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Dragon Wars: The Force of others

Episode 34: Against darkness

Raw rage, the rage of demons in the fade, the fire of those worm like creatures. Daylen felt it run through his arm. He grit his teeth together, looking at the opponents that had surrounded him. The arena faded around him, revealing the twisted world of the Fade. In place of his enemies and in place of the watchers in the arena, he saw the spirits whom gathered to watch his fall. Or his rise, perhaps they were to witness his rise. He stepped back as the Krayt dragon snapped its jaws at him. Jumping and running out of the dragon's range, he dragged his sword across the sand, seeing the blood that was underneath it. Obsidian walked around the arena, tapping his sword against his shoulder. He swung his sword, a command to charge. The four armed droid began slamming its feet into the ground. Like a spider it contorted, rushing towards Daylen. When it slid out its electro batons, Daylen saw in its place a Fear demon. The spider based demon swung its arms towards Daylen, and the droid's electro batons struck his guard.

Fear, terror, he could feel both demons lurking over him. The lanky, skeletal creatures and the spider hybrids hissed and urged him. His arm shook and his mind was distracted by the fear of failing again, the fear of dying on this world so far from home, and even the fear of the unknown future before him. He wondered what would happen if he did win this match, how long would it take him to formulate and carry out another escape plan. Whispers continually echoed in his mind, he would fail, people would die because of him again. Green flames rushed towards him, shifting into a beam of ice as the fade overwhelmed his senses. His arm burned and he nearly dropped his sword. Stepping away from the Zabrak night brother, he saw in one world the green flames on his arm, and in another an icy steam. He looked towards his opponent, whom suddenly became a demon of despair. It hovered off of the floor, cloak fluttering around it. Then it fired a beam that spread ice across the ground. With a yell, Daylen leapt back and landed in a crouch.

Despair, it hit him again, the deaths he had caused. All of his friends and all those whom fought for their freedom, the freedom of Thedas by trusting in his plan. The Despair demon floated over him, its chilling voice filling his mind with further doubt. It touched his arm, freezing it. An agonising pain filled Daylen's body when he felt something snap over his new arm. The Fade disappeared and he returned to the Arena. He yelled, the Krayt dragon had snapped its jaws over his hand. Lifting him off of the floor, blood sprayed from Daylen's elbow as the dragon threw him across the arena. He bounced across the sand, before slamming into the wall.

"So he really can be beaten, how disappointing," Kalla said.

Obsidian huffed as he lowered his sword, he looked towards Daylen and then towards the caged doors of the arena. Where the other slaves watched as the rising champion bled out.

"It isn't over," Maximus said.

Daylen's foot slammed against the ground, he stood, his eyes forming glowing slits like an animal. The blood leaking from his elbow began to turn black, as a smog slithered around Daylen's shoulder. He grit his teeth together, before yelling. Swinging, the stump released black flames that struck the four armed droid and the man in the battle harness. Those black flames began to melt the droid's armour and the man simply burned, screaming and thrashing around. The Nightbrother released a blast of green lightning from his hand. But from the darkness, Daylen forged a boulder of black ice, using it as a shield. The burning droid rushed towards Daylen, swinging its batons at him. He side stepped and fell back to dodge the swipes. Rolling to avoid its downward strikes, he spread the black blood across his body. And when he stood, the droid's weapons were deflected off of the boulder armour on Daylen's body. He pulled his fist back, and punched the droid's chest with all his strength. The rock armour shattered, revealing Daylen's damaged robotic hand and the blood stains across his body. The droid slammed against the sand, a hole having been punched in its armour, the flames took care of the rest.

"My, my, what kind of magic can we call this?" Cousland asked, the ghost standing over Daylen.

"Well it is blood magic, with something else added in, the power of demons, Demonic magic perhaps," Niall suggested.

"Cursed, a cursed school of magic that should never be used, you fool Daylen, are you trying to get yourself possessed?" Greagoir asked.

"You've lost too much blood Daylen, it's a miracle you can even stand, but don't worry…the dark side will sustain you," Daylen gasped as he heard Kaius's voice whispering in his ear.

"Don't stop now you fool, you'll die," Cousland said.

"You need to seal that wound now," Merrill said.

"Pretty sure he knows that," Kinnon muttered.

"Daylen, WAKE UP!" Jowan yelled.

Daylen's eyes snapped open, yelling, he channelled his anger and magic. As the form of the rage demon glowed around him, Daylen's body burned. But much to the shock of the people watching him, he wasn't melting and his skin didn't singe.

