she collapsed against the wall and slid down into a seated position. Her legs vibrating from the pain of the shock batons. More importantly, resisting the pent up rage to simply tear the place apart. Placing her face in her hands, Mrysti let out a calming breath.

“They will make you pay for that…” Mrysti looked up to see Cornelia standing over her. Her head went back down into her hands. “…either when you least expect it or at night when they know you’re vulnerable. We all have to sleep.”

“I didn’t answer did I…” Raising her face up again, Mrysti smiled.

--

- Warden’s Private Study, ‘The End’…..

“Captain, I don’t need to explain myself to you…but in this case I will.” The Warden spoke calmly. “WE have orders. Very clear orders from those who OWN us and this prison. Darth Retuvisa is not to be harmed or molested until we are given instructions to do so. Her time will come.”

“But sir…” Pleading, the Captain stood at attention. Only looking down when he needed to speak.

“No ‘BUTS’ Captain. So, she didn’t answer roll call for the work detail. Do you really think it matters?”

“Absolutely.” Speaking sharply, narrowing his eyes toward the Warden, The Captain started his own glare. “Sir, you may think you have control of this place. But it’s the inmates who run it. We are just allowed to observe them. Yes, we have weapons. But who do you think establishes the rules down there in the quad? We may give them, but it is the inmates who enforce them. She has already taken over that block—and her defiance will not only establish a dangerous precedent, the other inmates will see it and that will become the law in the cellblock.”

“Your oversimplifying.” The Warden rolled around in his seat, steepling his fingers while glancing at Mrysti though the holo-cam. “Look at her. You made your point. She fell to her knees the second you walked away.”

“AFTER I walked away. A clear show to the others that we can not get to her.”

“What would you have me do?!?!” The Warden wheeled back around, slamming his hands on the desk. Smiling wickedly, the Captain took a step back.

“Leave it to me. Let me deal with her in my own way.” Making his way around to the side of the Warden’s desk, the Captain leaned in and pointed at the holo-screen. “It starts with that other one. Usher. It seems she has befriended our famous Dark Lord. We cut her off from support from within. If the other inmates fear us, more than they fear her…perhaps they will take care of her FOR us. Let them all see what happens when you become friends with one who is defiant.”

Waving absently, the Warden turned back around. “You have my leave to do so. It’s time for Usher’s monthly visit from us anyway. This time, make sure she bares the marks to show the others…assemble your crew.” Still smiling, the Captain started to leave the room in a rush. There was much preparation to be made, inmates to release. His regular crew of miscreants. The Warden stopped him with a word, making the other Officer turn before reaching the door.

"And Captain...do apologize to Lord Usher for my absence. Tell her I will see her at our regular time in a few weeks when we have to do this again...."

--

Spoiler: NSFW - 'This Ain't Happening'

- Cellblock AA-52, 'The End' - Cell#1764 - 2145 hours; Galactic Standard Time.....

The noise woke Mrysti, who had meditated and soothed herself enough to sleep. Hard times for a Sith, who used their emotions to fuel their powers. The mechanism attached to the back of her neck ensured she did not use them for fear of activation. Severe pain followed any use of the Force. Enough pain to disrupt anything within the Force they all tried to accomplish. And Force users were all easy to pick out. They were the only ones who wore the device.

It was definitely a struggle next door. The Cell echoed the sound of screams and altercation. Mrysti got up, slinging the prison issue blanket off herself. Leaning into the door, she placed her face just above the open barred pane to look out and listen. The transmitted sound of a guard in full armor, accompanied by the official sounding voice of an Imperial Officer. Several more voices, even more gruff and lazy. Mrysti pursed her lips. Those were inmates, the way they talked and the tone gave it away.

“Get her up on the bed…” A charging sound of electricity accompanied the order from the Officer, as well as a scream and some laughter. Recognizing that voice, Captain Oberisk was getting further distant. They were all going into Cornelia’s cell. “…you know how this goes, Sith. Resist and it only hurts worse.”

