Chapter 2

Luke opened his eyes for the first time in four years.

He lifted his head, surveying his surroundings. He was lying on a very stiff bed in some sort of dark chamber. He tried to reach out with the force, but he felt no connection whatsoever. All he could feel was an aching headache that pulsed hard against his forehead. When his eyes finally began to focus, he noticed several droids going about their business around the room. One of them glanced up at him and beeped before returning to its datapad.

He placed a hand on his waste finding no lightsaber and groaned, "Great. Lost, defenseless, and no connection to the force. Can things get worse?"

He stood from the bed and walked towards what he assumed was a door. It opened up into a long hallway that led to a large chamber door. A mouse droid zipped past his feet as he ventured out into the unknown. Scattered along the walls were pictures of ancients warriors and some sort of goddess. He pressed a hand to the doors activation panel at the end of the hall and walked out into a large open chamber.

In the center of the chamber was a large mechanical sphere. It had a slight white glow around its edges, meaning something was inside. As he approached, the sphere began to hiss and puff out smoke. The panels began to separate into four pieces, each piece rising into the sky. Inside the sphere was Darth Vader.

Luke instinctively grabbed at his waste remembering that he was without his most sacred possession. "Where am I?" He asked, trying to remain calm.

Vader breathed and remained quiet. He stood from the sphere, placing dark gloves over his grotesque hands. He stepped forward, staring at Luke with his expressionless mask. "It has been four years, Skywalker."

"What kind of games are you playing, Vader," Luke said, not believing a word.

Vader let out a long breath before asking, "What is the last thing you remember before falling unconscious?"

Luke spoke slowly as if in pain, "Lord Prawn… A laugh, a very evil laugh. It twisted in my brain grabbing at the corners of my mind. It… ripped me apart."

Vader turned his head and looked at something in the distance. "Do you know where you are?"

Luke looked around, suddenly realizing why the place looked so familiar. "This is your castle, isn't it?"

"Yes. We were both taken here after the event on Dekka IV. My men decided to let me have control over your fate. I was unconscious for three months before I awoke in my chamber." He let out a breath, seemingly still in pain. "Your injuries were far worse."

"So, what will you do with me then?" Luke asked, trying to seem confident.

"I think what will happen next depends on what we can do together."

Luke frowned. Was Vader expecting them to become friends after everything?

Vader continued, "I have been keeping your presence here a secret. This castle is shielded from even the most advanced force user. Even the Emperor himself isn't aware of your location. However, I regret to inform you that your disappearance brought about the end of the rebellion."

Luke felt his stomach drop to the floor. "What do you mean?"

"The galactic civil war has ended. The entire galaxy believes you have died, leaving the Empire victorious. There is no more war, and you can not change that now."

Luke fought hard to control his emotions. His mind darted between his friends and fellow troopers losing all hope and giving up the fight. He clenched his fists. "Why didn't you just kill me?"

Vader turned his head staring at Luke, thinking hard about what to say next. "I had a vision. A threat invading the galaxy, something so powerful that even the Empire was no match. I watched the galaxy burn before my eyes."

"Where do I come in?" Luke asked.

"I believe our shared experience on Dekka IV was no coincidence. The voice that rang in our heads, Lord Prawn he called himself, it was a pain I had never experienced before. I believe Prawn is plotting something, something that is not far from becoming reality."

Luke snorted. "Why don't you just warn the Emperor?"

Vader considered the question for a moment and said, "He will not listen to me. His victory over the rebellion has blinded his vision. Either way, his confidence would be his downfall."

"So you expect me to just drop everything and help you defend the galaxy against a threat you only dreamed of?" Luke said, feeling his frustration rise. "I've heard better lies from smugglers."

"You have nothing to lose," Vader said as he turned once more. "Follow me."

Vader began walking towards another room connected to the chamber. Luke hesitantly followed him. They entered a large room full of artifacts lined with swords, blasters, lightsabers, and armor.

"Here is your lightsaber," Vader said, handing it to Luke. "I know you do not believe me, but you and I might be the only people left who can stop whatever is coming."

Luke looked up from his lightsaber and pondered what to do. He could cut Vader down right then and there, but what if Vader wasn't lying? If a galaxy destroying threat was on the horizon, maybe Vader was right? He glanced over Vader's shoulder and spotted a sword that was illuminated in red energy.

"What is that?" Luke asked, moving passed Vader and surveying the sword. "I can almost feel it's pull on the force."

"That is the Blade of Mortis,"