Disclaimer: I don't own anything. I write because I can't help myself. :)

My story is now complete and my work is done. There is a sequel, but I have never finished writing it. Perhaps I will.

Cassie

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Epilogue

The lone planet which revolved around three suns, called Horukaan, was slowly getting ready for the night. The third sun, called Heh'Glah, was slowly sinking behind the horizon as the citizens of the Empire retreated into their houses.

The Sith Temple had been rebuilt; and it stood in all of its magnificence upon the slopes of the lake in the province of Gotan, beside the Black Tower, the sight of which still awed and frightened the people of Horukaan. People from all across the Empire travelled to see the seat of the Empire, but they could only see the Sith Temple and the Black Tower from afar, since no one was allowed to come even close. The travellers could clearly see a massive building made entirely of black marble with a single tower in the middle, on the top of which burned a black fire, which seemed to be impervious to all weather conditions. They could also see a large obelisk in the courtyard of the Sith Temple, which was covered in Sith glyphs. It was erected there in the memory of the Dark Lord of the Third Age and the master of the three people who lived in the Temple and ruled the Empire.

Lady Tarralyanna of the Sith was sitting on one of the balconies of the Sith Temple with Lord Tammutyen, drinking coffee and staring at the Imperial mansion which stretched further toward the south. The lake glistened in the last rays of the third sun, resembling a large ink blotch. The world was getting ready for bed, but for the Sith the day had just begun. The black banners of the Empire hung on all spires of the Imperial mansion, flogging in the wind, tokens of their life's work and accomplishments.

Lady Tarralyanna turned to look at Lord Tammutyen. The world aged; but they did not. They carried on with their work where they left it before the war. The three Sith followed the same routine as always and honoured the ancient traditions of the Sith. Together they wrote new laws and established their rule even in the farthermost corners of the world. They transformed the world with their own hands – but there was still work to be done.

"Your Eminences," said a quiet voice from the door leading to the terrace.

A Malaskian slave sank into a low bow.

"Master Feth and the Jedi have arrived. They are waiting for you in the atrium, your Eminences."

"Tell them we are on our way," Lady Tarralyanna replied.

She looked at Lord Tammutyen and lifted her eyebrows at him.

"We should better fetch Tiya," she said quietly. "She needs to be present at the meeting as well."

As she was currently working with the Dark side, it was not hard to locate her. She was in the training hall, the place where she spent most of her time. Malaskian slaves stood everywhere, holding swords and various accessories she needed for her training. They jumped as the door opened, whereas Tyananna angrily turned around, hissing with annoyance for being interrupted.

"The Jedi are here," Lady Tarralyanna said.

"You go," she snapped, rubbing her hands with white powder.

"Will you come later, then?" Lady Tarralyanna asked quietly.

Tyananna was still not over the death of her Master and even though so much time had elapsed, even though the will of the Dark side had been done, still there was this gaping void within her heart which nothing could fill. Not even the finest jewels, not even the kneels of the numerous kings and queens of the imperial provinces, who came to the seat of the Empire to express their allegiance to the Emperor and the two Empresses, not even the largest bed covered in black could make her feel whole again. Her heart still ached; and she felt empty on the inside. She tried to create diversions for herself by training obsessively and the effects of her work were clearly visible on her body.

"Perhaps," she whispered.

Lady Tarralyanna nodded and closed the door behind her. Tyananna leaned over the water bowl and splashed her face, trying to compose herself. But it was in vain. She cursed loudly in Sith and turned around.

"I cannot work any more," she hissed at the Malaskian slaves. "Leave."

She stormed off to her chambers and there collapsed in an armchair, burying her face in her hands.

"Oh, Master," she breathed, looking up to the ceiling. "Why did you have to go? Why?"

She cried for perhaps ten minutes, grief and sorrow resurfacing once again within her. At some point, however, she heard a faint call through the Dark side. She lifted her head and looked around, wiping her face with her sleeve. She took off her boots, threw them on the floor and entered her meditation chamber.

There she found all of the candles burning, to her great surprise. She was certain she extinguished them after her meditation. She looked around herself as she felt a presence in the room, what made her enter the chamber in the first place. The presence seemed to be hovering around the altar and she lowered herself on the cushion which stood in front of it.

"Master?" she whispered to the space around her.

An inexplicable spicy fragrance, which once hovered around the Dark Lord, spread through the room and pervaded every nook and cranny. She took a deep breath, tears streaming down her face. Her broad back shook as she realised he was there.

'I am very pleased with your development, my apprentice,' whispered a voice from the Dark side.

Tyananna closed her eyes and smiled. She could not remember when she felt this happy.

'Despite of my absence, you are still developing and growing,' he whispered on. 'I am proud of you, Tyananna.'

The flame of the candle burning on the altar flickered, but Tyananna kept her eyes closed in order to be able hear his voice better.

'I have not abandoned you,' the spirit of the Dark Lord whispered on, as though answering her thoughts. 'Have I not promised I would always be there for you? Have I not said I would always watch over you?'

"You have," she whispered, trembling.

'Go and meet with the Jedi,' the Dark Lord said. Tyananna could feel his hand brushing against her cheek. 'Speak to them. And then, my apprentice, you will get ready for your Ceremony of the Coming. Lady Tarralyanna and Lord Tammutyen will tell you what to do. Leave a throne for the Dark Lord in the west – for he shall be there.'

And before Tyananna, who was beside herself with joy, could say or do anything, his presence was gone. But the candle on the altar with a large symbol representing the Dark side hanging over it was still burning. Tyananna closed her eyes again and wrapped her fingers around her medallion. He would be there...