“So, please resist…” A gruff voice and some more laughter. Mrysti couldn’t hear what Cornelia said, but it was a threat. More struggle until a vibrostaff hit near Mrysti's face. Mrysti jerked her head back at the sparks which flew near her eyes. One of the guards spotting her watching, trying to dissuade her from continuing.

“Back to bed you, this is not your concern!!”

The guard hit again and Mrysti drew back sharply; with a grimace. If the guard had known whom he was dealing with perhaps it would have went another way. Mrysti goaded him, placing her face back toward the bars in defiance.

“Maybe I want to make it my concern.”

The words made the guard turn around. Instead of heading toward Cornelia’s cell he turned back toward Mrysti, holding the electrified vibrostaff in two hands. He approached and put the tip of it up toward the bars.

“Don’t make me come in there or perhaps you will get what the other one is getting nex—”

The move was lighting fast. Mrysti’s hand grabbed the end of the staff through the lightning field which projected off the end of the staff. Gritting her teeth at the temporary pain of the electricity which coursed down her arm. Jerking the guard and his staff toward her door. Armor cracked against the surface as the guard fell limp and her door opened. Getting the guard to open it was her intent, she didn’t think it would be so sudden. His armor hitting the door activating the release.

Mrysti stepped over the fallen guard. Looking toward Cornelia’s cell. Then looking up. Normal red lights of the monitoring AI were darkened, as was the holo-cam indicators. What Captain Oberisk and his goons were doing was not something they wanted recorded. Smiling to herself, ‘So much the better’; Mrysti started for the door. Dropping the staff on the ground. The others had all gone in, but the cell door was still open. Murmurs of laughter and talking still coming from the inside.

--

Fabric ripped as the massively large Twi’lek stripped the pants off Cornelia. She struggled, kicking back at him. Her arms held over her head by another sinister looking inmate with a green mohawk and full body tattoos. Scarring overlaid in odd places cut through the dirt and grime which covered 'Mohawk'. Holding her arms with one hand, ‘Mohawk’ pushed up off his knees punching down with his other hand. Hitting Cornelia in the face repeatedly until she slowed and finally stopped struggling. Cornelia fell limp. Red-skinned and muscular, the Twi’lek pulled Cornelia’s lower half toward him; squatting on his haunches and knees between her legs.

“I would never git a girl this fine anywhere else…” The Twi’lek laughed, moving his hips in; a hand down between his legs to position himself. With a sharp jerk of the hips, Cornelia’s body lurched upward. Unconscious, she made no sound. But her form started to move and jerk with the Twi’lek’s hip motions.

“Kriff tha’ whore!!” Mohawk called out, punching her again. “…buh, save sum for me. I wan’ her lucid when I git up in it.” Gritting his teeth in time with each thrust of the Twi’lek’s hips, Mohawk followed each stroke with a tender glee.

“I like em’ sleepin’…” The Twi’lek replied, his hips getting faster. Cornelia’s lifeless body jerking sharper and harder.

Looking down at his watch, Captain Oberisk glanced at the time. Just as he looked up the massive green blur struck him before he could react. He fell unconscious into the wall behind him. The last image, a massive shape filling up the space between him and the bed the two goons were using.

--

‘Oh hell no…’

Mrysti grit her teeth rushing into the room. Black armor turned toward the blur, but not in time to save itself. A glove hand reached down to the armored belt line to activate the suppression device. The black armored guard managed to push the button, with no effect. The cellblock AI and disruption system was turned off. The computer did not receive the request to suppress Mrysti or anyone else who wore a collar.

Instead, the last thought of the guard before his helmet and then his head cracked open against the side of the cell was: ‘Oh shit…’. But it was so fast, he only thought it. The guard had no time to react.

Grabbing up the guard, Mrysti slung the armored figure into the wall with massive velocity. The wall cracked once the guard made impact, showers of rock and fallen debris mixed with splinters of black armor, blood and fragments of bone. She spun into Captain Oberisk who was just looking up in time to catch Mrysti’s other elbow as it came around. Connecting with his jaw, only the last minute looking up kept Captain Oberisk from a similar fate as the guard who died seconds before.

