Disclaimer: I do not own SWTOR, just a copy of the game.
AN: Thanks so much for the reviews. Makes me happy to know people support this story, not like one asshole who decided to send me 7 private messages after his review to verbally brow beat my "Shitty writing" Oh well Flame has been snuffed and moving on. Here is chapter 2 of Peace is a Lie.
Chapter 2
The Lower Wilds. Harkun made it sound dangerous and that I was going to die. Then again he always made it sound that way. The place was infested with Wild Tuk'ata Easy. It was dark out now by the time we left the Academy for this trial and I still haven't gotten any sleep.
Harkun wanted me to go into the Tomb of Marka Ragnos and open an Ancient Holocron. Kory and I entered the Tomb, in the Lower Wilds.
Inside we found some Shyracks, they seemed to deal in these tombs and caves on this planet. We soon came across a room with a tall pyramid like device. I could only assume this was the Holocron. After clearing the room of Shyracks, a flying insect like creature, we approached the Holocron. "So...any ideas?" I asked the human red head.
Kory shrugged and advanced on the Holocron cautiously. "Well...I guess we could try something."
"Like what?"
"Hmm. Well the Holocron pertains to the Sith so I would assume that only a Sith can open it, or maybe one strong with the Force. Try using the Force, maybe that lightning?." Kory was so smart it baffled my mind. She lacked combat prowess in the Sith way but her mental capacity was staggering. I stepped forward shot lightning at the tip of the Holocron. Seconds later the ground rumbled and their was a snap. I grinned as the top of the pyramid snapped off, the Holocron itself and the data inside.
"Kory Your a genius, I could just kiss you!" I picked up the cube and stuffed it into my pack. Then I turned to Kory with a cat like grin on my face.
"I-I-I hope your not s-s-serious." Kory stuttered in embarrassment. So cute. I sauntered towards her swaying my wide hips and narrow waist.
"Come now Kory your brilliant. You deserve some form of thanks for helping me."
"A-a-a thank you is enough." She blushed a deep shade of red that matched her hair. I leaned down once I reached her and smiled. She braced herself as I leaned in and...kissed her forehead.
"There. Come on let's go." I walked past her, her eyes wide in surprise.
"Wha..T-t-that's it!" I laughed as she chased me out of the tomb, over the dead bodies and into the night air of Korriban. "You jerk!"
Harkun's Office.
Kory and I entered Overseer Harkun's office. Gerr, Balek, Wydr and Ffon were with the Overseer when we arrived. It seems a trend was happening here. No matter. I approached the group while Kory stayed back, a look of apprehension on her face. Poor thing. "You better not be wasting my time, slave. You better have the Holocron." He asked once he noticed me. Took him long enough.
"Of course I have it. Don't be stupid." I rolled my eyes and handed the Holocron over to my Overseer.
"Watch yourself, slave. Hmm. A fake, or stolen from the library, probably. I'll deal with you later." He addressed the rest of us then. "Now, I believe it's time for another demonstration. Gerr, Step forward." Really? He's gonna kill another one of us. What a bitter man.
"Yes Overseer." Gerr said. I was surprised his voice was so calm. Didn't he know what was going to happen?
"Ffon. Kill him." Guess not.
"With pleasure Overseer." Gerr finally realized what was happening and tried to run. Foolish mistake. Never turn back on your enemy. I would have killed him myself for that. Sith don't run. Ffon shot lightning from his hand, stunning Gerr in place. He screamed in pain and as his nervous system overloaded and shut down. As he fell to the ground, Ffon advanced and slew him with his vibrosword.
"Let Gerr be an example to you. Ffon destroyed him easily, like he will destroy all of you. Are there any other objections?" I boldly raised my hand. Harkun sighed. "Yes Slave Kuro?"
"Not so much an objection, even though Gerr had none to begin with. Why are you still showing your boyfriend off? We get it he is superior, blah blah blah." Harkun glared fiercely at me, but it only made me grin wider. Ffon on the other hand drew his weapon.
"I am not gay!" He yelled. I chuckled.
"To defend yourself so strongly, I'm beginning to suspect that you and our Overseer have a little romp in his office once we are all gone." I mocked a sniffle. "Kids these days grow up so fast." Balek and Wydr stifled their laughter, unsuccessfully in my opinion.
"You bitch!" Before he got the chance to swing at me Harkun interrupted.
"Ffon enough! She is just trying to goad you!"
"Aww Harkun your ruining my fun." I pouted playfully.
"Enough slave! I have had enough of your lip! Leave all of you I want a word with this slave bitch!" The others left quickly too afraid to face Harkun's wrath. I was unafraid. He was nothing, I kept telling myself. Nothing.
"What has your panties in a twist Harkun." I mocked offhandedly. I folded my arms and inspect my fingernails. Or at least I would be if I hadn't been wearing gloves, but the point was still there, he didn't phase me in the least.