"A rage demon's aura of fire," Petra gasped.

The Night brother tried to attack Daylen, but winced from the flames around the mage. Daylen struck out with the electrostaff, grinding it against the brother's sword. The Night Brother swung the double sided blade, clashing with Daylen's guard. Obsidian ran in with his swords at the ready. But a blast of fire came out of Daylen's arm. The masked man crossed his swords together, taking the blast that threw him back. He looked towards Daylen with curiosity as the mage pushed back at the Night brother.

"Such pride Daylen, such excellent pride, it won't let you use the dark side of the force or even its light to keep yourself conscious. You're relying on the pain you're in, and the rage to draw in demons from the fade, siphoning their abilities," Kaius explained.

Daylen blocked the Nightbrother's sword again and released another fire blast towards Obsidian, whom cut through the flames. Obsidian ran at Daylen and the Night brother, knocking the latter back with his elbow. He swung his sword at Daylen, cutting apart his baton and tripping him onto the sand, grabbing a bit of the sand, Daylen threw it at Obsidian to block his vision. The Night brother swung his arm, separating Daylen and Obsidian with a wall of green flames. Daylen grit his teeth together, the horns of a desire demon briefly glowed over his head. He screamed, the sound echoing through the arena, stunning those who watched. They lost consciousness for but a moment and experienced the sickest feeling they had ever felt. As if their own spirits were damaged in some way. Maximus fell to his knees, rubbing his neck and struggling to regain his breath. He felt as if he was reliving every mistake he made as a young Mandalorian warrior. Every life he took every battle he fought in and every planet he helped to burn. When he heard Daylen scream, he heard the screams of thousands of innocent and helpless people.

People felt sick watching the fight, at least most of them did. There were those whom had the briefest moment of sickness, and then they went back to cheering. But Kalla cursed, because the arena was quieter than it should have been. She looked around and saw the people were not enjoying their food, were not looking at the fighters as intensively as they used to. Some people even got off of their chairs. The Krayt Dragon stomped its feet, and reared its head back. Daylen stumbled towards the dragon, the desire demon horns twisting, until they resembled that of a pride demon.

"Yes Daylen, that's your sin, your sin is pride," Kaius laughed.

Daylen yelled, electricity running across his hand. He pulled it back, lashing at the dragon with the electric whip he formed. Like the Pride demons of his world he swung it down at the dragon again and again, burning cuts into its scales. The dragon tried to bite at Daylen, but again the mage lashed it. Almost as if he was drawing on the demon's weight, Daylen slammed his whip into the dragon and the sand was thrown up beneath it. The dragon buckled and let out a cry of anger, before swinging its tail at Daylen. Thrown to the sand again, Daylen extended his hand and released an orb of electricity. It entrapped the dragon, the sparks of electricity created bubbles across its skin, making the dragon scream.

'What am I doing?' Daylen wondered.

'All this sacrifice, all this compromise,' he looked at his hand and saw instead of a robotic arm a pride demon's claw.

'No, no, what am I doing?'

He looked down at his legs, seeing the robes that Uldred wore. His hands were claws, in fact he was holding Uldred's staff.

'I'm not him, I'm not, Jowan, Petra, Kinnon, Niall, Surana, you all know that I'm not like him.'

His hands were red, holding two light sabres. He couldn't see or hear his friends from the circle anymore. But he could see, walking towards him, Darth Kaius. The Sith lord gripped his shoulders and smiled at him.

"No Daylen, Uldred was a jealous fool, a weak and pathetic little man, you…you look more like me, more like, my apprentice!" he said.

He began to laugh as Daylen looked at his hands, seeing the gloved gauntlets and robes of a Sith acolyte. His face was covered by the mask, and he held the red bladed light sabre.

'I'm not…not like that, I don't want to…be like that…' Daylen wept and cried, yelling as the illusion of his mind stopped.

He fell to his knees and stopped his focus on his magic, he let the demons go. The Krayt dragon recovered from the mage's attack and stomped towards him. Suddenly, Obsidian dragged his swords across the dragon's belly, releasing its guts into the sand. The Krayt dragon roared, eyes rolling into the back of its head before its head fell flat, inches from Daylen. Obsidian took a few steps towards Daylen, stopping when the young man, his wound cauterised, stood and faced him. Dragging the electrostaff off of the sand, Daylen attempted to stand his ground. But still he fell and Obsidian turned away. Kalla slithered up to the edge of her balcony, slamming her hand against the rail.

