Chapter 11: A Night to Dismember.

Zenna's school Vacation passed in a flash. The castle buzzed with excitement and anticipation. Preparations for the grand celebration were in full swing. This was not just any celebration. It was a grand event to honor my upcoming enrollment in Korriban Academy. The entire Eras estate was transformed with intricate decorations, and the air was filled with the aroma of exotic foods being prepared in the kitchen.

'Dare I say this party isn't nearly as large as Zenna's was.'

I smiled, remembering my sister's party last year. She was so blatantly my fathers favorite. I don't even think he would let me inherit his title even if I beat Zenna in one-on-one combat. And honestly Zenna deserves it more than I do. I would hate to get tied down to such bureaucratic work. I have spent barely a lick of time studying in this world.

I stood in front of the mirror in my room, adjusting my formal Sith robes. The weight of the fabric and the elaborate design made me feel more like a noble than a warrior, a feeling that was both comforting and uncomfortable. I was nervous, not just because of the event but also because it would be the first time I would be on display like some doll to the greater Sith Nobility.

A soft knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. 

"Vex, are you ready?" Zenna's voice came through the door.

"Yeah, come in," I replied, turning to face her as she entered.

Zenna looked stunning in her elegant dress, her hair styled in a way that accentuated her Fat milkers....

'What the fuck.'

Zenna looked stunning in her elegant dress, her hair styled in a way that accentuated her features. She smiled at me, her eyes sparkling with pride. 

"You look great, little brother."

"Thanks, Zenna. You look amazing," 

I said, returning a guilty smile to her. Her presence always had a calming effect on me.

"Mother's really gone all out for this celebration," 

Zenna said, looking around my room at the decorations and preparations. 

"It's going to be a night to remember."

I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. 

"Yeah, it's a big deal."

Father, this morning, had excitedly given me my "first lightsaber." I felt guilty taking it from him, but he was just so excited to give it to me. Despite not being his favorite, he definitely loves me. For the Sith I knew of in my past life, that was like a strict no-go, I think? I don't remember? Maybe? But this man is far too wholesome to be a sith of old. 

The Saber was a glossy black cylinder. Terribly ugly. Synthetic red crystal included. It was the bare minimum but I planned on customizing it once I had time. This would be my "official" Saber after all. I had it strapped to my belt for the party. 

As Zenna and I made our way to the grand hall, the scale of the celebration became even more apparent. The hall was filled with Sith nobility, their elaborate outfits and commanding presence creating an atmosphere of power and prestige. The walls were adorned with banners bearing the Eras family crest, and the tables were laden with an array of delicacies.

My mother, Baroness Hela Eras, stood near the center of the hall, greeting guests with a regal demeanor. Despite the tension between us, I couldn't help but admire her poise and authority. She spotted us and motioned for us to join her.

"Vex, Zenna," she greeted us warmly. "Tonight is a celebration of our family's strength and unity. Remember that."

'Mother, ever the politician it seems.'

"Of course, Mother," I replied, trying to match her composed tone.

As the evening progressed, I found myself interacting with various nobles. Some were genuinely interested in getting to know me, while others seemed more interested in testing my resolve. Throwing insults at me for being the mere "spare of a low baron noble." It was a delicate dance of power and politics, and I did my best to navigate it without making any enemies.

'Im taking names, you Sith cunts. The second I get to the Academy, I'm gonna put your kids in the fucking dirt, I swear to god.'

"Vex, I've heard a lot about you," a tall, imposing Sith Lord, Count Mar Tuah, said, approaching me with a calculating look. "Your reputation precedes you."

'What the fuck is he talking about? What achievement

"Thank you, Count Tuah," I replied, inclining my head respectfully. "I strive to live up to the expectations placed upon me."

He nodded, his eyes studying me intently. 

"I look forward to seeing how you develop at Korriban. The Academy can be a harsh place, but it forges the strongest Sith."

"I'm prepared for the challenges," I said, meeting his gaze steadily. "I welcome the opportunity to prove myself."

He smiled, a hint of approval in his expression. 

"Good. We need more young Sith with your potential."

As the conversation ended, I felt a surge of relief. Navigating the complex web of Sith politics was exhausting, but it was a necessary part of my new life. I spotted Sola across the room, engaged in a conversation with another noble. Our eyes met briefly, and she gave me a reassuring smile. Her presence was both comforting and a bitter reminder of the awkward summer I just had.

