Rise of Darth Nox
Chapter 3 – Allies and Trials
Naruto walked into the large Academy with a look of reverence. He never saw a building like it before, and the statues inside were perfectly smoothed into daunting robed figures. Most of the individuals were humans, but there were a few Twi'leks and Sith Purebloods. There were a lot of Sith Lords gathered here, and acolytes and apprentices mingled and learned, though the apprentices were demanding in how they treated the acolytes. If it wasn't clear before that the Empire followed a hierarchy system within its order, it certainly was now.
Hearing a voice interrupt him, he turned to see a young human looking at him. "Come here, acolyte." Naruto did so, walking over to the man. "I am Assistant Overseer Markan, and you must be one of the slave acolytes that Harkun is being forced to test. Pretty easy to see why he was so horrified. However, Lord Zash has made it clear that all new acolytes must learn advanced martial skills as well as take their trials. Although, how anyone thinks someone like you can be trained to be Sith is beyond me."
Naruto was very annoyed. He had been killing k'lor slugs, impudent tomb looters, and stupid acolytes for the last several hours. However, he held his temper in check and retorted, "I certainly hope someone with more manners than the present company will be instructing me."
"Not on your life." The assistant overseer snapped. "You will find the instructors on the second in the Academies Archive. Hurry, and try not to insult your betters." He is tone was very insulting. Not mention, he must be completely stupid to think he could talk his better like that.
"My betters? Hehehehehe," Naruto laughed as he crossed his arms and then got serious. "You should choose your words more carefully."
The brain-dead assistant made to respond, but suddenly rubbed his throat as he gasped for air. He was being Force Choked by Naruto, who wasn't even making a choking motion with his hand. Naruto would normally kill this idiot, but that was against the rules. Acolytes can't murder other acolytes or the overseer's without permission or in front of witnesses…But there was technically nothing in the rules against knocking him out.
"I'd advise you to learn some manners, Assistant Overseer. Otherwise, the next time you insult me, it won't be empty air, but your blood, that you choke on." Naruto said as he punched him hard in the face and carelessly let the unconscious idiot fall flat on his face. He dusted his hands off and made his way into the Library.
He asked who it was that the instructors were. One Acolyte only knew of one and directed him to him.
"Overseer Rance." Naruto addressed with respect. Rance acknowledged and beckoned him to continue. "It was mentioned to me that Lord Zash wants all her acolytes to practice to their skills while they take their trials."
"Ah yes, you're one of her acolytes. Tell me, did Harkun send that imbecile pet of his, Markan?" Rance asked.
"Oh yeah, he was very rude, so I taught him some manners." Naruto said politely, causing Rance to narrow his eyes.
"Did you kill him?" He asked with suspicion.
"No, my Lord. Just choked him with the Force a bit and knocked him out with a single punch." Naruto said, causing Rance to laugh out loud.
"Ha! About time that worthless ingrate be put in his place. Don't take it personally kid, he was like that when he was an acolyte." Rance said. "Anyway, I handle lightsaber combat training. Lord Samus in the other main hall oversees the training of Force abilities and Sith Rituals. Follow me, and we will see what you got so I know what you need more training on."
Rance took Naruto into a private sparring room and they sparred in each of the 7 forms of Lightsaber combat, plus Jar Kai, for 2 minutes each so Rance could see what the kid needed work on.
Afterwards, Rance gave his report. "So, here's what I saw. Makashi is definitely where you truly shine. I dare say you are already a master of it. You are an expert in Niman and Shii-Cho, and you are adept with Soresu. However, your Juyo and Jar-Kai is only apprentice level, and you are beginner level with Ataru and Shien/Djem So. I assume this is because you train your force abilities and the skill-based bladework a great deal."
"That is true, Overseer." Naruto said respectively to the veteran from the Great War. Thanks to his extensive training of his Force Abilities and more skillful Lightsaber combat, he was behind with the 4 most physically demanding forms of Lightsaber combat.
