Author's Note: This is the continuation of Death of Heroes. It is strongly recommended you read it before continuing.
All Paths Burn
They say that all roads lead to Rome.
Rome was a destination. A fate so beautiful it was nearly unimaginable.
It was bliss. Complete balance of all things, a paradise during the days that could be counted to come again.
But something happened.
The Shadows destroyed some of the roads, and constructed their own.
Their roads did not lead to the same place as fate dwelled. Their roads circled around it and into darkness.
With their new constructions, they made destinies impossible and incinerated a paradis. Any roads that still lead to that place are doomed, for that place is now death.
Darkness has won.
Rome lies in ruins and all paths burn.
Prologue
A strangled breath.
"My Lord!"
He ignored him. Nothing mattered, only the power he controlled. The limitless power.
Eyes bulging, frantic clawing at the neck.
Useless. Futile. Nothing could stop him.
The unfortunate officer of the Imperial Star Fleet fell into an unceremonious heap at his feet. He scowled with distaste and kicked the lifeless body away. Two worthless men scuttled from their stations to drag it away.
"My Lord! This is unnecessary! Pointless! We are already short on weapon operators–"
Garbled words. Sputtering. He really shouldn't continue. Nearly half of the officers who could think for themselves had already been slain by his hand.
"You would do well to learn your place, Commander, before you join your comrade in his fate."
Fearful eyes. Heavy breathing. A relief to be alive.
He walked away, daring anyone to speak.
No one did.
"We will be engaging in five minutes. Kill them all – but I want her alive."
The cloaked Imperial ship inched closer to the unsuspecting freighter.
The Sith Lord smiled. A smile did that did not reach his eyes. Not even close.
Darth Vader's eyes were forever consumed by flame. Tainted by the Dark Side that was his ally, his enemy, and his soul witness to all of the horrors he had committed. All of the horrors he had yet to commit. Things not even Lord Sidious would mention.
Such a thing was about to occur. But not as it often did. Things would soon be set right.
Vader smirked.
It was not uncommon for even small freighters like The Darkstorm's prey to have the technology to detect the invisible pulses created by shields. . . even from a cloaked ship.
Apparently this freighter was not gifted with such lifesaving technology.
By the time The Darkstorm deactivated its cloaking device, it was already at point-blank range with the smaller transport, ready to blast through the light shields and board.
Vader glared at the boarding crew as he stalked from the small command bridge. His eyes flashed dangerously at the commander as his eyes settled on the fearful man.
Prickles along the neck. A phantom's grasp.
A cold voice.
"I want her alive, Commander."