This is a bit bizzare, Bentre thought to himself. What is a guy to do when he has two spirits in his head?

*These are the times, Kairn'tel, when you have to seize control.* The dark voice of his family's oppressor pushed at the back of his head.

"Defiler!" The gravelly voice of something unbidden escaped from Bentre's lips. "You have no power here!"

*Do you really think that this is the first time that this one has had the presence of another in his head? His voices alone are enough to drive one mad.* The old spirit groused. *Well, crazier, if it were possible.*

Bentre gripped the table, grinding his teeth together. "This is too much already! I have an Empire to rule. What do the two of you expect to get out of me.

*Power.* The old spirit groused. *The sort that Tasha'Vel and her grandfather could never have imagined. I want to grant you the strength to make the Dark Council bow to your will. Imagine, the likes of Pravus, Mav, even the Keibatsu groveling at your feet, waiting for your commands.*

"What sort of drivel is he asking of you, this pretender!?" The new spirit jeered. "I have access to powers, to spells, to rituals the likes that you would never experience with the influence of one so limited. The secrets of the Force itself are mine to command, and you would bow to this ghost of an oppressor?"

Bentre's mind reeled. His plans were falling apart around him.

*I have the plans for superweapons.*

"I have ages of medical secrets and arcane mysteries at my very fingertips.

*I have already helped to carve out a place for you in your labs, Kairn'tel. Do you think that I would lead you wrong at this time?*

"I have," the newer spirit, "access to things that even the Grand Masters do not know. The Children of Mortis, the location of the True Sith, the secret vaults below the surface of Tarthos and many secrets that went to the grave with Urias Orian!" The newer voice cackled with Bentre's voice. "Are you really willing to let all that slip through your fingers?"

*What if you let your current work slip?* The cool voice of the old spirit Ferras'ota cooed in the former Obelisk's ears. There are still secrets to be uncovered that current medical technology have only started to unlock. Look at the Collegium and it's work. Do you trust that this* thing *will possess anything they could not uncover?*

"But at what cost?" The new spirit hissed, stressing at Bentre's already raw throat. "What thing has he asked of you?"

*The legacy.* Ferras'ota grumbled. *All I want is to direct the path of the future and to complete my work. Our ways are similar, Kairn'tel. You know this."

"I...I don't know." Bentre hated to express the weakness in that moment. He shook his head, trying to will both voices to quiet.

"Weakness!" The new spirit shrieked. "Are you truly to heir to the legacy of Urias Orian or are you just a Corellian dog?"

*See how it pressures you. We have a history though, Bentre. You know what we seek to complete.*

"Time." Bentre gasped. "I need time. I don't have the means of extracting you both yet, and you both have some use to me. I will not force you both out. I will not force one of you out. I will not be commandeered!"

A shrill giggle escaped his lips. "Oh, what are you going to do to stop us?"

A knock came from the door of his office. Bentre cleared his throat, hoping his normal voice would reassert itself. "Come in."

"Sir." It was Takagari. "Is everything alright?"

Bentre waved a hand. "Fine. I am fine. Just having some doubts."

*Liar.* The newer voice seemed calmed, but the Adept's head pounded. This was going to take some getting used to.