((If you remembered from my previous fic I stated that I would be working on a story based around Nihilus. Now this is fiction and loosely based on the character but I felt that I could at least produce a story about the character that seems likely to fit in the story arc of the game or in the Expanded Universe of Star Wars. While my writing may not be the best it is improving well enough and I'm now going over my grammar more.
Well this is the story based on Nihilus' life from a Padawan, to a Knight, then Mercenary, Jedi, Malachor, then Sith, Then Sith Lord, His conquest, another conquest, Kataar, His apprentice, Floating around the unknown region, a confrontation, Telos, then my original fics part, then the Exile and finally an epilogue. That's 16 chapters minus 1 since my original story is already written. Well I should finish by the end of this year and each story should run from 2-6 pages on Microsoft Word on a 12 font though this chapter is larger the 10 rather 15 pages. Hopefully I get feed back but even if I don't I'll still write.
I chose the title because of its subtle meaning without it telling too much about the plot, if you define the meaning of the title and read my first preview of the story you may understand why I chose the name
Excuse my grammar, Microsoft word is acting up and the spelling check doesn't work. ))
Manifold Trails
Nihilus watched as his fellow peers mimicked their Teachers movements. The student sent rapids, inaccurate swipes at their training dolls who simply took the hits.
Holding the blade of a Vibro Blade 180 degrees downward Nihilus stared at his shuffling opponent as he lazily looked off. Gazing at other students who were already Jedi Nihilus watched as they also attacked ignorantly.
Bringing the blade upward Nihilus caught the droid off guard as others began to neglect their work. Twirling his arm right he sent the weapon into the droids leg as it stumbled to the ground.
Striking down was his follow up as the droid was lifted up by the raw force of the attack. Spinning around performing Shun a technique used to build up momentum; Nihilus hacked off the droid's leg in the technique Cho mak.
Not finished with his oncoming hunger for violence Nihilus used a blow to the right arm of the droid in Sun djem style to knock the ion rifle out the droids hands.
Preforming Cho sun, Nihilus seperated the two arms from the droids body as it was left defensly against the blood lusted student.
Shiak next was used as Nihilus impaled the doll as the Jedi Masters began to gasp in fear, shock or a mix of both.
Bringing the weapon up splitting some of the body in half Sai cha was the last stray as Nihilus decapitated the droid.
Lefts broken and headless the driod began to shake before it was booted into the air as it exploded in a showers of sparks.
Appluade from the younger audience caused Nihilus to grin as he shook his head allowing sweat to come off his oily face.
He stopped as he heard the dissatifaction from the older Jedi and mutters from Knights as he soon was grasped on the shoulder.
Looking back in shock Nihilus prepared to draw his blade in reflex but was stopped by a minor form of Force Stun.
"Master Vrook would like a word, Dakuras." A smooth, yet sly voice came to whisper in the young students ear as he looked to see no one was near him.
Stratching his head as he finished with his first test, Nihilus began to leave the area dropping the weapon on the ground next to the area where it all began.
You sent for me sir? That was the question Nihilus wanted to ask but began to stutter as he watched a young Master Vrook.
The frown upon his face was hard and cold and looked as if nothing could warm it.
"Do you know what you have done recently? And why I've summoned you?" Vrooks cold voice spoke.
"No not fully, I've just completed my task though in an unrthidox fashion so it could be various reasons." Nihilus spoke thruthfully.
In spite of which his voice was sly and too calm, not to add that he though that it was kinda funny finishing early, correctly and yet being called upon as if he did something wrong.
"Because you acted in an uneeded fashion." Vrook corrected as he calmed himself from snapping at the younger male.
"By holding my weapon in the wrong form, I couldn't use Makashi because I had injured my arm earlier." Nihilus lied though choosing not to attempt using the Force to persuade the master to believe him.
"Its not that you barbaric imbosile, its that you used techniques of the Dark Side." Vrook stated as he began to inhale some air for the first time.
"Disarming one in battle is honorable seeing as you didn't want to kill but you had to Impale and Decapitate your opponent, in front of younger students?" Vrook started again as his voice grew louder.
"What shall happen if the others start following your style, then we have a newer era of Sith." Vrook began before he was interrupted.
"Master Vrook if I may interrupt, I wasn't entirely the young ones fault." A soft, sensire voice spoke as the Padawan didn't dare look back.