"Shut up!" He paused to catch his breathe and calm down, his face was red. He was close to hyperventilating. If I didn't know any better I would say I almost killed him. Pity. Once he calmed down he spoke again. "You think your so smart don't you?"
"Yep." I quipped with a grin. He ignored.
"Don't think that just because Lord Zash wants you alive doesn't mean I won't strangle the life out of you." He walked around his desk and sat down in his chair. Putting distance from me? Afraid much? I chuckled, once again he ignored me. "Now, you think your pretty clever getting that holocron, don't you?"
I shrugged. "Wasn't me who got it."
"I knew you cheated!" he accused,
"Nope, just used a resource. Something you should learn to do instead of hiding behind your acolyte bitch of a boyfriend." I said with a smirk. Then I was suddenly serious. I was getting tired of his harassment. "Ffon is nothing Harkun, just like you are. When, and I mean when Lord Zash chooses me as her apprentice." I raised my fist and clenched it tightly. "I will obliterate you." I growled with such venom that I saw a small tremor shake through Harkun. He did fear me. Good. "Now if you must know. Kory solved that puzzle of the Ancient Holocron. Because of her and her brilliance I am here with the holocron and all you can do is insult me. So enough of your pathetic taunting and bitching. Give me my next trial you Nerf." I glared..
He took a moment to gather himself. He probably hoped I wouldn't notice, but I did. He was all but shaking in his boots. "Fine. Your next trial will take you to the Tomb of Tulak Hord himself. There are secrets texts in his tombs that Lord Zash wants." Once again he tried to promise my death. "But the final resting place of the dead lord is not easily trespassed. You will not be the first to die there." While I had no doubt other acolytes died there, I would not.
I scoffed. "Yeah yeah I know the drill. You send me into a tomb to do the impossible, hoping I die, and I come back and prove you wrong. Again."
"Shut up slave. I've enough of your mockery!" He opened his mouth to continue but I spoke first.
"And I have had enough of your contempt! Let's be done with it, are we finished here!" I sneered.
"Whatever! Do not come back here until you've gotten the text from Tulak Hord's tomb! Out of my sight slave!" He snapped back.
"With pleasure Overseer." I hissed. I spun on my heel and left the pathetic fool. "Come Kory." I commanded. I didn't mean it to sound like that but I was just pissed off, she was smart, she would understand. I hope, I didn't need her to hate me too.
Once again I asked a guard, politely of course. They were kind to me so they didn't need my ire, and followed their directions to Tulak Hord's tomb. It wasn't too far from the Sith Academy.
This trial was a little more challenging than the last one. Kory and I had to fight our way through ancient droids and Shyrack's fun times. We searched the many rooms of the tombs and eventually found all three writings, at least I believed it was only three. Harkun wasn't specific like usual. No matter we combed the tombs twice then three times and all we ever found worthy of note were the three texts so we decided to head back. I, of course, copied them to a datapad Harkun gave me before leaving.
Kory was quiet the entire time, finally I couldn't put it off anymore and with a heavy sigh I turned to her and stopped. "Kory." I tried to get her attention. She stopped and turned to me. "I'm..sorry I snapped at you like that."
She shook her and stopped me before I could explain. "No, it's ok. I realized something when you spoke with such authority in your voice. I found myself unable to ignore your command."
"Kory I..." She brought a finger to my lips to shush, then withdrew it, and smiled.
"It's ok. I felt at peace following your command. You have so much power in you Kuro, it is almost unheard of. It would be such an honor to serve under you."
"Serve? Kory what are you talking about? I'm just an acolyte, besides your the smart one you have power too. I wouldn't have been able to open that holocron without your help." I don't know why I was debating with her. I always wanted to lead and command, have power, but a servant? I wasn't used to the idea.
"It wasn't me that opened it Kuro." She began walking and I stepped along beside her. "I didn't know that your power would have opened it, if it were the case anyone could have opened it. Maybe it was meant for you to open. Your special Kuro." She was silent then, so we walked together, across the dusty sands, the metal walkways, up the stone steps and into the Academy in silence. I mulled over what she said. Was I really something special? I knew I had power, more than the average Sith but so did Darth Malgus or even Lord Zash I was sure, was I any more special or powerful then them? I would like to think so, but doubtful.
I didn't get to think any further, when we stepped inside the hallway to Harkun's office there was a woman there. She had blonde hair and brown eyes. A lightsaber was strapped to her belt around her waist and she wore dark red robes. "Lord Zash!" Kory gasped. This was Zash? I thought Zash was a man. Oh this just got better and better.
"Hello Kory. Harkun told me what had transpired in his office." Her voice was like silk, running over my ears and causing me to smile and be calm. She was so comforting. Kory must have felt the same because she lost her rigidity. "Our mutual friend here has taken you under her wing am I correct?"