"In my experience kid, it's better to be an expert in all forms and master of none. It certainly saved my life a few times in the war, since I could always switch styles against my opponents." Rance said.
"Anyway, you have 13 days left before your trials are over. Report to me after your next meeting with Harkun, and I will help you with your weaker styles."
Naruto bowed and went to Overseer Samus. "You are one of Lord Zash's acolytes, yes?" Samus asked and Naruto nodded. Like with Rance, Samus tested him in a private training room to see how far ahead Naruto was. Suffice to say, he was quite far ahead. Naruto was a master of Force abilities.
"At last. A worthy disciple." Samus said in mild excitement when he saw the strength of the powers Naruto had mastered. Samus taught Naruto some of the more subtle Force abilities like Force Drain, Drain Knowledge, Force Illusion, and Dark Healing.
"Report to me after your training with Rance tomorrow. Now, I have other students to attend to. Begone." Samus dismissed.
Naruto bowed and looked at the time. Realizing he still had some time before his evening meal and bed, as he had to report to Harkun in the morning with the other acolytes, he did some light reading on slavery in the Empire, and the history of the Great War. After his evening meal, he went to sleep. By that, he sat in meditative position and had a purple glow around him. This was not a place he could afford to sleep comfortably in.
Next Morning
After his morning meal, Naruto reported to Harkun. "Ah, the last one. Always the latecomer. Now we can see what the hermit thinks of you slime. Hm. Acolyte Kory. Step forward, please."
"Y-yes overseer." She said, a tremble in her voice.
He looked her over with disgust. "You are a weak, pathetic rodent and even a lunatic like Spindrall can see this. And that means-" Harkun hit her with a blast of Sith Lightning that killed her. Naruto felt kinda bad about how the poor girl died, but it was a mercy. She was too weak and soft to be a Sith. Poor girl belonged with the Jedi. She was just unlucky to have been brought to Korriban.
"Meet our newcomer. Ffon Althe. This is real Sith strength, and he will tear you apart and crush your bones, slaves." Naruto felt Ffon's strength in the force, and found it was even weaker than Harkun's. Pitiful. This was supposed to threaten him? Naruto had a rare ability to sense someone's strength in the Force, a power that few Force-Users had and fewer could block. "Look on him! No connections left in the world, but pure Sith blood! This, this is Lord Zash's future apprentice! Not filth like you!" Harlun directed those last words at Naruto but he didn't care.
"We'll see how tough he is without his nanny to coddle him." Naruto replied with a mocking tone.
Harkun glared at Naruto. "Step this way, slave. I want to speak to you privately. The rest of you get out of here. You know your trials. You too Ffon, Spindrall awaits." Harkun then spoke to Naruto, saying, "Now listen to me. Spindrall is a lunatic. His approval means nothing. You are filth and you will die. Is that clear?"
"Tell me, Harkun, are you truly stupid enough to think you scare me?" Naruto asked incredulously.
"You're nothing. And don't forget it." He growled.
"Now for your second trial. Lord Zash has requested a special trial for you, which you will no doubt fail. Go to Inquisitor Zyn in the jails. He will fill you in on the details, and most likely, hasten your demise."
"Now, now, don't get to excited, Harkun." Naruto mocked "I don't die easy."
"Don't boast, slave. I don't want to see you again until tomorrow after you are back from the jails. That's all, now get out of here." He growled. He turned away from Naruto and sat at his desk.
Naruto founded the interrogation cells and asked around a bit for Zyn. Naruto eventually found him. He was a plump man with gray short hair and brown eye liner and make up.
"Acolyte! You've arrived and not a moment too soon." Naruto was surprised to hear his tone was inviting and welcoming. So different from typical Sith. "Harkun has given me very specific instructions. You were treated as a slave until you joined the Empire, but must discard those traits and learn to control others. And I have just the task for that end. Meet this driveling excuse for an acolyte. He will be your victim."
