Okay now that I have officially started my summer I should be able to get more chapters out for this story, however I make no promises. This chapter should be the final one on Korriban and at the end of the chapter I promise that Arkunov's father will be revealed.

Chapter 8: The Slave and the Final Trial

After leaving the training room Arkunov kept walking till he was well away from the room. As soon as he was out of sight he doubled over in pain, Arkunov thought that he might be suffering from some internal bleeding. Arkunov could only give into the pain as he could not afford to show weakness in front of the other acolytes. Arkunov knew he would not be able to recover through the force, an oversight that he would have to correct at some point, for now he would have to go to the medical bay and get some treatment in a kolto tank.

Arkunov had spent the rest of the in a kolto tank. By the time he got out of the tank it was late evening. Deciding that there was no point training any further this late in the evening.

He returned to his quarters. They were minimal and simplistic containing little more that a bed and a locker for storing his equipment. Arkunov placed his warblade and the remains of Tremel's lightsaber in the locker. He laid down on the bed and drifted off to sleep.

Arkunov's dreams were filled with shadow.

There were brief flashes throughout it, a female Twi'lek wearing a slave collar. Another of the tombs in the valley of the dark lords, one that Arkunov did not recognise. Finally he saw himself and Vemrin facing each other in one of the tombs chamber's both of them holding their weapons in attack stances.

The dream shifted to Arkunov himself standing in front of a sarcophagus in the same tomb. Arkunov watched as his dream self removed the lid with the force and after that levitated a lightsaber out of the sarcophagus. The lightsaber was ancient in design, it was simplistic only having a single button used as an activator. Arkunov could see no additional features on the surface as far as he could tell.

When Arkunov awoke he thought back to the dream. 'Perhaps it wasn't a dream' he thought 'perhaps it was a vision of the future granted to me through the force'.

He sat there for a moment thinking over what he had seen in the vision. The female Twi'lek he vaguely recognised as one of the prisoners he had seen in the cells during his second trial, he wasn't sure how she would factor into his trial. Then there was the tomb that they had both entered, he thought that this must be where the final trial would take place.

There was also the duel he had had with Vemrin in the tomb. Perhaps he would try and usurp Arkunov and attempt to take the glory for himself, it would be Vemrin's style. And finally there was the lightsaber he had seen, it must be the one that Baras would send him to retrieve in the tomb.

Thinking hard on this Arkunov realized that the final tomb he was going to enter would most certainly be the tomb of Naga Sadow. It had to be! For it was the only tomb left in the valley of the dark lords. Then perhaps that meant that the lightsaber he was going to retrieve would be Sadow's own weapon. Arkunov concentrated trying to work out what the other aspects of vision might mean. After a moments thought he realized that the Twi'lek may be there to lead him to the part of the tomb where the lightsaber was kept.

However this was no time to waste on thought. Arkunov got up and retrieved his equipment. Then finally made his way towards Baras's chamber and the beginning of his new destiny.

Later Arkunov returned to Baras's quarters ready to begin the final trial. When he entered he saw that the only other person in the room was Baras himself, Arkunov received a nod of acknowledgement from him. Baras then gestured for him to wait, letting him know that this would only begin when Vemrin had arrived as well. A few minutes later he did, arrogance evident the in every step he took. 'He is so confident that he will be the one' Arkunov thought 'no matter the fool shall soon know better. The force has made certain of that.'

Now that they were both there Baras began to speak. "As you both know you are to find out which one of you will take on the final trial and claim a unique lightsaber from the tomb of Naga Sadow", Arkunov smirked so far everything was panning out just as he had expected. Baras turned his head to Vemrin "I thought that it would be you Vemrin. But I have changed my mind."

Vemrin's look of arrogance vanished from his face within the span of a single second. To be replaced by one of pure rage "What?! But I've done everything you've asked. Better than any other acolyte in the academy! The honour should be mine! It has to be mine!"

Arkunov turned to Vemrin and smiled cruelly "This is as it should be. Get used to living in my shadow. Though you might not have long to do so." He had chosen his words deliberately and they had the desired effect. Vemrin howled with rage and drew his warblade intent on murdering Arkunov. However before Arkunov could react Vemrin had been thrown across the room with the force colliding with the opposite wall. He turned to see Darth Baras his hand outstretched.