'After our kiss, she just pretended it had never happened. How the fuck am I even supposed to deal with that. But I can't even be mad because she's the reason I'm getting into Korriban a year early.'

I sigh. 

'Fuck bitches, Get that bag. When I show up to the Academy, I'm going to be the strongest Sith around and get pussy from everyone...'

'I don't even want that. I have to be careful. If I become too noticeable, people might catch me using the dark and the light, and that would be problematic for my family. These Sith, despite being weak as fuck, still in fight the same. The treacherous bastards. They'd all sell you for a few credits if they had the chance.'

'Kill the fake Sith. Bathe in their blood. Destroy the order before they destroy your family.'

My creepy, intrusive thoughts voice out in displeasure.

'Relax, buddy.'

As I was batting away my internal strife, the evening took a darker turn. A sudden commotion erupted near one of the entrances. I turned to see a group of guards rushing towards a fallen guest, their expressions grim. Instinctively, I moved closer to investigate, my senses on high alert.

"What's going on?" I asked one of the guards.

"There's been an attack," he replied tersely. "Stay back, my lord. We'll handle this."

Ignoring his warning, I pushed forward, my eyes scanning the area for any sign of the assailant. Sola appeared at my side, her expression equally determined.

"We need to find out who's behind this," she said, her voice low. "There could be more assassins."

"The audacity," I spoke angrily. "To use my Bat Mitzvah to kill someone!"

Sola made a weird face at me she mouthed the word "Bat Mitzvah" to herself questioning the meaning of it.

I nodded, my mind racing. The celebration was supposed to be a show of strength and unity, but it quickly turned into a potential battleground. As we moved through the crowd, I caught sight of a figure slipping away towards a side exit.

"There," I said, pointing. "Let's go."

We followed the figure, our movements swift and silent. The figure led us to a secluded courtyard, where they stopped and turned to face us. It was a young woman, her face partially obscured by a hood.

"You're too late," she said, her voice cold. "The assassination was just a distraction."

I look annoyed. "That's stupid!"

Without responding, she ignited her lightsaber, the red blade brightly lit up the night. Sola and I moved in unison, our own sabers springing to life as we prepared to engage.

My new Saber, while hideous, was otherwise usable. It didn't feel bad to hold in my hand at least.

The woman was skilled, her attacks precise and relentless. But it quickly became apparent that she was no match for the combined strength of Sola and me. We fought with a fluidity that came from our training she made me partake in this summer. Our movements are synchronized and powerful. Well worth her weird regiment of battling droids while our legs were tied together.

As the battle raged, I could sense the woman's desperation. She was outmatched, and she knew it. With a final, desperate strike, she tried to break through our defenses, but I blocked her attack and disarmed her, sending her lightsaber clattering to the ground.

"Who sent you?" I barked, holding my blade at her throat.

She glared at me, defiance in her eyes. "You think you've won? This is just the beginning."

Before I could press her further, she tried to bite down on something, but I stopped her, using the force to grab the bitches jaw and prop it open. I got that Jedi Seer foresight, after all.

"If you wanted to die assassin, all you had to do was ask."

My lips twisted into a broken smile. As I chopped her arms and legs off in one swing. The assassin lying on the ground screaming in agony as the look of a raw primordial fear washed over her face. A single tear ran down her cheek.

'Why am I smiling? Why does this feel so good?'

I cut her head off to end this confusion bubbling up within me. Sola's eyes bored into me with a strange mixture of surprise, excitement, and perhaps a tad bit of horror? I can't tell.

Sola placed a hand on my shoulder, her touch grounding me. "You probably should have let her live."

"She was going to find a way to kill herself no matter what. I simply killed her in the way I found befitting of someone who attacks my family."

I spoke with disdain for the party pooper assassin. Even if I went overboard, I'm glad she's dead.

"We'll find out who was behind this, Vex. Tonight was a warning, but it also showed our strength." Sola said this while rubbing my back.

I nodded, taking a deep breath to calm myself. 

"You're right. We'll be ready for whatever comes next."

As we turned to make our way back, a crowd formed. Count Mar Tuah's eyes wide. He ran up to me.

"My goodness, what a show. Absolutely relentless, lad. You chopped her limbs off in a single swing."

He was positively delighted. He continued.

