Author's Note: Another shorter chapter, but it details something pretty vital...

Also, on a different note, The Clone Wars is coming back! For those who have not been listening to SDCC 2018 news, 12 brand new episodes which will properly end the series have been confirmed to air in 2019 on Disney's new streaming service... I know. First 'yay' then 'oh come on!'


-Chapter 25: A Special Kind of Upgrade-

Location: Chorax

"The definition of strength depends on who you ask."

One day after the events of Diado, Wraith had been properly healed up and was in the midst of a workout when Count Dooku called the base. Abandoning the training room, his shirt sweat-stained and his hair sticking about, Wraith arrived in the common room dressed in far more casual attire than he would've liked.

But, duty called, regardless of his preferences.

Scipio was already there, speaking with the older man, when Wraith arrived.

"Solider, good to see you looking well. Doctor Scipio tells me you encountered a bit of a situation on Diado." Dooku greeted him.

"It certainly wasn't nearly as quiet and simple as my mission dossier said it would be." Wraith replied. "But I'm just fine."

"That is good to hear. Your power and potential continues to impress us." Dooku praised him. "However, this assignment is similar in nature to your last, so anticipate some kind of resistance. We have recently intercepted communications between a Devaronian smuggler or pirate, we're not certain, and the Republic, claiming to have acquired a mysterious object that should be in possession of the Jedi. It was also acquired in Separatist territory."

"Let me guess, you want me to find whatever this object is and deal with it." Wraith assumed, crossing his arms.

"Precisely." Count Dooku positively replied. "We have tracked the informant's signal to Chorax where he is to meet with a representative of the Jedi. Go there at once and prevent the handoff from happening." Wraith bowed from the waist.

"At once, my Lord." He responded as the communication ended.

"Well, with any luck, this should be pretty straight forward: acquire the goods and leave no survivors." Scipio mused.

"Not bad at all. Is my armor ready to go?" Wraith asked.

"Unfortunately, no. The damage was too extensive to be fixed immediately. It will take some time before your duster is completely ready once more." Scipio negatively informed him. "However, I have been making som adjustments to your original jacket. You can wear it for the time being. I've also fixed your gauntlets, so they're ready to go, but the new slugthrowing weapons will take some time to get here." Wraith nodded at the assement handed to him. He could adapt to these no circumstances no problem.

"Fair enough. Let me go get changed."


Later, on Chorax...

Chorax was a hazy planet in the Rachuk Sector and a real haven for smugglers and pirates. There was nothing important about the flat, desert-like world, it really remained out of the way of the war, given very few individuals paid the seemingly useless planet any heed.

But it was about to become very important... to a select few individuals.

Piloting his Aka'jor shuttle down through the foggy air, Wraith was primarily relying on his scanners as a means of travel, due to the dense atmospheric conditions being nearly impossible to see through. Even with scanners, he had to question just how reliable they were due to, if any, airborne particles that might be affecting them.

For such reasons, he had memorized a map prior to his departure.

Having triangulated the final transmission sent by the Devaronian, Wraith had pinpointed his location to be an old and abandoned smuggler's den. It was a small, boxy compound with squarish buildings made of rusting metal plates, not classy by any means but certainly secure enough for a handoff to take place.

He chose to touch down under a cliff, hoping it would shield him from any prying eyes. Stepping out into the world, he found the temperature cool, almost frigid, despite the warm coloration. Maybe it was because his jacket, which resembled an armored leather jacket, was not properly insulated like his duster was.

But he cared little for the 'why' such matters. If his body could handle it, he was not worried.

Using his scanners to pinpoint trace thermal and electrical signals, Wraith broke into a jog as he followed them towards what he believed to be the ship carrying this Devaronian.

He came across the compound soon enough and hid behind one of the buildings near the outskirts, taking a moment to adjust his scanners to infrared. He quickly located three individuals that, given the recognizable horns on their heads, were all Devaronians. Two of them stood together, a short distance behind the other, something to indicate the third Devaronian was the one he was after.

Evidently he had brought his own security too. No matter. They would be dealt with in due time.

It appeared Wraith had arrived just in time as a Jedi starfighter, specifically an Eta-2 Actis variant, touched down in the flats nearby. Wraith silently observed as a Jedi exited the ship and strolled over to the Devaronians, his cloak enveloping his body like a blanket.

"I am Padawan Sha'a Gi of the Jedi Order." He introduced, Wraith's audio receptors picking up his words loudly and clearly.

"Ah, Jedi. So pleased to see you. I am Sor'n Bac. Please, follow me." The Devaronian greeted with a notable accent. The four individuals retreated inside a nearby building, giving Wraith plenty of time to trigger his cloaker and creep up on them. Once he was within range, he continued to listen.

"Here it is." The Devaronian was saying. "We've kept it under lock and key."

"Tell me everything you know. The Jedi are most interested in what you have to say." Sha'a Gi asked him.

