They had been tracking him for years but at that time their hunting teams had come particular close to catching him

Fire in the Night

"Every ship that tries to return to port without explicit permission will be destroyed," Master Kattewa was yelling into his comm. "By now there should be no ship left in the hangars, right? Good, very good. Increase security around the port and stay sharp. Of course he will try! No. We are on our way. Out."

Hagen was hard pressed to keep up with the Hortek's fast pace, but he was doing his best. They had been on the move for three hours now and a patrol had spotted their quarry a few minutes ago at one of the plazas. Kattewa had reasoned that Kell would try to get away now that it was clear that he could do nothing about the fleet anymore. But Hagen could feel a certain uneasiness in the Jedi Master.

"Maybe he will try something else," he spoke up pensively and the Hortek nodded.

"You are right, but the port is the most obvious choice right now. There is another possibility and that is where we will be going next. I am almost certain that he's not had enough time yet to familiarize himself with the station, and that is our advantage. For now though keeping him on the move is the primary goal."

"What if he takes hostages?"

"You think like a strategist, boy. Very good. But we have to eliminate this threat no matter what and there are far worse things a desperate Sith might try."

"Like blowing up the station?"

"He has no hope of getting away, Hagen. He might try anything."

Ten hours later they were still hunting around the station, following fleeting traces and vague trails, but the net was tightening slowly. Even though Kattewa might be cursing the inefficiency of the soldiers and even though both Hagen and his master whished for a faster end to this chase they knew that they would succeed in the end. Kell had managed to break through the web five times by then, but his escapes became narrower with each try. Additionally the Jedi Master had been careful to increase security around the station's escape pods and machine rooms. Should the Sith try to destroy the station he would have to get past those troops first. The Hortek allowed himself and his apprentice to rest every five hours, knowing full well that the Sith did not have that luxury.

Wearing him down was their one chance to capture him alive, and after what had happened so far Master Kattewa was convinced that Kell was indeed the only Sith in the vicinity. And the Council's orders had been specific. After twenty more hours the time was up and their quarry out of space. The net was completed at last. Hagen followed his master reluctantly into the depths of the station, loathing the impending encounter and yet looking forward to it. The maintenance station they were closing in on was nondescript, unimportant to anyone but a desperate fugitive, and Master Kattewa was certain that they would have the Sith Lord at bay once they reached the tiny compartment at the end of a long security tunnel. What would happen then Hagen did not even try to forsee, but he was almost sure that Roj Kell would not give up without a fight. The young Jedi could see in the Hortek's stance that the Jedi Master was nervous too, but determined also. When his comm chimed suddenly Hagen nearly jumped out of his skin with the tension. But Kattewa's urgent words let his blood run cold.

Deep in meditation Bane had his eyes closed, his mind completely open to the flow of the Force, a shadow lurking at the edges of the light. Any time now he should have the confirmation of the battle to begin. And he did not want to miss any of it. When the steady river started to shiver and roil he permitted himself a tiny smile. This was it. They were committed now. Straightening in anticipation the young Sith felt his very being stripped of all the bonds that had held him to the Sith, every vow and every allegiance he had ever sworn, the scars left behind by all too many humiliating encounters and last of all the pressure on his soul lifted, freeing him and his brethren to start anew, with him. He had been so patient and everything had worked out the way he had planned. Once Roj Kell was dead Bane would be the last of the Sith, the first of a new order. One that would survive just as his master had, unknown and still present, until the time was right to take what was rightfully theirs.

The Jedi would be secure in the knowledge that they had finally overcome and destroyed their enemies, and they would grow lazy in their watch. In time then the Sith could build up their own power, extending invisible bonds that would choke off the Light at the very base in the end. He remembered his master telling him a story of a battle from times long past. A wise Jedi Master had told a defeated Sith Lord then that the Dark Side was with every Jedi and that even if the Sith were destroyed they would still survive. It had been a grand story, but filled with Kell's somewhat backward views on loyalty toward the Sith. Bane did not see why he should be loyal to an order that was only destroying itself. Had been trying to destroy itself. His smile widened into a predatory grin that reflected his triumphant mood. He had won and he was finally free. The Sith would go on, like a dark flame dormant in his heart and soul. And in the end this flame would grow into a roaring fire and extinguish the Light. Forever.

