Here we are again, my friends, gathered all around for another addition to the tale of the fledgling Lord Veneficus! please continue to feed the fire of my imagination with you kind words and thoughts, each any every one of them emboldens me further to a new height of creativity. R&R, and please, enjoy!
Chapter Twenty Six
Wounded Wraiths
Veneficus watched as Mr. Nott, Mr. Boot and Miss Granger gazed in awe at the thousand of tiny stars that comprised of their spiral galaxy. The map expanded to fill the entire compartment, reflecting off the walls and ceiling to show the many hyperspace routes that connected the bright center of The Republic to the vast outlying reached of the Outer Rim.
Standing up and gesturing at the bright light that was The Core, Veneficus spoke, "see the bright center of The Republic, the government that comprises the many star systems of our Galaxy," the image flickered, and the symbol of The Republic, the Galactic Roundel, superimposed itself over every system loyal to the republic, creating a sea of blue over the majority of the map.
"It's so large… and so grand…" Hermione breathed.
"Yes," Veneficus agreed, "and our world," he indicated the tiny red blip far outside the blue shell of The Republic's influence, "could not hope to compare to the technology that they possess, magical or muggle. But I have means and knowledge to launch us into their notice; to bring earth to the level of even their capital of Coruscant."
"But," Hermione pressed, the light of wonder starting to fade from her mind and questions returning, "How do you know this is really out there?"
Veneficus glanced at her, "I have sources, some of which are not entirely ready to be revealed, that can guarantee its existence. The point of how I know is moot, however, as I am convinced that it is there, and of the specific things we can do to propel the Wizarding world into the stars."
The train rumbled on, and the sun dipped below the horizon as they talked, Veneficus outlining several of the key issues he had seen in the magical world, their bigotry, their laziness and absolute rigidity that would oppose any attempt at leaving the earth for another planet, let alone entering The Republic.
"If we managed all that," Nott said carefully, "How would we get there? Moving hundreds of thousands of people would take something massive."
Veneficus waved a hand at the boy in dismissal, "Not to worry, a ship would be the easiest thing to acquire, after we manage to convince…"
The train suddenly lurched, slowing down almost immediately. Veneficus snatched the Datapad and stashed it away in his robes, while letting his school wand fall into his other hand. There's no way they'd arrived already, as there was still another few hours of travel ahead of them.
As the train screeched to a complete halt, all lights in the compartment suddenly extinguished, plunging them into darkness. "Stay still," Veneficus commanded, silencing the other four as they cried out in alarm.
Reaching out in the Force, Veneficus sensed something… wrong… entering the train. A whimper from his left indicated that Anguis could sense it also. Carefully lowering the wards around the compartment door, Veneficus prepared to open it and peer out into the corridor, lighting his wand with a silent spell.
The other four faces held emotions ranging from concern to outright fear. "Stay put," the Sith reaffirmed, and started for the door. He barely took two steps, when the emptiness he had felt reappeared outside the door, and through what felt like nails grinding through the Force, the compartment slid slowly open from the outside.
Hovering in the doorway, reaching nearly to the high ceiling of the train, was an elongated figure, hooded and robed in shredded black. The hand that was holding the door open was a glistening gray, decayed and rotted like a drowning victim. The children around him shrank back, struck with the aura of fear that the creature projected like a weapon, literally drawing away positive emotions from without it.
But the only thing that concerned, and greatly intrigued Veneficus simultaneously, was the traumatized echoes that sounded through the Force as the creature moved. It was astoundingly beautiful, the hole of darkness that comprised the creature. It was a wound in the Force itself, a void where no light could penetrate.
Veneficus was pondering just what perfect weapons these creatures could become, when the one before him finally took notice of the Sith Lord. It focused its power, trying to rip the Force from Veneficus, as well as take from him any happy thought. The problem for the creature was that, unlike the Jedi who use light and goodness, Veneficus was a Sith. The negative emotions, fear, anger, hatred, they were his weapons and tools. After so many years, the fear that the creature tried to harm him with seemed to only empower him, allowing Veneficus to endure the leeching presence with little effect.