"We found it on Dantooine, while scavagening Separatist weapons from a recent battle. We do not know where it comes from, only that it holds an unusual effect on each one of us." Wraith quickly dissected the information. He knew Mace Windu had fought an extensive campaign there, perhaps these pirates were attempting to collect the remains of the prototype separatist weaponry used during those fights.

"What kind of effect?" Gi asked.

"Anger, mostly. We become irritated and perturbed for no real reason. I myself have experienced it. It is almost as if my anger is looking for a place to take root... looking for something to be tied to." Arching an eyebrow beneath his helmet, Wraith deemed that odd. Clearly this was no average item the Jedi wanted.

Maybe there was more to this than he first realized.

Deciding to act, Wraith pulled one of the oldest tricks known and knocked on the door. He watched with amusement as the people inside stood up, more than likely afraid. "You two! Check that out! We should be alone here!" The informant gruffly commanded. Still invisible, Wraith waited silently in the shadows as the door opened and the two Devaronian guards stepped out, a pair of blaster rifles aimed out at the foggy landscape.

Once they had travelled a suitable distance from the door, Wraith struck.

Triggering both arm blades he drove them through the backs of their heads, blood dripping from the wounds as the two guards fell limp. Withdrawing his weapons, letting both bodies hit the ground, Wraith turned around and deactivated his cloaker, revealing his presence to the terrified Devaronian and the Jedi.

"You have something that belongs to us." He growled, cracking his knuckles.

"You... Y-You must be mistaken..." The would-be informant stammered.

"It was recovered within Separatist territory, therefore, it is property of the CIS." Wraith reiterated. "Hand it over and I will grant you a quick death." Sha'a Gi was not one to give up so easily and quickly ignited his green saber.

"Get to cover Sor'n!" He commanded. Wraith quickly sized up the youthful Jedi, noting his sandy-brown hair, the stubble around his chin and the Padawan braid hanging from the left of his head.

Too easy. The Jedi should've sent someone stronger.

Drawing his pistol, Wraith gunned down the fleeing Devaronian with three shots, killing him instantly. Holstering his weapon, he returned his focus to the Jedi, unfazed in the slightest.

Sha'a Gi didn't stand a chance against him.

Barring his attacking swing with one hand, Wraith promptly severed Sha'a Gi's arm with his arm blade, cutting it off with a spray of blood. Gasping in pain and shock, the Jedi looked up in fear as Wraith drew his arm back and brought his blade down hard, burying its sharp edge deep in the young Jedi's skull. Wrenching his weapon free, Wraith was showered by a stream of blood as the Jedi collapsed. Surrounded by bodies, his own body stained with fresh blood, Wraith was in his environment. As the moment passed, Wraith retracted his blade and sought out the corpse of the would-be informant.

It was time to see what all the secrecy was about.

Retrieving the sealed box held by the now deceased Sor'n Bac, Wraith made his way back inside the building, sealing the doors behind him. He approached a small stand, where he set down the simple box. Using his strength to simply break the small lock on the front, Wraith cracked open the lid and revealed something quite unexpected.

Inside lay the hilt of a sword.

It was very rectangular and slender in design, narrow and slim, not nearly as cylindrical as the hilts he'd seen every other Jedi carried. He knew it to be some kind of lightsaber, given there was no blade attached to it. But he had to wonder what kind or, more accurately, what color it was.

What was so special about a lightsaber it took an informant and a Jedi rendezvous to keep secret from everyone else?

Curiosity getting the better of him, Wraith held the hilt properly in his hand and pressed the blade ignition switch.

What happened next surprised him beyond words.

A thin column of flame shot out from the top of the hilt, forming itself into a blade-like design. It was easily a foot or two longer than his arm blades and glowed yellow as the chaotic flames licked and rolled in a continuous pattern. Staring at the sight in awe and wonder, Wraith could say with the utmost amount of confidence that he had never seen anything like this before.

"A... fire... sword? Saber? What in the...?" He mumbled, trying to determine what this thing was.

He needed answers.

Just as he was reaching up to actvate his comms, he suddenly felt something within him begin to pulse and beat, flaring up as though something had summoned it. While Wraith could not pinpoint exactly what it was, the fiery blade seemed to be reacting in sync with the sensation. It were as if the fiery weapon was reaching out to him, connecting with him, bonding with him.

All at once, Wraith suddenly felt calm again. The saber returned to normal as well, flames calmly licking and rolling in a simple state fo existence. But there was something different about him...

He felt one with the sword, united with it. He could not explain it, but he felt as though this blazing weapon had been tied to his very soul. His very feelings and emotions were now tied to the fervor and power of this blade.

He even felt a little stronger.

"Scipio, come in." Wraith calmly radioed, finally regaining his senses. "I need your help."

"What do you need, my boy?"

"I hope the AV broadcasting system is working, 'cause you need to see this." He replied. Intrigued by his words, Scipio did so... and was surprised by what he saw.

"By the stars!" He gasped. "What is that?"

"It was the thing the Devaronian wanted to hand over to the Jedi." Wraith replied. "I'm heading back now. Think you can do some digging into what this is?" He asked.

