Disclaimer: I do not own anything Star Wars related, all rights belong to Lucasarts, Lucasfilms, Bioware, and Disney. The only thing I own is my OC.
"Talking"
'Thoughts'
'Telepathic'
-Legacy of the Throne-
3,637 BBY; Zakuul
The Immortal Emperor of Zakuul watched from up high in his balcony the training session of his youngest child, his hands folded regally behind his back and his orange eyes watching every stroke of the child's lightsaber strikes. Torrents of golden fire slashed the air with speed inconceivable to those without a connection to the Force, powerful strikes nearly knocking down the Knights of Zakuul to their knees.
Swift kicks, punches, and strikes staggered the gold armored Knights, massive bruises surely formed beneath that armor. The youngest Prince of Zakuul flipped with acrobatic tenacity and fortitude, using a astounding Force Push on the last standing Knight of Zakuul; sending the unfortunate being straight into the wall, large cracks forming in the wake.
The prince twirled his golden lightsaber with relativistic speed, multiple afterimages of the golden-yellow blade surrounding the prince in a makeshift shield, before ceasing his actions. The seventeen year old prince glanced towards his father expectantly, his yellow eyes searching for a sign of approval...
A smile. A tiny smile, but smile nonetheless. That was more than his elder siblings ever received, Thexan came perhaps the closest...
Then there was his twin sister, Vaylin. She was a prodigy in her own right, considering the family he was born in. Speaking of his sister, there she was now-
Aeon smiled sincerely at the sight of Vaylin, who appeared to the side of their father. She was always... troubled, to say the least. He remembered when they were kids that she once crippled a guard for dropping a ball she tossed. Aeon remembered what his mother told him of that day, once he was older, on how their father simply caged her mind instead of addressing the problem. The prince questioned his mother on why his father would do such a thing, but he never received an answer.
But he loved his sister, and she him. Vaylin confided Aeon on numerous subjects during their life; especially in regards to their mother. She hated her, or so she repeated again and again. The youngest prince debated and talked to her about her feelings, eventually revealing to her what their father had done to Vaylin. He honestly expected her to lash out at him or the surrounding area, however she merely hugged him; he took in stride.
Since that day their familial bond grew even stronger than it already was, though Vaylin still favored the Emperor over her mother. Aeon became undecided on the topic, preferring to say nothing in fear of rejection or reprisal. But over the years they trained together and talked and-
A gentle thud of Vaylin's boots brought Aeon's attention to his sister, a smirk appearing on her face at the downed Knights, slowly limping away to the medical ward.
"You went soft on them," Vaylin addressed amusingly. Aeon smiled sheepishly and turned his gaze towards where their father once stood.
"Soft enough," agreed Aeon, and he straightened the creases that formed on his silver-grey robes, fashioned after the latest Zakuul trends plus it looked similar to Thexan's and Arcann's robes. "Didn't want them too broken... or dead. We'd be wasting too much time repeatedly training new recruits."
"Where's the fun of training if you don't break their bones?" countered Vaylin. The prince shook his head playfully and chuckled. She eased her personality over the years, largely due to her bond with her brother. He was always even-tempered, Vaylin observed. She didn't recall a time where he was overly upset over anything, taking everything as it was.
In contrast to her. Perhaps she was internally grateful to her brother for that. He was her anchor, and she was his stars; both parallels that coincided without much hassle. Taking care to not be seen by any of the Knights or anyone, Vaylin embraced her brother gently in a hug and buried her head into his chest. She took comfort in his presence when they were kids, whenever the tiniest thing might've caused her to snap.
His strong heartbeat soothed her, like a swan song. Aeon wrapped his arms around his twin and pulled her closer to him, a bit surprised by her public affections. One of the rarest of times had she pulled something like this.
"You're getting a bit bolder now," teased Aeon. "The Knights and Father just left a few seconds ago."
Vaylin smiled softly. "I wonder what Mother would say about this."
Aeon stifled a laugh at the thought. "Who knows, I'd probably be more concerned about what Arcann and Thexan would do. They might be able to breathe around you now."
