CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN
KORRIBAN
Necrolis looked over the three squads of troopers, then looked left and right to note the others that were flanking them and holding back. Casting a furtive glance over his shoulder, he knew it was time even as he ignited his sabers. He remained unmoving, eyes looking over the ranks, noting the shaking hands and shuffling about going on within the ranks. They were scared, he noted. Quinn had indeed been right.
"Jaesa?" Necrolis hissed the words, not taking his eyes off the enemy standing before him.
"They're all scared, they radiate it out, every last one of them." Jaesa scowled as she spoke, calling on her power and watching the swirling auras about the groups of soldiers they were up against. She could see and almost taste their fear it was so palpable. "We just need to engage them. They'll all break and scatter if given the opportunity."
Necrolis turned his head slightly and nodded to the sith woman as he heard her assessment. Head on it was then, he thought. Casting a glance to his right and slightly back, he noted Teffa watching him. Nodding to the bounty hunter, he set their plan in motion.
"Do it." Necrolis stated coldly.
"Shadellis, time to bring the rain." Teffa remarked into his comm unit.
"Dropping in now." Shadellis' voice answered back into the bounty hunter's helmet.
Necrolis counted silently, then with a deep throated cry charged forward. He did not look back even as the others broke up the stairs and those with ranged weapons opened fire on the ranks of troopers ahead of them. The roar of ship engines drowned out the weapons fire as the sleek silver ship belonging to Shadellis Darkstar dropped over the edge of the mesa surrounding the academy, slicing through the sky cutting a direct line across between the groups. There was a momentary loud shrill whine as the explosive bomb was dropped from on high. When it hit the ground the world exploded into a flame and smoke filled world of shadows and coloured blaster shots.
Darth Marr stood and watched as those of the name Darkstar broke forward in attack. The Dark Lord stared intently as the troopers below stumbled and staggered about, responding slowly to the sudden aggressive attack on them. His covered head rose as he heard the starship race low and fast across over them, noting the bomb as it fell. Muttering a curse under his breath, Marr realized he had underestimated Necrolis. Flames blew out and up, scattering the squads further, the shock wave sending bodies crashing backwards even as a few fired aimlessly into the swirling and rising smoke and dust. Raistlis paced to his right, and Marr could tell he was barely restrained from charging in, but as much as the thought was there, he had refrained at least so far.
"Wait." Marr stated calmly.
"Are they insane?" Pyrannus remarked watching what was happening below them.
"No, my apprentice, far from it." Marr remarked then clapped slowly in appreciation. "Magnificent."
"I don't understand?" Pumirra added, confused and casting a questioning glance to her sister who shrugged in her own confusion back.
"Fearless and strong, a fine display of magnificent valour. Watch and remember, my apprentices."
The smoke and dust cleared with the slight breeze, Necrolis standing with sabers drawn, eyes scanning through to take note of the enemy forces. They were scattered, disoriented. Some were dead, some dazed, while others had broken ranks and run as had been expected. It left a good number still to deal with but a third of Marr's assembled forces remained. Casting a quick look behind, Necrolis took note of the others and their condition.
Torian was shrugging out of his armour, the shoulder and chest blackened where he had been hit by random blaster bolts. Tormen was limping, a shot having grazed his hip, but the smuggler was upright with guns still in hand. Bloodshade was pulling off her helmet, and Necrolis could see where it had taken a blast and deflected it protecting her but damaging it. Overall, they were still standing and breathing, and for that he was thankful.
Looking towards the sloping rise of the ramp to the academy, Necrolis grit his teeth and raised his sabers in challenge. Glancing back towards Teffa he saw the bounty hunter already had things well in hand. Teffa was already giving orders to cover what needed to be, ensuring they could hold their position.
" Jaesa, Pierce you're on support for Necrolis. Tormen, Bloodshade, Blizz go left. Vette you're with me and Quinn to the right. Kira and Asha hold here and cover all of us." Teffa barked out. "Keep those bastards on our flanks out of this. They so much as look at you wrong take them out."
Necrolis turned his attention up where he could make out the spiked shoulder pads and hooded figure that was Darth Marr. He saw the man wave a hand and then a lone figure appear to walk down the ramp towards him. A red lightsaber lit and in his right hand, Necrolis squinted and peered at the man trying to see who it was. Halfway down the ramp, he knew who it had to be. Marr was playing one of his large gambits against him now, Necrolis knew as he took in Raistlis advancing. Looking back at the others as they fanned out, there was nothing more he could do but ask them to stay out of it.
"This fight is mine, and mine alone." Necrolis growled out, looking to Teffa and knowing his brother would need to ensure no other went against his wishes. "No matter what, nobody interferes."
"Necrolis!' Jaesa called to him, and he could hear the argument even before she could speak the words.
