Altus Inceptum: Memories of the Forgotten

Chapter 1: Revelations

Tatooine… A barren wasteland whose sands spread on as far as the eye could see, its suns cruel eyes of raw power gazing down at the wretched beings unfortunate enough to live under them. If the sand dunes could speak, they would tell a story that could span a millennia in the telling, from a time of the ancients of legend who lived when it was a fruitful and ripe world, to the fateful day a man named Revan walked amongst these same dunes on his quest for retribution and revenge.

These very sands would recount events many would give all to see and hear, but they would also tell the tales of those who have been forgotten: from the unnamed remains of hapless adventurers, the faceless Sand People who no one seemingly understood, to the Jedi Master laying on his back by the smoking remains of what used to be an underground bunker. His light brown hair shone in the sunlight, the spot of skin at the crown of his head reflecting the bright light even more so. His breath grew ragged, flecks of blood speckling his lips, cheeks, and neck. This was all outdone by the stub remaining at his right arm where there once was a forearm, cauterized flesh and bone releasing a distinct and unmistakable aroma along with a deep, smoldering wound in his lower chest cavity.

Standing over the Jedi Master stood his apprentice, another human male with deep, jet black hair with a braid hanging down, his crisp blue eyes regarding his fallen master as he drew in breath after breath, his hands resting atop his knees as he tried to compose himself. Moments earlier they were facing down one of the most dangerous men in known space within his private bunker, his master and he near victory with all but everything decided. Then, one missing arm and massive self-destruct sequence later, they ended up barely escaping with their lives, with the coward fleeing to the force knew where.

"Come master, we have to get you back to the ship quickly. If we can get BD-5 working on you, and navigate to the nearest outpost, we'll-"

"No…" The Jedi Master said faintly, laboriously drawing breath to give life to the words he deemed important enough to share with his protégé at this moment… the final moments they would likely spend with each other. "No… you must… go after him…"

"We found him once, we can find him again. Now let me just get you on my shoulder…" The apprentice said as he leaned over and grasped the Master's good arm, trying to leverage him over his shoulder. Instead the master shook loose from his apprentice's efforts and said with added strength.

"By the force Lucien will you just listen to me?!" Whether it was by intention or shock, it seemed the situation hadn't quite sunk in for the apprentice until this moment. He had clung to hope, but by the look his master gave him… his hope soon wavered.

The Jedi let loose a wet cough before trying to continue speaking, his haggard breath rasping out the following words: "You must contact the council and report what…. What has happened… here. You must find him…"

As Lucien took his master's hand in his, and the tears began to well up in his eyes, the weight of this moment then struck him. He never remembered his parents, as was common place with most Jedi. This man who lay dying before him was the closest thing to family he had. Jedi Master Keiran F'dor was always a man who showed interest in the young padawans of the academy, but he always showed particular interest in Lucien. Before he was even chosen to be Master F'dor's apprentice, Lucien's earliest memories of the man were that of deep, soul searching talks. This man had taught him how to deal with his emotions when they got the best of him, or at least tried to…

He also taught him to never stop asking why and why not, and how to be the man he was now with all of his strengths and weaknesses. He loved him like a father, and here he was dying in some random part of the galaxy, a place where thousands upon thousands had faded into obscurity.

He clasped his master's hand as the life began to flow from his eyes, and they looked at each other for what would be the final time. The great Master F'dor looked deep into his apprentice's eyes, the young boy who didn't quite fit in and carried himself with uncertainty, who now stood before him as a man. Not just a man, but a Jedi who made him proud. "I never had a son… but…"

He paused as more blood forced itself through his mouth with another vicious cough. "But… you are mine…"

As soon as the words left his lips, Lucien could see the life leave his master's body with one final gasp of air. He remained there, crouched over the lifeless form of his master with a dumbstruck expression on his face. He looked on, past the man's eyes, as if through him and into the earth beneath.

He remembered the dimly lit halls of the temple on Tython, the greenery and life that flowed as one with the force around him. He was naturally curious, always found amongst nature and always wondering how life worked. He distinctly remembered the sight of a small furry creature in the meditation garden, scampering to and fro in search of food. Dark thoughts would always pass in his mind, and he never knew why.

One moment he would smile with joy at the sight of creatures like this, and yet another he wondered what they looked like on the inside… what made them tick. Would that animal be missed? Then the day came that Master Keiran told him of his decision to take him on as his apprentice. He kept the darkness at bay, the thoughts that haunted his mind every so often.

'There is no emotion, there is peace.'

'There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.'

'There is no passion, there is serenity.'

'There is no death, there is the force.'

His master's voice rang in his mind even now, reciting the tenants of the Jedi Order. He learned that a Jedi's life was sacrifice, that passion and emotion led to the dark side…

…That the force worked in mysterious ways.

But that wasn't what he felt now. All of those thoughts rang hollow in his mind as he looked at the cold form of his master. All he could feel was pain. Pain and loneliness…

And hatred.

As his eyes welled up with tears and they streamed down his face, all he could feel was the burning, seething feeling of hatred. He had to center himself but he couldn't bring himself to do so. It didn't feel right. It didn't feel natural. Revenge… that is what felt natural; so primal… so raw… so… right.

His head rested upon his hand as he still held on to the limp hand of his former teacher, one final oath spoken between mentor and student.

"I will find him… master…"