Someone screamed from down the corridor of the train, and a shining light blossomed into being round the corner from the creature, forcing it to back away, howling its agony through the Force.
After it departed, and the aura of fear dispersed, the professor from the next cabin appeared, glanced over them all, and shoved a hand into his robes, pulling out several large bars of chocolate.
The snap of the slab breaking seemed to stir the others out of their stupor. "Here," the man said, handing the broken pieces to Veneficus to pass around, "Eat it. It'll help."
Taking the sweet, Veneficus passed them to Hermione to distribute, but kept none for himself, continuing to watch the professor instead, racking his mind to try and remember why the man seemed familiar.
"What was that?" Hermione asked between chewing, still very pale and shaking.
"A Dementor," the professor replied, "one of the guards of Azkaban." Veneficus returned to his seat, and casually observed the reactions of those around him. The others, Anguis included, were staring at the shabby looking professor, who looked relaxed and unconcerned with the prior presence of the Dementor.
"Professor…" Hermione started.
"Lupin." the man finished, supplying his name and cutting off Hermione question. "Eat, it'll help. I need to speak to the driver, excuse me..." he added as he departed the compartment.
The three non Force users started a slow chatter trying to understand why a Dementor would be on the train. Meanwhile, Veneficus merely locked eyes with Anguis, both silently knowing the truth. The only reason the Azkaban guards would be present was to capture Sirius Black. But why would the Ministry be so stupid to think the man could smuggle himself onto a train filled with children.
Lupin returned, glancing about at all the uneaten chocolate disapprovingly, "I haven't poisoned that chocolate, you know…" quickly the others started to eat, but Veneficus still withheld from partaking.
"We'll be at Hogwarts in ten minutes," the man continued, locking eyes with the Sith Lord, "Are you all right, Harry?"
Asking how the man knew his name was pointless, so Veneficus just nodded. The man departed for his compartment, and the five of them sat in silence for the rest of the trip. The train finally pulled into the Hogsmead station, and together Veneficus and Anguis splintered from their group and darted through the surging students to get into a carriage alone.
Once they were alone and the carriage was moving steadily toward the castle, pulled along by the bony black thestrals, Veneficus spoke. "Curious things, Dementors…"
Anguis flinched at the thought of them, "How so, Master?"
"Did you not sense it?" Veneficus asked, assuming that the boy hadn't, "They are a special aspect of the Dark Side. They are literal wounds made in the Force; holes of darkness where light has ceased to be present. I can assure you that they are indeed the most dangerous creature on this planet, for us at least."
The carriage passed through the iron gates to the Hogwart's grounds, and both Darksiders felt the creatures pass overhead, patrolling the parameter of the school. The carriage picked up speed immediately after entering the grounds, swinging wide to come to a stop in front of the massive entry hall of the castle.
"How dangerous are they to us?" Anguis whispered as they stepped down from the carriage, rejoining the sea of upper years.
"They consume the Force, Anguis," Veneficus instructed slowly, "Living, Cosmic and Wild… do you honestly think they'd pass up the opportunity to feast on all three at once. Be thankful that we are of the Dark Side, it makes us less appetizing to them, but only just. Watch yourself when you are near them…"
The boy nodded, guarded fear in his eyes, but understanding as well. Veneficus had little worry over the Dementors, or their attacking of either Force user. Given the reaction of the one on the train, it would take them a long time to riddle out just how to consume him, let alone make the attempt.
Passing through the wide oak doors to the Entrance Hall, Veneficus made to follow the stream of students into the Great Hall and the Welcoming Feast, but Professor Snape spotted and called for him out of the crowd. Speaking little, the sour man led him away toward the Transfiguration Mistress' office. McGonagall was there already, along with Miss Granger, which told the Sith all he needed to know about why they were here.
Also in attendance was the nurse, Madam Pomfrey. The woman shuffled about rapidly, checking both Miss Granger and himself over with medical charms and scans. "Setting dementors around a school," she was muttering to herself as Veneficus endured her probing wand, "terrible things, they are…"
"While your concern is touching," Veneficus said after several moments, "I am quite well from encountering the dementor searching the train."