"Y-yes Lord Zash. Thanks to Kuro I am still alive. It has been an honor even walking beside her. I believe she is something..."
"Remarkable? Magnificent? I concur little Kory." She turned to me now, I gave her my attention. Unlike Harkun she deserved my attentive and respect, I could feel it in my very soul. "You are the one who brought me the magnificent holocron from the tomb of Marka Ragnos, yes?" She asked.
"Well...It's complicated. I did bring it back yes, but Kory helped me retrieve it." I answered honestly.
"Unbelievable. One thousand years buried in a tomb. Sith Lords passing it by, then you come along. Tell me Acolyte Kuro, hod did you manage it?"
"Honestly? Kory figured it out. She believed that because it had something to do with the Force that only force users could open it. So she told me to shoot lightning at it, so I did. And well, it opened."
"Really?" Lord Zash looked at Kory for an explanation.
"It was nothing Lord Zash. Even if I was right and the lightning did open it, who is to say it would have opened for me or any other acolyte? I don't think it would have. I believe that Kuro was meant to open it all along. I believe she is something beyond what she appears my lord."
"Psh nonsense Kory I'm not special at all. You don't know that it wouldn't have opened for you, and what do you mean appears?"
"I do too know it would have opened only for you! You appear like jerk so you know" She remarked childishly and folded her arms. Our banter was cut short by Lord Zash laughing, the back of her hand covering her mouth a little. Kory and I blushed. Thank the gods I was red skinned so it wasn't noticeable. Acting like a child in front of a lord. So embarrassing.
"You two are too much. But I agree with Kory, acolyte. Your work so far, in bringing me the holocron and now the texts from Tulak Hord's tomb, I am impressed and intruded in you." She praised.
"I...I thank you Lord Zash, it is an honor." I finished lamely, but with complete honesty.
"Well I must be going. Good luck Kuro, good luck." We bowed as she left us. After a minute of silence Kory sighed.
"Wow. Lord Zash is..."
"Beautiful, amazing, sexy, imposing?" I supplied with a grin.
"Yeah...I mean no. I mean...grr, your such a jerk!" I laughed at her pout.
"Yes. Yes I am. Now come on Kory. Our amazing Overseer awaits." I rolled my eyes and entered Harkun's Office.
I surprised to see only Ffon in the room. Did the Overseer kill the other two while I was gone. "I hope you managed to clean up before our arrival. Wouldn't want to stand in anything." I curled my nose in mock disgust.
Harkun ignored me, only glaring. "I was just about to send Ffon off. What delayed you, slave?" Get him off is more like it.
"Oh you know, enjoying the sights of the tombs, speaking to my lovely friend here, oh this is the kicker. Lord Zash stopped me in the hallway to tell me how amazing I am, and we got to talking and I guess I just lost track of time."
Harkun sneered as Ffon scoffed. "Just like a slave to make up stories. Lord Zash would crush you like a gizka if you ever crossed her path. You're not worth of her presence."
"Oh no doubt she could crush me like a gizka." I agreed. But left out that I wasn't worthy of her presence. I wanted to see how long it took him to notice.
"Indeed." He paused a minute then glared at me. I grinned. "Now did you collect the text from Tulak Hord's tomb?" He said through gritted teeth.
"Of course I did. As always, I'm brilliant." I handed them over.
"No doubt their badly damaged. It's what we get for sending a worthless alien to do a Sith's job, right Ffon?" I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. If I was so worthless why not kill me now? He obviously wants to. Ah look at him seeking approval of his bitch.
"What are we waiting for overseer? Why don't we kill this wretch now?" As if they could. It seems Harkun ignored him for once instead of answered.
"You have a big mouth slave, but no combat skills." Right. No combat skills, yet I go into dangerous tomb after dangerous tomb relatively unscathed. Speaking of which I hope Lord Zash has a new set of clothes for me when I become her apprentice, these ones are starting to reek and reveal a little too much. My breasts were practically falling out! "I don't want to see you again until you have satisfied the Korriban instructors."
"Well as you said Overseer, I have a big mouth. Should be no problem with this trial correct?" I remarked with a grin. I was happy to see a slight glazed look in his eye. Dirty Harkun.
"T-the training facility is on the second floor, of the academy and is usually reserved for the Dark Lords and their apprentices." I nodded. "This is not a promotion, and you are not to speak to anyone except the training master when you are up there, understand? You are not fit for their presence?"
"Yet I'm fit for yours? How beneath you Harkun." I looked to Ffon as Harkun bristled, he was too easy. "Is Ffon coming? We could have so much fun."
"Ffon has been training at combat his whole life. He was born to be Sith. You are just as likely cut off your own arm than not slave. Now get going, I'm tired of looking at you." I've been training my whole life in combat as well, but what Harkun doesn't know...only makes him die quicker.
"You and me both. Good bye Ffon, maybe another time." Kory and I left the bumbling fools.