"Not a chance," Vaylin countered. Her smile widened at her brother's chuckle, his chest heaving up and down against her cheek. They enjoyed the silence that followed shortly, the warm rays of the spring sun shining down on them. Aeon gently pushed Vaylin away from her, observing her closely. "What?"
Aeon merely cleared his throat and continued his stare. "Not sure exactly. Just trying to figure out how long Father's war against the Empire and Republic will last. I think it's been months since it started."
"You're a terrible liar," bluntly stated Vaylin.
"I'd like to say I'm at least somewhat talented," countered Aeon teasingly, putting a "charming" smile.
"Against other people perhaps, not to me. I know you too well."
"That doesn't count."
"Counts a little."
The prince sighed through his nose and offered a crooked smile. "That's not fair, like you said- you know me too well."
Vaylin's smirked widened once more and squinted her yellow eyes playfully at him. "Just means you have to improve more and get better."
"Against you? Let's not ask for miracles," Aeon half-complimented, the other half telling the truth. Or close to the truth. He was by no means weak in the Force or by skills with a lightsaber. However he lacked the experience that his eldest siblings held, months of battle-worn experience. And against Vaylin, he didn't have the heart to try and harm her; even during training.
Vaylin reached for her brother's lightsaber that hung from his belt, and brought to both their views. She remembered when her brother built his lightsaber, he always had a creative view when it came to artistic designs, though this one was simple yet elegant in its approach- a simple white base in the middle where the user placed their hand on with a red activation button, gold plated base towards the bottom of the hilt and a transparent chamber holding the gold-yellow crystal and tiny, white elongated bumpers for decorational purposes, a slanted white emitter shroud at the top, beneath that two curved golden rings above the activation button and the symbol of Zakuul stamped at the bottom of the hilt.
"Don't try and stab me, not again," Aeon commented. "I'd rather do something else, like, perhaps... I'll think of something." The prince felt familiar presences descending from the skies of Zakuul. "Arcann and Thexan just came back."
"We should greet them after a long battle, shouldn't we?" Vaylin suggested.
"You're all nice and concerned now, they didn't do anything to you did they?" Aeon paused at the irony of his statement soon after. "Never mind."
"It's nice to know my twin is looking out for the best of us," chortled Vaylin, rolling her eyes at her brother. She placed his lightsaber where it belonged and pulled on his hand to make him follow her.
-Legacy of the Throne-
The Spire (Zakuul City)
The eldest princes descended off their ship onto the docking bay and entered the golden metropolis of the Spire. The Spire was a vertical city, with skyscrapers and pyramid-shaped buildings suspended above each other in a climb nearly to the atmosphere. All roads on Zakuul eventually led to the Spire, which was built upon the Old World- their father's first attempt at building a city. But he deemed it not grand enough for his taste. The very peak of the Spire reached out past the planet's atmosphere and contained the Emperor's throne room, where the Eternal Throne was located. Rumors have been dotted that the Spire was inspired by the architecture of Coruscant
"Another victory for the Eternal Empire," commented Thexan aloud. His polar twin merely nodded in agreement, his mind preoccupied with previous thoughts. A nudge from his twin caught Arcann unaware, catching his gaze. "You alright?"
"I'm fine, just tired," Arcann mumbled a response. "Overexerted myself I suppose."
The laughter of his twin brought a small smile to Arcann. They had been through everything together since they were kids- training, wars and possibly everything in between. Much like their younger siblings Aeon and Vaylin, minus fighting in a war.
"You've always done all you can to upstage me, now look at you," Thexan stifled a chuckle before continuing. "But it is nice to be back home, relax for a little before setting out for the next battle Father has plan for us."
Arcann's eye flinched at the mention of their father, his heart quickened for an unknown reason. He felt a strained connection with his father, and his father's blank stares towards him did little to suffice him. Arcann frowned at the memories of when he would train with Thexan, how he would fall first and Thexan came to help, dealing with the opponents swift and severe. The approval his father gave to Thexan, silent, but the approval he sought for.