"You should have some chocolate at the very least," the woman insisted.
"Already did, the new Defense Professor, Lupin, gave our entire compartment plenty," Veneficus replied dismissively.
"Did he, now?" the Infirmary Matron said approvingly, "So we finally have a Defense Professor who knows his remedies?"
"Very well Mr. Potter," McGonagall said finally, and Pomfrey departed back for the feast, "I'm sure both you and Miss Granger are aware of the scheduling issues that both your chosen electives pose. With every class, you would have double and sometimes triple booked hours for classes and exams."
Veneficus looked on, growing tired at the longwinded explanation of the great responsibility and trust being placed in his and Hermione's hands, and that they wouldn't have even been considered except that they were model students with top marks already. Finally, the Head of Gryffindor pulled out of her desk two small, identical boxes.
Opening one, she revealed a necklace with a swiveling hourglass attached to the end. Veneficus could smell the sweetness of the Wild Force that was entrenched in the item, and knew that it was a powerful tool.
"The Ministry has granted you both the use of these limited Time-Turners for the duration of the year, which will allow you to go back in time, an hour per turn of the glass, and take each of your classes. There are guidelines built into these models, which prevent more than five hours of time travel every day, which will give you extra time for sleep or studying at your own discretion."
She handed the two boxes and Time-Turners to Veneficus and Hermione, and the Sith Lord had to suppress the grin he felt attempting to creep up his face. The foolish wizards had surpassed themselves for once, handing mere children the means to travel backwards in time, the amount of chaos that could be enacted by one person alone was staggering.
"I must warn you both," McGonagall continued, interrupting Veneficus' thoughts, "that there are strict laws pertaining to time related magic and its uses, and rightly so because of the dangers regarding time travel. You both, therefore, are forbidden to tell anyone outside of this room about your Time-Turners, and you are not, under any circumstances, to directly or indirectly communicate with your past selves."
Veneficus nodded at McGonagall gravely, but inwardly was smiling madly. If they were bothering to forbid them from meeting with themselves from the past or future, then that meant that it was possible to do so without drastic consequences, but as spontaneous death or some sort of paradox occurring.
Finally they were dismissed to rejoin the feast, arriving at the tables just after the Sorting. A pity, as Veneficus would have wanted to see the newest members of the school all at once and screen them for any useful talents or budding Force users. It was not meant to be however, and Anguis' curious eyes were fixed on his master, silently asking what had drawn him away so soon after entering the castle.
Ignoring the boy for the moment, Veneficus chose to tuck into the food before him, and postpone any planning for that year until later that night. With his newfound tool, five extra hours had just opened themselves up that night, and two to three more every day thereafter for him to use as he desired. Smiling to himself as he ate, Veneficus dwelled on the possibilities. This was going to be a very good year.
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Albus glanced momentarily at the Slytherin table after his speech. One specific black haired boy sat there, eating without a seeming care in the world. Normally, such a sight would not be out of place, but when one factored in that Albus had just announced the presence of Dementors at the school it was something of an oddity for Harry to be so calm about.
Dismissing the children without any further word once the meal was concluded, Albus glanced along the table at Severus, Minerva, Filius and Pomona. The four caught the aged Headmaster's eye at different times, nodding as they acknowledged his previous request for them all to further warn their houses about the dementors and the threat that their presence posed.
He stood took his own leave soon afterward, wandering the halls and pondering the many ills that had so recently befallen his beloved school. So much darkness and death, and there had to be a connection. Naturally Harry's arrival back in their world was a catalyst, but there had to be something deeper.
Albus eventually made his way to the top of the astronomy tower, and gazed across the vast dark trees and grounds surrounding Hogwarts castle. Straining his ingenious mind, Albus slowly started to piece together all the strange occurrences that had occurred around the start of term two years previous.
Harry had been approached by Severus, only because his original guardians, Lily's sister's family, had been brutally murdered. No, Albus caught himself, not murdered, butchered like animals was closer to the truth. Fast forward back to Harry's first encounter with the magical world, something had occurred that day to complete erase Severus' memory of the event, something beyond even Albus' abilities to reverse.