"Jaesa, I mean it." Necrolis snarled and gave her a hard glare. "Do not go against my wishes in this."
Necrolis walked towards the ramp, watching as the commanders waved back the remaining troopers, not that such was necessary. Those standing moved back step by step, their eyes never leaving the group that had spread out and kept their weapons drawn on them. Necrolis could hardly fault them at all. Most were raw untested recruits still learning, the others aged and tired veterans pressed back into service on this day. They only want to live and make it through, Necrolis knew.
Reaching the bottom of the ramp, Necrolis stopped and stood, sabers held out to either side, eyes locking on Raistlis as he paused a third of the ramp kept between them. He looked older, a few more lines on his face from what he had faced, and not just recently. Necrolis had not seen an updated holovid of him in some time. Loun had always been very careful about what and when she sent to him in the way of updates. Looking from Raistlis up to Marr, Necrolis clenched his jaw tight in anger. He knew what was coming, knew who was behind such. Raistlis was merely the puppet, Marr being the puppeteer. Just another reason to end this, Necrolis reminded himself.
"So you finally show up." Raistlis spat the words at Necrolis, his anger clear and directed at the man.
"We don't have to do this, Raistlis." Necrolis said back, though he suspected it would not be a welcome peace branch to be taken.
"Oh yes we do." Raistlis growled, moving in slow steady steps towards Necrolis. "You are going to answer for everything, for my mother, for me, for all of it."
Necrolis remained unmoving, sabers at his side and watching as the younger sith closed in quickly. Raistlis came straight at him, attacking in quick overhand chops. Necrolis took a step back each time but parried each blow that rained down, deflecting the blade away. When he tried for a fourth straight chopping attack, Necrolis deflected it away with his right saber, then stepped into him, driving the bottom of his lightsaber hilt into his face before backing up putting a few steps distance between them. Raistlis staggered back with the blow and spit as he tasted his own blood.
Enraged, Raistlis drove at Necrolis, slashing right to left with his blade. Necrolis batted it away with one saber then stepped and spun about the young sith, using his own momentum against him. He could have pressed the attack and ended it, but Necrolis merely backed up once again putting the distance back between them. Raistlis turned and glared at Necrolis, snarling as he bared clenched teeth. Necrolis could see the frustration and anger growing, knowing it was already making him reckless.
"You're the reason for it all. For Loun suffering!" Raistlis hissed as he seethed in anger. "nothing but a liar and coward, hiding away from your own blood."
"Foolish child, I kept away to protect you, to protect her." Necrolis snapped back and shook his head. Marr had certainly filled his head with enough lies to twist him well.
"I'm done believing you." Raistlis stated coldly and then gave a cry as he rushed at Necrolis once more.
Jaesa Willsaam watched the dance between the two sith and frowned. She knew her master well enough to know Necrolis was holding back. Already he could have taken down the young sith a half dozen times, and yet every time he could have delivered a critical blow, he had pulled back. Chewing her lip, Jaesa cast a glance to Pierce. She could tell from the puzzled expression on his face that he had noticed such as well.
"Something isn't right here." Jaesa said quietly, fighting the urge to jump in. "He's not fighting to win."
"He told us to stay out of it." Pierce reminded her.
Raistlis came rushing in once again, swinging with pure rage and less skill and technique. Necrolis caught each strike and parried, shaking his head as again and again the young sith kept pressing his attack despite the lack of advantage. Necrolis swept aside an overhand shot, throwing his free hand up to slam a wave of force energy into Raistlis sending him flying back to land heavily on his back.
"Stay down, I do not want to kill you, Raistlis."
"How touching, now you have a parental instinct?" Raistlis sneered as he regained his feet and slowly began to circle Necrolis once more. "You are going to die, not me."
Darth Marr watched the struggle between father and son with interest. Raistlis showed promise though his patience had quickly left him. Enraged he had turned to just using power to try and overwhelm Necrolis. With someone so skilled and strong, it was a fools approach to fighting. The young man had much to learn. Without turning his head, Marr could see Pyrannus shifting a step to either side, almost pacing. He watched as she gave a snarl each failed attack. As much as she would deny such, Marr sensed there was more to her interest in the fight than her wish to face the Emperor's Wrath to prove herself. Finally looking over to her, he nodded his approval.
"When you are ready, my apprentice."
Raistlis rushed in once more and Necrolis grit his teeth feeling the weight of each blow he deflected course through his arm. Grunting, he had to admit the power the young sith could bring to bear was formidable. Yet he had no form, no skill, it was all brute strength and trying to wail away. Necrolis held his ground after backing up a step at a time with each attack, turning the blade aside and throwing a force shove once more into Raistlis. This time he was ready for the move, dropping low and planting himself, calling on the force to wrap about and deflect the blow. Necrolis grinned even as he leapt up over him, twisting in the air to come down behind Raistlis. Both blades slashed quickly, cutting into the armoured back and sending the man down to all fours.