Cursing Thando Station with all his heart Roj Kell hunted around for any other exit that might lead him out of this trap. There was none. Overhead he could hear the heavy footfall of soldiers racing along the corridor above and undoubtedly they would be here very soon. The sudden sound of a lightsaber's humming brought his head around. Hefting his own weapon he frowned at Kattewa deeply. The Hortek seemed completely at ease, keeping a respectable distance from his quarry. And at his side Hagen was bristling with anticipation.

"You are trapped."

"Really," Kell snorted. "And you believe that you can stand against me all on your own?"

"I am not alone."

"No, of course not. Your apprentice is a good boy, but far too innocent for this. He won't help you."

"Your brethren are all dead. I have just received word from Ruusan. Noone survived the battle, no Jedi and certainly no Sith." Striking at a shocked Kell with the Force Kattewa sent him flying against the far wall, leaving him slightly dazed and disbelieving.

"No!"

Dropping down on his knees, all of his strength finally gone, Roj Kell stared at his own hands, as if he wanted to blame them for this disaster. This could not be! And yet, his heart and mind confirmed the emptiness left behind by their demise, a bleak void in the darkness, a fire reduced to a few glowing embers and ashes. Raising his head again he met the Jedi Master's cold and unforgiving gaze, unsure of what to do, how to continue. But the Hortek took that decision from him easily by attacking once more. Kell countered his strikes weakly, too numb to react properly, his heart too broken with the loss, and the arrival of the security guards barely registered with him. All of his life, gone in the matter of hours, his legacy destroyed in a heart-beat.

The revelation filled him with a fury he had not felt for long, long years. Never had he been this angry. He lunged at Kattewa viciously, slashing his yellow blade across the alien's chest, hacking at him with unbrindled force. But the Jedi Master was no easy game. He defended himself skillfully and faster than Kell could blink his eyes he had his adversary down on the floor, his back pressed against the hard durasteel. Their eyes met for a long moment and then the Sith was on the offensive again, clawing at the Hortek's mental shields brutally, filling his very soul with a darkness that would shred him to pieces in the end. But he never got that far. A sudden pain stabbed through his chest, taking his breath away, and he released Kattewa again, almost involuntarily, to slap weakly at the young Jedi kneeling at his side, his innocent face streaked with tears, his left hand pressed against Kell's side, holding on to the handle of a slim dagger firmly.

"I am sorry," Hagen wailed, "I am so sorry. I did not know that they would all die!"

"Hagen!" The Jedi Master's tone was one of incredulous surprise.

Roj Kell stared at the boy, saw the compassion and sincere grief in his emerald gaze, and felt his heart break once more. How could this damn Jedi brat weep for his enemies? How dare he sully their memory with his tears? How dare he share his pain? Opening his mouth to reply though he found that there was nothing to say.

"I am sorry," the boy repeated in a hushed whisper and withdrew the blade.

Rolling over to lie on his side Kell was breathing hard against the blood suddenly rising up his throat, out of his mouth, smearing the floor underneath with angry red patterns. Choking quietly he tried to swallow the sweet taste of agony, but it hurt even more as he did so. Where there had been the glorious fire of raw, furious power a blank wall remained, sealing his mind in a dungeon of despair. He was lost, he was broken, there was no hope anymore. Lifting his head very slowly, painfully, he looked up at Kattewa, searching for some measure of understanding in his alien features. But he only found the same, infuriating sadness lingering in the Hortek's gaze.

"Damn you, Jedi," he hissed, gritting his teeth, but the steady flow of blood made him gasp and choke again. "Why don't you just kill me too?"

"That would be far too easy on you," Kattewa replied icily.

"Kill me!" the Sith Lord growled, his anger potent enough to break through walls, but the Dark Side was out of reach, locked away in his broken heart. He was almost ready to cry in despair.

"Not just yet."