"Your so cool Kuro." I smirked at my little friend and her gushing.
"You could be too, It's too easy to push his buttons."
Kory and I ascended the stairs to the training rooms. I was expecting to see a well armored master and some students, not Wydr and Balek. Alone. I sensed trouble. "Hello guys. Training too?" I asked, trying to be civil.
"Hello there, friend." He sounded genuine, but something was off. "You remember my brother and I from downstairs, with Harkun right?"
"Indeed. The only other two not killed by that worthless Overseer."
"Sorry it had to be this way." Balek commented.
"We don't like it anymore than you do. Well, maybe a little more."
They both sounded regretful, yet determined. I sighed.
"I see what's going on. Your going to try and kill me right?" I knew I was right so they didn't need to answer.
"I'm sorry Kuro, I liked you, I really did." Balek confessed. This just sucked I had to kill two people that could have been friends instead enemies. I'll kill Harkun next time I see him!
"Harkun made us a deal. We kill you, we go home."
"And you believe him?" I asked, surprised. What were they stupid? Harkun would never let them go. He was too stuck his ways to do that.
"What choice do we have? We know we can't beat Ffon, and we'll never be Sith. At least this way we have a chance at going home alive." I didn't want to kill them. But I would if they attacked.
"Listen to me. Harkun will not let you go. Even if he did the Dark Lords wouldn't allow it. We become Sith or we die. I don't want to fight you, but I will if I have to. There must be something we can do so you can go home."
Kory spoke up suddenly I almost jumped. "What if we supply information to the Dark Lords or an instructor to give to the Dark Lords that stated Harkun plotted to kill you? Murder of any kind on a fellow Acolyte is illegal."
Balek nodded. "I like that idea, but what do we do?"
"No Balek we can't even if that worked we can't go home!"
"Wydr. Listen to me. Harkun is scum and needs to be put in his place. Maybe you can go home maybe you don't but you can't keep running away!" I stepped forward and placed my hands on their shoulders. I looked from one to the other. "The instructors say that our emotions fuel our power. I believe this is true, but their wrong when it comes to fear. Fear is a weakness, never be afraid, not of anything, and you will have power that surpasses your masters. Trust me." I implored them. I really didn't want to kill them, they were strong and good men. They would make great Sith and with this strained peace we could use all the Sith we could get.
Finally, after a few minutes of silence Wydr nodded. "Your right. Fear is a disease. Shit I sound like the Jedi's."
"It may seem that way. But their weakness is not using emotion. Their like droids in human skin. They can't love, hate, be happy or sad. But us Sith can, and so long as we don't fear, we are strong."
He nodded again. "Again your right. Thank you Kuro. I honestly believed we were going to die here. You and Ffon are on a whole new level compared to us." I smirked.
"Ffon is weak. Now, can you guys take care of that information? After all he did tell you to kill me. They will believe you more, instead of us." I asked.
"Of course. By the end of the week Harkun will be replaced and banished if I have anything to say about it." Wydr was a high spirits now. That was good.
"Perfect. Get to it, I will tell Harkun that I killed you. Once you rely the information you must go into hiding for a bit. If Harkun finds you I cant guarantee your safety."
"Don't worry about us. Thank you again." They bowed to me, which made me smile, and left me alone with Kory.
"You really are amazing you know that?" I shrugged.
"I didn't want to kill them just because Harkun backed them into a corner. The slime ball."
"Yeah he is. Come on then, I'm sure he won't be expecting us." I had to laugh as we made our back down to Harkun's office.
We went into the office. Harkun was alone. I didn't like this. "Well well. Look who shows up at long last. I half expected to hear you crossed some Dark Lord upstairs and finally got yourself killed." Liar. He was so see through. I stared at his little beard as he spoke. I really want to rip that off. "None of the others have shown up either. I assume they're dead by now, which means you and Ffon are the last ones." Oh goodie. A showdown between me and Ffon. Wonder where he is.
"Where is your little pet Harkun? He seems conspicuously absent." I asked with a smirk. I knew he did something to give him an edge. It was just expected of him.
"You only wish it slave. No you took so long returning I sent Ffon ahead." And bingo we have a winner. "Your final trial will be to retrieve an ancient map from the innermost chamber of Naga Sadow's tomb, which has never been breached in thousands of years. But before you get the map, you'll have to awaken an ancient assassin called a Dashade that sleeps in the tomb. You cannot access the map without him, understand?" Dashade? What the hell was that?
I looked at Kory and she just shrugged, once again behind me. Smart girl. "What the hell is a Dashade and what is so important about this map?"