"FINISH HIM!" she yelled.

Obsidian stabbed his sword into the ground and brought his thumb up. It was a sentiment even those whom wanted blood in the arena shared. This barely conscious human, whom had showed incredible power was worthy of life. Even as his power dwindled, even as he defied their wishes and fell in combat, he was worthy of life. And for others, he had awakened them, made them see a literal new world and opened their eyes to how grotesque their emotions could be. How grotesque the arena was and the canvas of blood the sand concealed. The representatives of the First Order looked closely at Daylen, each weighing his worth. The general saw the power and wondered if Daylen's blood could be the key to such power. The commander saw nothing but a pathetic waste of discipline. The acolyte saw a rival, a rival for his master's attention. Yet still, each had their orders, find something of worth on this desert planet.

'I'm sorry, I'm sorry everyone,' Daylen thought, looking towards the gate where his fellow gladiators were. 'It looks as if no one is going to be getting out now!'


Coruscant

Meetra looked over the senate proceedings. There were so few senators there now. The senate building seemed to be a reflection of what the Old republic was now, 'quiet', 'not filled to capacity' 'dead'. Though the former was an opinion Meetra didn't want to become hers, even with all the evidence piling up. Valorum sat on the Chancellor's podium, as if he still truly had power. Camera drones were positioned throughout the building, perhaps ready to capture and broadcast the latest legislation that Valorum intended on announcing.

"Fellow senators, loyal subjects of the Republic, the latest systems to succeed from us have tallied, Chandrilla, Hosnia, Mon Cala, Corellia and Alderaan. They have joined the Rift Alliance worlds of Saleucami, Aeten, Manaan, Erigorm, Balmora and Sarkhai," Valorum explained.

There was a wave of fear and wonder across the senate building. Voices rose, whispering to one another of the consequences of such worlds leaving the republic. Saleucami was the closest thing the republic had to a trade hub in the Outer Rim, its succession would mean that the Republic would effectively lose any jurisdiction within that territory. Manaan had long been a source of conflict between the Sith and the Republic, never quite taking the side of either during the war. It produced a powerful healing agent known as Kolto, and many senators wondered if the price of Kolto would go up, or trade of it would stop altogether. Mon Cala and Corellia had the biggest ship yards in the galaxy, then there was the added morale loss of Chandrilla and Alderaan, two systems that had long stood by the Republic. Sarkhai was a relatively new system to galactic affairs; Balmora's government was always chaotic, as it still had a monarchy that was often being deposed. Then there was Erigorm, the bank of the republic whom had been recording and administering its finances for years. The loss of Erigorm in particular would be a devastating economic loss. Combine all these things together, and the Old Republic would fall into total depression.

"Order, ORDER!" one of Valorum's aids yelled at the senators.

"Senators please, for many months now rumours circulated that these systems would abandon us, but we are not without hope. Admiral Onasi had begun gathering what is left of the old fleets; some of you may see this as an act of hope. But I assure it is a threat to our way of life, the actions of the Jedi Service corps too is questionable, these are acts of rebellion in the wake of so many systems leaving us. But we will not let it go unanswered; Jedi Master Klue and former admiral Onasi will be brought in to answer for these clandestine acts," Valorum explained.

"Answer for? What of the charges against your newest allies Chancellor?" the Nikto senator asked with venom in his voice.

"Primo Ordinis, that is the First order and it will spread its order throughout the galaxy, this compromise will see an end to the raiders, it will see an end to slavery," Valorum said.

"And replace it with Indentured servitude," spat the Senator from Malastare.

"What of the economy?" asked the Toydarian senator.

"All will be well, through an agreement I have made with Czerka corporation," Valorum said.

"That will turn the republic into a sham, a corporate controlled government," said the Togruta senator.

'What is the Chancellor thinking?' Meetra wondered.

She turned with Coleman and Yarael, making her way through the corridors of the senate building.

"What shall we do?" Coleman asked her.

"I think it is time to discuss with the other council members whether we truly wish to protect the republic as it is now," Meetra said.

Unbeknownst to the three Jedi Masters, a feat in itself, the exchange was witnessed by a Kubaz man. Garindan was good at slipping by unnoticed, good at using the shadows. And he had plenty of reasons to exchange information for money, passage or safety. He reached into his robe and withdrew his communicator. Kubaz couldn't speak as other species could, similar to Wookies they were limited only to their own native method of communication, whirring syllables together through their snout.