"I'll see what I can come up with." Scipio informed him as Wraith needed the link. Quickly turning to the holotable, Scipio pulled up the Galactic Holonet, hoping to find something regarding a fiery blade that might have ties to the Jedi. He did a great deal of historical research, pursuing normally off-limits sections until, finally, he found a simple paragraph regarding to not just any one blade, but to a broader series of blades from thousands of years ago.

Elemental sabers. Ancient Jedi weapons, constructed even before the days of the Old Republic. One such blade was formed in an attempt by ancient Element Masters to weaponize fire. The weapon was to be in tune with the user, a steady column of pure flame channeled by the serenity of the user's nature. The more wild and angry the nature, the more deadly and powerful the flame, thus a harmonious balance was required and much dedicated meditation necessary. The passage read. Scipio leaned back in his seat and stroked his chin, mulling over the details presented to him.

Perhaps Count Dooku knew more about this 'firesaber'... if not, he would certainly want to know bout it.

"Interesting." He said at last. Turning to his comms, he called Wraith once more. "My boy, when you return, there is something I think you should read."


Later...

"A firesaber?" Dooku exclaimed in surprise. "I had no idea such weapons still existed."

"It sounds like it is a rare tool, indeed." Scipio agreed, Wraith standing. "Do you know anything more about this, my Lord?" Dooku paused and mulled over his knowledge, reflecting back on the histories and lessons he studied during his time as a member of the Jedi Order.

"Among the Jedi there were often tales of masters of the elements, those capable of using the Force to bend the very powers of nature to their will. They were even mentioned in the 'Path of the Jedi' text." He explained. "It would stand to reason that, given the existence of a 'dark saber' in contrast to a lightsaber, perhaps both a fire and icesaber also exist."

"One of them certainly does." Wraith mused.

"What shall we do with the saber, my Lord? Dispose of it in some matter?" Scipio asked. Dooku again took the matter under consideration. The Jedi were actively seeking to acquire this tool, which would mean they would be wanting to try to reclaim it once more. They would need some heavy duty security...

Perhaps some security that was standing right in front of him.

"The Jedi sought to obtain it... so why not entrust its safekeeping to a man so dangerous the Jedi would think twice about even attempting to claim it." Dooku stated. He turned to the super-solider. "Wraith? Think you can find a few uses for a new instrument of destruction?" Wraith was surprised, then excited. Dooku was giving him this weapon!

"I most certainly can, my Lord. Thank you for considering me for safeguarding this tool." He replied, being from the waist.

"All I ask is that you keep it safe and do not lose it." Dooku replied. With a final regard to both of them, the communication ended.

"Well then. I should say that was a most profitable venture." Scipio noted with a slight grin.

"Didn't think I'd get to keep it. What a nice boss." Wraith agreed, eyeing the gleaming hilt in his hand.

"I think you should give this new acquisition of yours a name." Scipio decided. "I know it may sound trivial, nor is it something you usually do, but giving such a special tool a little personality seems so befitting."

"Hm. Interesting thought, Doc." Wraith mused. "I know Clone troopers who give names to their weapons. One of them called his rifle 'Judge Ju'dee'... whatever that's supposed to mean." He added, shrugging at the thought. "And you're right, it does seem a little trivial..."

"Purely a suggestion, my boy. No need to really follow up on it-"

"No. It's a good idea." Wraith interjected. "If this Firesaber is really as rare and unique as history claims, then it does deserve a name." Pausing, Wraith looked back to his new tool and started to think long and hard on a name. It had to be perfect, something people would learn to fear or at least something they could associate with terrifying. Names like Incinerator, Blazemaster, Fireburst and Devastator passed through his mind. But none of them seemed to really fit the motif he was going for. He decided to go back through history and see if there was a name he could borrow... perhaps during the older days, thousands of years ago... "And I think I know just the one." He announced. Scipio said nothing but inclined his ear to listen to his creation. "On the planet of Zakuul there exists, to this day, a religion based around a pantheon known as 'the Old Gods'. They represented various emotions; passion, sorrow, just to name a few." Wraith explained. "But there is one member who is much more my flavour." He continued. "He is known for leading armies to victory, raising his fist in triumph, stained with blood. He is merciless and ferocious, a killer and a fighter. A leader and a warrior." While he was not one for believing in religions, the very notion of a being who was much like him who was also revered as a god sort of excited him. "He is Tyth: the avatar of rage... and the god of war." Wraith glanced down at the hilt in his hand. "And now he is here, in the palm of my hand." Scipio slowly nodded, thoughtfully digesting the name Wraith had chosen.

"That sounds like the perfect name." He quietly agreed. Wraith nodded in agreement and held up the hilt before igniting it, the yellow blade of pure flames casting a bright glow throughout the room.

"Doctor, meet Tyth." Wraith whispered.


Author's Note: again, apologize for the shortness, but I wanted to get this new tool introduced. Shoutout to SAK-96 once more for the idea that turned what would've been an unstable red bladed lightsaber into this all-new Firesaber!