Last time: Sasha saved Kyr's life using the Red Lightning. Oppie was reunited with Sasha and Viran aboard the Shadow Runner.
Now: The end.
Chapter 10- It's Not Over Yet
A blast of dirt and rock erupted from the cave entrance as Cien furiously pushed away debris that had settled in, covering it loosely. She favored her left arm, which was broken, and surveyed the scene, not knowing how long she had been out. A quiet desert night was all that greeted her. There was no sign of the Empire, except for blast marks and debris from the battle that had taken place out here.
" -ady, please respond." A voice came over her commlink.
She looked up into the night, a little dazed, she probably had a concussion. "I am here, Bloodstorm. Send my shuttle for me, and a crew to retrieve my fighter."
"At once, my lady." The voice responded.
Some time passed as she stood on the ledge, enjoying the peace of the night. The Jedi had gotten away, again, but at least Dracul had not made it through. She was safe from being put back under his leash, and more importantly, as meddlesome as the Jedi had been, they got their master back and helped her keep that monster at bay, so she could afford to ignore them. They might know the secrets of accessing that dark place, but they had no reason to go there and bring the dark lord back, so he was imprisoned there for all eternity as far as she knew or cared.
Shortly her shuttle arrived, and she settled heavily into the flight seat as her personal guard and the flight crew took off and headed for orbit. Around her, her guards looked at her with worry - not the worry of guards terrified of their master and what she might do, as they might have looked upon Dracul or that dog Kopesh, but genuine, concerned worry of underlings for their injured leader. She was not sure how to feel about that.
"Commander," she spoke. "As soon as we dock, have the Bloodstorm enter hyperspace." She ordered. The Empire may yet send more ships to investigate this site. Not that they would find anything, the cave was a complete ruin, the instructions she had seen on the walls that allowed Sasha to open the portal, and the portal framework itself, were smashed to bits. She had seen to that.
"Yes, my lady." He said respectfully, and his head bowed as he silently spoke into the link on his combat helmet.
She settled back into her seat wearily.
In the cave below that Cien and her flight left behind, all was quiet. The cavern was strewn with debris and boulders, from the fight and the aftermath, and pulverized material that was covered in the remnants of drawings, no more to give instruction after their job was done.
Then, mid air, where the portal framework used to stand, before Cien had used the Force and her lightsaber to ensure it was destroyed, a light flickered like a crack in space. It was like a frozen thunderbolt, that flashed once.
Then it flashed again, this time the crack was wider.
Above, Cien was leaving the shuttle as it docked, and the Bloodstorm made preparation to enter hyperspace. She faltered, and her guards looked on in worry, the commander actually moved to help her before he realized what a breach of decorum that might be. She looked down, towards the planet in fear, as an icy chill ran through her spine. And then the Bloodstorm shuddered slightly, announcing its departure to hyperspace.
The crack flared in the cavern once more, wider this time. Just wide enough that if any had been standing before it, they could see the dark figure of Dracul, his arm raised, trying to open the portal.
His malicious, maddened laugh of triumph echoed through the cavern even after the crack flared out again, leaving the cavern in complete and utter darkness, but not in silence.
REVIEW! Thank you so much for reading the second book! Book 3 is coming soon!