"This one was supposed to be taught by Master Zektal but he was busy having too many students as some of the other masters were hurt." The girl spoke as Nihilus closed his eyes.
A moment of silence came as Vrook stopped to ponder the thought but quickly dismissed it as he spoke again.
"That is no excuss Leona, now if you must wait by the door as I speak…" Vrook start before another came.
"Over Seer Vann, what are you doing here? I mean I greet you but I'm busy now with this defiant student." Vrook said plainly as he looked
"That's why I'm here, to talk about the student." Vann said as he strode towards the two students and the master.
"Hello and you muster be?" Vann starrted as Nihilus looked towards the master. In his early teen years he looked older and had aged eyes but they sparkled green and brown as he combed his hand through his hair signaling that he wanted to speak but couldn't find what to say.
"Dakuras, though you can call me Nada or Nihil." Nihilus said as he looked towards the older Jedi.
The young girl blushed as he grinned slightly, it was the names that the children gave him due to his birth and ethnicity.
He was born of a Spanish fighter who used the Force. His father though using the power wasn't a Jedi or Sith but belonged to a secret faction. One that he didn't know of but knew they studied multiple forms like those of the Multika and Zielson Sha.
His mother on the hand was unknown, he had known that she abandoned him only for his father to come and adopt him unknowingly thinking he was some random child.
There he was raised as an student before failing him at the task of learning to use your surrounding in battle.
After some time his father left him to the Jedi at the age of 7 where he trained until now at the age of 16.
He knew little of his childhood or parents so the girls named him Nada for him knowing nothing and being Spanish while the males called him Nihil for knowing nothing when asked a question other then battles and force styles.
"Dakuras?" Vann siad trying the name out as it rolled off his toung. He said it a few more times in mutters before smiling.
"I like it, well I'm Vann the Over Seer of the Republics Allies." Vann said politly extending his hand.
"Over Seer? Shouldn't you be busy checking out for attacks from the Sith or Mandolorians?" Nihilus spoke rudely as he implied the attack from Exar Kun and Qul-Droma.
"Funny, that what I was about to mention. You show the same passion and fiercness Exar had as a young one." Vann spoke as if he was having an casual conversation then a check up.
"Yeah but unlike him I'm no fool to try fighting a battle I can't win then retreat." Dakuras said as he folded his arms before Vrook intervined.
"And yet you show similar characteristics, I'd say he was the pennicle of what you'll go onto if you keep up this path."
"No Master Vrook, he seems to be different then Kun and it'll be unwise to compare the two." Vann began.
"You have superb dueling skills and I believe that form you had used when fighting the driod was excellent. Compared to the others who were just playing with toys you held the Vibro Blade as a weapon hacking off every obsticle before finishing the job. No toying around or mocking just getting the job done." Vann spoke as he praised the young Padawan as he looked in shock.
"I believe that a Jedi like you should be a Knight by now and at such a young age." Vann began as Vrook stopped him.
"But he is a Padawan not fully excepted into the Order yet, and you want him as a Knight?" Vrook spoke in contempt.
"Exactly and I say he shall be tonight, though you shall set up trials to see if he should skip his early training and begin his Knighthood." Vann said overiding Vrooks position as far as the Order was concerd since the Jedi needed allies.
"Dakuras, report back to me latter, Leona please escort him to his quarters as I consolt with the Over Seer." Vrook spoke as the girl nodded her head walking Nihilus out the room.
"Any reason why Vrook was pissed?" Nihilus asked just for the sake of talking.
"It isn't your concern young one, just continue walking." Vash said as Nihilus chuckled.
"Whats funny?"
Nothing was funny but Nihilus felt that Leona was trying too hard. It was as if she forced herself to be cold and mature but was failing at both which humored him.
"Explain something, if the Jedi are to be emotionless why do they come off being hard headed and cold?" Nihilus asked curiosly showing his age.
"But you fail to do either one but come off more as a fake excuse for an Jedi!" Nihilus finished plainly as he shook his head.
Looking down in triump he began to turn around before he was back handed.
The fierce eyes of Jedi Vash shined angry as he put her hand at her side. Frowning in anger she crossed her arms before asking for an apology.
"Leona, you had better get back before Vrook gives you a spanking." Nihilus joked as he leaned back just barely avoiding her lung but allowing her to fall on top of him.