Hagen rose on shaking legs, his mind feeling numb, his heart racing, beating against his ribs frantically. He could feel the Sith's hatred and anger, but it did not frighten him anymore. His heart was filled only with pity for this creature so consumed by sorrow and helpless fury. Roj Kell had lost everything and Hagen knew that nothing he said could ease his pain. But on another level the young Jedi had realized that it had been necessary to destroy the Sith completely, that there had to be an end to the fighting once and for all. Maybe even Kell would come to understand that in the end. Spread out in a widening pool of his own blood the fallen Sith Lord reminded him of a majestic raptor plucked from the sky, his great wings broken, his grace no more than a memory. The light in his pale eyes had been dimmed with the agony he must be feeling and the hum of power that had previously filled his very being had been reduced to no more than a whisper.

Suddenly Hagen felt his mind freeze in panic. Master Kattewa had claimed that they would not kill him now, but if he did not receive help fast he would die anyway. Shooting a concerned glance at his master he found the Hortek looking pensively down at the gravely injured Sith. But only seconds later the soldiers quietly crowding the corridor moved back to let an emergency med unit pass. Hagen breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that Kell was in good hands, and that he would survive. Possibly. At least that was what he wished for. When he felt Kattewa's hands tighten around his shoulders he tensed a bit, but his master seemed to be completely at ease, fond even.

"He is right, you know? You are a good boy, Hagen. And you will be a great Jedi Knight once. You have a brave heart and a caring soul. I am glad to be your master."

"Thank you," Hagen whispered, truly moved. "What will happen to him now?"

"We will have him confirm if there are any more Sith who might have escaped somehow."

"And then?"

"The Council will decide. But I suppose he will get what he wanted in the end."

An hour later they were both standing in the medical ward of the Republic cruiser HeSheva, that had just arrived from Coruscant to pick them up, awaiting the doctor's report. Kell had been strapped to the operation table and Hagen found his eyes wander from time to time over to look at the armor lying on top of the black robes on one of the tables lining the wall. He sidled over to the pile of clothes nonchalantly, not noticing Kattewa's disapproving glance, and leaned forward to study the intricate pattern on the armor more closely. What had appeared like a dull black surface from a distance was in reality a maze of shapes and images. A story, maybe. Hagen thought he could make out a warrior and his lightsaber in there. But then the conversation going on behind his back caught his attention again. Turning around he rejoined Master Kattewa, but took to studying the Sith's still form while listening obediently to the others' words with half an ear.

"So, what do we have here," the doctor began. "Species: human. Gender: male. Height: 6'4". Weight: 167 pounds. Age?"

"The scanner must be defect," his aide answered slowly.

"What? Why?"

"According to that thing he's 120 standard years old."

"Impossible."

Master Kattewa shook his head gravely: "Not at all. But 120 is the highest age setting for a human on the scanner. He could be far older than that."

"I hope we can find out just how old. First I want to stabilize his condition a bit further. A bacta session might be in order afterwards too."

Coming awake with a start Roj Kell found himself suspended in some kind of gooey liquid in a flat transparisteel tank. A respirator had been fixed over his mouth and nose, allowing him to breathe. Bacta. He closed his eyes once more before turning his head to regard the five beings assembled outside his little healing world calmly. Hagen was watching him, his emerald gaze intent. At his side Master Kattewa was also studying the prisoner. Kell was more at ease now, undoubtedly due to the sedatives that had been pumped into his system previously to dumping him in the tank. But gradually his mind focused again and his eyes wandered down to rest on the magnetic binders that held his wrists and ankles glued to the rounded surface of the emergency tank. He tugged at the bonds listlessly, then sought Hagen's gaze again. The youth involuntarily took a step back, but came up short against Kattewa's forearm.

"Do not be afraid. He cannot hurt you."