"ENOUGH!"

Both acolytes desisted from making any further aggressive moves. Baras turned his head to Arkunov, when he spoke his voice had returned to its usual cold tone, "Today Vemrin is every bit your equal. However the force is much stronger with you, Arkunov, and I sense a great power sleeping within you just waiting to be unleashed. In the end it was a very simple decision." Baras then returned his attention to Vemrin, who was still lying up against the wall, "Now Vemrin, go wait in my antechamber for your instructions. This instant!" The dark lord's tone on the last two words made it clear that there was to no defying this command. And so Vemrin slunk off to wait for Baras.

Once Vemrin had left Baras returned his attention to Arkunov, "Now I do hope you realise how fortunate you are to have been singled out. If you become my apprentice the galaxy will unfurl before you."

Arkunov knew that Baras was exaggerating, however he knew from what his father and Tremel had told him Baras had significant influence among the sith. This was because Baras controlled a vast network of spies, who only answered to him. While many sith lords controlled similar groups the one that Baras commanded was rumoured to have infiltrated the jedi order itself.

"It is only appropriate that I fill such a roll", Arkunov replied showing that he was ready for whatever lay ahead.

Baras showed no reaction to this not caring for such statements. "The lightsaber you will seek is old and powerful. It is kept in a forbidden chamber in the tomb of Naga Sadow. Where no sith since the dark lord's time have set foot. Very few know how to find and open the secret entrance. But there is a Twi'lek in the holding cells who was caught breaking in there". Though he showed no sign of it on the surface Arkunov felt smug on the inside, as he knew that the rest of his vision was panning out exactly as he had seen it. "I hear she can be quite wilful. Take and make her show you the entrance to the forbidden cave. By any means necessary. Do you understand?"

"Of course. I will take care of that."

"Other acolytes seeking to complete their trials are sent to the tomb," Baras continued "where academy laws are waved. They will try to kill you. This test will determine if you become sith. So prepare yourself, for to step into the tomb of Naga Sadow is to breath in death itself."

When Arkunov arrived down in the academy jail he saw that jailer Knash was enjoying himself by activating the Twi'lek prisoners shock collar. The Twi'lek was unsurprisingly complaining about the treatment she was receiving, "Ouch! Cut it out, will you?"

Knash just smirked back at her, "I'm getting my fill of fun while I still can, slave," he heard Arkunov enter the room and turned to face him,"as if on cue. Word around here is that you might become Lord Baras's apprentice. Nice work if you can get it. So I hear that you will be relieving me of this Twi'lek. She's a pain in the neck."

"Ha! Who's a pain in the neck? I'm the one wearing the shock collar," the Twi'lek said. Arkunov had to admit she has guts.

Knash just grunted in response, "Consider that a little going away present. Anyway seems like your going to be useful for something after all," he gestured to Arkunov, "this bruiser is going to be taking you back to the tomb where we caught ya."

The Twi'lek turned to Arkunov and smirked, "None of you can figure out how to activate the statues that open to the forbidden cavern huh? Got some kind of business in that secret Sith chamber do you?"

"No of course not. I thought I would just come down here and take you out for a stroll around the tomb," Arkunov replied his voice dripping with sarcasm. This seemed to surprise the Twi'lek who had a blank look on her face for a moment, however it soon changed back into a cocky grin. "I suppose I can play tomb tour guide," she said "a lot of work went into cracking that nut. But if I did it once I can do it again. Just to be clear I'm officially on strike when it comes to domestic duties", she said smiling the whole time.

"You'll do everything I require. And I do mean everything."

She scowled back at him, "Don't get any twisted ideas in that Sithy head of yours."

Arkunov turned his attention back to jailer Knash and gave him the signal to let her out. Once she had got out she said "Lead the way. I'll show you the unlocking points throughout the tomb and then open the secret entrance for you."

Before they could leave Knash handed something to Arkunov, "The control for the shock collar," he said, "Just in case she gets out of line."

