Vitiate smirked wickedly. Finally, he could meet the red dragonoid, see what was brewing in his mind. He laughed, realizing he could lure this dragonoid further into the dark, allowing him to become his puppet. And he needed as many puppets as he could find for what he was about to undertake.
"Come with me." Vitiate said, bluntly. "Please. It's the only way to save your village from total destruction."
"I won't let you harm this village," Parker said, sympathetic towards the citizens of Dragon's Hallow. "I'll come with you."
"Parker, don't go!" Eliza screamed, getting the red dragonoid's attention.
Parker faced her with compassionate eyes. "I'll miss you." He hugged her, not letting her go. It wasn't until he released her that he watched his wife face the Sith Lord.
"I don't know who you are or what you're doing here, but I won't let you take Parker away!" Eliza threatened the Sith Lord. "You'll have to take us all down before you get to my husband!"
"Your… husband," Vitiate smirked evilly. "This is too brilliant."
"Eliza, don't," Parker stepped in front of her. He told the Sith Lord, determined now, "Take me instead. I would rather face this by myself than to see the ones I loved destroyed!"
"Well then, let's not waste any more time. Come," Vitiate said, leading Parker onto his shuttle.
"Parker!" Eliza got her husband's attention. "We'll come for you. I promise!" She referred to their son and Corin.
Parker smiled at her. Even if he didn't see it, he knew their love was strong. Their love could conquer anything. He sighed, wondering if what he was doing was right or if he was falling prey to Vitiate's plans. He looked at her again, nodded, and entered the shuttle. He looked back, waving to her, Corin, and Maxin, as the shuttle door closed.
He was alone with Vitiate and his pilot, who flew the ship through a portal, leaving the Seven Realms behind and entering a Galaxy Far, Far Away.
~o~
Maxin sat at the dinner table, watching his mother make breakfast. He looked at Corin, who sat on the floor, contemplating everything that transpired that morning. Maxin couldn't believe the things his father did: yelling at Corin and then apologizing! Seriously, what was going on with his dad these days? It was like he couldn't control the darkness—
The darkness? Of course. But what did it mean?
"Vitiate took him," Maxin said, referring to his father.
"He did it to save us," Eliza said, bringing two plates of scrambled eggs over to the table, setting one plate in front of Maxin. "Parker didn't eat anything this morning. At least, I'm not sure he did. He needs his sustenance."
"That isn't the point!" Corin spoke up, frantic. "Something's wrong! Parker doesn't yell at people like that! Or even animals! No. I think there is something dark in his heart. I fear that Vitiate's going to exploit that, reveal Parker's darker half. I fear we may be too late to prevent it."
"What do we know of this Vitiate?" Eliza asked, between bites.
Corin munched on some cooked meat. "Vitiate's dangerous. He's an Emperor who wiped out an entire planet. Now, I fear he may do something bad to Parker." He sighed, "Even if we could track down Vitiate's ship, we couldn't find it. The planet Vitiate's heading to is hidden. Even if we did find it, it would be too late to turn Parker back to the light. For now." He nodded. "I'll face Parker when he gets here. I want no one standing in my way."
"Whatever you say," Maxin said, eating some more eggs.
Eliza sat in silence, nodding to them. She wasn't about to let her husband go dark, but Parker had been with her since their first journey. She wasn't about to lose him now.
She just hoped she could help him find the light before the darkness overtook him.
~o~
Parker sat on one of the seats inside the shuttle. His stomach grumbled. He knew he ate a little meat and cheese before he left the house this morning. He didn't realize he was still hungry. Well, here's hoping he would get some more food at the Sith Lord's palace. He stared in shock as Vitiate passed to him some cooked meat, bread, and a bottle of blue milk. Parker took the food, wondering if it was safe to eat.
"Don't worry. I didn't poison it," Vitiate spoke truthfully.
"One can hope," Parker said, munching on his meat and bread.
"I wasn't going to blow up your village," Vitiate spoke venomously, shocking the red dragonoid. He smirked, pleased with himself. "Forgive me. It's not often I'm face to face with a red dragonoid. Your parents must have raised you well." He answered a moment later, "Oh, that's right! You were adopted by humans. You're more associated with them than your own kind. You were beaten up more than once. Is that right, too?"
Parker stood up, eyeing the Sith Lord, threateningly. The Sith Lord smiled, pleased once more.