"Hey get a room and good catch Nihil." A passing student remarked as he passed by Nihilus in his ackward position.
Blushing slightly a whistle came and appluade for him being so close with a Jedi going on Knighthood and him being a Padawan.
"Well I uh Nada, I got to go now." Vash said stumbbling on her words as she struggled to hastly get up.
"Not one of your more wiser moves was it Nihil, and I though you Spanish people were charmers with the ladies." Nihilus' roomate said as he rubbed his hands.
"One don't stereo type me just because I'm Spanish and two, she knew she liked me but you were here." Nihilus shot back laughing as his Mandolorian ally looked down on his arm.
"Another one, if you keept this up your be covered in Tatoo's, this is your what 10th one?" Nihilus asked Yalecl as he grinned.
"16TH, but the others are just tribal and foreign?" Both the two laughed slightly as they both knew Yalecl cared little for tribal markings, he said he lived for the future not the past and tribal markings represented his past.
"Well I'm out to train while you better sleep?" Yalecl said looking off.
"Aren't you suspended from training for a week because you injured that visitor, you know the girl you liked." Dakuras said lying down.
"Hey, I didn't like her she liked me, and I didn't injure her she got in the way when I use Force Push so she just hit a wall, it wasn't my fault." His friends said trying to defend himself.
"That's not how I remembered it, I remember you showing off, then telling her to come followed by you trying to use Pull to bring her closer but instead trough her back." Nihilus corrected as He was pelted by a pillow.
"Go sleep already because you, Vash and Atris hhave to take a test before hitting Knighthood." Yalecl said lazyly.
"How did you know that?" Nihilus asked accusingly.
"Because Dakuras, I'm your escort, this isn't Korriban and you don't know your way around Dantooine or Ossus' ruins so don't even ask. And yes I'm above Padawan level." Yalecl said forcing himself up.
"Plus everyone heard the story of Vann promoting you to Knighthood if you pass this trial." Yalecl finshed as his put on his gloves which were Echani inituate starter gloves.
"Any reason why Vrook was pissed?" Dakuras asked as Yalecl tossed off his Jedi robe to put on an underlay then a thin combat suit's top.
"He hates Vann, calls him reckless and his eye for talent is an eye for destruction. Not to mention that he calls the Republic nothing but a group of fools since they didn't listen when the Sith and Kun war began."
"Then when you were to be punished Vann stopped him and instead rewarded you, but I think you should sleep since Vrook is going to want you." Yalecl finished.
"Vrook, I have to see him, he wanted me about something, after the Over Seer came." Nihilus rushed as he raced to see Vrook.
"So you finally show up, hardly the way for a Jedi Knight to make impressions." Vrook stated coldly as Nihilus looked off.
"I apologize for being late, I was busy being side tracked by your aid and some fellow peers." Nihilus lied as he didn't feel himself become slowly corrupted.
"So I heard, speaking of which, what transpired between you and the Jedi?" Vrook asked as Nihilus looked towards his face though not daring to stare into his eyes.
"We just walked towards my room, she took a tumble and I helped her up." Nihilus lied again though leaving a hint of truth in his words.
"From what I heard you were in an unadvised, position with her. Didn't you learn about relationships between Jedi?" Vrook asked accusingly.
"Please may just get back on topic Master Vrook, Master Vander wishes to talk to me about my actions also." Nihilus lied once more feeling Vrook stare upon him.
His eyes narrowed as they locked onto Nihilus. His back straightened, his hair combed into a thick pony tail, and his robes ironed. Nihilus appeared fashionably fit and acceptable but he still appeared cocky in Vrook's eyes.
"And so we shall, now to what the Over Seer has told me. You are to be tested for Knighthood. Its both mentally and physically a strain on ones body. Your not even a beginning Jedi so you don't know the basics besides Makashi but I'll give you an chance, but first you must pass these questions that while position you in what you shall be doing. If you fail, your still a Padawan, you pass and you move on." Vrook said as Nihilus noddded before not even getting a chance to prepare himself.
"When facing and oppenent skilled in Lightsaber combat and they can use the force what style do you use?"
"Makashi" Nihilus answered hastly.
"When building a Lightsaber what object is most important?"
"The lens, too thin and the weapons burns through, too thick and the weapon won't ignite."