Roj Kell smiled tiredly. But Kattewa was right. He was far too weary to attack anyone. All he desired was sleep and rest. And he was not certain if that was just the effects of the drugs or something else entirely. The latter option did not really appeal to him, but he would have to accept his fate sooner or later. He had lost this battle, defeated by his own apprentice. Bane had understood his lessons and taken them by heart. In a way he was so much more courageous than Kell had ever been. But only time would tell if he were to succeed. There were so many dangers waiting for a lone Sith out there, so many factors he was subjected to and that could blunt his plans easily. And Roj Kell could only hope that he had taught Bane well and that the young Sith could build on those teachings. If not... Shaking his head slowly he closed his eyes again. No. He did not even want to think about it. Bane had betrayed the Sith, he was responsible for their deaths. Feeling his anger rise again Kell started shaking harder, trying in vain to calm down. His system was far too weakened to cope with the Dark Side now. He should not let himself get so enraged! But as the full import of what his apprentice had done hit him his fury became a roaring fire of outrage. This was not the way!

Something gave and then a sharp pain was piercing through his left arm and his head hit the wall hard.

Hagen was still screaming when the sound of the tank exploding had died down. The doctor, who had tried to adjust the flow of sedatives, had been thrown back against the wall and now lay there, dazed, half of his head covered with blood. At Hagen's side Master Kattewa hesitated for just a split-second before he came forward briskly to kneel at Kell's side. The Sith had been shaking violently throughout the last few minutes before the glass broke with a deafening thunder-clap, and Hagen understood finally that he had been the source of its destruction. What was most scaring was the fact that he had never felt the build-up of this immense power. And he should have. Now though the already injured prisoner was hanging over the splintered glass, his left arm cushioning his torso against the sharp edges and shred apart by the broken shards, his head lolling to one side. He was blinking his eyes slowly, as if he had not fully realized what had happened. The floor was already swimming with bacta and dark blood. Kattewa gently held Kell's head up before he used the Force to lift him clear of the destroyed tank. Depositing him further away the Jedi Master checked on his wounds once more, then heaved a relieved sigh when the medical unit stormed into the room to take care of the injured.

"I want someone to monitor his life-signs at all times," he told them calmly. "I suppose that this was an involuntary reaction, but we do not want anyone else to get injured." The arrival of a security squad brought his head around. Nodding at the Jedi Master the captain of the squad frowned down at Kell deeply.

"Maybe we should cut him off from the Force," the younger Jedi suggested.

"Maybe. But not just yet. We still need him to confirm the Sith's complete destruction."

When he woke again he found himself in a dimly lit room, the monotonuous beeping of life-sign monitors the only sound apart from his own breathing. He did not know how much time had passed, but to him it felt like an eternity. The ship's movements suggested though that they were still in orbit around something, whether Thando Station or a planet he could not be sure. It was actually frustrating that he was surrounded by so many uncertainties. Nothing seemed clear anymore, except for one thing: the Sith were gone. And that was what hurt most. That Bane had found the courage to leave everything behind, no more than a candle in the storm, to start from scrap, so to say. What modifications would he try out on this new order? How did he plan to defeat the Jedi? And did he really think that his mentor would just let him out of his grasp like this? This was far too important to Kell to simply step back and let go.

A sudden rustle of cloth caught his attention and his eyes scanned the room quickly, a frown on his forehead, until he found the young Padawan huddled on a chair and fast asleep. Smiling at Hagen Dycos' still form he lay his head back down to rest. The boy was a warm fire in the dark, and his brightness was somehow soothing. A strange thought, that a Jedi's presence should feel so comfortable to him. But then, Belana had managed to capture his heart with her innocence too. He wondered briefly if Hagen Dycos would survive long enough to see the light of truth, or if the revelation itself would cost his life. But, in a way, his innocence was shrewd too. Noone would even suspect him to be a danger until it was too late. The way Kell had. Just then the boy heaved a tiny, tortured sigh that made the old Sith smile. But the bluish light suddenly falling over the bare walls made his heart leap in shock. He tried to prop himself up on his elbows but found his wrists bound to the bedframe, allowing him no room to move at all.

"Bane," he said at last, a weak smile on his lips, when the other's spectral image came to hover next to his head. "An honor. I must congratulate you, it would seem. Well done."

The younger Sith nodded solemnly, but the pride shining in his eyes was unmistakable:

"You know how much your praise means to me, Lord Kell."

"Indeed. So, what are you planning to do now?"

"The question rather is: what are you going to do?"