Aeon had that same potential as Thexan did, even Vaylin. Not him.
Thexan failed to sense his brother's inner turmoil as he observed the incoming PL-90 luxury speeder heading in their direction with Aeon and Vaylin in tow. The speeder halted in front of the princes as Aeon and Vaylin greeted them from their seats.
"I can take that the battle on Tython was a swift one," answered Aeon knowingly. Thexan smiled at his younger brother, so enthused about what battle his brothers were fighting in.
"Father wouldn't be happy otherwise. It's good to see you Aeon, you too Vaylin," greeted Thexan, hopping into the speeder in the benched seat behind his youngest siblings. Arcann remained as he followed his twin, sitting alongside him as the speeder took off in the opposite direction of the docking bay.
"You feeling ok Arcann?" asked Aeon concernedly. Arcann seemed to not have heard his brother's question, continuing to stare out at the architectural marvel in his eyesight.
"Just has his mind full," answered Thexan on Arcann's behalf, he eyed his twin curiously then focusing back on Aeon and Vaylin. "So Zakuul is exactly as we left it, right?"
"Pretty much, Father's been pushing our training even harder now," Vaylin spoke. Thexan silently nodded, picturing what kind of power his sister could once, or if, Father decided to release the mental cage binding her. It would surely be godly.
"More like you've been pushing the Knights even harder," joked Aeon. Which brought a small to Thexan's face. He could say without a doubt that Aeon was essentially binding the entire family together at this point; Father had started to become distant over time, their mother... she was afraid of them. And Thexan and Arcann would've feared Vaylin as well if it wasn't for the combination of the mental blocks and her bond with Aeon.
Vaylin rolled her eyes at the implication, gently kicking her brother's leg playfully. Their destination was coming to a close as they traveled up the Spire, up and up the Spire as they soon waited to enter the Eternal Throne.
-Legacy of the Throne-
Three months later... Korriban
An armored Sith Warrior fell to the mud beneath him, his crimson lightsaber escaping his grasp and deactivating as it hit the ground. A molten scar across the chest was the cause of death, it's signer wielding the weapon necessary to take a Sith. Aeon glared at the dead Sith and walked over him, his eyes taking the sight of a dozen or more Sith who were foolish enough to fight the son of the Immortal Emperor, and expected to survive.
After much consideration from the Emperor of Zakuul, their father allowed Aeon and Vaylin to accompany Thexan and Arcann to the Sith homeworld. Deeming it wise and proper for his youngest children to experience the might of the Eternal Empire first hand, to watch their foes cower under the banner of Eternal victory.
Bracing himself for the upcoming slaughter Aeon tightened his grip on his lightsaber and hacked the foolish by ones, twos, then by threes. All failing under the prince of the Eternal Empire. He wasn't sure where his brothers and sister were currently, judging by the screams of peril, they weren't too far away. In the vast distance ahead Aeon witnessed a female Twi'lek issue an order of some kind with a gesture of her hand. Immediately a small fleet of Imperial starfighters rained down towards them, firing a large barrage of blaster fire at them.
Thinking quickly and reacting with relativistic speed, Aeon blocked a few shots of the starfighter blaster, a feat of which no weak Force user could perform, redirecting the final shot back to its owner. A successful hit from the redirected blaster bolt hit its target, causing the starfighter to spark with chaotic fire and crash below.
Aeon narrowed his eyes at the female Sith and utilized the Force Speed technique to outrun his foes towards their leader, taking thirty-five dead Sith along the way. However a loud yell of pain caught the young prince's attention, halting his assault towards the Sith and immediately backtracking towards the disturbance that the Force guided him to. Among the burning wreckage of the starfighter the young Zakuul prince had destroyed, laid the barely alive but severely burned Arcann.
"Arcann!" shouted Aeon, his eyes glistening with regret and fear. He ran and slid towards Arcann and grabbed his right hand. His mind swelled with torment as he watched his older brother yell in pain as the left side of his face was burnt and smoke rose from it. A few Knights of Zakuul ran towards their fallen prince and attempted to treat the wounds and burns as best they could.