"When facing an opponent what is the first form you should use?"
"Form 0, the art of having duel without even using violence but verbally fighting."
"Last, when fighting an dangerous opponent and they can't be spared what must you do?"
"Sai cha the form of beheading someone." Nihilus finished knowing that he finished all his questions correctly before awaiting another test.
"Test two, History of the Jedi. When the Great Hunt began what creature was hunt?"
Left clueless as he didn't know any history of the Jedi so far he didn't have a clue. Out of the nine years he spent there he mostly trained an learned basic rules not history lessons. He knew he was going to be wrong but he took a guess from what he learned and heard from his father and bounty hunters.
"Creatures of the DarkSide who feed on force users?" Nihilus asked as Vrook looked coldly into his face.
"Who started the Hyperspace War?" Vrook asked as Nihilus now watched the ceiling before guessing an answer.
"Freedon Nadd?"
"Where was the first meeting of Jedi held?"
"I don't know."
"What positon does the Republic have with the Order?"
"Can't say I know that either."
"What is the goal of being a Jedi?"
"I guess its to balance out the force."
"You fail to meet my expectation?" Vrook stated as Nihilus dropped his head into his palms and shook his head.
"Draw a weapon." Vrook said as he pointed to an desk full of muliple weapons.
Lightsabers, Vibroblades, Gammorian axes, Lightning guantlents, Blasters, Ion rifles, Stun granades, Mines, and other forms of weapons.
And they were all his for the picking, any one or two he could use in battle, though getting the wrong object could result in him dying and he was too young to die.
Walking to see Nihilus caught an eye on a Ion blaster, hiding it in his robe he selected his chose.
A Lightsaber, two power guantlents, a poison mines, and a tranqulizer dart.
Ducking as he seen an chair come his way Nihilus rolled out the way as a desk came pushing towards him.
Igniting the saber Nihilus looked up to see Vrook pushing his blade downwards nearly cutting his chin.
Using his free hand he grabbed the hidden blaster and shot Vrook momentarily stunning him. Rolling out the way to use a stun granade, Nihilus stabbed the Master with the dart as he closed his eyes.
A blue bubble formed around him as he fought back against the effects before moving again.
Forgetting that Jedi's could resist poison and stun effects Nihilus tossed the granade as Vrook inhaled the gas to show that it didn't hurt him.
Forgetting about his force style Nihilus stood in a fencing force as he nearly dropped the Lightsaber.
Taking quick lunges as if the blade was an raptair, Nihilus was surprised to see Vrook back away.
Kicking a chair at him to see Vrook block it, Nihilus ran towards him swiping at his chest but connecting with his blade.
"Good idea, bad execution, use the proper form before you fail." Vrook stated as Nihilus switched to sending rapid hits at at Vrooks legs and arms.
Using a mix of Shun and Sun djem Nihilus built up speed to back hand Vrook's weapon out his hand with the power guantlents.
Rolling on the floor and he picked up the weapon Nihilus now held two blades, both of which he could barely use.
Tossing the weapons aside Nihilus went into Niemi style hoping to have a overall balance of fighting with no weakness to exploit execpt his ignorance of the style.
Not even able to close his eyes Nihilus was stunned. Paralysis spread through his body as couldn't even close his eyes. Watching as Vrook tossed his hand up he instantly fell down bruising his ribs.
Seconds later he was dragged across the floor towards Vrook who picked him up then waved his hands.
Felling realived as he felt his body slowly heal he exhaled some air. Rapid bits of air were a blessing as he struggled to get air into his lungs.
"Your results are below mediocre but pass the minimum. I expect you to meet me and the others by the front of the academy withen five hours. Hopefully you will be on time." Vrook stated as Nihilus put everything away before leaving only the Ion blaster in his stash.
Walking out the academy roughly an hour early Nihilus was greeted by Atris and Yalecl. Apperantly they were conversing because Atris was talking about Echani fighting styles while Yalecl talked about battle circles.
Looking over towards them to see Atris staring at him Nihilus looked back in confusion. Smiling as he realized that she was one of the people to go with him Nihilus walked towards her and Yalecl.
"You must be the boy who's to go with us?" Atris told him rather then asked as he looked down at her and nodded his head. He towored over her by being 5'11 compared to her 5'6 hieght though they still looked up to Yalecl who was 6'2.