"Afraid that I could betray you to the Jedi?"

"Not voluntarily, I am sure."

"And no other way either," Kell snapped, slightly annoyed at Bane's lack of faith. But the previous struggle had weakened him immensely and the fire subsided almost right away. Sighing deeply he closed his eyes. "I will be going to Korriban," he whispered, his voice seemingly bereft of all strength.

"Korriban?" Bane was slightly taken aback. "But why? I mean... oh. I understand."

"Good."

"Then I will see you there. Safe journey, Lord Kell."

Before he could reply the image faded and was gone, leaving the old Sith seething with anger. Why did Bane want to meet him on Korriban? Did he not trust him? Probably. And he was smart in doing so too. Again he felt himself reminded of his encounter with Tarla all those centuries ago. She had been so right about him, it was almost scary. His mirth did not last though for the door burst open to admit a highly agitated Master Kattewa. He threw a look first at Kell, found him safely in place, then stared at his apprentice curled up on his chair.

"What did you do?" the Hortek demanded harshly as he strode up to the prisoner.

"Nothing."

"Nothing? I could feel the Dark Side most clearly. Weak, but it was there."

"So?" Raising his eyebrows Kell smiled sardonically: "Did you think that being around Jedi would change my methods of touching the Force?"

"What did you do to him?"

"As I said: nothing. He is tired. Wake him up and you will find that he is unharmed."

"But-"

"No but, Jedi," Kell hissed, his pale eyes flashing in annoyance. "Leave me alone."

"Not yet," Kattewa replied just as coldly. "We have a few questions that need answering."

"As expected. What do you want to know then?"

"If any of your brethren survived the carnage."

"And how should I know? I was not there, after all."

"Nice. It seems to me that you have recovered sufficiently to be questioned at length."

"Not again!" Kell sighed, rolling his eyes in disgust. But when his gaze fell on Kattewa once more his features froze in a humorless grin that was no more than a show of gleaming white teeth. "Your Jedi friends on Coruscant tried that before, a long, long time ago. They did not manage to break me either, and rest assured that you most certainly won't succeed now."

The Hortek returned his smile slowly: "There is a very efficient way to crack you up, you know? And maybe the Council will allow me to try it out on you too."

"What way?"

"I remember from history lessons that during the Sith War Ulic Quel-Droma was cut off from the Force by Nomi Sunrider. Hagen claims you are a historian, so I guess you know all about it. And then I want to see you keep me out of your mind."

"Quel-Droma was a fool who trusted his former lover far too much. And you are right, I know all about it. More than you realize. And now you will leave."

Kattewa gave him a hateful glare, but did not reply. Shaking Hagen awake he threw a last look back: "You just made a big mistake, Kell, and I am anxious to see your face once you realize just how big."

And with that cryptic comment he and his apprentice were out of the door, leaving Kell slightly dumb-founded. What the hell could he have meant by that? Whatever it was though, he had to move fast. Increasing his mental shields Roj Kell took to scouting out the warship, searching for possible escape routes. He had to get to Korriban under any circumstances before it was too late.

Striding up the landing ramp of his shuttle Bane shook his head slightly, still pondering the implications of Kell's going to Korriban. On the surface that could mean only one thing: the old man was dying and he wanted to return to the ancient graveyard to find his rest there. But it could also mean that Kell wanted Bane to feel safe, while he secretly plotted his downfall at the hands of the Jedi. After all, he knew far too much of his student to be allowed to stay alive. Which was why Bane had decided to see him off, so to speak. He would not kill him if it was not really necessary, and Roj Kell had seemed very weakened, after all. Maybe he really was dying. But better to be safe than sorry. Sitting down in the pilot's chair the young Sith Lord punched in the coordinates for Korriban, before calling up the ancient burial rites from the depths of his memory. This should be done properly. Roj Kell had deserved an honorable funeral, and Bane would make sure that he got it too. Take-off took no more than a few minutes once the engines were powered up and then he was off, leaving the fortress behind without regrets. This was the beginning of a new era and the old one would find its well-deserved ending on Korriban.