Naruto was certainly liking this Inquisitor better than Harkun at any rate. At least he had the sense to tell that Naruto was not a slave and actually looked up that he was a citizen. Naruto looked over at a weak boy strapped to a interrogation table. "Victim, huh? Sounds like we're gonna have some fun." Naruto said with a bloodthirsty grin and rubbed his hands.
"Remember, this is not an idle diversion, Acolyte." Zyn reminded Naruto before explaining more about the victim.
"A short while ago, there was what we call an unauthorized murder, here in the Academy. A rivalry among apprentices resulted in a death. Interrogate him. Make him tell you who committed this crime, at any cost."
"Perhaps you should cover your ears. I intend for this to get very loud, very quick." Naruto offered a friendly warning.
"Thank you for the warning, but I prefer to cherish every scream." Zyn said and Naruto looked on the foolish Acolyte with an evil grin and walked over to the red headed man.
Blood was splattered on his face and his clothes were torn and rumpled. He moaned in pain as Naruto got closer and stopped in front of him. "P-please. Don't hurt me anymore. I don't know anything."
"Scream to the heavens, you pitiful weakling. I want to hear your suffering!" Naruto held out his hand and red Force lightning burst from his fingertips. The victim screamed in pain as Naruto shocked him. The lightning Naruto was using was intended to cause lots of pain, not kill.
"Please! Don't do that again. I'll do anything..." The acolyte begged. Naruto smirked.
"Okay, then," Naruto said, pausing a moment for dramatic effect. The victim looked hopeful as Naruto had a bloodthirsty grin, "We'll do something else."
Naruto extended a single finger, and began making small motions with his finger, spelling out letters. The letters were telekineticly carved into the victim's forehead as he screamed. When Naruto was done, he had carved the words 'Weak Little Bitch' into the victim's head.
"Please, Please! No more!" the acolyte screamed as his pain was great. What he didn't know was that Naruto had used the force to multiply the acolytes pain sensitivity by 3 times when he did that.
Naruto let up and stood at ease, "Not let's try this again. By all means, make my day and say something stupid like 'I don't know anything', 'cause I can totally do this all day."
"Alright, I'll talk. He'll kill me, but I'll talk." He caught his breathe before speaking again. "The murderer is an apprentice named Esorr Kayin. You have to protect me or he'll kill me."
Naruto looked behind at Zyn, who was smirking. Being they were of the same mind, Zyn nodded and Naruto nodded back. "I think I'll save him the trouble. Die." Naruto sneered as he blasted the acolyte with a lethal dose of red Force Lightning.
"No! NO!" He screamed in pain, as his insides were cooked by the lightning. Once he died, Naruto turned back to Zyn.
"You don't have to tell me anything. I heard the name loud and clear, though I sorely wish I hadn't: Esorr Kayin." Zyn sighed then. "Kayin's master is a Dark Council member...I'd be a fool to oppose him." He shrugged "But anyway, your trial here is done. I will send my commendations to Overseer Harkun."
"Nyah, no more people to torture?" Naruto complained playfully as he snapped his fingers. "And I was having so much fun with that."
"I know, I know. It so hard to stop once you've started. Perhaps later, should you pass your trials." Zyn offered. "It has been most pleasant watching you work, acolyte. Truly, I wish you the best of luck in your remaining trials."
"Thank you, Inquisitor. I'll be going then." Naruto said, as he had some tough lightsaber and Force training ahead of him.
Naruto had a tough 3 hour training session with Rance, wearing the heaviest armor Rance could find and making him fight using Ataru and Shien/Djem So for the whole time. Then he trained with Samus for another 3 hours to get better at the new Force Powers he had taught him. This left him physically exhausted for the day.
As he was eating his meal, Exal sat across from him and ate hers.
"Nice to see you again, Naruto." Exal said as she ate.
"You as well, Exal." Naruto said. "Did you need something or just want to talk?"
"I hear you are having trouble with Forms 3, 4, 5, and 7." Exal mentioned causing Naruto to groan.
"So Rance told you. Great. How embarrassing for me." Naruto said.
