Note: The last few days, I've been revisiting Knights of the Old Republic. In my opinion one of the best RPG's to ever grace a New-Gen console. With that said, I've also been in the need to right a very DARK story. My latest Halo story will be on a happier note, so I need to vent my mood and get it out of my system. This is very different and VERY dark.. so be warned. Nothing in this story is as it seems. And don't worry... I'm still working on Elena's tale and Scorptank's story. For now, ENJOY.

-Soulguard


Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic
The Hunt
By Soulguard

- - - - - - - -

"Justice does not labor for those with the darkest of hearts."

- - - - - - - -

A dry wind filled with the gritty debris of sand and ash, scorched across his body. The man lived on, torn asunder from a battle that categorically should have ended his life. His bloody hand extended to a nearby rock, gripping it with a heartfelt wince of pain as the man dragged himself even further across the barren land.

Grey skies loomed overhead and explosions bellowed in the distance, but the man did not care. Death was calling his name, but with every degree of his being he fought against it. Malachor 5 would not be his grave or at least it would not take him without a fight. Dragging himself across the ashy sand was all he could do to stay conscious. He had no sense of direction or means to call for help, all he had was a will to live. Again he reached out, hoping with every handful of land that he would again fight off the weight of his own death.

Inch after inch, he edged forward, his vision cloudy with the sweat and blood dripping from his head. No longer feeling pain, his body grew numb to it hours ago, he fought for life. His wounds were brutal. His mind was all he had left and he would not let death take him. Why live? He questioned in his mind. Seeing a vision of his fallen younger brother, he instantly remembered why he must live; to avenge his family whom were slain by the Mandalorian raiders.

A shifting bulge of sand nudged his side and he turned and looked into the face of a Jedi. He knew this Jedi Warrior, this warrior that had called for him to take up arms and fight against the Mandalorian threat. This Jedi's name was Revan.

"This war was not yours, yet you fought at my side. And now here you are, struggling to remain within this world. Do you hate them this much that not even death can grip you within its jaws?"

The man struggled to speak. "My… family…"

Medical troopers quickly began to aid the wounded man as Revan continued to speak. "Say no more. Say no more. You will not die this day. No. You will live on, and you will serve with me for many days to come. I sense the force within you and it is ferocious and filled with hate. There is a burning desire within you for power, and I can feed you that power. Side with me, stand with me and Malak, and we shall crush the Mandalorians under our feet. But we will not stop there, for our real enemy is the very Jedi that stood by and did nothing to stop these barbaric creatures from attacking. The Mandalorians are a menace, but the Jedi Council stood by and did nothing as millions died." Revan gripped the injured warriors hand as the medics began to carry him off. "I promise you, the Republic and the Jedi Council will bow at our feet… or die by our hands."

- - - - - - - -

Was it by luck that his life came to this, or was it fate? It was truly an odd grouping of circumstances that brought him this far. Once a member of the Republican Guard, then an unknown soldier that swore his allegiance to a Jedi known as Revan, and now his title has changed again, to that of a Dark Jedi. It was a title he did not favor nor disapprove; it was simply fitting. Training deep in the edges of the Outer Rim worlds, he was finally given a name, Darth Edranus.

Malak had trained him well, but like all of the Sith, he wanted to serve directly under Lord Revan. To be at Revan's side when the attack on the republic would begin, but alas, Malak would let no one serve his master except for himself.

The moment of graduation had begun and finally it was time to leave Korriban, the home world of the Sith Academy. Edranus chose wisely his location of service and felt that in order to get closer to Revan he needed to be near the main fleet.

Malak stood from his desk, towering over Edranus and smirked softly. "Are you certain of your choice?" Malak questioned with a mechanical sigh. His jaw was lost many months ago in the last days of the Mandalorian wars, and replaced by a mechanical one. "The Rakatan Factory is quite distant from the front lines. Do you not feel that you should served on board the Leviathan? My ship will always be at the forefront of battle when we begin our conquest of the Republic and the destruction of the Jedi."