"The Jedi Masters are on the move," he said.

"Very good, continue to observe and report," his master said.

"And my family?" Garindan asked.

"Rest assured, they will be delivered safely to you, once the conquest of Coruscant is insured," Darth Maladi said, smirking as she looked to her master, Darth Krayt.


Unknown Region's edge

The Fury exited hyper space, entering the system that Veda spoke of. Far from the Thedas system, with only a few star maps referencing its existence. Canus put on his mask, just as Vette entered his room. She had begun to be more casual with him, fearing his wrath less. He didn't need the control for a collar after all.

"So the Rakatans?" she mused.

"The supposed Infinite Empire, yes, they formed a world here millennia ago before the Republic and the Sith empires were formed," Canus walked over to the second Holocron he had claimed from Veda.

In conjunction with Starkiller's Holocron, it provided the directions Canus needed for the next part of his master's plan. Not the plans Barras had, but his true master. As Canus prepared his sword and cloak, Vette looked at some of the items in his quarters. Not as bare or dark as she expected, there was a type of primitive, onyx maul on display. Again a reminder of where Canus was from.

"I'm taking Quinn with me this time," he said.

"I see," Vette shrugged her shoulders.

"But I'd rather have you go with me," Canus said and Vette blinked in surprise. "I can tell Malavai is suspicious, so I'll need to give him a little trust to get him on my side. But you're the only one I can really trust."

"Oh," Vette felt her cheeks flush.

The Sith apprentice nodded his head at her as he passed. Malavai was already prepping his pistols when Canus came into the corridor.

"Darth Barras wanted us to find rebel hold outs," the Imperial agent said.

"What I'm searching for will aid the Empire as a whole," Canus said.

"Indeed? And what of Barras's goals?" Malavai asked.

"The Empire's interest or one Sith Lord's will?" Canus shot back.

"Barras has begun to lose favour, more and more, operations against the rebels are being put into the jurisdiction of the Inquisitors or the new Thedas defence force," Malavai explained.

"Exactly, they're certainly proving to be more reliable," Canus said.

He felt the Fury land and when the hatch opened, they were treated to the tropical environment that apparently the Star Forge's planet shared. Walking onto the sand, Canus reached out with the force. He could feel something on this world that was bound by the darkside of the force. An old bitterness had filled it, a sorrow surrounded it. Canus made his way through the jungle, the local creatures keeping their distance as he generated subtle waves of aggression. Malavai had his scanner out, looking for technology and anything beyond nature on this planet.

"Life signs show a mixture of mammals and reptilians across this world," he noted.

"The northern side of it is devoid of life, a result of some kind of disaster," he said.

"You are right, some sort of radiation is in that region," Quinn looked at the results of the scan with wide eyes.

"They called it nuclear energy, it was supposed to power their cities for thousands of years, but there was a danger in turning their greatest weapon into their source of energy," Canus explained.

"Are we trying to claim this power?" Quinn asked.

"No, we're here for a very different source of power, something that will help to destroy the republic," Canus said.

He removed the Holocrons from his cloak; the cube shaped one from Starkiller and the triangular one from Veda. Opening both together, the map fragments merged and showed the planet they resided on.

"The East, that is where our path will take us."


Klue was flying in his Headhunter, mentally going through his list of allies or anyone who owed him a favour or life debt. It was something he hated doing, because he had never saved lives or made friendships with the intention of making anything from it. He had been judged harshly by the previous Jedi council because of his casual nature and ability to form attachments. 'Such things leave you vulnerable to the dark side'. But there was an inherit risk in attachments anyway. Klue believed the biggest mistake the Jedi had ever made was denying their feelings.

'Fearing our emotions is a path to the dark side in itself,' Klue thought.

He put in the frequency to reach his students. A Hologram of Jay-Den appeared, and already Klue could see the change in his apprentice.

"Master, we've joined with the students at Dantooine, we're heading to Hosnia to secure fighters we can use for the operation," Jay-Den said.

"You've claimed your light sabres, and each of you has dedicated yourself to the cause before you. You've taken your first steps towards knighthood," Klue smiled.

"What of your search Master? Will Onasi be joining us?"

"Carth Onasi must find his own way in the galaxy, none of us can choose it for him," Klue said.

"That's disappointing, but we still have friends left in the Old Republic militia that can help us right?"

"Patience Jay-Den…patie…" Klue narrowed his eyes, feeling something through the force.