Thexan ran over to his fallen brother next to Aeon, watching with feared eyes. Arcann tightened his grip on Aeon's hand as his pained screams echoed in his ears. Bright fluorescent blue lights flashed his face as the Knights of Zakuul repaired Arcann's broken face.
Anger flourished within Aeon, his breathing increasing quickly. It was her fault, she was responsible for her brother's current misery. Dashing with immense speed towards the female Sith, Aeon came face to face with the Twi'lek Sith.
Seeing the sudden appearance of the Zakuul prince both frightened and angered her, her foolish attempts to strike Aeon fanning the furnace that was his anger. He blocked the first three strikes effortless and caught her wrist on the fourth attempted strike. Bending her wrist until she yelled in pain and dropping her lightsaber, her yellow eyes widened with petrified fear as a matching yellow light glistened across her face.
-Legacy of the Throne-
Thexan and Arcann knelt in front of their father as he stood in front of throne, his feet on the edge of the tiny staircase that separated him and everyone else. The eldest Zakuul princes unraveled the wrapped flags revealing the marked symbols of the Republic and Sith, two lightsabers also revealed from each Order.
Valkorion observed the relics presented to him, somewhat amused by it. A soft thud of his boot forced Arcann to look upon his father in anger, turning his back to him. As always. Arcann's breathing quickened aloud, taking a glare to his cybernetic left arm. He had sacrificed too much now, for the Empire, his father. Thexan watched his increasing hostile brother from the corner of his eye, not seeing the reveal of yellow eyes of Arcann.
The twin prince charged towards the unaware Emperor, leaping high into the air with his lightsaber drawn to strike the man who had given him life. Unaware that his brother was attempting to placate him with a Force Pull, bringing him away from their father. To save the soul of his brother.
Too wrapped in his own anger Arcann betrayed his brotherly bond and attacked with forthright and vigor. Unriley and powerful strikes struck between the brother's blade until-
His anger leaving its poisoning affects from his mind, Arcann realized too late the sin he had committed. He caught the falling body of his brother, gently laying him onto the cool floor. Arcann felt the weakening grasp of his brother in his hand until it fell away from him, onto his dead brother's chest.
Fear. Regret. Anguish. Arcann wished he felt them, they would be the easiest to identify. But what he was feeling now was beyond Death's reach, it mocked him. It knew what he wanted, it wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
"Come with me, son," the towering figure of the Emperor stood before Arcann, finally acknowledging. After the death and blood of his brother on his hands.
-Legacy of the Throne-
The people of the Eternal Throne mourned for its beloved prince, sadness and despair flourished across the Empire. The open casket of Thexan was paraded across the streets of the Spire, millions of its citizens looking upon their future ruler. Their would-be future ruler.
Aeon looked up the casket, wondering what he should feel. He knew, but couldn't bring himself to do it. Not in front of his father, the Empire... Vaylin.
He looked at his father, a solemn grim look of determination. Vaylin, he looked over to his left side, she expressed sadness; probably on his behalf more than anything. Though he might've guessed that she also felt remorse for her dead brother.
Arcann... Most of his face was covered by the cybernetic mask, but he could sense the elder Zakuul prince's sadness. The future of the Eternal Throne now laid in Arcann's hands.
-Legacy of the Throne-
Four months later...
A lone figured awoke on a bed, his hands cuffed tightly. He pushed himself into a sitting position, his eyes scouring for a sign of familiarity. An armored being emerged from the shadows in front of the prisoner, stepping only to the side to reveal a man dressed in fine white robes and half his face covered with a mask.
"You've awakened. I trust you can walk," Arcann surmised. The prisoner, of Pureblood Sith heritage, eyed the figure that spoke to him.
"Unlock these shackles and I'll show you exactly what I'm capable of," threatened the Sith.
"You're in the heart of OUR empire now. I assure you, escape is impossible, even if you could make it past me," Arcann stated. "Come along." The elder prince of Zakuul nodded towards the armored being, walking over to the Sith and prodded him with the barrel end of his blaster. The Sith glared at him before complying with the silent demand and followed Arcann down the hallway. Until the Sith recognized an old face.