"If you want, I could help you with the forms. Give you some pointers." Exal offered and Naruto paused. He'd like that, but he imagined she wanted something in return.
"And in return?" Naruto asked.
"I need some help with Forms 2 and 6. I'm completely atrocious with them." Exal whispered in shame. "Plus, I'd like to make an alliance with you. You are probably the top acolyte in the Academy besides me, and you're the only Acolyte I actually like. It would certainly be a relief to having you watching my back instead of worrying about you stabbing me in the back."
"Alright, but after my meal. That training with Rance and Samus left me starving." Narto said as they finished their meals.
They helped each other for an hour before calling it a day. Naruto was feeling a bit more confident with Form 4 and 5.
Next Day
Naruto reported back to Harkun's office. "Well, well, well. I was looking forward to cutting another one of you down, but it looks like I will be spared the trouble." Harkun derided as he continued. "Unsurprisingly, Niloc has gone missing."
Harkun then said, "Also unsurprisingly, Ffon has passed his first trial. It's only a matter of time before he crushes you all underfoot, slaves!"
Ffon then shouted to Naruto, "I'll tear you apart where you stand slave!"
"Care to try it, wimp?" Naruto mocked, causing the easily riled up pureblood to draw his sword.
"Calm down, Ffon. An accident in the tomb is much more convincing than killing him in my office." Harkun calmed his pet before he made a mistake. "The rest of you know your trials. Get out here. I want to speak to our late comer and Ffon personally."
The others left and only Ffon and Naruto remained in the office, and both stepped a little closer. "Now, slave," Harkun addressed Naruto, "Zyn says you handled yourself like a seasoned expert, and as much as I find this to believe, Lord Zash is satisfied with his assessment. No doubt Zyn helped you in some way. Which is why you will not have his help on the next trial."
Harkun straightened himself up and said, "Both you and Ffon will have trials of intellect. Trials that apply your understanding the force to solve problems."
Ffon seemed to be insulted at the notion, "You don't seriously expect a slave to match me in intellect. I've been trained under the greatest teachers-"
"Wooow, somebodies got thin skin." Naruto mocked as Ffon turned at him with hate.
"Be quiet, Slave!" Harkun yelled. "And calm down, Ffon. I certainly do not expect this slave to be a match for you in intellect. That is why you will have separate trials, which you both have 3 days to complete."
"Truly, your generosity is boundless today." Naruto mocked Harkun.
"And your quips and mockery are only digging your own grave." Harkun retorted. "Ffon, you will go to the library on the 2nd floor and translate the following text for Lord Zash."
Harkun hands Ffon a stack of datapads. Ffon answers, "Yes, Overseer."
He left as Harkun spoke to Naruto, "Slave, deep within the monster infested tomb of Marka Ragnos, there is holocron made by Tulak Hord, filled with dark secrets and encased in great stone monument."
Naruto crossed his arms as Harkun continued. "Nobody has figured out how to release the holocron in over 1300 years. You will bring this holocron to me, or you will die."
"Well, it's more exciting than going to the library, I guess," Naruto said.
"Spoken like the idiot you are. You will bring me the holocron or hope that the spirit of Marka Ragnos himself returns to end your miserable existence. Now go," Harkun dismissed.
Naruto left. He packed some medpacs and rations incase he needed them while he was on mission.
Naruto was walking out of the Academy when Exal caught up with him. "Hey Exal, Where you off to?"
"The tomb of Marka Ragnos. I have a trial in there. Have to slay the Great Lords old beast. You?"
"Same place, the only difference is I have to retrieve a holocron from a casing that has not been opened to 1300 years." Naruto said. He then looked at her.
"Guess we are going together then." Naruto offered.
"You bet." Exal said with a smirk.
"Stand and account for yourselves acolytes!" some middle aged Inquistor yelled at them. Naruto and Exal slowing turned their heads with hateful glares at the Inquistor near the taxi they were planning to take to get there. "I look at you two and I wonder. Are you loyal to the Empire or does treason burn in your hearts?"
