Chapter Eight: Viridity

Caedus wandered through the corridors of his newly claimed temple. It was built entirely of stone, so it appeared at least, and there were ancient markings as well as artifacts surrounding each corridor and room.

The catacomb was the most eerie location of the temple. Its walls were encased with statues of long dead Sith while coffins and tombstones littered the floors. There was a chill in the air despite the fact burning pyres were scattered amongst the room. He shook his head in distaste, turned on his heel, and walked back the way he had come.

While he was walking he examined the corridors more closely. It seemed nearly identical as it had when he was just glancing around when he had come. Until he noticed something of a different color jutting out of a small hole in the corner of one of the carefully constructed walls; unlike the smooth stone, it appeared to be a similarity to a mirror. He crouched down to get a closer look and noticed it was a green shade which seemed bizarre compared to anything else founded in the temple.

He grasped the small, mirror-like object and cut his finger. He ignored the small cut and began flipping the object side-to-side. He ran a finger along the smooth side, fascinated by the green paint though curious as to why one would paint a shard of a mirror.

"What are you doing?" His namesake's voice inquired from behind.

Caedus nearly dropped the shard. He stood to face his Uncle's Force Ghost and hid the shard behind his back, "Just examining the temple."

"No, you aren't. What are you hiding?" He demanded.

Caedus heaved a sigh and dropped the shard, "Nothing. Not any longer."

With that, he walked past his Uncle's Force Ghost and strolled down the corridor. He wasn't in the mood to answer any questions.

Darth Caedus looked down to where his nephew had dropped the item he had been holding. His lips formed into one of a cold smile. "Nothing you say? Perhaps nothing in the eyes of one without the knowledge or nothing in the eyes of a mortal, but to one deceased, it is everything."

He placed a booted foot against the shard, and instantly the Force Ghost form was replaced with his mortal form. His grin widened, so long he had waited for this opportunity.

"Uncle Caedus, I'm sor-"His nephew's voice broke as he noticed his Uncle's mortal form.

There was a long, lingering moment of silence. "What the kriff did you do?" His nephew asked, alarmed.

"It is not what I have done, but what you have done. You discovered the Viridity Shard and stubbornly walked away leaving me to take advantage. Now, I am mortal for a day." The elder Caedus said.

"I should be more cautious of my actions, but better you than one of these other insane Sith hungry for power." His nephew replied.

His Uncle placed a hand on his shoulder, "My apprentice, you will come a long way, I assure you. May you never fall into the clutches of a desire for power. There are more important things to ensure of in this galaxy."

His nephew nodded in understanding. It was still uneasy having his Uncle in mortal form though, plenty of time to brutally torture or murder him if he dare make a mistake, even by accident. His Uncle just wasn't a person to displease.

His Uncle's lightsaber abruptly activated with a snap-hiss, the crimson blade illuminating the walls around them. His golden eyes narrowed and focused on his nephew.

Caedus was frightened and nearly stumbled backwards. His Uncle was actually going to kill him! Here he'd come to think they were allies, and now his life wasn't going to be severed by any of the Jedi, but instead his own mentor. He should've known this was how his end would come. His Uncle would come and take his place somehow.

"I can read your thoughts, you know. I do indeed have plans for you that consist of replacement for a short period of time, again, but that is saved for later." His Uncle's cold voice said.

Caedus didn't dare place his hand on his lightsaber's hilt; his blue-green eyes looked into the golden ones of his namesake's, "You're using me."

"Perhaps, but only occasionally and for short periods of time," His namesake admitted.

"You know, you shouldn't give away your plans like that. People expect it then." Caedus said with a grin.

"People expect what they hear, not what is concealed within the words spoken." His Uncle replied.

Caedus stared at his Uncle in bewilderment. He always made you think about what was being said, not just simply hear something and interpret it that way. There was also some mysterious logic behind it. His words were only meant for those with enough mental capacity to handle it.

There were footsteps approaching and the activation of two other lightsabers behind his Uncle; then emerged the forms of Anakin Veila and Jashakyrr.

"Ready to die, brother?" Anakin asked coldly, his ice blue blade making it seem even more accurate.

"I'm always ready." Caedus said through gritted teeth and activated his lightsaber revealing the blood-red blade.

He positioned himself next to his Uncle, then realized the fear creeping into both his twin's and Jashakyrr's faces. Then it spread like a plague to be the only feeling from their Force auras.