It was a ship leaving Hyperspace, a Dreadnought. Klue cursed, switching to full speed and getting out of its cannon range.

"What is it master?" Jay-Den asked.

"The first order, they've found me," Klue said.

"In republic space? But…"

"You forget Jay-Den, the chancellor is making them the new dominant force in the galaxy," Klue said.

"What should we do master?" Jay-Den asked.

"My feelings tell me the Hosnian system will still be a safe place for you and the others, go there, if you do not hear from me in twenty four hours then you must return to Coruscant and put yourselves to the council's mercy," Klue explained.

His instruments warned him of incoming fighters. They were flanking him, trying to box him in.

"They could expel us from the order, or imprison us at worst," Jay-Den said.

"As I said before Jay-Den, all creatures must ultimately find their own way in the galaxy, you my students are no different," Klue stated as he swerved and avoided the Dreadnought's tractor beam.

"May the force be with you master!"

"And with you all," Klue cut communications and immediately got to work on contacting the Service Corps HQ on Yavin 4.

The image of one of the elder Jedi Servicemen, Ta-Adi-Mundi, he had the standard Cerean features and had brown hair and wore a blue poncho.

"Master Klue, is everything all right?" he asked.

"Ta-Adi, get Katarn and Karrick and start evacuation of the academy, go to Ahch-To," Klue said.

"Ahch-To, oh no…you don't intend for us to sit down and just let the order die out do you?" Ta-Adi asked.

"No, who in the galaxy would want that? I want you all to regroup, I have a bad feeling about all of this business with the First order," Klue explained.

He typed in his coordinates, calculated the jump vector and dodged the fire from the pursuing fighters. Then he punched it, going into Hyperspace.


Daylen opened his eyes, his blurred vision beginning to clear as he looked at the people in front of him. One was a man in a black military uniform, his ginger hair slicked back and neat. He had an air of smug superiority beneath his officer's discipline.

"He desire's a world of absolute order," a voice whispered in his ear.

It was a ghostly, slender form of purple energy. The desire demon caressed his cheek before disappearing. Daylen shook his head, eyes wide in terror as he looked towards the second person in the room. A trooper, clad in silver armour and carrying a shock staff of some kind. There was a cloak attached to the trooper's shoulders.

"Fear, much, much fear in her," a voice cracked behind Daylen.

He tried to move his head, but couldn't. A chill ran down his spine and then he felt as if he had frozen completely. Appearing as blue energy, a terror demon floated around him. Daylen narrowed his eyes at the hooded man standing to the left of the officer. He had a lanky body and had hanging off of his belt a silver handled light sabre.

"RAGE! BURNING RAGE!" a great roar shook the room, or at least Daylen's possession.

The rage demon slithered around Daylen, burning like fire and roaring in agony. Daylen waited for some kind of retort from Petra, or Jowan, or any of the souls of Thedas that haunted him.

"You wanted them gone fool, now all you have, is us," a grander voice echoed in Daylen's mind.

Beyond the First Order trio, he saw the black form of a pride demon.

"You are now under the command of the Primo Ordinis, the first and only order that the galaxy needs, I am general Hux," the officer said.

He walked up to Daylen and grabbed him by his chin.

"Try to burn me," he commanded.

"No," Daylen said.

His arms were bound, suspended either side of him. But even then, Daylen was done with all of it. He would not fight; he would not expose himself to darkness anymore. Or expose those people he could not save to hope.

"We're going to harvest you, we're going to take your blood and find a way to replicate what you are, you can cooperate with that or die here and now," Hux explained.

Daylen huffed, and then smirked, slowly he broke down. Not into tears, but laughter, tired laughter. He slammed his head into the General's, causing the man to grip his eye in pain. Hux threw his fist, but Daylen angled his head so that the man would break his knuckle on it. The general stepped back, roaring in pain and anger.

"How about you go and fuck yourself," Daylen said, still smirking.

Hux took a deep breath, brought his arms to his back and composed himself. Then, he swung his arm around, blood staining his Vibro-knife. Blood poured out of the wound on Daylen's throat. He grinned a bloody toothy grin as he bled. Then, with a final bit of his strength he spat in Hux's face, letting the acidic nature of blood magic take effect. Hux screamed, clutching and clawing at his burning face whilst the medics came in. The acolyte looked at Daylen, fascination crossing his face as the mage lowered his head and let death take him.

Next Episode 35: There is no force


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Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter and has a great Christmas