“WHAT THE LIVIN’ KRIFF…” Mohawk called out pointing at the blur who now slowed enough for the two goons to see her. The Twi’lek was far too enamored with what he was doing to Cornelia as the other yelled out. Finally looking up and slowing his movement to see the Mohawk get snatched into the air and thrown out of the cell door. Mohawk screamed, a distant trailing scream which ended the second the goon hit the duracrete outside face first.

Slowly, the muscular Twi’lek allowed himself to slide out of Cornelia. His rod slapping wetly against his own thigh as he raised his hands up. Green fury, wild white hair met his gaze. “Now…jus’ hold on a second. We are part of a cre—”

Mrysti grabbed the big man around the throat. Strong enough to resist, the Twi’lek grabbed her wrist with both hands. Mrysti felt the other’s strength, it made her smile viciously. Since the beginning of her time within the walls of the prison, Mrysti went to great pains to control her blood lust. Her desire for vengeance. Rage was a simmering, ever present voice in the back of her mind. Once she felt the Twi’lek grab her wrist and try to resist her, all of that control suddenly disappeared.

Looking down at the Twi’lek’s nakedness, Mrysti reached down grabbing the male’s scrotum with her other hand. She squeezed, felt the grip around her wrist loosen. The Twi’lek’s eyes getting wide as he let out a high-pitched scream. Walking him toward the cell door, she shoved once she got close to the threshold. The Twi’lek flew backward, landing on top of his partner. Rolling over to the side as he grabbed his neathers in pain.

Turning back frantically, Mrysti looked around the room. No more threats, just an unconscious Cornelia. Not sure how much damage she had sustained; without thinking, Mrysti looked down at Cornelia’s sprawled and battered form. Leaning down, Mrysti scooped Cornelia into her arms cradling her close. And ran from the cell. All of it was instinct.

They had to run, both of them. Surrounded by overwhelming enemies, the first thought was always to get away. Get far away to assess the damage. Loud repeated footfalls made Mrysti slow and eventually stop with the sound of her running. Where was she going? It came back where they were; blood lust and the red hue of the vision clearing in her mind. There was no where to go.

The lights of the cellblock snapped on. A loud whine and buzz once the AI and the monitoring system came back on. Someone was watching. Had been watching the whole time. Captain Oberisk stumbled out of the cell, his hand on the doorframe as he wiped the blood from his jaw. Eyes finally landing on Mrysti at the end of the gangway.

“BREACH!!!” The Captain called out.

The AI’s voice called out over the external speakers <”All prisoners remain in your cells. Identifying --">

Turning around slowly, Mrysti narrowed her eyes at the Captain. In her arms, she still led the lifeless form of Cornelia Usher. The AI identified both Mrysti and Cornelia as being out of their cells at lockdown. Turrets descended with the high pitched whine of disintegration cells. The suppressor both Sith wore warmed quickly and zapped both Mrysti and Cornelia.

Dropping Cornelia, both fell loudly to the metal surface of the gangway as running feet closed in. The guards began to jab Mrysti and Cornelia with shock batons. There was no way to fight back. Even with the anger and rage at what Captain Oberisk had done, it was not enough to overcome both the suppression system and the gang of guards armed with batons. The blood lust had faded with the realization that, it was either the collar or the disintegration turrets. Either way, they were going no where.

Glancing upward, Mrysti’s sight began to close in; in time to see Captain Oberisk approach. A foot quickly taking the last bit of sight as the Captain kicked Mrysti sharply in the face.

--

Spoiler: NSFW - Trying to Break The Beast

Light and Sound. The dragging feet. Trying to man-handle someone so massive. The struggle of it. Consciousness came and went. Much like it was during those times of her captivity. When she made the 'Taskmaster' particularly angry. Beatings, unconsciousness. The endless rapture of being taken. She got used to it. So much so that it began to build immunity within her. Craving, wanting more. More, it fueled the darkness within her. The 'Taskmaster' believed he held the power. Never realizing he was filling the battery of Mrysti's darkness. Filling it until it could no longer be contained and the craving consumed her. She, would never get enough.