"I'm Atris your partner for the mission, I'll handle the study of the obstacles." Atris explained as she extended her hand through her brown robe.
"I'm Dakuras, you may call me Nada, I'll act as the tank of the mission, taking the bulk of the damage and dealing out it on what ever we encounter." Nihilus explained kissing the top of her hand as a blush came to her face.
Yalcel clapped his palms softly as Nihilus closed his eyes in triump. Letting her hand go Nihilus though about regretting the lie that he just told but part of him said let it go.
"How well do you know how to use a Lightsaber?" Atris asked as Nihilus looked off.
He'd only used training sabers which hurt like hell to be hit by but didn't compare and the one that he dueled Vrook with and even then he'd just barely held his ground only by making sure not to let go.
"I preffer Vibroblades and Raptairs, the old fashion way?" Nihilus explained as he took a Raptair from his side and twirled it over his fingers.
"How barbaric, you really need to catch up to the times, Lightsabers have been around before the riegn of Tulak Horde. Though you seem like Ajunta Pual using swords over Jedi and Sith weapons." Atris commented leaving Nihilus dumbstruct.
"Yeah but I like Ajunta Pual, kind of is like a pinnicle of what I want to become." Nihilus said having no exact idea of what he just said.
"You want to be a Sith Lord?" Atris asked gasping as she felt her head.
"No I meant I want to be a duelist who using melee weapons over Lightsabers," Nihilus corrected himself.
"You must be a historian of Jedi Lores correct?" Nihilus asked as Atris nodded her head.
"Basic knowledge for Jedi students to learn from their Masters and in the study halls but never seen you around." Atris said before Nihilus changed the subject after seeing Yalecl hold his arm.
"You want to spare, a three way, me, you and Yalecl?" Nihilus asked before looking at Yalecl face with probably had a crude remark.
"I want to but I think he's had enough for now," Atris started as the Mandolorian shook his wrist before stopping to smirk. "I spoke too fast, sure."
Watching as the two ignited their blades Nihilus felt like the odd ball out as he held only a raptair.
"A spanish fencer, Nada you cease to amaze me." Atris said as she swung her blade too fast for Nihilus to see.
Almost defeated Nihilus thanked Yalecl for the fact of him catching the blade. His orange blade caught her blue one as he pushed her back.
Lunging towards his friend, Nihilus watched as he ducked then flipped Nihilus over his shoulders before capturing Atris blade again. Switching to Juyo from what he seen, Nihilus spun his raptair to build momentum as he hit the two blades sending them all back.
Landing on his feet Nihilus jumped up for an Power attack but met a flurry attack which started to keep him suspended in air. Enough for Atris to hit him with her forearm across his face as he fell to the ground.
Watching the air as the two finished their bout Nihilus looked at the sky. His eyes groggy from one hit he thought what his father might yell at him if he was seen knocked out by one blow.
Standing up as he seen sparks come from a third saber he'd seen that he was replace by Vash who must have came when he was in limbo.
Looking to see Yalecl fending off the two who tag teamed him while he would guard then attack one, Nihilus rushed in as he extended him sword.
Peircing through the three weapons Nihilus seperated them through raw power as they all jumped back not wanting to be tossd once more.
Running towards Yalecl side as the two girls sized him up as he was sweating from beads of sweat Nihilus was healed as he held his blade on the ground.
"Uno, dos, thres, Nihilus counted before the two attack Atris who looked in confusion as Nihilus counted down. They attempted to use Sun djem as they hit her wrist with their free hands.
Next they seperated to preform a twin Shun as they both spun around before hitting Leona with the same Sun djem attack.
Sheathing their weapons as they turned around Nihilus spun around hittting Yalecl with his elbow knocking him down before he could grasp his saber to attack.
"I told you, melee weapons are what I prefer." Nihilus said tiredly as Yalecl got up angryly, before he yelled about waiting 3 not 2 seconds beofre turning on each other.
"You had enough exercise yet or do you need and bout?" Vrook asked as Nihilus felt himself go cold.
Vrook was followed by Vander who looked displeased to see that Nihilus had lied and involved him.
"You are to go to Ossus' ruins, there you shall retrieve a holocron for each of you, Yalecl you are required to obtain five and Dakuras four the rest of you need only one. That should teach you two about lying and showing off." Vrook stated as Nihilus frowned clutching his hands into a ball as the two girls laughed.