Hagen Dycos was sitting on his bunk, staring at the glowing cube balanced carefully on the palm of Master Kattewa's right hand. The gatekeeper's image materialized seemingly out of thin air and Jeldo greeted the two Jedi cordially. Leaning a bit closer Hagen studied the holo once more, even though he had seen it numerous times. Kattewa had told him that they had to be careful. After all they could not be certain if Kell had rigged it with some sort of booby-trap while having the holocron in his possession. But, remembering the gatekeeper's reaction to the Sith the young Padawan sincerely doubted the success of any such endeavor. The Hortek took a deep breath and nodded at Master Jeldo slowly.

"Greetings, Master. We have a question concerning ancient history. It is about a Sith Lord named Roj Kell. Do-"

But the changing images interrupted him before he could pose the rest of the question. The holoproj widenend and grew larger in scale, until it enveloped the entire cabin with a serene picture both Hagen and Kattewa had seen quite often. The Jedi Temple's Council Chamber on Coruscant. One after the other life-size models of three people appeared dotted throughout the beautifully lit room and at the very last Master Jeldo himself took his seat as head of the Council. Gesturing to the tall man standing to his left, his handsome features frozen in an ironic smile that Hagen recognised at once, the giant Ho'Din began his tale.

"It was four years ago that doom came to Coruscant in the shape of this man, Roj Kell, a Sith we first took for a scout on a mission. He was captured on Dantooine by a hunting party under the command of Jedi Master Belana Jen." Here he indicated the beautiful woman standing opposite from the Sith Lord. Kattewa walked over to study her more closely, taking in the antique clothing she wore, before he turned around to join Hagen who was totally immersed in the image of Roj Kell. At that time his long hair had been completely black, but a few things had endured over time. His eyes, his smile. His arrogance.

"Four years!" Hagen whispered, awed. "But this holocron was designed over a thousand years ago!"

"Ssh!" Kattewa admonished him as the gatekeeper went on.

"Belana Jen was given responsibility for uncovering vital information from this scout and she seemingly succeeded in breaking him a week after his arrival in the Temple. But as it turned out his capture had been part of a much more sinister plan. Master Jen was spellbound by his presence and we all feared for her soul, yet we believed that after the breaking Roj Kell posed no danger anymore. We were deeply mistaken. The truth was uncovered far too late. Battle-master Kha Door returned from the front to report that the information we had been given by the prisoner had led our troops into well-planned traps. He forced Roj Kell to reveal his plans and admit to his true identity as Dark Lord."

Master Kattewa drew a harsh breath: "A Dark Lord!"

"Master Jen was relieved of her responsibility and Kha Door put in charge of the operation. He was killed two days later by the Sith, who in turn was sentenced to death shortly afterwards. The sentence was never carried out though. On the morning of his execution Roj Kell fled Coruscant, taking Master Jen with him. She is believed dead and we mourn her loss deeply."

"Gatekeeper," the Hortek interrupted. "How old was he upon his capture?"

"Approximately forty standard years old."

"Master!" Hagen piped up suddenly, his thoughts tumbling all over his mind, but there was something that seemed clear enough: "This is just the same here too!"

"Not the same, Hagen, but close enough," The Jedi Master corrected and deactivated the holocron. "I think we should be very careful. Call security and have them come to his holding cell."

"Where are you going, Master?"

"I will see to it that they are not too late."

But as it turned out they had run out of time from the very beginning. Roj Kell was gone.

He had landed the small shuttle at the foot of the stairs leading up to the temple entrance, and now he simply stood there, swaying slightly, his weakened body buffeted by the harsh winds howling over the craggy mountains, while the warm rain was whipping at the exposed skin of his face mercilessly. Roj Kell shielded his eyes against the storm wearily before he looked up to take in the awesome sight of the great structure, built of the same black stone that could be found everywhere on the desolate planet. The temple's design was similar to the ziggurats on Yavin 4, testimony to the Sith culture of ancient times, times that not even he had known. Walking onward at last he mounted the steps one after the other, working his way up ever so slowly as the day went on and the heat and rain became almost unbearable.