At the time that had put Albus on edge but now, so long afterward, it truly frightened him. Next came Harry's first year at Hogwarts, and the trials and oddities that had surrounded the boy. Sorted into Slytherin, reserved and very secretive, only confiding in a handful of close friends, leading then to Halloween, and the troll's unusual cause of death.
Albus started as he realized how easily he had dismissed and forgotten such an important encounter. Even at the time Albus had been convinced that Harry had somehow had a hand in defeating the troll, but he had been a fool to so carelessly brush off the violent nature of the creatures end.
Gripping the metal rail of the tower, Albus felt himself sinking into the realm of darkened worries. Quirrell's death at the end of the year had also been easily written off by the disintegrated body to be the work of Voldemort, but in light of everything else, Albus suddenly had doubts. Everything came crashing to a head with Albus' personal meeting with Harry in the Hospital Wing, and the sight of the boy's eyes, filled with hatred and burning with the violent orange of Dark Magic.
Bowing his head in shame, Albus was forced to admit to himself that he had been far too willing to give Harry the benefit of the doubt because of who he was, and who his parents had been. It was time, far past time, that Albus wake up and view the boy by the things in front of his eyes.
"Headmaster?" Severus said from behind the wizard.
Turning, Albus watched the emotional range shift from mild concern the outright worry on the Head of Slytherin's face. The man rarely had his guard down except in times like these, when Albus was so far gone from the world around him.
"Severus," he said slowly, feeling even the act of speaking weight heavily on him. "I need your memory from when you followed Harry last year."
Severus was clearly still disturbed by the change in Albus' demeanor, however he didn't let it affect him as he removed the silvery thread of memory from his mind into an empty vial from his cloak. He paused for a few moments after Albus took the vial from him, and was just turning to leave when Albus absently called him back again.
"Severus," he said, voice shaking somewhat from the effort it took for him to speak, "I fear that something very terrible is happening with young Harry… at this point possession might be the least of our worries…"
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Korriban.
It felt as though it had been a lifetime since Zhar set foot on the desert tomb-world of the Sith, and had touched the power of the Dark Side for the first time. Never in all his imagination did he expect to return, least of all as one of the returning Sith supporters.
The dust filled Valley of the Dark Lords was just as Zhar remembered it, but his small ship flew straight over the sacred Sith site to the very rear end, where the crumbling ruins of the ancient academy stood.
Long since abandoned, the academy once was the central focus of the planet, and with the small group of Darksiders and dozens of construction droids it would become so again. As Zhar set foot upon the sand and rock of Korriban, he turned to survey the amount of reconstruction required on the outer side of the academy and temple.
The prospects weren't grand, as much of the upper levels of the academy had been leveled, and Zhar could only guess at the internal damage that the raging sandstorms had caused over time.
Activating a comlink homing beacon, Zhar signaled for the other ships to descend from orbit with the construction droids. If they were going to get the Academy inhabitable before the next storm, they had a lot of work to do.
The first ship to touch down had no droids, but many of the more advanced Acolytes and Neophytes from Dromund Kaas. Their leader, a large Zabrak named Slaar was the first to emerge, gazing reverently at the ruins.
"Magnificent…" he breathed. Zhar rolled his eyes at the look of adoration in the iridonian's yellow eyes for the half demolished building, but quickly disengaged to assign tasks to the other groups disembarking from their own vessels.
It took nearly an hour for the first few chambers and corridors to be surveyed and reinforced from collapse and storm, but soon enough they had every ship covered in the hastily repaired hanger that was opened to the cliff side that every tomb and building in the valley was built into.
There they set their base camp, and prepared through Korriban's short night for to begin the reconstruction. Zhar, Septin and Slaar stood around a small Astromech while the wheeled droid projected a hologram of the ruin's layout, superimposed on a rendering of the original building.
"Here," Zhar said, indicating the central shaft that once contained several lifts to the rest of the complex. "This should be our first goal. If we reach the turbolifts we can reactivate them and speed the process for clearing the rest of the academy. The droids should go now, with one or two to watch them, while the rest of us fan out on this floor and inspect the structural integrity."