"They're an a lost race of assassins that the ancient Sith used to devour their Force-using enemies. This one will probably eat you the moment its freed." I rolled my eyes. You wish. "As for the map. Lord Zash wants it, that should be important enough." I assumed that was all so I turned to leave. However he stopped me. "Oh and one more thing you'll be competing with Ffon for this map. Whoever brings it back will be Lord Zash's apprentice. The other will die." That bastard! He knew this and sent Ffon ahead. Oh he was so dead! "And Ffon's already started, so my advice? Run, slave. Run." I ground my teeth as I glared at him. Little bitch!
I was brought from my seething by an unlikely voice. "Ahem. One moment please." What was Lord Zash doing here?"
Harkun must have read my mind but was stupid enough to ask. As if the lord needed a reason to be anywhere. "Lord Zash? W-what are you doing here?" I could see sweat dripping from his brow. Scared much?
Lord Zash looked angry. "Are you implying that I, a Lord of the Sith, don't have the right to go where I please within the Academy of the Sith?" She spoke slowly as if talking to a child.
N-no, of course not, Lord Zash." What a coward.
The blond haired Lord was chipper again. "Good. I saw the last Acolyte arrive. I wanted to see the hopefuls off on their final trial. Where's...um, what's his, the orange one...Ffon?" I found it hard to stifle my laughter. The lord he was "destined" to be apprentice of didn't even know his name but knew mine by heart. That should tell you who's apprentice she's already chosen.
"He finished his trial early, so I sent him on rather than keep him waiting for this-" He was getting angry by the end of his sentence. He must really hate me. But thankfully Zash interrupted. In fact she sounded smug?
"Pity. I just finished translating the wonderful text this acolyte brought from Tulak Hord's tomb, and it's most illuminating. I don't know that the map can be retrieved without it." Lord Zash flicked her eyes to me quickly and I saw a smile in them. She was glad for this turn of events? Gods I already loved this Lord.
"Uh oh. Ffon's in trouble." I said in a sing song voiced. Kory snorted at her place behind me. I grinned wolfishly.
"But...It's too late." He sounded scared. "Ffon's already left, you can't just-"
"-Give one acolyte an unfair advantage over the other? Overseer when has becoming Sith ever been about being fair?" Oh how the tables have turned. Zash turned to me, a smile motherly smile on her lips. "Now, my dear Acolyte." I smiled back. I felt Kory step out from behind me to stand at my side as she addressed us. "And Kory. Here is what you must do to free the Dashade. There are rods scattered throughout the tomb of Naga Sadow. The rods are the keys to the chamber where the ancient assassin is imprisoned. You will need to place the rods in the chamber door and electrify them." Simple enough.
"I don't know exactly the reason, but it is clear that you will not be able to retrieve the map without the Dashade. But be careful, he is very dangerous." I nodded. I would heed her advice, just not Harkun's.
"Don't worry about my lord. I'm not easy to kill." I bragged.
"Good." She turned to Harkun. Her voice dry and neutrally. "I will return when both acolytes are back form the tomb. You will not do anything further to affect the outcome of the trial. Understood?" She all but spat in his direction.
"Y-yes Lord Zash." Fool.
"Good." She smiled at me, her voice like honey and motherly. "And good luck Kuro." I bowed as she left. Once she was gone I straightened and grinned in Harkun's bristling face.
a "Sucks for you Harkun. Shouldn't have been so quick to send him off. Being lord Zash's apprentice is as good as done." I laughed in his face and turned, making sure Kory was in front of me, then left with her. My laughter was contagious, Kory giggled along with me.
For the fourth time in the past few days, I asked for directions to the Tomb of Naga Sadow. "Your so funny Kuro." I looked at Kory questionably. "Your so powerful in the Force, I can feel it, but your so bad at everything else." She laughed again at whatever she found so funny.
"Yeah yeah whatever. Who's the jerk now?" I pinched her shoulder. She yelped in pain. She glowered at me, rubbing her sore spot as we entered the tomb.
Creepy. That was the only word I could place this tomb with. Statues of humanoids stood everywhere staring at you. It was dark, the only light were from torches set every few feet. "Creepy." I chuckled at Kory's words.
"I like it." Kory rolled her eyes but stayed silent. "Well let's get started." The trial was straightforward. Lord Zash said there were rods scattered around, and they weren't had to miss. Each one was laying flat on a pair of hands, a bowing statue below it. Thankfully no one else was in the tomb so we didn't have to fight.
After hours of searching we had gathered four rods and found the chamber to place them in. So far so good. After studying the chamber Kory spoke. "Alright the rods go here." So we placed them in appropriate spots stand straight up. "Now you gotta get in the middle on that platform." I looked at her expectantly, waiting for more. "That's it."
"That's it? Sounds simple enough." I stood on the platform and waited. Hmm nothing. Well let's try this. I closed my eyes and channeled the Force. Suddenly I was struck by lightning, I screamed in pain as I feel to my knees, but the lightning didn't stop. I saw that it was coming from the rods. Maybe I had to shock the door? The lightning hurt, yes but it felt like it was building. It was getting hard to think now, so I slowly stood and focused on the door. "Nerf-shit." With a yell I thrust my palms out and shot the lightning that was being built up at the door. The tomb rumbled and cracked and after a full minute of this torture the slide open and the lightning stopped. I slumped to the floor breathing heavily. I could smell burnt flesh and I assumed it was mine.