Naruto and Exal were angered this stupid asshole not only dared to question their devotion to an Empire that they both cherished, but that he was also wasting their precious time.
Before Naruto could answer with a measured response, Exal yelled at the Inquisitor. "I am the heir of a great Sith Bloodline! And the man next to me has devoted his life to this Empire that we both love! How dare you question us!"
The inquisitor calmly answered, "Your special bloodline or your friends supposed loyalty does not absolve you of suspicion. Nor should it."
The Inquisitor then explained, "We have watched for several weeks as a group of traitorous acolytes have been scurrying about in the valley, plotting to install their traitorous and heretical beliefs in future acolytes."
"They may be small in number now," The female Imperial Officer helping the Inqisitor spoke, "but make no mistake, my lords. If left unchecked and allowed to grow, they will destroy us."
"It is the Emperor's will that these traitors be rooted out and exterminated. If you wish to prove your devotion to the Empire, then you will root them out and kill them." The Inquisitor said.
Before Exal said something in anger again, Naruto acted, "It will be a great honor to serve you, my Lord."
"And in doing so, you serve the Emperor's will. Now go," he dismissed.
As Naruto walked to go deal with that, Exal caught up with him and pulled him aside when they were out of earshot. "What are you doing!? He insulted us! He-"
"Exal!" Naruto interrupted, trying to calm her raging temper. "You're angry and insulted. I completely understand. When he accused us, I wanted to take his lightsaber and shove it into his chest. But he will make things difficult for us if we don't help him. We have difficult trials ahead and need all the time we can get to deal with them. So, if sacrificing an hour to deal with some traitors ensures he doesn't get in our way, then so be it."
Exal calmed down as he continued, "If it helps, take your anger out on the fools who have caused this, as they are to blame, not an Inquisitor just doing his job."
Exal wasn't happy, but she nodded, seeing his point. They searched the area until they found the group, out in the open. They were whispering something about Jedi beliefs. That was them, then.
"Let's get them." Exal said as he nodded.
Exal leapt at the Acolytes, cutting through one that wasn't expecting it. Naruto blasted red Force Lightning at the group killing two.
The others traitors were ready. Naruto assumed the Makashi opening stance, while Exal went with Juyo's opening stance.
"I'm pissed off. Let's get this done." Exal growled as she spun in the air at four of them. She stabbed one in the chest before he could react, then pulled her sith warblade out and cut another one open in the stomach before the other two engaged her.
The other three traitors attacked Naruto. Naruto parried away a strike with his blade. He spun and maneuvered under another strike before he thrust his blade. He stabbed the guys leg, disabling him, and pulled out before quickly blasting him with lethal red force lightning. The other two attacked, trying to overpower him with stronger blows. Naruto parried the attacks easily, quickly finding an opening and stabbing one of the fools in the chest.
Naruto then back-kicked the other one, sending him to the ground. Then, in flourish of footwork and blade handling, Naruto spun, spinning his blade elegantly before ending in a kneeling position as he decapitated the rising traitor.
Naruto rose and he flicked the blood of his blade. "That was pretty neat," Exal said as she walked up to him, some of their blood splattered on her. "I can see why you like the style so much. You are a master of it."
"I got a chance to see your Juyo as you dealt with your traitors. I hope to be as good one day," Naruto complimented.
"Contrary to the Jedi's belief, Juyo is not the loss of control. It is the mastery of it. They simply are incapable of using it properly because that little more than organic droids." Exal said as they walked back to the Inquisitor.
"I watched you two exterminate the traitors. Well done. Take this reward as a token that you are servants of the Empire. You may resume your trials." He said.
The two walked off and got in the taxi. The taxi took them to Lords Renning's outpost.
They got off and went to pay some tribute to Lord Renning. They were not expecting what happened next.
"Two fresh young acolytes, here in my humble abode. I trust the sight of an operating does not disturb you?"
"We fear nothing." Exal said.
