On the surface of Dromund Kaas, Asthidal stood. The Clones and Jedi stood behind him. "If we're going to make it to Secura, we're going to have to travel through the ci- ruins of the city. Be prepared also for the Sith Temple. No one enters at all. I'm not going to take chances."
No one questioned him as the group walked through the jungle. The place was so quiet as the rain constantly fell. The Clones were speaking over their inner comms, Asthidal could tell as the Jedi remained silent. The group reached what appeared to be a former checkpoint as the walls were all crumbled, and the floor was buried in mud. The buildings and areas set aside were all nothing but structures that fell apart. The Clones stopped and looked around scanning for any lifeforms; nothing except three.
"There are three lifeforms on the far side of the City that you spoke about." Boss spoke up as he looked at Bly then back to Asthidal.
Windu straightened up, "Very well. Commander, take Delta to a position outside of the Temple. Do not do anything until our friend gives the word."
The Clones departed, quickly running off.
"I remember when I used to enjoy being at this world..." Asthidal looked up at the trees trailing off. He looked back down as his mood darkened. "So many slave rebellions. So much death. The Sith spent as much time fighting each other as they did fighting your Republic. I hated how the Sith always fought instead of unifying." The group continued on in silence. After passing through the ruined city where Asthidal pointed out numerous things, the group had arrived at the temple.
A ghastly voice rung out, "Darth Tythorns, the Emperor's Wrath. Welcome home."
Asthidal winced and continued forward, the two Jedi following close behind. The air grew colder as the atmosphere grew darker. He continued to march into the courtyard where everything suddenly fell calm. He crossed the steps as they reached the Temple. Finally he felt her. "She's here." He un-clipped his lightsaber and stepped inside as the Jedi did the same.
"Emperor Tythorns." A voice called out to him. Even though the temple was whispering, he could clearly make out this voice.
"Darth Marr." He turned around looking at the Jedi as a Force Ghost appeared. Darth Marr stood with his hands behind his back looking at Asthidal, "You didn't survive my blast it seems."
"I did survive. I was struck down by your former apprentice once your rage had ended." Asthidal couldn't see it, but Marr was smirking under his mask.
"I must find the Jedi here." Asthidal lowered his head as the anger rolled through him.
"She's where you found the Ravager." Marr chuckled as he walked into Asthidal disappearing. Asthidal looked at the two Jedi and nodded for the pair to follow Asthidal into the tonbs of the Sith Temple. Dark laughter was heard as the trio approached the room.
A crackling voice was soon heard afterwards, "Well done Lord Tyranus. She will be most useful to us."
"Rise, Aroxa." Another voice soon followed.
Asthidal turned the corner to see Aayla kneeling, and soon rise as she was told. "Yes, Master."
Asthidal blinked, as Aayla turned her head in their general direction. "Master, there are three Jedi at the doorway."
Asthidal's twitched. He was far from a Jedi as the other two stood next to Asthidal with their lightsabers drawn, but not activiated. Skywalker spoke up, "Count Dooku. Fitting to see you in a ruin like this."
"Young Skywalker, glad of you to join us."
Windu stared at the hooded figure, "Now I've found the Master of the Sith..."He smirked as he took a step away from his Jedi companion. The Sith laughed and threw his head back in laughing. He pulled out two lightsabers from his cloak and held them in his hands while returning Windu's smirk.
Asthidal turned his head and looked directly at Aayla who sneered, "You will fall Jedi, like the rest of the Order that has corrupted me."
Asthidal unclipped his lightsaber, "And now look at you, something you swore to destroy."
She ignited her lightsabers, both blades were red. "I broke my chains! I'm free, something you are not!" She shouted as she pushed off and jumped at Asthidal. Asthidal ignited his lightsaber and charged at Aayla. She was expecting a defensive reaction, as he slammed into her chest. She recovered quickly and jumped back. Asthidal gave her little room to breathe as he lunged forward with a slight over-head swing. Aayla lifted her lightsabers up as the three blades clashed. She noticed how he only used one hand to grip his lightsaber. Where was the other one?
The blow to the face stung terribly as he retracted his fist, and kicked Aayla causing her to stumble back. Liquid ran down her face, she knew she was bleeding. Her eyes darted between her master, Count Dooku, and the hooded Sith known as Darth Sidious. Both were struggling as the Jedi became increasingly aggressive. Asthidal grinned, "Aayla, you cannot win against me. Why attempt to fight me."
"It's not Aayla! It's Aroxa!" She shouted as she quickly clsoed the distance between the two. She lashed at Asthidal who couldn't deflect the blade in time. The blade sliced through Asthidal's armor and into his flesh. The pain seared through Asthidal, but he kicked her again taking the initiative. He flicked his blade to the side as he stared at Aayla.
"Giving up there Jedi?" Aayla taunted as the two began to circle eachother.
"I'm not a Jedi Aayla." Asthidal grinned.
Her eyes turned to glowing amber, "I'm not Aayla! I am Aroxa, Sith, looking for my true Master."
"And who might that be."
She grinned, "A Sith by the name of Darth Marr whispers the name of my true Master, Asthidal Tythorns."
He released a grunt that soon turned into a war shout. He jumped at Aayla, and raised his lightsaber in a cleaving move with all his might and strength. Aayla raised her lightsabers to parry, but Asthidal's strength was too much as he began to constantly cleave downwards. His blade struck through one of Aayla's hilts, she quickly discarded the destroyed lightsaber and gripped her last one in her hand tightly. He slammed his blade against hers and with his momentum, he forced her to move her blade downwards as he recovered and quickly impaled Aayla in her lower abdomen.
Her eyes bore shock as she looked down to see a black blade with a crimson glow radiating off light as Asthidal stood there. He de-activiated his lightsaber and clipped it to his belt as Aayla began to fall. Asthidal quickly kneeled and caught her in his arms, "I got you." He threw her over his shoulders and began to carry her out of the fight. He struggled to walk up the stairs as his adrenaline began to wear off. He clawed at the walls to keep himself moving until finally the pair were outside in the courtyard. Asthidal set her down and leaned her back gently. He stroked her cheek and sat next to her as she gasped in shock.
"Kil-l me Jedi. Please. I failed." She looked up at Asthidal pleadingly.
"I'm not a Jedi Aayla, and you didn't fail me." Asthidal looked down at Aayla stroking her cheek.
"Who are you then..." She sighed as she struggling to talk.
"I am who you have been looking for Aayla." Asthidal looked down at Aayla's wound then back into her eyes.
"Ma-" She was silenced as Asthidal silenced her by placing his finger on her lips.
Bly rushed over with his weapon in hand with Delta Squad not too far behind Bly. "General Secura." Bly knelt down next to her.
"Commander, she's not herself. I need a medic now." He looked directly into Aayla's eyes. Skywalker and Windu limped out of the temple. Skywalker saw Aayla and pushed off sprinting to the group. Windu continued to limp to Asthidal and stood directly behind him with his lightsaber in hand.
"The oppression of your Sith will never return." Windu muttered as Asthidal turned his head at the last moment.
Heat. It's all he could feel as a blinding light shot across him. His insides burned as he turned his head and looked down. Through his black armor, a purple blade was impaled through his chest. He struggled to stay conscious as his world began to fade to black. An eternal sleep was cooing his name. Asthidal slumped over and fell on his side, his eyes locked with Aayla as he grinned knowing she was rescued before he closed his eyes.