Light and sound seemed to come and go. The grunting sound of those having to deal with the unconscious weight of someone so big. Mrysti felt her wrist and ankles being chained. Legs apart, arms stretched above her head and spread as wide as her shoulders. For a moment, Mrysti thought she was back on Korriban. Back in captivity. She murmured softly to herself.

“Ye-Yes, Ma-Master…”

But they didn't hear her. Concentrated on the task at hand. Hoisting her up in the dungeon. Intent on making her pay for interfering in the first place. The two goons the Captain used had no idea that what took place an hour before in Cornelia's cell wasn't as much to do with Cornelia; though they had done that specific task before and to Cornelia on a regular basis, as it was to do with Mrysti. It was meant to show Cornelia and the others who would think of befriending Mrysti what happened when you did. It was meant as a deterrent. One that had the opposite effect. At every turn they were underestimating Mrysti.

Not because they couldn't understand, because they were incapable of understanding. They all had no idea of the power they were dealing with. No one of simple means like those interred at the prison or the administrators who oversaw it could understand. This was no ordinary prisoner. Captain Oberisk's first instinct upon Mrysti's initial arrival was the correct one. They would have all been better off killing Mrysti at the start. Games, that would get them all killed; were being manipulated by someone on the other side of the galaxy that had no real interest in any of their well being.

"What's she sayin'..." Mohawk held the listless Mirialan upright while his accomplice finished fastening the chains. The Twi'lek looked up and shrugged his shoulders. Mrysti murmured again. Something in ancient Sith, something unrecognizable. Something about Korriban and the need for more.

--

“This bitch is heavy.” The Twi’lek bent over after hoisting Mrysti up. Bending in part because what Mrysti had done to him earlier, his privates were still sore from being man-handled. And the sheer weight of the massive Mirialan. The dingy stone construction of the solitary cell was carved from within the asteroid the prison was constructed. Stepping back in the low light, the Twi’lek looked at his partner who was still nursing a wound to both his pride and the knock on his head as he landed face first once Mrysti threw him. They both looked at the Captain who stood off in the shadows. A look of disgust on his face as he looked Mrysti up and down.

“Water.” The Captain said stoically. Obeying the order, The Twi’lek reached down and scooped some off the floor of the cell into a bucket and tossed it toward Mrysti. She woke with a gasp and all at once, getting her bearings. Again, believing she was once again back on Korriban, shaking her hands and her ankles. Immobile to do anything. But once she locked eyes with the Twi’lek she snarled. It wasn’t a dream, Korriban was.

Turning her head forward, she controlled her breath and let the hate warm her. Captain Oberisk circled, the two inmates accompanying him stepping back into the shadows. He said nothing continuing to watch her until the sloshing footsteps stopped at her side. Looking back over his shoulder, he inclined with his neck toward Mrysti; looking at the muscular Twi’lek, who smiled at the gesture.

The trio had already discussed what they were going to do as they drug Mrysti down to the solitary block. The goal was to make her scream. Captain Oberisk wanted to kill her. None of this was going to be on holo-cam. If he had his way, he was going to kill her. Not only for what she done, but for the insult of doing it in the first place. But he knew, he would answer to the Warden if he did. Everyone had a boss, as Mrysti reminded him earlier in the week.

Easing up behind her, The Twi’lek ran his hands up Mrysti’s torso, until he found her breasts. Cupping them, one in each hand; almost too massive to hold, he squeezed viciously. It made Mrysti drop her head and let out a breath. Not unlike what she had gone thorough in her life, she knew what was coming. Not what their goal was.

Again, she tested the restraints, pulling down on them softly until they locked out. She wasn’t going anywhere. But not because of the chains. Narrowing her eyes as they continued to prepare for the work they were tasked to perform; Mrysti pulled softly and felt the rock above her give way. Two things stopped her from ripping the chains from the ceiling.

