Epilogue- Those Left Behind

"The next thing I knew, I was here. I tried to find out what happened to Vogel, but no one would tell me. You gave the first news. Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan said, his voice slow and tainted with sorrow, "how did she die?"

"The coroner determined that willingly let someone cut her throat."

"Willingly?" Obi-Wan asked in shock. Qui-Gon nodded.

"She had been kneeling when she was killed, and there were no signs of struggle, no bruises or defensive wounds."

Angered flared inside Obi-Wan. Would Vogel do something like that?

But as quickly as the anger had come, it dissipated. He knew why. Elend. Vogel knew that in death she and Elend would be together. Perhaps, if he were put in her position, he would have done the same thing. If Cerasi had been his lover, his only friend, would he have done the same thing?

No. It was not the Jedi way. He had learned long ago to not be swept away by just causes or powerful emotions. And no matter how much he loved Cerasi, he could not have chosen the end that Vogel did. She was gone, and he had to move on.

But his heart still ached for her.

Night on the upper levels of Coruscant was rarely ever dark. The lights of the city brightened every corner, and every alleyway. However, the lower levels, not blessed with such illumination as the upper, became a world of shadows where evil could easily hide.

And on that night, two dark souls emerged from the shadow, and held conference with one another.

"Are you certain Verrat is gone?" The taller, older one said to the other.

"I am positive. When Rosa's soul fled, he took refuge with her in death. He'll not return," said the other his bright yellow eyes the sole light of the street on which they walked.

"Excellent. You have passed the test, and I deem you worthy of apprenticeship. Congratulations, Lord Maul." Maul smiled, his grin twisted and diabolical, and the two demons walked in the darkness, preparing to bring shadow to the entire galaxy.