"What "empire" have we entered?" Darth Marr questioned immediately, standing in front of Arcann.
"The Eternal Empire. Zakuul," responded the Zakuul prince. He walked away from the Sith and took a few steps before halting, a ironic thought coming to mind. He turned to face them. "You didn't even know whose territory you were invading?"
"Some outposts nearby were destroyed not long ago... your handiwork?" countered the Pureblood Sith.
"We tested your strength," Arcann answered nonchalantly, waving his robotic hand in dismissal.
"You seem to have suffered for it," Darth Marr snidely replied.
"Less than your people did," countered Arcann. He turned back around to the docking bay with the Sith behind him, making a transfer to a smaller freighter. The small ship departed from Arcann's flagship and flew to a nearby docking bay, preparations for landing were being made.
"Prince Arcann. Final docking sequence initiated," an officer stated.
Arcann and the Sith walked down the large corridor, large windows capturing the majestic view of the stars as rows of Knights of Zakuul stood at their posts.
"We recovered the records from your ship's computers. Or what was left of them. Fascinating reading," Arcann spoke, gaining both Sith's attention as he halted their walk. "You Sith are apparently quite formidable. You most of all," Arcann pointed towards the Pureblood Sith. "To alter the course of galactic events as you have... quite impressive."
"You don't need to be impressed with what I've done. You need to be afraid of what I'm going to do," the Sith bluntly answered. Darth Marr, while he said nothing, agreed with his statement.
"Yes. We'll see what you're truly capable of," Arcann stared down the Sith when an older man, dressed in golden armor draped with a black cloth diagonally from his chest, quickly walked to the Zakuul prince.
"Prince Arcann," the man greeted, bowing respectfully. His piercing grey-blue eyes could kill a man if he wanted to.
"Heskal. Still waiting for the catastrophe that you and your Scions foretold?" mocked Arcann.
"You may close your ears to the whispers of fate, my prince, but they cannot be silenced," the Scion explained.
"I wonder if silencing you would suffice," Arcann darkly threatened. "Take your superstitions elsewhere, Heskal. You are not needed here."
"I would beg to differ, brother," Aeon spoke suddenly, seemingly appearing from nowhere next to Heskal. "We are, after all, dealing with the man that dealt with changing fate on a galactic scale. And our Scions know fate no one better."
"Thank you my prince," Heskal humbly took the praise. "But fate and destiny of the Force can be explained, if one is to such matters seriously."
"I intend to, but for now we should hurry. Father is waiting," Aeon stated, not wanting another problem to develop between the two. Especially in front of the enemy. "Come."
"Your taking us to your master," Marr stated.
"I'm taking you to my father, our father. Valkorion. The Immortal Emperor of Zakuul," Aeon clarified.
"An Emperor. Just what we were looking for," Marr said.
"You will not find what you are for here," chastised Arcann, leading the Sith and his brother to the Eternal Throne room.
-Legacy of the Throne-
"His Glorious Majesty, Immortal Master and Protector of Zakuul: Emperor Valkorion," praised Arcann, both princes kneeling in front of their father while the Sith continued to stand.
"Welcome," Valkorion greeted with a deep baritone, an amused smile at the sight before.
"A new name. A new face... these are not enough to hide from us," accused Marr.
"The Sith Emperor... your presence is unmistakable," the Pureblood Sith observed.
Valkorion chortled at the mere implications these Sith. "Oh, I think a mistake has been made... but by whom?'
"A second empire? Even you couldn't have built all this. There must be another explanation," the Pureblood Sith continued.
"You presume limits to my power. There are none."
"Your constant silence across our history... this was your distraction?" demanded Marr, his anger slowly building at Valkorion's coyness. Arcann and Aeon had begun walking off to the side when their father spoke.
"This was my focus. Everything else... a means to an end," Valkorion stood from his throne, towering above all living beings in the room. "You claim to have come all this way to find me. Here I am. What do you want?"