Killing them would be easy. And she could do it before any of them reached the ability to activate her suppression device. They were tested, they failed. But killing them would only result in her own death. Powerful as she was, she could not face down the army garrisoned at the prison. The three standing in the room about to punish her would make for weak recompence in the greater scheme. And Mrysti wanted to get to the heart of the larger issue.

Testing them was. only part of it. The three standing in the room had obviously done that sort of thing before and what they were about to do again. Confident in their ability to make Mrysti do whatever it was they wanted her to do. If death was their goal, she would have felt its sting already; after having handing all three of them their asses earlier in Cornelia's cell. No, they wanted something. It was an old rule, but one well received. If someone held power and they kept you alive, it was because they wanted something. Mrysti wanted to know what that was and she was not about to let three amateurs get the best of her. Mrysti had been tortured by the literal best the galaxy could offer. No way was she going to let the three insects in the cell get the better of her. Keeping the chains in mind, Mrysti pulled down and kept them tight. If she suspected death was in the cards; then she would kill them. They would leave her no choice.

The hands moved back down, she could feel the Twi’lek’s hot breath against her back. Leaning her head back slightly, she smiled wickedly. One hand came off and jerked her head back farther as the Twi’lek pulled her hair down. It made Mrysti give out a slight grimace once he inserted himself inside. With a sharp upward jerk, the Twi’lek was trying as hard as he could to place as much of his rod inside of her. To no avail. She was far too tall and far too used to that kind of treatment to give any of them what they wanted.

Another presence approached, after pushing off the wall behind them. Mrysti felt the other approach, the crackling sound of the electro-rod ‘Mohawk’ held in his hands didn’t give it away. The lack of a suppressor around her neck did. She could feel the other man’s intent. Lust, anger, rage and the need to make her scream. That was it. They just wanted to make her pay. Mrysti smiled to herself, translating into a smirk. Which enraged the three of them. Once the Twi’lek let go of her hair and placed the hand back on her hips, he started to move fast. Chains rattled in time with the movement. Mrysti turned her head, a rather satisfied and bored look on her face to gaze directly at Captain Oberisk. 'Mohawk's' intent gave the game away.

“So…” She began softly, careful to control her voice and not give away any inflection that what the Twi’lek was doing behind her affected her in any way. “…that’s the game. You want me to scream.” Mrysti looked down, turning her head slightly to catch the Twi’lek looking down, working hard to try and please his employer. “I hate to disappoint you.”

Biting her lip at the jab, the electro-rod landed against her side. Captain Oberisk watched with intent. Blood coursed down the corner of her mouth. Fighting the need to simply scream out in ecstasy. Mohawk jabbed again, leaving the rod against her skin for much longer. Mrysti shook, both from the Twi’lek who was busy trying to kriff her back into unconsciousness and the electricity of the rod.

Without the suppressor attached to her and as the time ticked away, Mrysti felt the power begin to grow within her once again. Hate, Lust, Anger....Rage. Reflections of an earlier time, when she had no idea how to focus that power. Control it. Pulling down on the chains which held her arms up, she felt the cave wall give way. No, not yet. Control. Killing them was not the answer. Power, it was enough. And soon she could be free, if she so desired. They were fools. Having no idea of the torrent and storm they all stood in the midst of.

But their time would come.

Mrysti let go of the pull slowly, allowing the chains above her to swing once again with the Twi'lek's movements. Or was it 'Mohawk'? She lost track. They were taking turns, tagging themselves in and out of her. Thinking themselves successful at making her whimper. There were sounds, she made them purposefully. But never a scream. The sounds she made were only a distraction to test the chains which bound her.

Making the conscious decision to see where it all went, there was a greater goal and a bigger destiny yet to be fulfilled. As powerful as the 'Hammer of the Empire' was, she knew she was never going to be able to do what needed to be done alone. The end goal would require others. And the prison was simply a means to get there, a means to get the others she needed to fulfill her plan. Letting up on the chain, she decided to ride all of it out; quite literally. They were not going to kill her, that much was certain. Vowrawn wouldn't allow it, not yet at least. And when he finally decided to do it, it would be too late.