Finally though he was standing on the huge flagtiles at the temple's entrance and the black maw of the hallway hidden in the dark shadows of the great portal beckoned to him with a promise of endless rest and the cold embrace of eternity. He managed a few more steps until he found that he could not go on anymore. Halfway into the huge hall his legs were shaking with fatigue and he dropped down on his knees tiredly, too exhausted to go on just now. Only then did he become aware of the stress he had put himself under and the full impact of the past days hit him like a hammer blow. I must be getting old, he thought wrily as he lay his head down to rest against the cool stone underneath. When he was woken again by the sound of boots crunching over gravel he realized that he must have fallen asleep for some time. Raising his head slowly he looked back over his shoulder and froze.

Master Kattewa's imposing form was backlit spectacularly by the setting sun, its deep, red rays drenching the sky behind him in blood. At the Jedi Master's side his apprentice was wearing a mournful expression on his young face. Roj Kell fought to struggle to his feet, but found that he was too tired to move. In the end he lay back down again, accepting his weakness, and closed his eyes.

"You two are alone," the ancient Sith stated calmly at last.

"Obviously," the Hortek replied, coming closer.

"How did you find me?"

Kattewa barked a short laugh: "Does it matter?"

"Not anymore, I guess."

"Tell me, how old are you really? A thousand years? Two thousand?"

That was unexpected. "The holocron," Kell hissed, suddenly understanding the Jedi Master's cryptic warning. "I see." His eyes opened once more, the cold fire returned to their green depths.

"Yes, indeed. The holocron. There were no documents on Coruscant anywhere about a captured Sith that I knew of, so I checked with our dear Master Jeldo. Did you kill her?"

"Why do you care?"

"I am just curious. After all, there is a lot we can learn from history."

"And what do you hope to learn, Master Kattewa?" Talking became almost too much for him. It cost so much to force his vocal chords to cooperate. It was frustrating.

"This place, what is it?"

"Korriban. The world of the dead. A graveyard, if you will."

Walking around him, the Jedi Master dropped down on his haunches and gave him a long, cold look. Roj Kell met his gaze defiantly.

"Now, listen to me," Kattewa began calmly. "I just wanted to make certain that you would not plague this galaxy anymore. We are going to leave now, but I want to give you a choice."

He tightened the grip on his lightsaber handle easily, to show Kell just what choices he had. The ancient Sith almost smiled. And although his situation was as hopeless as could be he would be damned to accept anything from a Jedi, even if it would mean a quicker death. Very slowly he shook his head, his pale eyes fixed on the alien's face. "No? Very well. Your decision. Hagen, we are off."

"One last thing," Kell whispered, his voice echoing strangely throughout the huge chamber, its sweet harmonics haunting the very soul of the temple and making the two Jedi shiver with dread. Hagen stopped and watched Kattewa turn back once more to nod sharply at Roj Kell:

"We will keep this location secret. You shall rest in peace."

A relieved smile appeared on the ancient Sith Lord's lips as he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. "Good," he said, "very good."

Master Kattewa guided Hagen outside and they descended the stairs unhurriedly, while taking in the wild and rough beauty of this place. It was, in a way, quite fitting for a graveyard, Hagen thought, and then he realized that they had left the Sith to die alone.

"Do not mourn him, Hagen," the Hortek told him softly as they walked up to their ship.

"No, Master," the boy whispered, the eerie setting and the circumstances getting to him at last.

"I am not sure whether he knew that we could trace the ship, but chances are that he could not think straight anymore anyway. Let's return to the fleet and forget about this fast."

"What will happen then?"

"The HeSheva will raze the temple. After all, we want to make certain that noone comes here to recover the secrets of the Sith."

"No, that is true. Master," Hagen hesitated a bit. "you promised that he could rest in peace."

"And he shall, we will make certain of that. Definitely."

Once the two Jedi were gone the watcher detached himself from the shadows between the giant pillars holding the ceiling of the hallway and walked closer toward the ancient Sith lying in the middle of the floor with a small smile on his lips. Bending down he slipped his arms underneath Kell's armpits and hoisted him up as gently as he could. The old man did not react at first, but then his pale eyes found Bane's gaze and he nodded slowly in acknowledgement.