"I am sure my master." Edranus was calm and collected in his response.

"When Revan found you and placed you under my command, he advised me to take you as my personal apprentice. I have taught you much, and you have quickly mastered many of the basics. However…" Malak paced around his desk and circled Edranus; looking down on him in contempt. "… you must know that one day, if you become powerful enough, you must attempt to take my place at Revan's side. This goes for all of the Sith, for it is written in the code."

"I am aware of the code, my master."

"Are you?" Malak stopped in his tracks and with a thought, began to choke Edranus. The man gagged and began to drop to a knee but held himself firm as he beckoned upon the power of the force. "You say you know the code, yet you think I will let you walk out of my life and attempt to join Revan's side; to become closer to Revan then I?"

Edranus called upon his training, summoning the force deep within him. With every moment he found himself able to breath with less and less restriction, his power resisting Malak's and eventually matching it. Edranus stood tall and glared up at the massively tall dark lord before him.

"I see. You have become quite powerful, Edranus." Malak chuckled. "Had I killed you with such a basic attempt, I would not have wasted the effort in notifying Revan. I simply would have vaporized your body with the rest of the garbage in the ship's incinerator."

"I understand my lord." Edranus struggled to reply. Though he was able to resist Malak's force choke, he found that Malak was still attempting to kill him. It was taking all of his concentration to simply ward off Malak's attack. "Revan deserves to be surrounded only by the strongest of the Sith."

"Yes… and you are not strong enough to stand by Revan's side." With a thought, Malak flung Edranus across the room. His body tumbled through the air and impacted the bulkhead. The move was sudden, powerful, and Edranus's attempt to defend himself was futile. He slowly gathered himself and sat up, and he began to realize that Malak was toying with him. If he wanted, Malak could have killed him easily. In all of his months of training, Edranus had never felt so afraid.

"I sense your fear, Edranus." Malak reverberated through his steel jaw. "Do you wish to kill me? Do you want to draw your lightsaber and strike me down? I feel your anger, your hate, but mostly… your fear. Feed on it and it will make you strong, then perhaps one day you will serve the Sith as a true Dark Lord."

Edranus stood to his feet, and felt completely humbled in the presence of his master. If he were to keep with the Sith Code, then he would surely attempt to kill his master, but there was nothing he could do against Malak's power; it would have been a vain attempt.

"I will grant you your station. Take command of a supply freighter and go to the Star Forge, once you are there, I am sure that Revan will find a place for you. But remember, you are not yet worthy to be Revan's apprentice. Do not forget my power, and do not forget your place."

Edranus gathered himself and calmed his nerves. "Yes… my master." With a bow he turned and walked from the room. The door sealed behind him and Edranus was saluted by the armored Sith Guard at Malak's door. Edranus paused as he glared at the soldier, and ignored the salute. He had just been completely out powered by his master and made to look a fool. Was he really that weak, or was Malak simply that strong?

Nurturing within him was a deep anger that he could not suppress. The dark side was fueling his anger and he had to know if his power was real. He unleashed his rage upon the guard, using the force as a piston of power and pressed the guard against the wall.

"My… lord… please!" The guard's words fell upon deaf ears. His power needed to be real, it had to be real. He needed to feel the sensation of unbridled power if he would ever avenge his family. More power exploded from deep within him, forcing the guard into the bulkhead and crushing him slowly. The guard's armor finally gave into the power of the force, and began to crush the man's body within. Gargled roars of pain flooded the hallway as the guard took one last gasp of air. His helmet flattened against the wall as blood slowly seeped through the gaps in his armor.

