Chapter Three: The Code

Once again, Cemeron's world seemed to be twisted upside down. The red sand under his boots disappeared as he seemed to be lifted off the ground. Naga Shadow levitated in front of him his hand still pressed to the disoriented Sephi's brow. The void around Cemeron flashed and flew past him at alarming speeds. As suddenly as the strange movement happened, it stopped. Cemeron's feet connected with solid ground again and he looked around wearily.

He was now in a completely different place. From what he could see, he was in some kind of ancient temple. The walls were caked with dust and other marks of time. Strange runic hieroglyphs dotted the surrounding walls. Cemeron looked down at the cracked tile beneath his feet; and slowly took in every detail.

Torches with writhing black flames, and strange red glowing crystals sat mounted on the walls, illuminating the ancient room. On Cemeron's left and right, were rows of ancient statues all hooded and carrying swords which they were resting on. The statues seemed to mark the path that led into the next chamber.

Naga Sadow nodded to Cemeron and began walking down the path, his golden boots sending up small clouds of red sand as he steeped. Cemeron shrugged and fell in behind Naga, following him down the hall. Suddenly the unmistakable sound of crashing metal erupted in the quiet temple. Cemeron turned on the spot, to behold HK-47 lying on his back.

HK slowly sat up and looked around; when he spied Cemeron he spoke. "Statement: Master, it was very unwise to leave me behind." He got to his feet, and quickly drew a blaster pistol from his hip-strap. He pointed the weapon at the back of Naga Sadow's helmet.

HK clicked off the safety. "Life form detected: Who is the meat-bag, master? Should I kill him now?" he asked hungrily.

Naga Sadow turned around and simply smiled. "That is not possible here, my friend. But go ahead and try." he smiled.

Cemeron shook his head. "Put down your blaster, he is my new master" he said.

HK placed his blaster back into his holster and did a droid shrug. "As you wish, but I have not gotten to kill anyone in a long time…" he said sadly.

Naga Sadow laughed loudly sending plumes of dust into the air.

"Come, you must meet the others" he said; before walking further down the hall. Cemeron and HK followed behind looking around at the marvels of the temple.

They walked down the hall for a few more minutes; silently in awe of everything they saw. Carvings of tortured figures covered the hallway. Images of whole armies kneeling before robed figures holding blades of red.

Sometimes Cemeron would look up at the ceiling and not believe how high above it was. It seemed to be impossible to reach; he could see hundreds of ancient staircases twisting to the ceiling, leading to other floors of the temple. Finally they came to stop at two large double doors encrusted with gold, and the symbol of two crossing sabers.

Naga Sadow flicked his wrist, and the massive doors creaked open and slid apart. The once Dark Lord of the Sith walked through them, passing into a chamber even bigger than before. In the center of the giant chamber, was a massive circle of seats, similar to thrones. Sitting in the seats were hooded figures, their faces masked by the shadows of their hoods. Naga Sadow led Cemeron and HK into the center of the circle; where they stood awkwardly.

Naga opened his arms and spoke. "He has arrived my brothers and sisters, the one who shall return the sith to their former glory!" he exclaimed.

"Are you going to take him as your apprentice, Lord Sadow?" A cloaked sith asked in a synthesized voice.

Naga Sadow nodded. "Yes Darth Malak, I shall take him as my apprentice. But we all know, that each of us shall teach him. Together we can forge the perfect Dark Lord!" he said his hand forming a fist.

Another sith spoke up, "You are a fool to believe this will actually work. Lord Sadow, you will not be able to train this one!" spoke the elderly feminine voice of a cloaked sith.

Naga shook his head. "Darth Traya, I'm certain he is the one we want. We have discussed our plan and already agreed. The deed is done, we have already opened the portal and he is here. In the you shall believe in the cause." Naga said firmly.

Cemeron was not sure what was going on, but it seemed this council of sorts was discussing what was to become of him.

One of the sith slowly stood, removing his hood as he did so. He had dark grey skin covered with scars, like he had been slashed repeatedly for hours, his left eye socket was crusted red and the actual eye was milky white. The undead looking sith's dark voice filled the chamber.

"This filth shall be the ruin of us!" he spat, reaching for his saber-hilt at his hip.

Another sith shot up, wearing a strangely familiar facemask that looked of Mandalorian craft. The Sith wearing the mask moved faster than Cemeron could comprehend. He flipped into the air igniting his blade simultaneously. He landed rolled, and stood placing his blade at the other Sith's neck. The mask wearer said emotionlessly. "Sit Darth Sion, or must I first remove your head?" he asked.

Darth Sion sat and folded his arms angrily.

The one who had bested Sion turned and slowly cocked his head at Cemeron and HK. Cemeron turned to HK-47 to behold something incredible, the injured droid kneeled down before the sith. "Lord Revan! Bless the maker, you live!" he exclaimed.

Darth Revan seemed to smile in his voice. "In a way, HK. It is good you are still functional. I am glad my droids and ship fell into such worthy hands" Revan said in Cemeron's direction.

Cemeron had been skeptical that his ship and droids had once belonged to Revan, but to find out that they indeed did was still a shock.

Naga Sadow, HK and Cemeron followed behind Revan as he left the sith circle and started down one of the hallways. Cemeron looked back to see a few of the Sith shouting at Sion in what appeared to be a heated argument.

Revan conversed with HK-47 as he strode. "HK it has been a long time old friend" he said.

HK-47 replied. "Statement: Yes lord Revan, I have followed your instructions and now we have been reunited. But tell me why could I not accompany you into the unknown regions?" he stated.

Naga Sadow placed a hand on Cemeron's shoulder. "Come let the old companions have their reunion, we must start your training soon, Darth Void." He said.

Naga Sadow led him up a nearby winding staircase, to the next floor. He walked through a labyrinth of halls before stopping in front of a small room, with a tiny cot and a equipment chest.

Naga pointed around the room. "This is where you will sleep and meditate. Now come I will show you the spot of your first lesson." He said.

The two of them walked throughout the temple until they came to a large opening leading outside. Cemeron stepped under the opening and looked around. He was standing on a balcony overlooking a cliff range. In the middle of the massive cliff range was a giant red waterfall that cascaded down into a majestic lake. Cemeron noted the magnitude of beauty in the area.

Naga Sadow closed his eyes and took a long breath seeming to take in everything around him. He opened his eyes. "Yes, this is a perfect place, and it has always been a good place for me to concentrate. Your first lesson will be to memorize the Sith Code, but not only memorize it; but master it!" he said.

Cemeron thought for a moment. "What do you mean by mastering it, master?" he asked.

Naga smiled. "You will have to find that out for yourself." he said. Cemeron nodded slowly still not quite understanding. But he felt at peace here, a feeling he had not been able to cherish in a very long time.

Naga Sadow raised his gloved hand and flicked it slightly as he spoke; words appeared before Cemeron. The words seemed to be made of smoke or mist:

"Peace is a lie, there is only passion.

Through passion, I gain strength.

Through strength, I gain power.

Through power, I gain victory.

Through victory, my chains are broken.

The Force shall free me."

Naga wrote in the air before letting his hand fall against his side. Cemeron studied the words, analyzing what he thought was their meaning. Naga Sadow broke Cemeron's concentration. "Seek me out when you are sure you know the words, and have mastered them." he said.

Cemeron was about to ask another question, when he looked up; Naga Sadow was already gone.