"That's all well and good. But lack of fear and lack of interest are two different things." Renning said. "This used to be a tukata. I've dissected hundreds of them and I have found something. This creature is an expression of pure dark side energy-aggression made manifest."
Naruto and Exal looked at each other. They were beginning to think that this guy had a few screws loose. Naruto answered, "And I assume we Sith are also a creation of the Force."
"Sith are the highest manifestations of the Forces will," Renning said as he continued with zest, "I stand on the precipice of a new discovery, but my most prized specimen, a mutant tukata, escaped it's cage yesterday and is now missing!"
Naruto answered for Exal, afraid she might lose her temper again, "Your research…is too important to fail, my lord."
"Yes you may be able to help me. Speak with my apprentice Malora. She will fill you in on the details." Renning said as he turned.
They approached her and she asked in a haughty tone, "Seeking Lord Renning's lost pet, are you?" She scoffed and continued, "Don't waste your time."
Exal got in her personal, "Listen here you bitch. My partner and I already had our time wasted by this annoying Inquistor earlier, and I am still itching to kill something. So lose the attitude and give us the info we need so we can deal with this quickly and get back to our Trial."
Malora was not about to push her luck. "Very well, then. Here are the coordinates for the Tukata." She uploaded them into their datapad. "Before you go though, hear me out. Renning deludes the Dark Council into believing he is advancing Sith knowledge. The truth is, he wastes the Empire's time and money that could be being spent to develop better weapons and armor for our soldiers."
"What are you suggesting?" Naruto asked.
"Give me the brain before you give it back to Lord Renning. I have a way to make it look like he is falsifying his reports. He'll lose the money he is wasting on his research if not his life. I'll also make sure you get a bonus. Just think about it."
"We'll consider it." Naruto said in a clipped tone as they walked off.
"What do you think?" Exal asked, wanting to know her partner's thoughts.
"Well, it is the Empire's wasted money and resources. I don't like it when people waste my time. Do you?" He asked.
"No, I don't." Exal said.
"Then it seems, Lord Renning is going to learn why it's a bad idea to waste the Empires time and resources." Naruto said.
They cut through the Tukata that charged them easily. They tracked down the tukata in an adjacent temple of on the hillside in front of Marka Ragnos's tomb. They killed some K'lor slugs and used their flesh as bait to lure out the mutant and kill it. Once they did, they collected the brain and brought it back to Malora.
"Excellent," She said, "This chemical will make it appear as though Lord Renning is falsifying his research. He'll be dead within the month." She pulled out a datapad and transferred some credits into both of their accounts.
They gave the altered brain back to the insane lord, who took it greedily.
They then walked into the temple of Marka Ragnos, cutting through exiled acolytes like they were nothing.
They then came to an intersection again. "good luck with the beast, Exal."
"And you with your holocron, Naruto." Exal said.
Naruto entered the chamber that housed it to see 4 Shyracks fluttering about. He blasted them with his Red Sith Lightning, killing them easily. He then climbed the steps of platform, bringing him close to the holocron.
Now, he had no idea what to do. He concentrated the darkside around him as he recited the Sith Code, in the ancient Sith Language.
Nwûl tash.
Dzwol shâsotkun.
Shâsotjontû châtsatul nu tyûk.
Tyûkjontû châtsatul nu midwan.
Midwanjontû châtsatul nu asha.
Ashajontû kotswinot itsu nuyak.
Wonoksh Qyâsik nun!
It didn't work though and two shyracks appeared out of nowhere. Naruto held out his hand, and gripped them with the force. He used Force Crush, causing them to explode in blood and guts. Turning back to the holocron, he racked his brain for another solution, when he heard something. "Who dares enter my tomb?"
His eyes widening, he turned around to come face to face with a Force ghost. Tall, with blue and white skin, flowing robes with a giant medallion over his chest and his signature horned helmet, Naruto knew who this was.