Arkunov nodded his thanks and then he and the Twi'lek left the room.

Once they had left Arkunov asked her, "So what do I call you?"

She looked at him puzzled, "What you're not just going to call me 'slave' or 'Twi'lek'?"

"Don't be ridiculous that could be very irritating if we go into a room full of other Twi'lek slaves."

She scowled at him. "Names Vette", she muttered.

"Well then Vette. Lets see about getting you armed, it wouldn't do for you to die as soon as we enter the tomb," she smiled a little at this amused by what he had said. "Just try not to steal anything. I'll be watching."

When they finally reached the tomb, they stopped for a moment outside examining it. Arkunov could sense the power of the darkside throughout the tomb. Once he was done he turned to Vette and gestured for her to lead the way. However before they had got further than the first chamber, they were ambushed by a group of acolytes.

The group was made up of two inquisitors and one warrior. They Arkunov and Vette almost immediately, apparently they also recognized Arkunov as they focused the majority of their attacks on him. The warrior and one of the inquisitors rushed him, Arkunov deflecting the warriors strike with his warblade and sending his free hand crashing into his opponents stomach, sending him staggering back. The inquisitor took this opportunity to unleash lightning at him, however Arkunov absorbed the attack with his warblade and redirected it at the warrior, who had just been getting back up, killing him instantly. Seeing this the inquisitor backed away hastily looking for some way of escape. Arkunov didn't give him the chance. He grabbed the inquisitor with the force picking him up and crushing his throat with the force.

Once he was done he turned to see how Vette was doing. To his surprise he found her unharmed, the second inquisitor lying a few feet a way from her a pair of blaster bolts in his chest. Looking back at Vette he saw the pair of twin blasters she had retrieved from the armoury smoking in her hand. She smirked at him. "What took you so long?"

Before Vette could respond with anything else she fell to the ground screaming. The shock collar around her neck had been activated, red electricity pulsed from it. Arkunov approached her looking down with scorn all over his face. He deactivated the collar.

"Let me make myself clear," he said "cheek will not be tolerated. Do you understand?"

"Yes... master"

"It is so good that we could come to an understanding."

Vette got to her feet, struggling to stand from the residual effects of the shock collar.

"Now move along and activate the statues. I have a lightsaber to retrieve."

They had reached the final statue. Vette did the same as she had done with the other, feeling around in a niche in the statue until she found a lever inside and pulled it. Once the lever had been pulled both Arkunov and Vette heard a rumbling sound behind them, turning they saw that the opposite wall was starting to move rising up into the tombs ceiling.

Arkunov approached the entrance. He saw that there was a long flight of stairs heading down into the cavern. He looked back to Vette and gestured for her to go down first, after all if their were any traps better Vette than him. Once they had reached the bottom of the stairs they found themselves in a large empty chamber. "Hey this is it. The entrance to hidden cavern is in here. Just let me get my bearings," Vette said.

She walked around the cavern examining every surface as she searched for the entrance. As she did this Arkunov examined the cavern, it was filled with sith statues that were very typical of the era they had been built in. Large featureless figures with their heads pointing at the cavern floor. Arkunov turned his head back towards Vette. Who had stopped between two of the statues studying the space between them in great deal.

"This is it. Just give a minute to get it open."

Arkunov stood there stationary watching her work. Suddenly he felt something through the force. A familiar presence. Vemrin. Arkunov sensed that he was right behind him, trying to stab him in the back. He waited until Vemrin was within striking distance before acting. At the last second Arkunov spun round slamming his boot into Vemrin's ribs in a vicious roundhouse kick. The force of it sent Vemrin flying back, landing a few feet away from Arkunov.

He got to his feet grasping his warblade in his hands. "Take your time slave. Just have the entrance unlocked by the time I've finished killing your former master." he said, addressing Vette.

"Getting a little ahead of self aren't you Vemrin?" Arkunov replied. "And besides you'll do nothing of the sort. It's rather fitting that you meet your end in a tomb isn't it?"