Septin nodded immediately, "Very well, I'll handle the droids, it will be fast if I go alone with them also," he added as Zhar looked up to assign him an assistant.
Regarding the boy before him, Zhar nodded slowly, and watched Septin dart off immediately, followed by over half their construction droids. Something had changed in Septin, but Zhar had great difficulty placing exactly what the cause had been. With all the work of preparing for their journey to Korriban he had never gotten around to speaking in length about the little excursion that the boy had made with Lord Veneficus and the other Neophyte, Anguis.
Delegating the rest of the Darksiders to various parts of the academy, Zhar found himself left with Slaar and one small wing of unassigned space to explore. The iridonian didn't speak, but merely took both his sabers in hand and led the way down an access corridor, a pair of sentry droids in his wake. Shaking his head, Zhar followed, ordering for the last remaining droid to keep watch as he passed.
It shouldn't have taken too long for them to reach the section in question, which turned out to be a dormitory block, but there were many dangers still in the temple from crumbling walls and ceilings to lingering animal life that had been driven feral by the strong aura of the planet. The Shyracks they encountered in mass were no real threat to either Force user, but toward the end of their journey they ran across a small hunting pack of Tuk'ata. Blades igniting, both humanoids charged the beasts, backed up by the blasterfire of the sentry droids. Zhar was mildly impressed with the Zabrak's skill in wielding his dual sabers with the power of Djem-So, which was a highly unusual style to attempt with more than one weapon.
Together they hacked the animals apart, scattering the main portion of the pack with powerful gusts of Force conjured wind. Soon enough, the beasts were all slain, and Zhar made to press onward in their search until Slaar called to him, "wait human, there's something out of place here…"
Turning back, Zhar saw the horned humanoid kneeling over the body of one of the more intact Tuk'ata. Aside from the scorch marks left by their weapons, there was what appeared to be a large bite missing from its side, blood still oozing from the wound.
"These were not hunting, but being hunted…" Slaar said ominously.
Zhar turned back to the passage the animals had come from, where a low rumbling sound was beginning. "What do you think…" Zhar started but the Zabrak cut him off, "Hssiss…"
Eyes widening, Zhar leapt back, just in time to dodge the vicious creatures snapping jaws. How it had managed to sneak up on him so quickly, he quickly found out as the very air around the reptile shimmered back into focus, revealing the twelve foot long, acid green body riddled with tense muscle and sinew. The dark side dragon bared its long razor-like fangs, each one dripping with poison, before leaping at them again.
Rolling to the side, Zhar jumped to his feet in time to see the Hssiss tear into the two droids ruthlessly; tearing metallic limps like they were made of poorly crafted wood. Lifting his weapon, Zhar prepared for an intense battle with the dark creature, somehow knowing that the Dark Side would not be an advantage this time.
After finishing the droids, the Hssiss whirled, lashing at Slaar with its long tail. The Iridonian dodged back, counterstriking at the attacking limp. Zhar watched in amazement as the lightsaber ricocheted off the glistening scales of the animal, leaving a deep burn but no lasting damage.
The Dark Side had warped this specimen into a versatile killing machine, granting it resistance to both energy weapons and the Force. If Zhar wasn't fighting for his life, he might have watched the creature in awe. Unfortunately he could see no options for taking the animal alive, and he was certain that there would be other Hssiss out across the desert planet for them to acquire in the future.
Glancing around quickly, Zhar's eyes fell on the scraps that had once been their security droids. Catching Slaar's eye, they immediately began to work in tandem, attacking each of the beast's forelegs and driving it steadily backward. They landed several strong blows on the Hssiss, but its armor was more than capable to protect it from losing the limbs completely. Subtly, Zhar lifted one of the shredded and jagged arms of the dismantled droids, keeping it out of the creature's sight.
Slaar struck again, hitting a previously scored burn and piercing the beast's scales. The Hssiss roared in pain and wildly struck back, giving Zhar the perfect opportunity. Throwing as much power behind the rod of metal as he could, he drove it hard into the animal's eye, relishing the squelch of internal rupturing as the droid arm entered the brain of the Dark Side dragon. It staggered away from them, looking as though it would continue to fight, but sluggishly sank to the ground and expired.