Aeon and Arcann listened to the conversation played back and forth between their father and Sith, it amused Aeon a bit.
"You manipulate whole civilizations, arrange decades of war, eradicate all life on Ziost... then flee. You're going to tell me why."
The Emperor of Zakuul was amused by the new Sith's bold attitude towards him, he had no idea who he was talking to. "Am I? You say you know me- if that is true, the you know the depths of my power. Whatever you hoped to achieve here, you know- deep inside- that you cannot succeed. But you do not have to stand against me. Instead... you can kneel." Valkorion waved his hand and the cuffs binding the two Sith broke and fell to the floor.
"I will never again kneel to you!" proclaimed Darth Marr boldly. Aeon looked towards his father, waiting for the signal to strike down this arrogant Sith. Only for Valkorion to signal his youngest son to stand down.
"You would sooner die than acknowledge my superiority?" Valkorion feigned surprise at such a ludicrous statement. He knew what action the Sith leader would take.
"It is YOU that fears death, "Valkorion". I do not. I will NOT kneel!" Marr immediately Force Pushed a Knight of Zakuul, Force pulled the Knight's weapon into his grasp. Seeing the incoming of a trio of Zakuul Knights, Darth Marr flung the lightsaber pike at them; stabbing one in the stomach as the other two fell over. Marr Force-pushed another charging Zakuul over the edge of the bridge, sending him falling many miles from the sky to his gruesome fate.
Having enough of this face, Valkorion summoned a powerful storm of Force Lightning at the Sith Lord, sending him flying and tumbling until he lied unconscious; after one strike. Unconscious at the feet of the newly arrived Vaylin, trailing next to her was the Twi'lek Sith during the Eternal Empire's raid on Korriban. Aeon had changed his mind on killing her, thinking that she could provide some useful information the Empire in exchange for her life. It paid out well for the Sith female.
"Clear the room! Everyone out!" ordered Vaylin, the Knights of Zakuul immediately obeying. She stared down at the Sith Lord, watching his foolish behavior unravel. In front of her father, no less. The Twi'lek also stared at the downed Sith, Darth Atroxa she was once called; now just Atroxa, faithfully bodyguard and servant to Prince Aeon.
"Marr gave the Empire leadership while you used us for your own gain. You are nothing compared to him," the remaining Sith reprimanded.
"He was narrow-minded... bound by irrelevant ancient dogma. But I think you are different," Valkorion stated, hinting at something more. "In all my centuries, you alone have merited by full attention. You leave your mark upon the galaxy wherever you act, just as I do. Look around you, Zakuul is poised to become the greatest civilization in the history of the galaxy. I have forged this empire to surmount all of my previous works. To span eternity."
Valkorion descended down the two small flights of stairs, walking closer to the remaining Sith, his silver tongue continuing its work. "The Eternal Throne commands a fleet more vast than any ever built. It has the power to reshape the galaxy in any image that I choose. That we choose."
A streak of jealously crossed Aeon, not believing the words that he heard his father speak...
"I will share all of this with you... if you will only kneel," offered Valkorion once, holding out his hand to the Sith. The Sith eyed the hand given to him carefully...
"Your power is unquestionable. I've seen it first hand. Our power, together... nothing could stand in our way," the Sith surmised. "I'm ready." The Sith knelt in front of the Immortal Emperor, awaiting the next process.
A wave from Valkorion's hand broke the binding cuffs, as the Sith stood back to his feet. A storm of Force Lightning engulfed Valkorion's hand, a stream of his god-like power shooting towards the unexpecting Sith.
Aeon merely watched at the sight in front of him. He also noticed his sister seemed to have followed the Knights, and his brother sleuthing behind their father...
"You are fortunate, Outlander. I struggled for years, sacrificed everything- even the life of my brother- trying to win such an invitation."
Even the life of my brother... Arcann killed Thexan. Did their father know? Did he order Arcann to kill Thexan?
Aeon glared harshly at the back of Arcann, his anger now reaching a new point. He already felt guilty for what he did to Arcann, but that was an accident; even if he would never found out. But what he did to Thexan... Unforgivable.