"You made it," he whispered, his voice sending shivers down the other's spine.

Bane did not answer. Using the Force to lift his mentor's weakened body up he made his way deeper into the temple, and down into the catacombs along a maze of corridors he had outfitted with torches upon his arrival, preparing everything for his master's ultimate departure. He took one out of ist hold and held it up to light the way. They were accompanied by the ancient images carved into the dry walls, depictions of battles and burials, strange rituals and more, that Bane did not even care to identify. Shadows were writhing over the ancient walls, casting the hallways in live darkness. When finally they had reached their destination the younger Sith deposited his burden on the cool stone slab set into a a shallow pool of oily water and lay a hand on Kell's forehead gently. The room was low, almost too low for comfort and the inky black walls smelled of decay and mold. No light reached this far down and the torch Bane held in his right hand was the only illumination available. Its yellow tongues leapt toward the ceiling, where the air was richer in oxygen and cooler too. He could feel the darkness congealing in the shadowy corners, the powerful presence of two Sith Lords acting like a magnet for the Dark Side. But Bane was confident. There was nothing for him to fear here. Suddenly Roj Kell's magic voice filled the small expanse of the room, drawing the shadows further into the light.

"Bane."

"Yes, master?"

"What will you do now?"

"I have thought long and hard on the past, Lord Kell, and I have found that your way is indeed the one to go. But you were reckless. You attacked the Jedi without having any backup support. That was foolish, something I would never have expected from you. Alone I cannot stand against the Jedi, but I will bide my time and be just as patient as you have been. We will build up our influence and when the time is right we will strike at the Jedi and extinguish their flame. And until then we will remain unseen in the background, and become no more than memories in the minds of our enemies."

"You are a wise man, Bane. I wish you all the best for your endeavor. Do not forget us."

"Never. The Sith will live on, Lord Kell. And they will be victorious, in the end."

Closing his eyes the ancient one signalled his aquiesance and Bane took the hint and stepped back, his hand brushing over Kell's face almost tenderly in a last farewell.

"May the heart of darkness take you in its eternal embrace and give you pride and glory," he began and touched the burning torch to the pool's surface.

Immediately the flames started feeding on the slick film of oil floating on top of the water, eagerly licking the stone on which the old Sith's still form was spread out. And the torch itself died in the young one's hand, plunging the room in nearly total darkness. Bane watched the shadows leap forward hungrily to claim this offering, like eager vultures wrapping Roj Kell in black wings of dark power. It was a sight that made his heart beat faster with anticipation and a strange sense of awe filled his very being. His lips parted slightly as he leaned forward to see better, but the darkness was everywhere now, with only the steady flames of the eternal fire lighting the gloom. A tiny sigh rang throughout the chamber, barely audible, but the sound itself made the young Sith's skin grow cold. Rising slowly he bowed toward his master reverentially and whispered:

"I will not forget you. Ever."

Bane turned around, his throat constricting in a strange feeling of grief and loss. He would be alone now. Continuing the legacy left behind by the ancient Sith was his primary goal, but first he had to build up an environment that would allow them to flourish without being detected. A truly monumentuous task. But he was a Sith. He would manage and he would survive. Walking away slowly he felt Roj Kell's presence become weaker with each step he took and when he finally stepped out into the clear night of Korriban, the dark sky overhead for once completely void of storm clouds, he closed his eyes and held his breath. The entire temple had started humming with the quiet song of voices long dead, a gloomy choir of past times reaching out to claim him and hold him back.

But he fought against their calling with determination, tearing his soul from their grasp with brute force. The world of the dead should have no quarrel with that of the living and he was not dead yet. Keeping his head straight ahead he made his way down toward the mountains, where he had hidden his ship. Overhead he could feel the giant Republic warships prepare their deadly seed. But he would be away by the time they would unleash their weapons batteries' awesome power. An hour later the small shuttle lifted off the ground and vanished amidst the roar of heavy lasers searing the darkness like fire in the night. When the temple exploded at last Bane did not look back. His destination was the future and the past was dead.