"Marka Ragnos," He breathed, not believing that he was actually speaking to the Force Ghost of the great Dark Lord of the Sith that brought the Sith Empire under his rule after the infighting and civil war that occurred in the wake of Tulak Hord's death and established a golden age for the Old Empire.
"You are trying to open the casing that contains two holcorons: One possesses very special writings from Tulak Hord, my predecessor. The other is my own personal holocron, containing all my former knowledge. Tell me why or you will wish you had never been born, boy." The Sith ghost demanded.
"It is a part of my trials, Great Lord. I don't know particularly know why she wants this holocron but I will get it for her. I did not come this far in life, only to fail because of a rusted casing. I will become Sith. It is my greatest desire."
Marka Ragnos's ghost glowed in his eyes for a moment. He found the boys mental barriers strong for an acolyte and better than some lords. But he was stronger. He saw the boys life up until now. Suffice to say, he was impressed by the boy determination, intellect, his progressiveness, power, and ruthlessness. A great Sith he would make. But the old ghost wanted to know something first.
"You have come here for the knowledge locked inside the monument. Only those who are worthy and intelligent enough to figure it out, may open the casing. Before I allow you to continue trying, tell me. What became of my Exar Kun after I anointed him as the Dark Lord of the Sith?" Marka Ragnos demanded.
"I'm afraid Lord Exar Kun is no longer living, my lord. It has been almost four hundred years since his death," Naruto said before he explained, "After you anointed him as the Dark Lord of the Sith and Ulic Qel-Droma as his apprentice, they established their Empire and went to war with the Jedi. They won a number a victories and even sacked the Jedi Temple on Ossus. However, during the battle, Qel-Droma struck down his brother. Remorseful, he turned his cloak and aided the Republic. They drove Exar Kun back to Yavin 4 and where, as far as the Sith know, they killed him."
The room was silent before Marka Ragnos spoke, "It seemed just like yesterday when Exar Kun and his apprentice Ulic Qel-Droma summoned me and I marked them both Sith Lords! I can no longer sense his presence within the galaxy, and only those who harness true power can manifest my spirit here. You remind me very much of him, young Sith. However, I sense that you will be able to achieve much more than he ever could!"
"Free the holocrons from their confines, and I will judge if you are worthy of my blessing." Marka Ragnos said as his spirit floated back and watched Naruto.
Naruto stared at the holocron's confines thinking of how to free it from it's confines. Then finally, after several minutes, Naruto thought, 'It can't be that easy, right? Fuck it, I'll try it.'
"Open Sesame," Naruto shouted as he blasted the holocron's casing with the strongest Sith Lightning he could produce. After a lengthy minute long barrage, Naruto had to end the lightning. The casing rumbled as the it cracked and fell apart, and there lay the two holocrons. Naruto walked over and picked them up, feeling their dark power.
"Your trial is complete, young Sith." He boomed, "You have freed the holocrons through your cunning as well as your strength in the force and intellect. You have proven yourself more than worthy of my blessing."
He hovered over to Naruto and placed the tip of his index finger onto the acolyte's forehead. A burning sensation erupted from the point where the dark lord touched, but Naruto stood perfectly still, not even flinching.
Once the pain stopped. The dark spirit floated back a little to admire his symbol etched onto the young acolyte's very skin; three large crescents back to back with each end tipped with smaller inverted crescents. Not unlike the horns of Marka Ragnos' helmet. Already, Naruto could feel the rush of dark force energies flowing throughout his body. He felt faster, stronger and more spatially aware than ever before. It was as if every fiber of his being was rejuvenated and every cell multiplied.
His whisker marks also disappeared, probably Ragnos's doing.
Naruto knelt before the spirit in gratitude. "Your generosity is most welcome, great lord. You have my word, I will bring honor and glory to the name of the Sith and of Marka Ragnos."
"My time is over, young one." The dark lord replied, "I simply exist as a shade of my former self to aid those worthy of being called Sith. Like that friend of your's who has just finished slaying my old pet. As long as your actions bring glory and honor to the Empire, then know that I am satisfied. Go now! The path to your greatness awaits!"