"Oh, I see? Did I make you angry?" Vitiate asked, testing him happily. "Does that drive the darkness in your heart further?" Parker looked away, hardly believing what he was hearing. "I suppose your brother Mordru is responsible for this. But you should know that I already found Mordru and taken him to my palace. The palace we are coming to now."
"What do you want?" Parker asked, softly.
"Oh, you'll see," Vitiate said, as soon as the shuttle docked and the ramp opened up. "Come with me. There is much for you to see and hear."
Parker stared at the Sith Lord in awe. Those dark thoughts were strong here, stronger than he knew. He picked up his food and his drink, before climbing down the ramp and onto the docking bay, with its grey, metallic balcony, complete with metal rails. He stared at the place in wonder. There was so much red and black, even among the flags, which had a strange circular symbol on the red cloth. The Sith symbol, or so he thought.
Vitiate cleared his throat, forcing Parker to follow him into the citadel.
All around the red dragonoid were triangular shapes, almost like iron spikes. The colors grey, red, and black stood out here. It made no sense. Why was he loving this place? He soon found his way into a large throne room with dim lights, except for the fiery flames flickering off stone basins.
Vitiate returned to his throne, enthralled by what he saw. He clapped his hands, startling Parker once again. They were soon joined by another red dragonoid dressed in black robes. His face was young but had seen years of war and suffering. No way! Was that Parker's brother?
"Mordru?" Parker asked, stunned by his brother's latest appearance. "Is that you?"
"Like my new appearance?" Mordru asked, smirking. He told Vitiate, surprising himself, "I trust there won't be any problems here, my lord?"
"None, Mordru. You may go," Vitiate waved his hand, allowing Mordru to bow and take his leave of the throne room. Vitiate returned his gaze to Parker, beckoning for him to sit down on the stone platform, right next to his wooden, triangular throne. "Please, take a seat."
Parker was hesitant. Should he trust this Sith Lord? Did he know what was going on? He seemed more knowledgeable than he was at the moment. What was that power that was used in this world? The Force? Yes, it must be the Force! But this was the Dark Side of the Force! There was no way Parker was going to do this!
"Join me," Vitiate said, gruffly.
Parker reluctantly climbed the stone steps, reaching the top platform and sitting down, eating the rest of his food. By the time he got around to drinking more of his blue milk, Vitiate spoke to him. "I know you must think this is uncanny, but you should know how much the Dark Side festers in your heart. It can do unspeakable things. It can make you angry, lose yourself in its grasp, even make others pay for their crimes."
"I don't understand," Parker said, cautious. "How can the Dark Side be so evil? All I want to do is good deeds."
"You're asking too much of yourself," Vitiate said, pitiful.
"What do you want?" The red dragonoid asked, curious about this man.
"Why did you agree to come here? Why did you let me take you from your home?" Vitiate asked, curious.
"I came to save my village, of course." Parker realized, "You… you didn't blow it up?"
Vitiate shook his head. "No. I kept my promise. Now, tell me, why did you come here? It's clear you couldn't escape. What is it?"
Parker paused. He didn't expect this kind of question. So many things were unraveling before his very eyes. What would Eliza say if she learned he was taking the first step towards the dark side? Why did he want to grasp it, learn about it, do unspeakable things, as Vitiate said? Was it enough that he was here, under the Emperor's watch?
"I don't know what to do," Parker said, confused. "I want to be here! I want to learn how to control the darkness… but I can't!" He placed a hand against his cheek, shaking his head. "The darkness is too strong here. It wants me to take its hand, guide me through the dark reaches of space. In a way, I want to learn more. I want to protect myself, in case something bad happens. I want to protect my wife, especially from that lion, Corin!"
"Well then, welcome to the Sith Empire," Vitiate said with a smirk. "We shall begin your training at once."
"Thank you," Parker said, his heart filling with rage. "Thank you, Emperor Vitiate. This means the world to me."
"Rise and join the ranks of other Sith Hopefuls." Vitiate said in triumph, watching Parker do as was asked. "One of my servants will take you to your room."
Parker nodded, stunned to find a Sith servant, a woman with black hair, purple skin, and dressed in grey robes, lead him away from the throne room. He looked back at Vitiate with a smirk of his own, determined to see this through till the end. He sighed, murmuring to himself, for the last time as a hero of the light, "Eliza, forgive me."