"You have done what I could not. In exchange... I will do what you could not," Arcann ignited his lightsaber and stabbed their father in the back. Metaphorically, and oh so literally. Betrayal of the highest order. To betray blood of kin- Arcann had broken that bond twice now... It would soon be a third and final of the family blood being shed, and it would be his.
"You've made your last mistake... Father," Valkorion looked down to the stab wound that had been inflicted onto his chest. The sound of chuckling heard.
"We shall see," a wave of Force energy drew to where the Emperor stood, like a black hole swallowing as much as it could. A small concussive explosion through the Emperor and the Sith Pureblood off their feet, the final resting place of the Immortal Emperor.
Vaylin returned to the throne, as she felt the powerful Force explosion. Seeing the sight of their dead father, Vaylin's gaze directed towards Aeon- his yellow lightsaber ignited above his head, an snarl plastered on his face. Directed towards his brother- not his brother, a demon.
Yelling in rage, Aeon's lightsaber missed his target and scratched where Arcann's dead body would've laid.
"COWARD!" roared Aeon, spit falling from his mouth. "You couldn't have the decency to look Father in the face when you killed him. Just like with Thexan?!"
Vaylin's yellow eyes narrowed towards Arcann, she had a sneaking suspicion that Arcann was involved in his death. She didn't pursue it for Aeon's sake. She would leave Arcann's fate to Aeon, this was his burden to bare, his responsibility.
Aeon charged towards Arcann, who ignited his own lightsaber; clashes and sparks flew between the brother's blades, the echoes of thunder reverberated in the throne room. The young prince's emotions of anger and hate gave him strength, at the cost of clarity.
He was strong in Force, Arcann observed, dodging his brother's strike. He lacked tenacity- Arcann focused his Force power to defense, Aeon's power was growing tremendously.
Arcann delivered a swift kick to the young prince's face, a string of blood mouth flying from his mouth. Aeon snarled darkly at his brother, his yellow eyes nearly glowing in hate. He wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand, smiling darkly at Arcann.
The elder Prince of Zakuul held fast, keeping his guard up. He knew he had set something off in Aeon, he wasn't prepared to find out however.
Aeon suddenly dropped his lightsaber, smirking at him. He waved his hand mockingly at his older brother, daring his older brother to attack him.
A swift attack should finish-
A Force-energy shield blocked Arcann's lightsaber strike. Another strike. Another block.
Arcann hammered relentlessly at Aeon, growing more and more frustrated at his lack of ability to kill Aeon. This shouldn't be happening, the only person able to block a lightsaber strike like that was their father; in the style as well.
"Father always detested you," mocked Aeon cruelly. "I can see that now. He favored any of us more than you, you were the black sheep, ironically enough. Shame, you did have the potential but I suppose you won't live long enough find out."
Aeon clenched his fist together, Force-choking Arcann and levitated him off the floor. Arcann pathetically chocked and squirmed beneath the god-like grasp. Silently Aeon threw Arcann over the bridge, much like the Sith Lord had done to the unfortunate Knight before.
He fell to his knees suddenly, grasping his throbbing head in pain. Hissing loudly, Vaylin ran over to her distraught brother but didn't touch; she wasn't if she should. Suddenly his hissing stop, his mind still throbbing but quiet.
"You feel that?" Aeon asked aloud, she wasn't sure if he was talking to her. "It's gone."
Vaylin paused and felt something in the Force; something in her head. "Father's control, it's gone."
"Yes." Aeon stumbled to his feet, supported by Vaylin. "The Eternal Throne. Take me to it."
Vaylin frowned at her brother's order but she complied. She preferred to take him to the medical bay, but he seemed different.
Attractive. No, he was always attractive to her.
Confident. Maybe.
He released his hold on her and slowly made his way to where their father once did. The light from above shone down upon him with a heavenly glow, making him seem like a god.
"The Outlander has murdered our Emperor, take him away," ordered Aeon to the Knights of Zakuul that entered the room with Vaylin.
Broadcasts immediately displayed across the far reaches of Zakuul, images of Aeon standing in front of the Eternal Throne.