His spirit disappeared and Naruto was left alone. He looked at the holocrons in wonderment. Marka Ragnos's knowledge was inside the one holocron. The other held special knowledge from Tulak Hord. Zash only wanted the one holocron that had Tulak Hords writings. Which meant he could keep the other one. Marka Ragnos most likely had a treasure trove of ancient Sith Alchemy he could learn.
Before he could learn some of the knowledge in the holocron, he sensed a presence enter the room. Annoyed, he placed the holocrons down and drew his vibroblade. "I'm surprised. I thought the humiliation I dealt you would have made you realize that this endeavor is pointless."
He turned around to see Assitant Overseer Markan. "You were a fool to come here, Markan." Naruto said.
"Shut up, slave!" Markan shouted as he drew his lightsaber and activated it, causing the red blade to come to life. "You humiliated me in front of many Lords of the Sith! I am the laughing stock of the entire fucking Academy! You will pay with your life!"
He leapt at Naruto, who assumed his Makashi stance, and redirected the blow, letting Markan pass him. Deciding quickly that he did not want his holocron's damaged, he Force Pushed Markan into the wall at the bottom of the platform, and jumped down to meet him.
Markan rushed at him, bring his saber down in a overhead slash. Naruto parried it away. Naruto then jabbed his blade at his stomach. Markan parried that away and followed with a neck slice which was parried away. Markan sliced again but then this time, Nathan blocked the strike and then skillfully redirected the lightsaber to the floor and spun around him, delivering a slice across the overseer's back, drawing blood. Naruto blasted him with some red Sith Lightning.
'Time to get some practice in.' Naruto thought as he switched his stance. His stance was a one-handed high guard with the blade held horizontally above the head and pointed to the side. The body was half-twisted, with the off-hand swept across and down. The opening stance of Juyo.
Naruto went on the offensive as the overseer turned around. Naruto ferociously sliced at the man's head, which Markan blocked with great difficulty. Naruto stabbed at Markan's chest and he dodged. Naruto borught a one handed leaping strike down on Markan's head, which Markan again blocked with great difficulty. Markan blocked 10 seemingly wild strikes from Naruto, before Naruto unpredictably feinted a strike and ducked, slicing off Markans feet. He cried out in pain and didn't have time to react as Naruto sliced off his hands.
Naruto flicked the blood off his vibrosword, sheathing it, and summoned the foolish Overseer's lightsaber, which flew into this hand, pocketing that away. Naruto then raised two fingers and Markan was floated into the air, his blood still flowing from his wounds.
"You should have stayed away. You could have continued to live your pathetic life in peace as a laughing stock. Instead, you will die here." Naruto said.
"You fucking slave! You will never become a Sith! Ffon Althe, Overseer Harkun, Darth Skotia and Darth Thanaton will make sure of it!" He screamed.
"Harkun and Ffon dont have the power to stop me. They are weak. Like you. Undeserving of the title of Sith." Naruto whispered. "And whoever Darth Skotia and Thanaton are, it does not matter. IF they are dumb enough to come after me, they will meet the same fate."
"Now, I believe I made you a promise about what would happen if you didn't learn some manners." Naruto said as he turned his back to Markan, before turning around swiftly, and swinging his hand with two fingers extended in a wide arc, telekinetically slicing Markan's neck wide open. Naruto turned the gagging Markan over, so he literally was choking on his own blood as it poured into his lungs. As he died, Naruto floated the two holocrons down into his hands, before placing the one with Tulak Hord's writing down, and examing the one with Marka Ragnos's knowledge.
"Lets see what we can learn real quick." Naruto said.
Several hours later, Naruto walked out of the tomb, with a freshly forged sith War blade(Think the in game look for the Cartel Market Item "Ancient Sith lord's Warblade" for appearance), both holocrons, and left the bloodless corpse of Markan in the tomb, ready to finish his last two trials.
Chapter End
Next chapter will see the trials finished