"Enough!" Malak's voice knocked Edranus from his focus and he stumbled away from Malak's door. Through wide eyes he looked to his master and bowed his head. "You gain nothing from attacking a mere trooper. If you wish to test your power, then at least test it upon a worthy subject. There are many Padawan's that would gladly challenge you, but wasting your power on a trooper is pointless. Do not make me regret my decision, Edranus. Use the force as your power, but use it wisely." Malak turned from the door and reentered his room. Edranus smirked as he watched the door close. He then glared at the crushed body of the guard. He had done that with his power, and it brought him a dark sense of satisfaction. But with that satisfaction was the realization that Malak, and Revan for that matter, were far stronger then he could comprehend.

How could he think to face a Jedi of the Council and win, if he could not defend himself against Malak? If his dreams of revenge were to come true he would need more power, more training, and a means of testing his strength. Only Revan would have the answers he sought. He turned down the hallway and pulled his hood upon his head. His next destination would be the Star Forge, and he prayed that the power he sought would be found there.

- - - - - - - -

After many months of training under the watchful eyes of Revan, Edranus grew more and more powerful in the force. But he was still many years behind Revan and Malak. Edranus's abilities grew remarkably fast, where some wielders of the force took years to reach his current level.

"Are you certain, my Lord?" Edranus questioned as he gazed into the dark helmet of Lord Revan. "Who will protect the Star Forge in our absence?"

"Edranus…" Revan returned a sharp glare, hidden by a dark shroud which was impenetrable by anyone's perception. "… I sense a disturbance unlike anything I have felt in all of my campaigns against the Jedi and the Republic. In these past six months, Malak has become more and more determined to press inward against the Jedi. The council will not falter as easily as Malak believes they will, but he is right about one thing; we can no longer hesitate." Revan stepped away from the central platform on board the Star Forge. With folded arms, Revan paced the around the bridge.

"Edranus, I need you to go, you must not remain here."

"Of course, I will obey my Lord." Edranus replied swiftly.

Revan quickly turned toward him, "But yet I sense doubt within you. This is understandable. Not even I can see what lies ahead of me; my future is clouded… difficult to see. I fear this shroud of mystery about this is the work of the Jedi Council, but I will face it."

"Then let me face it with you!" Edranus's concern had shown through. The warrior who had given him a new purpose in life was going into battle once again, but this time the feeling of urgency was greater then any. "I swore to serve with you, my Lord, on that dusty rock of Malachor 5. Together we crushed the Mandalorians, and together we can crush the Jedi. Malak is bullheaded, eager to combat and attack …"

"No one knows this better then myself, Edranus." Revan's voice echoed thunderously from behind the shroud. "Yet he is your master, and you display many of his qualities. I have taught you patience and understanding of combat in these few months, but you can not let your loyalty hinder my plans. Go beyond the Outer Rim, journey far and find the power we seek. If the republic is victorious in the coming battle, then I will die knowing that you will return with a power unlike any, and finally end the Jedi's rule."

With a quick spin, Revan walked away, leaving Edranus to think. The young Dark Jedi deliberated deeply on the Dark Lords words, and came to the conclusion that Revan was right. If something were to happen to Revan and Malak, there would be no one powerful enough left to hold the Sith together. But why was Revan sending him deep beyond the Outer Rim, beyond the Star Forge and toward the distant uncharted expanse of the universe?

"Edranus, your troops await your orders." A Sith shock trooper stated as he snapped to attention. Edranus had created a reputation of killing his subordinates, even though it had only happened once.

"Very well." Edranus replied. With a quick flip of his hood, he wrapped himself in a cloak of darkness. His silver eyes, a consequence of his Sith training, shined from the darkness of his persona and sent a shiver of fear down the troopers spine. "Prepare my shuttle and notify my command ship of my arrival."

"Yes… sir."

- - - - - - -

The Star Forge had produced many ships in the short amount of time that Edranus had been with Revan, but none seemed to fit Edranus's taste until he was given command of the Titan. The design was no different than any of the others, but something about the Titan made him feel at home.

The bridge doors of the Titan split with a thunderous his and all eyes peered into the cloaked persona of the Dark Jedi. No longer a padawan, Edranus installed fear in even the most loyal Sith soldiers. He strode onto the bridge, making his way to the forward bridge ramp where he could view the fleet beyond its wrapping glass. Behind him walked to masked Dark Jedi, a man, Jeckson, and woman, Mana.