"Kuro!" Footsteps. Cold hands on my cheek, I looked into the eyes of Kory. "Kuro are you ok?"
I managed a smirk. "Yeah. Never better." Kory helped me to my feet and I shook of the tingling sensations through my body. The Trial wasn't done. "Damn that was intense."
"You sure your alright?" I nodded.
Before me and through the door was the same stasis field we saw on the way in. Inside held the Dashade. We walked forward and stopped in front of it. He must have noticed us because he spoke in a language I couldn't replicate. Thank the gods for translating devices. "All the world conspires to mock me!" He laughed, a deep rumbling in his chest. "Tulak Hord! I waited for you. I did everything you said! And this is what you send me?" He laughed again without humor. "Fate is cruel to me, little one. But not as cruel as it is to you. You have made a terrible mistake."
"What do you mean?" I asked him. Clearly he was a male, he was wearing nothing but a loincloth and leather belt to hold it up. But he was muscular and his voice was masculine.
"I am Khem Val, servant of Tulak Hord, who was called Lord of Hate, Master of Gathering Darkness, Dark Lord of the Sith." This monster must have been ancient then. "Together, Tulak Hord and I devoured our enemies at the battles of Yn and Chabosh and brought the entire Dromund system to its knees. And now I await his return."
I looked to Kory and she stared at this giant with awe. It was hard not to. The Dashade was huge and scary looking. Powerful no doubt. "I hate to be the one to tell you this but Tulak Hord is dead."
He looked confused, staring up at the high vaulted ceiling."Dead? My lord, why didn't you come for me? I would have died with you-no, I would have slain death itself..." He looked back at me. As for you, you should not have come here." He began to tremble and I sensed a movement in the Force, he had the intent to attack. Thankfully he was in that stasis field. "For I hunger, and I will devour." He roared with such ferocity and Kory and I stumbled back as the cavern shook with his roar. I felt my heart drop into my stomach when the Stasis field sparkled and cracked, then finally broke, freeing him from his prison. Oh no.
"Kory run!"
"Wha-?"
"Run!" I pushed her back as I squared off with the Giant. For that's what he was. Khem Val towered above me, I would say about seven to eight feet tall. I gulped, for once I was actually afraid. But I pushed those feelings away. I couldn't be afraid, fear was the enemy. I needed to beat this monster into submission.
I backed up as he hunched over, preparing to run. As he shot forward I turned and ran, scooping up Kory and tossing her aside as Khem shot past us into the chamber with the rods. AT least now we weren't in danger of being thrown off the side of the railings to our deaths. He slowed down now and turned to face me once more. I watched his movements, mimicking his stance. Clawed hands on either side of his body chest high. He swung at me with such speed I barely managed to duck and keep my head. My lekku flowed behind me as I jumped around and placed my hands on his back, shooting lightning into his body. I didn't hesitate and shot all I was worth. He roared in pain and on reflex spun and back handed me. With a cry of pain and grunt I slammed into the wall.
Shit this guy hits hard, I thought I was fighting a Rancor for a second there. "Weak little Sith." My attack did nothing? I gasped for breathe as I watched him stomp towards me. No he was slowing down too. I jumped and charged him with a yell.
"Kuro!" I looked over and Kory threw her training saber at me. I deftly caught it and jumped swinging it down onto his head. God damn it his body was hard! I thought I just swung at a spaceship! I rebounded off his body as he howled in pain. Skidding to a stop I looked over my attack. He was holding his head with one clawed hand and glaring at me with beady red eyes. I didn't stop then I raised one hand and shot lightning at his body from over thirty meters away. I barely managed to dodge but I grazed him. He roared again and charged me. I spat on the ground, some blood and spit mixing together. I raised my hand again and focused. This time I combined the air and my force lightning to create a whirlwind that surrounded him, lifting him off the ground and hurling him into the rocky walls with a loud crack. Giant rumbled rained down on him but he just batted it away.
The rubble gave me an idea. I channeled the Force and used its help to pick up the human sized rocks. Next I threw it at him as hard as I could. The human sized rock smashed into his body. His roar was muffled behind the rock. "Enough!" he roared. He was about to charge me again but he feel to his knees. "Enough...I am defeated." He chuckled humorlessly. "Defeated."
Kory ran to my side as I kept my eye in him. She used the Force to help heal some of my wounds. I gritted my teeth as skin and muscles knitted back together. "Thank you Kory." I whispered, she smiled at me and nodded.