Sighing, Zhar relaxed and shut off his weapon. If there had been more creatures along with the Hssiss that attacked them, they would have joined in rather than allow the two humanoids to have a moment to rest.
Slaar was closely studying the corpse of the Hssiss, and Zhar left him to it, venturing into the now unoccupied chamber that the animals had previously dwelled in. it turned out to be a small private room, possibly for a high ranking Sith or the Academy overseer. Animal feces and other filth covered one corner of the room, while what looked like a nest of sorts dominated the opposite wall.
The only other remaining feature of the room was a small window, poorly sealed from the elements. Several bright rays from the hot sun leaked through small cracks and splinters in the thick covering. Slaar arrived in the room, finally finished studying the corpse of the Hssiss, and wrinkled his nose at the smell.
"Why would the beast not leave its lair to do that?" he wondered aloud, glancing around.
Zhar wasn't concerned, but approached the makeshift window cautiously. Pulling the screen open as far as its state would allow, Zhar gazed across the vantage point over the valley that was presented. But something felt, off… behind him, Prophet Slaar bristled and let out an angered hiss, "Jedi…" he sneered.
Zhar caught the same feeling just as the sounds of a ship's engines sounded over the valley. A small one man fighter, a rather outdated Redshift model, but the deduction from his companion was sound. It was clearly a jedi vehicle.
Slaar turned to dash out of the room, but Zhar caught his arm, "What do you think you're doing?" he said hastily, keeping his voice low despite the massive distance the academy was from where the jedi ship was landing.
"Slaying a Jedi for daring to violate our world's sanctity…" the Iradonian seethed, trying to rip free from Zhar's grasp.
"Are you insane or just stupid?" Zhar shot back. "If the Jedi knew we were here, they wouldn't send just one Jedi. This one is clearly just checking for any signs of activity or whatever reason the Jedi would have for coming here, which I might add is against their own guidelines for them to even set foot here."
"Regardless," Zhar quickly added, as the large Zabrak tried to free himself again, "the Order will definitely come looking if one of the own mysteriously vanishes, with the last seen route heading here." The larger being just glared at Zhar, and he stood his ground, "I need you to trust me on this, I know the way the Jedi think a lot better than you do, and I am in charge of this operation. If this was any other type of mission, I would be the first to go with you and kill whomever it was right now. But we're here to begin recolonizing this planet, and the last thing we want is the Jedi to start investigating."
Slowly, Slaar's haze of bloodlust departed, and he nodded in silent agreement, "What do we do then?" he asked as they returned to observe the Jedi's ship from the window vantage point.
"Nothing," Zhar replied, smirking, "we will let Korriban itself hide us from the Jedi, and they will depart without ever noticing us here…"
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Master Coven felt a shiver of unease pass down her spine as she set foot on the forbidden world of Korriban. it had taken her time to fully formulate a plan to take one of the unused vessels from the Sith wars, and even longer to muster the courage to follow it through, but she had finally come and hoped that she could find the answers she sought on this forsaken planet.
The dusty landscape seemed to go on endlessly, swirling here and there as the wind shifted, but Fae was far more concerning with vortex of Force energy that twisted and turned through the canyon and around the various tombs.
One in particular seemed to beckon her, and the Jenet Grand Master drew near to it, eyeing the dark cavernous opening, covering in all manner of hieroglyphics and runic lettering. She was no scholar of the ancient Sith, and was not able to decipher the meaning of the words carved there, but she could guess that they stated whose tomb it was, and what punishment violating it meant.
Nevertheless, she had a mission to fulfill, and preceded into the darkness, one hand on her lightsaber at all times, just in case the vicious inhabitants of the scarred world were disturbed by her presence. And she had no doubt that a Jedi Master would disturb them very much.