"People of Zakuul. The unthinkable has happened. Our beloved Emperor, Valkorion, is dead- murdered by my brother, Prince Arcann. The same man who murdered our beloved Thexan- it is brought to my attention that an Outlander who lead the Sith Empire was in accordance with Arcann, to shake the foundations of our great society. Arcann has already received his swift and just punishment, and so will the Outlander. But this unprovoke aggression will not go unanswered. As your new Emperor, I can promise you this: Zakuul's enemies will face the full power of the Eternal Throne. They will answer for their warmongering ways. And every last one of the Core Worlds, will BURN!"
A/N: Hope you guys enjoy this new story of mine! This is the second place story from my poll, which you can go see on my profile page for the results, and features the Eternal Empire.
With the Eternal Throne under Aeon's rule, what will become the fate of the galaxy?
The lightsaber Aeon possesses I found from an artist called JamesVillanueva titled 'avatara3's Lightsabers' on Deviantart, if you wish you can take a look for yourselves. He has a lot of wonderful and unique lightsaber designs, definitely worth a look see.
Harem-
Vaylin, Senya Tirall, Satele Shan, Lana Beniko, Jaesa Willsaam, Vette, Ashara Zavros, Kaliyo Djannis, Shae Vizla, Mako, Nadia Grell, Kira Carsen, Jarael, Chantique, Atris, Brianna, Mira, Fem Revan, Hylo Visz, Sana-Rae, Salana Rok, Lord Ishla, Exal Kressh, Krynda Draay, Akaavi Spar, Celeste Morne, Vyn Asara, Darth Karrid, Kendra Novar, Leontyne Saresh, Yadira Ban, Ceta Farr, Cora, Coral, Darth Atroxa, Elara Dorne, Feresyl, Darth Minax, Shaela Nuur, Vanat, Tersu
Power scale-
Solar System to Solar System+:
Naga Sadow (with Sith Corsaid and Sith relics through Dark Side Magic)
Star to Star+ level:
Father
Abeloth
Planet to Planet+:
Son (Large Planet)
Daughter (Large Planet)
Valkorion (Small Planet; after absorbing Ziost, his power have likely doubled, placing him within this range due to the energy he absorbed on Nathema)
Darth Nihilus (potentially; can siphon an entire planet's Force energy but constant hunger can dwell on that power)
Moon to Moon+:
Vitiate, Emperor of the Sith (through the Ritual of Nathema he absorbed this level of energy in the process of sub-atomically ripping apart all forms of life and culling it of the Force, thus making him immortal and making said energy his own. Also noted by Revan that he doesn't need this ritual to perform this feat, which Vitiate demonstrated when he drained the entire population of Ziost on his own)
Hero of Tython/Outlander (Managed to outmatch the Emperor, even saying that the Hero of Tython "harnessed immense power" after defeating him, which could place the Outlander at the peak Moon level)
Arcann (Managed to to fight evenly and briefly overpower the Outlander during their duel)
Vaylin (Various statements from Lana Beniko, Arcann and Valkorion support that her potential in the Force is massive, even within her family but due to the constraints placed on her power by Valkorion, little as been seen of her full potential)
Thexan (Should be a peer and equal to Arcann)
Multi-Continent to Multi-Continent+:
Revan
Exar Kun (Absorbed the entire Massassi Population, proved weaker than, but comparable to, the Jedi's Wall of Light in a clash of energies, was considered the darkest energy Luke Skywalker had felt after Darth Sidious)
Continent to Continent+:
Darth Marr
Satele Shan
Darth Nox
Naga Sadow (Per his Sith Spirit and talisman being required to summon the Ancient Threat on Yavin IV alongside the spirits of Marka Ragnos, Tulak Hord and Exar Kun and their own respective talisman)
Marka Ragnos
Exar Kun (Comparable to Ulic Qel-Droma; stronger than any Jedi of his day, which would include the likes of Nomi Sunrider and Thon)
Tulak Hord
Freedon Nadd
Country to Country+:
Darth Malgus