Khem Val seemed to be speaking to himself for a moment. "Why did you not come for me Tulak? Why have you allowed your servant to be reduced to this?" He growled, then addressed me. "Fine, little one. In my great weakness, you have defeated, so I must serve you-this is the law that binds me. But you are not my master."
"If that's how it works then I wont say no. Come Khem. I need your help to retrieve a map from my master."
"As you say little Sith." I ordered Kory to heal Khem. She did so, albeit hesitantly. Once we were set we set out again, Khem followed me and Kory as we made our around the railings once more. Soon enough though we came to a hallway that was blocked off. I could feel air behind the rubble and I knew I had to get past this. I could feel it.
"Shit...any ideas?" I asked Kory. She opened her mouth to speak but Khem beat her to it.
"Allow me little Sith." He stepped up to the rubble wall and with one might punch he blew the rubble to pieces, sending them flying to the opposite wall on the other side of the rubble. I could make out some Shyrack's screeching in pain as they were crushed. Kory's eyes were wide, as were mine.
How the hell did I survive a fight against this thing? "Wow. Impressive Khem. Well done." He just grunted and waited for me. We stepped through making our way over the rubble and dead bodies. We descended a flight of stairs staring a giant red statue of someone in the face. After killing a few more Shyracks we turned right...and ran into a giant of a monster. Even bigger than Khem.
"That...That's a Terentatek." Kory said, trembling with fear. I could smell it coming off her in waves.
"Calm down Kory. Just stay back Khem and I will take care of this thing. Right Khem?"
"I follow your lead, little Sith. Fear Nothing." He proclaimed. I was going to like Khem, he understood my way. I nodded at Khem as Kory stepped aside and hid behind a pillar, watching. Poor kid.
Khem and I walked up to this giant monster. I will admit it was menacing looking, but it did not instill fear into me like Khem did. Something about Khem would make anyone afraid. Maybe it's because he ATE Force users.
It finally noticed us and roared. Khem did so likewise and I held Kory's training saber in my hand, glaring it down. Khem and the Terentatek charged each other. They rammed together in a flurry of blows. For their size both creatures were fast. I decided to help Khem by shooting lightning at the creature, but it seemed to do little to nothing. Was it resistant to the Force? A natural immunity? Not good. "Do not worry little Sith. I will consume this creature." With those words Khem spun, his fist suddenly alight with lightning and he back handed the monster in the face. It's tremendous bulk sailed with the blow and slammed so hard into the wall the entire tomb shook. Gods that hit would have taken my head off. Khem roared and jumped, high into the air, and landed on the creatures back and held onto its spiky head. Khem started to claw its way into its skull. The Terentatek thrashed, trying to dislodge Khem from its body, to no avail. Finally Khem roared once more and ripped it's brain from its head and proceeded to devour it. I almost threw up. I turned and and tried to block out the sounds of him eating. Gross.
Finally he stopped and roared his triumph, the sound of the cracking rock alerted me to his movement. I looked up and stared at me, waiting. So obedient. So powerful. He would make a great ally. "Kory. It's over." Kory stumbled out from behind the pillar and latched onto me. I smiled affectionately. She was like a little sister to me. I ascended the stairs, Kory at my side and Khem behind. A galactic map was displayed on a holo terminal. I accessed the terminal and downloaded everything I could onto my own personal holocom device. "Alright we're done here. Let's go."
An hour later I found myself in the Academy again. Khem looked around and commented. "How things have changed. How long since my master's death." I shrugged and ignored the stares Khem and I were getting. Gods I was tired. I haven't slept for days. I lead Kory and Khem to Harkun's office.
I stepped inside, Ffon was there this time, with Harkun. But no Zash. I shrugged. "I'm telling you Overseer it cannot be done. I went into the tomb, saw the Dashade across the chasm, but I could not get to it." I heard Ffon complain.
"But the map! The map! Lord Zash is adamant, she will not take an apprentice without the map!" Harkun all but screeched. I felt Kory shuffled closer to me." Neither noticed me yet.
"I'm telling you, Lord Zash wants the impossible! No one is ever going to get that map!" I decided now was good time to make my presence known.
"Look what I've got." I sang. I waved my holocom in the air, mocking them.
Harkun spun to face us and glared at me."The map!" Then he noticed Khem, hard not to. "And...and the Dashade! G-get that monster out of here this instant!" I heard Khem growl. Guess he didn't like being called a monster. Noted. "And give me the map!" He clenched his fist in my direction. I kept the map to myself however.
"No, it's not possible! You wretch you filth-you must have cheated somehow! How did you do it? How did you release the monster?"
Khem roared. "I am not a monster! I am Khem Val, servant of Tulak Hord, devourer of the rebels at Yn and Chabosh, consumer of the Dromund system! And I am hungry." He growled in Ffon's direction. Ffon visibly shivered and gulped loudly. Coward.
