Epilogue
Across the galaxy, every Jedi had felt the disturbance. A wave rippled through the currents of the Force, disturbing those sensitive to its ebb and flow as flashes, visions, echoes of the event rippled through their minds, leaving them shaken with realization. A battle had been waged, and many Jedi had been killed.
This was the second of such events in recent months; they had all felt the first when the Council was assassinated and the Temple on Atarashi'ie had been attacked. Tau Skywalker's declarations in the aftermath of that battle had shaken the Jedi Order to its core and left the future uncertain.
Perhaps it should not have come as a surprise when a transmission was sent across the holonet, on an encrypted frequency reserved solely for Jedi in the event of an emergency. Across the galaxy, from the bustling cities of the Core Worlds to the fringes of the Outer Rim, every Jedi heard this message:
"My fellow Jedi. This is Bao-Sklar Pierce, and I stand here with Council Master Lowbacca, who has survived the assassination of the Council. We bring grave news.
The true architect of the Council's assassination was my old master, Tau Skywalker. He has fallen into fanaticism, convinced that he must kill or convert all remaining Adherents in order to restore balance in the Force. He killed Grand Master K'Kruhk and the other Council Masters, and he is responsible for the murders of several Jedi Masters and the imprisonment of their padawans on Coruscant, in the ruins of the Abandoned Temple.
Meditate upon the Force, investigate for yourselves, and you will discover this to be true. A schism has been growing within the Jedi Order, a war of belief unlike anything we have faced in millennia. Tau Skywalker will build the future upon death and deceit if we do not act to stop him, and stop him we must.
I sense that dark days lie ahead, but I believe the Force is with us.
And I believe there is always hope."
Acknowledgements
My first book had an acknowledgements section that was over 1000 words long because there were so, so many people I wanted to thank. I'll try to keep it brief this time, but I make no promises.
Last time, I dedicated my acknowledgements to the people who worked on official Star Wars projects. This time, though I have a tiny fanbase, I'd love to promote something I've loved since I was a kid: fanmade stories! I've viewed several fanon stories as good as the best of the official Star Wars, and their makers are fans with passion and a drive to express that passion in unique and exciting ways!
I'll start with my favorite fan films: thank you to the cast and crews of Hoshino: A Star Wars Story, The Siren of Dathomir motion comic, Dark Legacy, Squad 42, Don't Mess with the Rodian, Kenobi: A Star Wars Fan Film, The Gathering/Kongregacja, Darth Maul: Apprentice, Malak: An Old Republic Story, Solitary, and From the Ashes. You can find these films on youtube, please check them out!
Second, thanks to Samuel Kim for composing epic musical themes, covers and originals both! (Revan's epic cover is my favorite)
Third, although it is an official Lucasfilm project, Star Wars: Visions is non-canon, so I'm putting it here because I loved it: thank you Takanobu Mizonu, Takashi Okazaki, Kenji Kamiyana, Hitoshi Haga, Takahito Oonishi, Eunyoung Choi, and the rest of the cast and crew behind these incredible short films! You made something imaginative and intriguing, and I hope this season was the first of several!
A special thank you to SwingWatchaGot, who not only featured Rays and the Scorchers in his series Krest: A Star Wars Story, but also made it one of my favorite fanon books ever! His novels are really gripping, please check them out!
And thanks so much to everyone who has supported me and my series! The story and characters I've created mean a lot to me, and I'm so happy you've enjoyed them! May the Force be with you, and be on the lookout for the epic conclusion to this trilogy:
Star Wars: Illumination III: Light in the Dark