Too each side of the walkway sat the ship command crew; in crevasses filled with terminals and screens. This would be the center of Edranus's operation, a full brigade at his command. As Edranus approached the front of the bridge he was greeted by a much older man, wearing the uniform of high ranking Sith Officer.

"Edranus, I am Captain Bellmore." The Captain nodded his respectfully to the clocked Sith standing next to him. The captain was not intimidated by the Sith, nor did he care much for their tactics, but he knew their power and dared not to test it. "The ship is ready to disembark at your will."

"Very well. Prepare deep space probes and launch them ahead of us."

"As you wish, but may I ask why?" The captain thumbed his chin loosely.

"For this hunt, we are going into uncharted territory. I would rather not set foot on a world filled with toxins within the air. Our search must first begin on inhabitable worlds. The probes will cut our search in half." Edranus looked away from the captain and gazed out the forward portal. In the expanse of space he could see the magnificent fleet that Revan was commanding. Revan was about to take the fleet on a mission and would soon join up with Malak; leaving the Star Forge with only a skeleton crew.

"Very well." The captain added as he prepared to walk toward the science controls.

Edranus spoke suddenly, "Captain, take Mana with you. Her knowledge will be of use to you. She can give you more details about the creature we are searching for." He folded his arms beneath his cloak but never took his gaze from the fleet beyond.

"I shall not fail you, my master." Mana softly replied. She bowed courtly and Edranus glanced at her through the corner of his hood.

"I doubt that you will." He simply returned. Mana followed the Captain toward the science center to prepare the probes as Jeckson stepped closer to Edranus.

Speaking softly, "Master, you should be more cautious with her. Though she is quite knowledgeable on the topic of the Terentatek, her feelings betray her when she speaks to you."

"I am aware of her feelings, Jeckson. You have no need to warn me… or do you think that your perception is greater then mine?"

Jeckson was merely an apprentice, but he could easily sense the looming aggression behind Edranus's words. "I was merely bringing it to your attention."

Edranus turned his attention away from the fleet beyond, and glared at the young Sith at his side. "Yet you did not answer my question."

Jeckson smiled wickedly from behind his partial face mask. His eyes glinted with glee as he glared back at Edranus. "The advantage to the Dark Side is that anyone can claim what they kill. You, Edranus, have not shown me your power and I sense your wavering mentality for Mana. You are weak, and thusly I will take your and command of this mission. Revan and Malak will reward me well."

As if fueled by the threat, Edranus's eyes flashed brilliantly from beneath his covering. "Your ambition is note worthy, Jeckson, but I warn you to not tread down this path. You still have many years of training before you can hope to best me."

"And you call yourself a Sith? You should have struck me down when you had the chance!" Jeckson extended his palm and called upon the power of the force to push Edranus away. The Sith Officers that were ten feet away had all been knocked from their stations.

Edranus barely flinched.

Jeckson had not sensed it before, but he felt it now. There was more power within Edranus then he had first detected. It was as if his power was suppressed and he could turn it on at will. Edranus was not weak, far from it, his strength lay dormant and the force was instantly awakened at his demand. Jeckson had only one hope of living, and that would be with his lightsaber.

- - - - - - - -

Mana raised her head from the science station and glared blankly at the bulkhead in front of her. There was strong dark power brewing from within the ship. It was power unlike any before.

"Lord Edranus?" She sprinted from the station and raced back to the bridge. The power must have been his. It was a short run and she quickly spotted Jeckson preparing to draw his lightsaber. "Are you insane?"

- - - - - - - -

Edranus felt Mana's approach and pondered if she would help Jeckson. The two of them together would make an amusing battle, but still he could easily kill them both. But as Jeckson pulled up his lightsaber, Edranus sensed that Mana's concern was not for Jeckson.