Walking through the rumble on Ossus Nihilus gazed around wondering what happened. He just heard the planet was destroyed, well its serface was since technology wasn't so great that it could kill a planet.
"So what are we supposed to do, walk around and just find these damn holocrons just lying on the floor?" Nihilus yelled kicking a pot across the room as Atris scream about preserving artifacts.
"Yeah well I'm down to four." Yalecl muttered lowly as he picked up a discovered holocron under where the claypot was.
"Hey that mine, give it up."
"No you kicked the clay pot and I found it so that mean its mine." Yalecl responded calmly as he waved the holocron in the air.
"Move out now the way, incoming enemy." Vash yelled as she moved back behind the three Jedi.
Looking ahead as he loosly held his raptair Nihilus seen an running Boma that looked move fearful then angry.
Falling into Shien form Nihilus held his raptair loose as he seen everyone else go into varies styles.
Jumping past him Dakuras watched Vann use Niemi as she used a standard attack on the Boma. Atris fell into Makashi her standard form as she extended her free hand using a charged Power attack in the off hand. And last Yalecl used no attack as he just hung back and watched.
Slicing through the beast instantly Nihilus seen a gleamer as the weapons hit the spinnal chord. Tossing his raptair in the way of a saber Nihilus rushed and grapped for what he say.
Retracting his hand Nihilus opened his palms to reveal a holocron simliar to Yalecl. Smiling to see everyone who did work shocked Nihilus pocketed the item.
"So we continue?" Nihilus asked shyly as he got angry hate stares.
Check under the pots, that's what his mind told him which he did, finding another holocron easyly Nihilus looked around before slipping it into his stash as did Yalecl who also found one.
"Atris, what type of room is this? Its structure resembles a library but seems ackward to be holding so many artifacts." Nihilus asked observently.
"Its appears to be a lore or something of that nature." Vash said finally speaking as Atris nodded her head.
"That's probably why you two found holocrons." Vash finished as she slowly moved everything out her way finding her one and only Holocron bending down to pick it up she seen it being snatched up by Nihilus.
"This is payment for you slapping me earlier." Nihilus joked as he held the holocron over her head keeping her from reaching it.
"Two more left." Yalecl muttered as he stole a holocron from infront of a distracted Atris.
"Atris, what creature hunted Force users during the first Great Hunt?" Nihilus asked worried as he narrowed his eyes gripping his Raptair.
"Tarentatek, why?" Atris asked as she looked around igniting her Lightsaber as did Vash followed by Yalecl.
"I heard they inhabit dead area or planets like this plus something kept following us." Nihilus finished before jumping back.
"Watch out." Nihilus yelled as he tackled Leona onto the floor just avoiding an attack in his eyes.
"Reminds you of earlier doesn't it "NADA" it's the same position." Yalecl yelled watching as the girl rushed to get up while Nihilus was lost.
Atris looked around wondering why Nihilus did that before being thrown across the room. Looking up she seen a transparent beast standing over her Atris shoved her weapon upwards impaling the beast in the stomach as it still attacked.
Swinging its arm at her it screamed in pain as Nihilus tossed Vash's saber at the beast arm cutting it. Soon followed by Yalecl slicing it off then impaling it in the chest.
Lifting her hand Atris pushed the weapon into the Tarentek's stomach causing internal bleeding.
"Vash then beheaded the beast before it could pull the weapon out of its thick hide.
"Split it open and see whats inside, like we did with the Boma beast." Vash yelled as she retrieved her weapon before putting it away.
Carefully splitting the beast Atris found six holocrons, enough for everyone to pass plus an extra.
"I'll just take this one for myself." Atris anounced as Nihilus looked at here accusingly.
"After all the ones you and your partner have hidden I could atleast take this to study for scholarship." Atris pleaded as Nihilus let it go.
"Whatever, I have a date with Knighthood and have to celebrate so keep your holocron."
"Now Mami, do you know of the Spanish view of love?" Nihilus asked Leona as Yalecl shook his head before hitting him across the head.
"Bennike, remember about romantic relations." Leona explained as Nihilus sighed before turning around.
Pausing to take a seat to find Solace, Nihilus pondered his last few hours before becoming a Jedi Knight.