She would be ready.

--

Tired, the Twi’lek backed up and stooped over at the knees, placing his hands upon them. The Captain shoved him.

“Keep going!!” He commanded.

“Kriff you, Captain…you do it!!! The bitch is invulnerable….” Breathing heavy and catching his breath, the Twi’lek glared up at the Captain. Turns had been taken on multiple occasions and over a course of hours between the Mohawk and the red-skinned Twi’lek. Neither of them making a dent in Mrysti’s veneer. She laughed softly to herself and looked up. Rattling her legs, her wet thighs which bore the residue of multiple pleasurable 'explosions' moved in time with the sound.

“I told you.” She said softly. “Not a single one of you are man enough to take me. Release these chains…and I will make it quick.”

Stepping up to her, Captain Oberisk slapped her across the face. Her head barely moved, her hair jumping up from the blow and covering her face slightly. Mrysti turned back toward him and smiled. It wouldn't hurt to give them a warning. Those men, she knew, would not heed it. Even one as subtle as the words she was about to impart.

“Just so you know…” She began in a low, dark tone.

“…I am going to kill each one of you, slowly….”

--

"Rage....the path to true power....I Can show you the way."

-

Unlike Cornelia, Mrysti wasn’t tossed inside the tiny cell. She was only shoved. She turned back toward the two guards and flexed at them. Both guards quickly lowering the forcefield and closing the vault door behind them. Turning to look at the cell, Mrysti ran hands over the top and then sides realizing quickly it was almost too small to allow her to stand. She knelt down on her knees and closed her eyes. Reaching out, she felt it. Cornelia was close. Hints of similar rage and anger radiated on the other side of the wall. Mrysti’s eyes snapped open as she looked over.

Only a wall separated them. But it was thick enough that even though the device which inhibited the use of the Force was removed, it would not be breached. But that didn’t mean Mrysti wasn’t looking for weaknesses. It was part of who she was. Years of captivity taught her as much.

Placing a hand on the cold stone of the wall, Mrysti closed her eyes again. She could feel Cornelia on the other side. Anger, hate; unfocused rage. Cornelia had lost her way in this place. The feeling felt so similar to how Mrysti once felt, raw and untrained. It dawned on her, that same rage that radiated off of Cornelia once attracted another Sith. It made sense what Darth Malvox said to her so long ago after sensing her in the arena on Hutta. Something only one seasoned in the Dark Side could feel and savor. It was like honey to Mrysti, so powerful that it nearly fueled her just being in Cornelia’s proximity. Lord Cornelia Usher was a very powerful Sith, she just didn’t know it. Cornelia was being buried by a hopelessness that she forced down and covered with her anger. Mrysti would have to remedy that if she was to make use of Cornelia.

“I didn’t need your help” Mrysti jerked her hand away from the wall. Cornelia reached out and touched, felt Mrysti checking on her. Though the wall muffled the voice, the heat from the thought felt like a hot stove; all directed at Mrysti. “You have any idea how many times that’s happened to me? How many times they have come in the dead of night to get what they want? I fight, only for show. Now matters are worse. Now, thanks to you, no manner of appeasement will placate them.” Cornelia dipped her head between her legs and sighed. “I had it all under control. No one was messing with me. I was riding out my time. They will kill me now…you too. But most assuredly, me first just because I spoke to you.”

Scoffing, Mrysti sat back on her calves and smiled wickedly to herself. “You fear death.” It wasn’t a question. Mrysti spoke with a humor behind her voice as she smiled. “Those are the words of a coward. And you are letting that fear control you.”