"My passions run deeper than yours. I am the true essence of what it is to be sith. My legacy has suffered for long enough. After today you will be forgotten. This ends here and now."

Still keeping his eyes on Vemrin Arkunov turned his head and spoke to Vette, "Keep working will you. This won't take too long."

Both men had their weapons drawn and they were both using the shien the fifth form of lightsaber of combat. Arkunov initiated the fight beginning with a slash aimed at Vemrin's shoulder. He parried and responded with a quick thrust towards Arkunov's abdomen. At the last second Arkunov side stepped it, taking advantage of Vemrin's own move he seized his opponents wrist with his free hand eliminating the possibility of him restarting his attack. Arkunov respond by delivering a strike with the pommel of his blade sending Vemrin staggering back.

He recovered quickly getting his blade up just in time to block Arkunov's follow up strike. He pushed back with surprising strength for his size forcing Arkunov to switch to the defensive soresu form to protect himself. For a few minutes they continued to exchange blows. Arkunov blocking Vemrin's aggressive moves with ease. He took this time to analyse his opponents style, noting that Vemrin was far more effective with his offence than his defence. Arkunov supposed this was because up until he arrived no one had ever been able to stand up to Vemrin. So the way to beat him was to force him to go on the defensive. Arkunov knew of one way that he could do that.

Gathering the force he unleashed a powerful force push against Vemrin, not enough to blast him off his feet yet enough to send him staggering backwards.

Taking advantage of the opening he had made Arkunov charged forward, switching to the final and most dangerous form of lightsaber combat. Juyo. He unleashed the fury of the darkside his blow increasing in speed and power. The angles of his attacks becoming more and more unpredictable. Vemrin could not hope to stand against this onslaught for long.

Eventually after a short while of sustained combat Vemrin failed. His blade was knocked aside leaving an opening for Arkunov. Taking advantage of it Arkunov thrust his blade forwards piercing Vemrin straight through his heart. He looked down at the blade in his chest his expression disbelieving. It was all quite amusing really. His blade clattered to the ground its owner no longer having any use for it.

Arkunov withdrew his blade. Vemrin fell forward, blood dripping from his mouth. "Becoming Baras's apprentice was my destiny. Did I really come so far. Face so much adversity. Only to be found unworthy?" This small effort seemed to have exhausted him sending him falling flat on his face. Arkunov scowled down at him, disgusted by such weakness. "I have waited a long time to put you in your place," he said "And truth be told I'm rather disappointed. Killing you was far too easy." Before Vemrin could say another word Arkunov brought his boot crashing down onto his skull. He continued this action until he felt the skull start to give way. He smiled before he finished it, crushing what remained of Vemrin's head into small pieces of bone and brain.

Turing back around Arkunov saw that Vette had got the door open, having been so absorbed in the battle he had heard the door open. Looking at the Twi'lek Arkunov sat that Vette had a slightly nauseated look on her face.

"Wow. Nice work. I got the door open," she supplied quite unnecessarily. Arkunov rolled his eyes at this. However this did not merit a punishment as she had completed her assigned task. "You've been most helpful Vette."

She blinked at this clearly shocked that she was receiving a compliment from Arkunov. Ignoring the Twi'lek he strode past her into the cavern.

The inside of the cavern was lined with human sized statues. They were featureless, no details on any part of them. At the far end of the cavern there was the sarcophagus from his vision placed on top of a raised pillar. Approaching it Arkunov used the force to lift the lid of the sarcophagus. Looking down into it he saw that the body inside was reduced to a skeleton, wearing old style sith armour. The lightsaber was clasped between the corpses fingers. Arkunov used the force to rip the lightsaber from its grip, it was exactly as it had been in his dream. Simplistic, probably designed to make it easy for battlefield maintenance.

He activated it, a crimson blade appeared from the hilt. Arkunov gave it a few practice swings, it was well balanced and of a perfect weight. Deactivating it Arkunov attached it to his belt, then he proceeded to throw away the warblade strapped to his back as it was no longer needed. Turning round he saw that Vette had her blaster out. They were pointed at a group of three unusual warriors, there faces were covered by masks that had unusual patterns woven into them. Each of them carried a warblade like Arkunov's. Arkunov scanned the room and noticed that three of the statues plinths had been vacated, the warriors must have been a security measure against tomb robbers.