"R-right. You-you must have cheated. You must have!" He balked under Khem but gained confidence when he looked back at me. That made me bristle with rage. Bastard, I am not weak! "You'll pay for this."
Overseer Harkun growled and quickly snatched the data from my hand and handed it to Ffon. "Ffon! Patience. You will have your chance at this whelp, after you personally deliver this map to Lord Zash." Parasite! I hated him! I wanted him to die! I snapped my eyes to Khem and commanded. "Khem eat them!"
"With pleasure." He grunted.
"Keep your pet at bay Acolyte." Lord Zash's voice came from behind me. I turned and noticed two things. One Kory was in the corner of the room and not behind, a scared look on her face. It hurt to see it was directed at me. And two Lord Zash walked towards us, determined. "I would have a word with Ffon." She finished as she stepped up to the group.
"Lord Zash?" Ffon addressed his superior. I was shaking with rage, clenching my fists tightly trying to control myself. It wasn't working. Khem towered over me, slightly hunched and ready for action. I could feel his own anger.
"Yes Ffon. Now where is my map?" She asked kindly. No! That tone was meant for me! I was the one who got it for her! For her!
"H-here, Lord Zash. R-right here." Ffon stuttered. She couldn't possibly believe him! Ffon handed over my holocom to our lord. Recognition flashed across her face. Recognition for what?
"You found it for me Ffon? How wonderful." That was the last straw! I exploded. "Damn you Ffon! I'll kill you!"
"Silence!" She snapped at me. I was immediately cowed. She addressed Ffon again. "Ffon will tell me me what happened, won't you Ffon?" She asked him, deadly calm. Her voice scary sweet. "You wouldn't dare lie to me, would you?" Ffon looked at the Overseer, then to me, then back to Zash. "Because it would be a shame for me to discover that you lied to me. Now one more time. Did you bring this map back from Naga Sadow's tomb?" Even I shivered under gaze as she stared down Ffon. I couldn't imagine how he must be feeling.
"I-I-n-no. No, I didn't I-I didn't. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He stuttered out. I was surprised he was able to talk at all. I'll give him credit, I wouldn't have been able to.
Zash was suddenly angry and turned her wrathful gaze to our Overseer. "Harkun you fool. In any other group for any other lord, this young man would have torn the other acolytes to shreds. What were you trying to prove? That you could outsmart me? That you knew better than me what kind of person I wanted for an apprentice?" She shouted. "You complete fool!" She snapped her gaze to Ffon, eyes cold and deadly. Then she lifted up her hand and curved it, as if she were holding a cup. A choking sound reached my ears, or holding a neck. She was choking Ffon with the force? Amazing. To be able to manipulate such a small area was amazing. After a few minutes, Ffon finally suffocated to death and feel to the floor. I was shaking, not with rage but with fear. Again I was afraid. Zash was so powerful...
"Ffon..." Harkun whispered to himself as he watched, horrified that his pet was dead.
"There is your pet Harkun. Clean this mess up." She turned to me, her voice less angry. "Apprentice." The words soothed me and helped me calm down as I looked my new master in the eye. "Meet me in my chambers upstairs."
I nodded. "Yes, master." I was surprised I could speak clearly. She turned and left me alone with Harkun. I glared at the bastard who dared sabotage me.
"This is not the end. Without Lord Zash to save you, you're nothing." I simmered. "I have connections that will hunt you wherever you go." Threats still?
"You forget Harkun." I spat his name, he was no longer in control of me. "I am Lord Zash's apprentice. I am more powerful than Ffon, more powerful than you. Your words ring hollow in my ears you pathetic worm." I decided to test me power. I felt stronger than I once was when I arrived. I use the Force to push him, and it worked. He slammed hard into his desk, toppling it. "Your weak Harkun. If I see you again. I will kill you." I promised.
He managed to stand and he glared, he knew he could do nothing right now. If something happened to me now, Zash would have his head. "Get out of my sight, slave." He gulped in air trying to breathe normally. He was still shaken from Zash's display of power and my own. "Your new...master is waiting for you upstairs."
"Of course. Until we meet again Harkun. Remember, you are nothing." I left him with those words to stew over. I took hold of Kory, gently and guided her outside. Seems the little one was prone to fear. "I'm sorry Kory, if I scared you."
I sighed in relief when she hugged me and sobbed lightly. I guided her to Lord Zash's office, letting her get it all out. Their was a lot of tension in that room and thankfully she would never have to set foot in there again. I was an apprentice now this life on Korriban was over.
AN: PHEW! Man that took a lot out of me. I hope you all enjoy it. I do apologize for the direct game to story dialogue. As you can tell (hopefully) I'm breaking away from that so the dialogue should be more originally but will still have some lines from the game.
I hope the combat scenes were easy to follow and good enough to be posted, I'm not too good at them sometimes its hard for me to explain what happens and all that. So I hope I did a good job. Leave a comment in your reviews. Thank you for reading! :)