Sitting up, Cornelia grimaced from the pain of the beating she sustained. But the need to rebuke Mrysti over rode the need to sulk in silence. “Fear?!?! It’s not fear, its wanting to be left the kriff alone!! No one is getting out of here, do you hear me!! They are going to kill us now!!” Striking the wall with her fist, Cornelia showed teeth. “No one!! You give them what they want, they leave you alone. That is the way of things.” She was still staring at the wall, breathing heavy. Staring at the stone and waiting for another word. Only silence came. Cornelia slapped the wall again. “DO YOU HEAR ME!!!”

“Yes” Mrysti said softly. The muffled voice came back and made Cornelia look around frantically. It sounded so much closer, like Mrysti was in the cell with her. Linked into her mind, Mrysti was savoring the pain and anguish Cornelia was experiencing. Cornelia grabbed her hair on both sides of her head and shook it from side to side.

“Get out!! Get out of my mind!!!”

“No” Softly the word floated back toward Cornelia, who looked around again. “You…are weak, Lord Usher. Raw emotion will only take you so far. You lack discipline and focus. Ready to spread your legs and your will for those who before kissed the very ground we walked on” Pausing, Mrysti tightened her eyes closed further. “…shed your fear of what they can do and grasp what I WILL DO if you do not heed my words. Fear me.”

Eyes wide, Cornelia looked at the wall angrily. “And I suppose you know a better way?!?!” Almost completely ignoring what Cornelia both heard through the wall and in the echo of her mind. “Not all of us have your gifts, ‘Oh Lord of Lords’. Not all of us—”

“SILENCE” The word commanded obedience, interrupting not only her words but the angry thoughts. Echoing not only through the wall, but through Cornelia's mind. It made Cornelia weak as she fell back down onto the wall, looking up. “Reach out, Lord Usher…find me…find my mind in all of this. I have already touched the depths of your Rage. I am there, in the center of it. But it is not me that you are angry at. Look into me…and see true rage. Know the core of whom you are truly infuriated with.” Cornelia grabbed her head again, balling the hair up in her hands.

“No” Cornelia repeated the word as she rocked back and forth.

“Look…” Came the word again. Cornelia stopped rocking to look up. Closing her eyes she reached in and touched the others mind. The pain, the heat almost blacking her out as she came face to face with true rage.

Cornelia screamed out grabbing the walls around her as another image hit.

“No” Cornelia murmured. Things they never said. Things they never taught at the Academy. These were things that a Sith would experience in time. That Dark Power was meant to grow on its own. Lord Usher, stunted in her growth by the same man who put them both there in that place. Cornelia lurched back as the next image hit her.

“AGGGHHHH!!!” Screaming again, Cornelia fell forward. “St-stop…you can’t—”

“Can’t I?” Mrysti spoke evenly. “You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into Lord Usher. You chose the Dark Path. The Dark Path didn’t choose you.” Mrysti paused, reaching in deeper. She saw it, what Vowrawn had done to Cornelia. Completely open, Mrysti could see deep into Cornelia’s soul. And there at the heart of her rage, came Vowrawn. “I was chosen BY the Darkness, Cornelia. It is part of me, it always has been. Since my birth, I was born for it. Only when I was thrust into pain and anguish did it reveal itself. Just as it has for you…but YOU have chosen to deny it. To placate it with hopelessness. Convincing yourself that you have no hope in this place. It is only true if you give them your power. I…can show you everything that has been kept from you.”

Cornelia fell forward, her face landing on the wet of the floor after Mrysti released her. Slowly she pulled herself up to a sitting position and leaned against the wall again. Breathing heavily from what she seen. Slapping a hand against the wall, fingers curled with a wonder and desire. Who was this woman?

Cornelia knew the reputation, the stories. Some meant to strike fear into the enemies of the Empire. It couldn’t be real, not all of it. The burning inside shifted. Cornelia could feel it, a cold resolve strengthen and solidify her against the cold water of the floor. The stale air of the solitary cell. Warmth, even in its chilling embrace. It was warm. Hate that fueled the desire that was just starting to blossom once again. Cornelia leaned her head against the wall just to get closer as she looked at her hand.

“Sh-Show me…”

Inside, Mrysti smiled.