Fortunately for her, the first several chambers were completely deserted; looters and grave robbers having stripped anything of value out of the tomb long ago. Fae shook her head in pity. Not that she wanted such evil artifacts to be in existence at all, but to dishonor the passing of anyone through deliberate desecration of their resting place, even a Sith Lord, was a low and despicable act. The Jenet Jedi Master was certain the none of the Jedi she presided over would sink so such an act over another Jedi's tomb, if the Order had been inclined to elevate themselves over those that they served by building such things. Jedi who perished in the line of their duties to the Galaxy were interred in the lowest levels of the Temple on Coruscant, their memories honored in the hearts of those they knew.
What was more was the lack of anything alive inside the tomb. Fae expected to find at least some of the darker wildlife living in the final resting places of the Sith Lord, but it was completely deserted here. She reached the chamber containing the stone sarcophagus without incident, and paused with her violet saber aloft to light her way.
The aura of darkness seemed to congeal, forming in front or inside the stone tomb, and began to manifest a figure. Shadows formed into the semblance of a human male, but warped and bent in odd and unnatural angles as it floated through the air, twin points of orange light marking eyes that seared into Master Covan's mind.
"Who disturbs my slumber..." the being said with a wheezing, harsh voice that resonated from the surrounding tomb.
Fae knew better than to give the spirit illusion any information about herself, the planet knew as much as it needed to just by her presence on its surface. "One seeking answers…" she replied vaguely, hoping it would satisfy the apparition before her.
"Answers that the Jedi Order couldn't give you…" the shade said knowingly, a maw in its face opening in a hideous grin, "for one such as yourself to come so far, only to learn that the future is already lost, such a pity…"
"Not if I can do anything about it," Fae said, controlling herself from reacting to the spirit's taunts.
"You may try, Jedi… you may try…" the spirit mocked, slowly fading back into the tomb. Once the presence departed, the entire casket shifted slowly to the side with a long, loud grinding, revealing a set of stairs descending into the black heart of the tomb.
The Dark Side of the Force was dense beyond that point, and Coven hesitated to enter, caution and her Jedi training warning her of what horrors and visions might try to consume her. However, she had already come so far on her quest to discovered the darkness forming in the Galaxy, and if it was from the Sith, her answer would be there, hidden behind the shroud of the darkness that embodied this planet.
Holding her saber aloft, Fae stepped down into the shadows beneath the tomb, and found herself in a long narrow corridor, unadorned and somewhat would have seemed cramped, if Fae had been human sized.
Rounding a sharp corner in the tunnel, Fae found herself in a strange and misty forest. The trees were unlike any she had ever seen in her many trips to various parts of the galaxy, and the terrain, while similar to many forested worlds, and was still very different and unrecognizable to the many planets the Jedi Master had seen or visited.
The dead silence was downright eerie, and Fae remained alert and cautious, waiting for the malevolent spirits of the tomb to make their first move.
A cry sounded through the trees, and Fae whirled, seeking the source of the sound. Wisps of dark mist casually flew overhead; keeping the air dense and making the sounds seem near and far simultaneously. The snap hiss of lightsabers caused the Jenet Master to turn again, this time pinpointing the origin of the noise, and she dashed off to investigate.
As she vaulted rocks and dodged trees, Fae caught sight of flashed of light and the sounds of combat, just ahead and past a large knot of trees. The farther she ran, it seemed that the unknown combatants always stayed just ahead of her, yet there were no signs of their conflict in their wake.
Finally reaching a small rise, Fae heard the clash of lightsabers and saw the flashing lights just over the crest, and her patience running thin, drew the force around her into a massive leap to the crest of the hill.
Two figures were battling, blue and red sabers flashing as they spun and attacked each other. Master Coven recognized the brown cloak of one of the figures as a Jedi Knight from the Coruscant Temple, but the other figure was a mystery, wearing a large black robe that concealed the person's features.
Acting on pure instinct Fae leapt into the fray, just as the black robed figure stabbed the fellow Jedi in the chest and dashed away, fading into the mist.
Sheathing her saber, Master Coven knelt by the fallen Jedi. The wound was mortal, but the young man was still breathing raggedly, murmuring something as Fae slowly rolling him over so she could see his face.
The large hood fell away, and Fae gasped in shock at the young man's face.
"I'm sorry Master," said Sorin Kress weakly.