Chapter XIX
Vader, Garus and Taria entered the burial chambers at the same time, and saw the exact same thing. Another passage that led even deeper into the catacombs of the burial chambers.
"This is really like the Sith Tombs on Korriban," muttered Garus.
"And have you ever been there Garus?" asked Taria.
"No," he muttered, "but I know of them, we all do,"
"Enough talk," said Vader as he touched the stone archway, "There are traps in this burial ground, used to dissuade people from entering," he pushed a block and the entire room was filled with blaster fire as unseen blaster rifles automatically fired.
Vader absorbed them through his body while Garus and Taria deflected them with their lightsabers. After a few minutes the blasters finally stopped firing, their carbines were empty, guessed Vader.
"You see," he said, turning to face the two Hunters, "this is filled with traps that only Jedi can pass through in order to see the bones of those who came before them,"
Garus grunted as he touched his arm where a stray blaster bolt had hit him, "Master, I, cannot go on, my arm is, useless," he said, his lightsaber hand limp.
"Yes, I see that," replied Vader, "return to the ship, and seek aid, you have lost my favor in this action,"
"Yes lord Vader," replied Garus as he stumbled out.
"Pathetic, weak," said Taria as the other Dark Jedi left.
"Yes, but he has his uses," was Vader's reply.
Taria frowned, "But I see no potential in him, he is just like Bathiat, killing without real honor and fighting for himself and not you Lord Vader,"
"His days are numbered Taria, rest assured," replied the Dark Lord, the two continued deeper into the caverns the long and narrow passage probably leading into deeper and darker trials.
Suddenly, the caverns shook and the ground beneath them began to give away, Taria and Vader leapt using the Force to the other end and Taria sighed as she realized it was a Force Illusion, "My lord, it is true Jedi trickery that is mastered in this temple,"
"Yes," was Vader's reply as they finally entered into a large come shaped room.
"Amazing," said Taria in pure awe, "this is underneath the dead land of Gadhab," as they entered the entire dome lit up with ceremonial fires, stretching all around them, large pits were at certain ceremonial points in the entire cavern and many access shafts lined its walls and the roof of the Dome, allowing air to enter the pit and intervals. The Dome reminded Taria of a Sarlacc's stomach.
There was a large circle marking on the floor and subsequent smaller markings gradually inside. The Sith Lord stretched out with the Force in expectation of a Jedi Trap; without sensing any, both he and Taria continued until they reached the inner circle.
Snap-hiss, "Ah, Lord Vader, and Dark Jedi Taria," said a voice, "Welcome to your final resting place,"
Vader and Taria turned to face Arthan D'Cord, Jedi Master, and Keroth Tyram.
"It is as prepared," said Arthan as he readied his attack.