He drew his new lightsaber, leaping forward he brought his blade crashing down on the first warrior forcing his opponent to stagger back. Taking advantage of this Arkunov thrust his weapon forwards impaling the warrior. Arkunov turned and saw that Vette had taken one of the other warriors out with two shots to the head. However she wasn't able to stop the final one as the warrior successfully stabbed his warblade into Vette's shoulder. She fell backwards screaming in pain.

The warrior withdrew his blade and prepared to finish Vette off. He was interrupted by Arkunov who used a force push to send his opponent crashing into one of the statues and buried under the remains of the statue. The warrior did not emerge from the rubble.

Turning away Arkunov approached Vette. She was bleeding heavily. Bending down he retrieved a medpac from his belt and injected it into Vette's bleeding shoulder. The bleeding stopped after a moment, the pain was also began to numb. She looked shocked at Arkunov's actions. "Why did you save me?" she asked. "I still have some use for you. You're not going to die yet" he replied.

Once they had returned to the academy Arkunov dropped Vette off in the medical bay before returning to Baras's office.

As Arkunov entered the corridor he saw yet another group of acolytes waiting for him. Why was it that almost everybody tried to ambush him here. However this time there was one among that he knew, Tremel's daughter Eskella. She must have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to take her revenge.

Once she saw Arkunov she shouted,"You! Murderer!"

At Eskella's shout the other acolytes with drew their warblade's ready to attack. However Eskella did not instead she approached Arkunov. "My father was a staunch traditionalist and was especially hard on me. But he was my blood. Did you think you could kill him and get away with it?"

Arkunov raised an eyebrow, news travelled fast around the academy. "Yes. After all Darth Baras granted me immunity from punishment," as he spoke he gestured with his right hand so that Eskella had a full view of her father's ring. It got the reaction he expected. The anger on her face increased.

"Come at me and I will kill you, too."

"You'll forever regret the day you took his life. Attack!" she ordered to her two companions. However before either of them could follow the order Arkunov had seized them both in a force choke and then proceeded to snap their necks with the force.

However he had to drop the bodies immediately as Eskella had gotten over the shock of seeing her companions killed so quickly and had proceed to attack him. Arkunov stepped backwards just in time to avoid a stab from Eskella that had been heading for his stomach. Once out of the way his hand dropped to his belt and he drew his lightsaber. The crimson blade ignited and Arkunov brought it crashing down onto Eskella's warblade, it was sent flying from her hand due to the force of the blow. Arkunov ended it before she had a chance to recover. His lightsaber moving at blinding speed he severed Eskella's hands, preventing her from retrieving her weapon. He finished it by severing her head from her body.

Once that was done he proceeded into Baras's office. Baras had been watching what happened outside. "I am beside myself. Not only did you make the Twi'lek cooperate but you also managed to retrieve the lightsaber. You use it well, for one who has just begun to wield it. Your display against Tremel's daughter was very impressive. Vemrin was not in my chamber as I instructed. I can only assume he tried to follow you and claim the lightsaber as his own."

Arkunov nodded, "He tried and he failed. Vemrin was nothing if not... consistent."

"Bravo. I see you may indeed become one of the most powerful sith in the galaxy. Your trials are now over. You are now my apprentice."

"it's about time."

Baras ignored this and continued, "This is only the beginning. With you as my right hand, we shall crush the enemies of both the empire and the sith. I must convene with Darth Marr and let him know of your progress. I am sure your father will be impressed." Before he left Baras handed Arkunov a shuttle pass, "take this it will allow you transport to the imperial fleet and then onto Dromund Kaas. Meet me in my chambers at the citadel."

"Pass my regards onto Darth Marr."

"You may keep the Twi'lek slave. Consider her a gift. If she is of use to you that is."

A/N: Congratulations to all of you who guessed the identity of Arkunov's father. No it isn't likely that chapter will continue at the same length as this one. This one was only as long as it was because I wanted to finish Korriban.