She began to run down the central path toward them, but Edranus held up his hand, waiving her off. She instantly stopped.

Jeckson's first swing was aggressive, a wild swipe toward his head. He easily dodged it and a roaring hiss of energy exploded from Edranus's right hand. His red lightsaber glowed brilliantly against the dark backdrop of his robe. His grip was loose and he effortlessly blocked all of Jeckson's blows.

"I grow weary of this." Edranus lifted his left hand and used the force to push Jeckson to the ground. Edranus then dashed across the room and knocked the lightsaber from Jeckson's hand and stabbed him in the chest. Death was custom within Sith as struggles of power happened quite often, but it was still shocking to everyone that witnessed such acts. Edranus turned off his lightsaber and reattached it to the belt beneath his robe. He then turned and looked at Mana.

"Your feelings betray you, Mana. Fear will keep you alive, so long as you use it wisely. But I have no ill toward you."

"What caused this act, my lord?" Mana spoke as she slowly approached.

The captain stood behind her and mumbled, "They are Sith. What more reason do they need to kill each other?" His words were heard, but ignored.

Edranus stepped away from the body as Mana examined him. "He attempted to take what was mine. Yet he did not fully comprehend the power of the Dark Side. You would do well to remember his failure."

"I will, my lord." She stood from his body as two men dragged Jeckson's corpse away.

"Revenge fuels us all, in one form or another." Edranus returned his gaze to Revan's fleet beyond. "It is an underlying beast that will one day make the Sith extinct. We may not be the real Sith of old, but we have taken their principles and in essence it is what we have become. And like them, we will destroy each other." He turned and looked into the hanging head of Mana. "Right now, revenge consumes you. You wish to strike me down, yet you are torn by your emotions… your pointless attraction toward me. Which will it be; your revenge, or your affection?"

"I can not bear to fight you. That would be a death within itself. If not my life, my heart would be destroyed the moment it took odds against you. Yet, Jeckson was my brother… the last of my family. I would not repeat his insanity."

"Then you are wise." Edranus turned away from Mana. "I too once learned this lesson, though the consequences were not as hard as yours. Return you your duties, but do not forget what you have learned this day."

"My lord, before I go, may I ask you something?" Mana softly questioned as she stepped closer to Edranus. She was so close that she brushed her hands against his cloak. She looked up into his six foot form and peered into the darkness of his hooded face. "Is revenge all that drives you, or is there room within your heart for something more?"

Edranus stepped away from Mana putting more distance between them. "Revenge is all I can remember since news of my family's death. Everything else left me the moment I joined Revan at Malachor 5."

"Then that is what will drive me as well. If it will bring me closer to you, to serve you best, then I will make revenge my ultimate goal and to show my worth to you. My brother's death came because he tried to interfere with your quest. I knew of his ambition. I knew of his desire to take over your command, yet I felt he would not act. I understand, my lord. I understand what drives you, and I will do all that I can to aid you." With a curt nod, Mana turned away and returned to the science station.

Edranus watched as the Revan's fleet jumped into light speed. He longed to go with them, but Revan had given him another task. He needed to find the Terentatek, a creature that willed the dark side of the force. Revan had encountered the strange beast upon several worlds during the quest for the Star Forge, and Revan wanted to know more of that power. If the dark side of the force were to be fully understood, then the Terentatek beast would provide more clues to understanding it, perhaps answering many questions that the Sith of old took to their grave; secrets long forgotten.

The Jedi Council had all but wiped out the Terentatek; killing them to the point of near extinction. But Revan knew that there had to be more of them, and it was Edranus's duty to find out. He was grateful for the opportunity to command his own ship, but Edranus longed to fight the Jedi and the Republic. It was them that allowed his family to die; they sat back and did nothing while his home world was slaughtered by the Mandalorians. But Revan's orders were to be obeyed and Edranus was not going to fail the Dark Lord of the Sith.

To be continued...


Oh yeah it will get darker... guarenteed.