"My daughter, Hawk Tuah, is a year older than you. She will also be starting at Korriban this upcoming semester. She is my heir. I would like for you to consider taking her as your wife. If you do, you will become the Count of Thalassia."

The Count seemed surprised by his own offer but doubled down when he saw how confused I was.

"Vex, I'm serious."

I smiled. "I will.."

Right as I was responding, Sola grabbed my arm and whipped me behind her. Her face burned with anger.

"Count Tuah, It is disgraceful to pawn your daughter off on Vex here during his…." She looked at me with confusion and then back at the Count. "During his Bat Mitzvah" 

I almost died laughing on the spot. I was cracking up behind Sola. 

"Sola, I promise I meant no offense." The Count seems to recognize the difference and status and clearly does not want the smoke. "And a bart Mustafar? I'm not sure what that is?"

I butt in to save the day. "Ahh, sorry. It's a Bat Mitzvah. It's something I picked up from one of the Holocron guardians I used to talk with. It's allegedly an ancient Rakatan word for coming of age, so I've been referring to this party as that for me." I smiled innocently.

The Count laughed nervously while Sola was staring daggers through him. 

"Coming of age indeed." He started backing away slowly. "Anyway congratulations, and please consider what I offered earlier."

Sola finally let go of me and we awkwardly made our way back to the grand hall, the celebration had resumed, albeit with a more subdued atmosphere. My mother approached us, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene.

"What happened?" she asked, her voice low and dangerous.

"There was an assassination attempt," I replied. "But we stopped it."

She nodded, her expression hardening. "Good. We'll deal with the fallout later. For now, let's not let this ruin the evening."

I smiled at Mother, keeping the engagement request to myself. I really don't want to be politically married off for her plans. 

The rest of the night passed in a blur of conversations and cautious glances. The tension was palpable, but the celebration continued. It was a reminder that in the world of the Sith, strength and appearances were everything.

As the night came to an end, I found myself alone with my low-key tipsy mother in one of the quieter rooms of the castle. She regarded me with a mixture of pride and warmth while also trying to hold in her laughter.

"They tried to cleanly and neatly poison themselves." Mother was giggling like a schoolgirl. And frankly, I felt mocked. "And you said "No way, you Nerf herder"" She mimed using a lightsaber. "And cut all her limbs off!" She died laughing.

I felt awkward. "They attacked our family by coming tonight," I spoke honestly.

Mother was beside herself with laughter. "SO YOU CUT ALL HER LIMBS OFF" She was practically rolling on the ground laughing. It was actually a bit contagious. I couldn't help but chuckle at how amusing she found it. 

Mother then came over and hugged me incredibly tightly. 

"Vex, You and are truly alike. The only thing in life that matters in life is this family. Never forget that. Please be more careful next time, though. I heard you didn't even break a sweat during your fight. Never underestimate your opponents. Always retaliate with overkill." 

Her drunken words were laced with power. Indeed a formidable woman. 

'Good going, Dad.'

"I know, Mother," I replied, my voice steady. "I'll be ready for whatever comes."

She nodded, her gaze softening again. 

"Good. Now Vex leave mother be. She needs to find daddy and get her rocks off." 

She scurried away like a bitch in heat. 

"I know I should be grossed out, but low key, I think it's nice they're still intimate." 

I smile briefly.

"Wait, no, what the fuck?"

As I made my way to my room, I couldn't shake the feeling of a compounding unease. The night's events had revealed just how dangerous the world of the Sith could be. But it had also shown me the strength of my family and the bond I was forming with Sola.

'What if the voice in my head is right. Perhaps I could destroy the Sith order and replace it with just my family. To do it right I'd have to kill all the sith though.' I sign my head hurting from contemplation.

As I turned the corner I noticed Solas with a grim look on her face. She tightly hugged me close to her chest. I blushed as I could feel her close to me.

"Vex" She spoke with a reddened face "I desperately want you to know that whatever your future holds please don't ever stop looking my way."

'What the fuck is happening. Ever since I stopped jerking off 4 times a day, the whole galaxy has fallen to shit.'

Sola's face got even redder. 

"Sola, I'm not going anywhere. Plus, I'm gonna be student council vice president, remember?"

"Ahhh, yes. Of course. Well then I'll see you tomorrow when we go off world."

Sola scurried away. She seems into me now, but during the summer, she acted more like a sister. Women are a truly tricky puzzle that I've yet to solve within two lifetimes.