"You're beaten." Necrolis stated. "Surrender… son."
"Never. Never to you." Raistlis spat the words out even as he tried to lunge and drive back upright and at Necrolis.
Necrolis kicked out quickly, boot striking and catching Raistlis as he lunged forward squarely on his jaw. Following up Necrolis went after his weapon, targeting his saber held in his hand. It was risky he knew, but if he was injured it was a fixable one and not permanent like a deathblow. As the red blade came sweeping down the strike was met and stopped by a double blue lit saber.
"There she is." Jaesa growled, spotting the cathar sith and making to attack. She got two steps before she was yanked roughly backwards.
"He said stay out of it!" Pierce growled at her and shook his head.
"It's two on one damn you." Jaesa angrily shot back.
Necrolis leapt back and away putting distance between himself and the new attacker. He knew of her, but had not crossed blades. He owed her that much he knew, for what she had done to Malavai Quinn. Pyrannus had joined the fray. The white furred cathar stalked him, pale beige eyes locked on him matching him and countering every move he made as they circled each other. She swapped the twin blue toned lightsaber between hands, and Necrolis noticed she seemed comfortable with each hand.
"Finally, you are mine Wrath." Pyrannus said, licking her lips in anticipation.
"You have a death wish then." Necrolis shot back.
Pyrannus lunged forward, feinting an overhand attack. Necrolis shifted his stance, bringing one blade high, the other low before him even as the cathar backed up and continued to circle. He watched her grin, enjoying the clear stalking of her prey. Pyrannus slowly made her way about until she had turned Necrolis about, putting his back to Raistlis. With quick simple slashes and jabs, she tested Necrolis, watching as he moved with an ease and fluid grace, brushing aside the attacks and eyeing her suspiciously.
"Kill that bitch!" Aela shouted to her brother from where she watched between keeping an eye on the troopers, though in truth they too had their attention on the two sith fighting.
Necrolis reached out with the force as the cathar sith came at him again, sending a wave of it down into the ground causing a wave of dirt and sand to rise and slam into her. Blinded as she was momentarily, Necrolis moved in quickly. His blades came down, caught by hers but even as she stretched up to hold off his attack, Necrolis countered. Both feet came up to drive into the cathar's chest, hammering her back off her feet to the ground. Landing on his back, Necrolis sprang back up, vaulting up and forward and bringing his left saber down. Pyrannus barely had time to recover and get her blade up to block the strike. Focused on Pyrannus, bringing his right saber up to deliver a killing blow the cathar had no chance to block, Necrolis did not notice Raistlis having risen to his feet and moving in on him from behind.
"Now." Pierce muttered, not liking it, but letting go of Jaesa.
Jaesa Willsaam rushed forward, after a few steps force leaping in behind Necrolis. The double bladed lightsaber came to life in her hands, golden blade catching the strike of Raistlis aimed for Necrolis' back. Turning it aside, Jaesa stepped into the other sith, bringing the other blade about in a sweep that forced him back. Raistlis snarled loudly and came at the woman, but turning aside his slashing saber, Jaesa spun about and connected her boot to the side of his head sending him down. Fluidly, she transferred her weight to her foot coming down, planting even as she turned and brought the tip of the bottom blade to bear aiming for the sprawled sith's chest.
"No!"
Jaesa felt the blow to her blade that shoved it to the side of her intended target. Necrolis shoved her away then turned back in time to catch Pyrannus' blade on his other one, avoiding the attack she launched. Pyrannus pressed the advantage driving Necrolis back repeatedly until she got past his guard, the blade of her weapon catching his shoulder down to his chest. Necrolis dropped his lightsaber and staggered back to fall to a knee. Pyrannus grinned wide and closed in on her wounded prey. She made to strike but stopped as she saw the man grinning.
"Always mind your surroundings." Necrolis sneered.
Reaching out with the force, Necrolis ignited and called his dropped saber to him, the weapons spinning it as it came. Pyrannus sensed the danger and turned, getting her blade up to deflect it aside. Even as she did so, she swiped her free hand at where she suspected Necrolis would be rushing at her. Claws dug deep into the chest armour Necrolis wore, but he shrugged off the blow hammering the butt end of the hilt into the side of the cathar's head, sweeping her legs out from under her and then grabbing her in the force and lifting her high then driving her hard down into the ground.
"Kill her, Necrolis." Jaesa hissed bloodthirsty and wanting revenge. Even as she said it, the woman was rising and moving towards the still dazed Raistlis.
"No!" Necrolis called again, reaching out with the force and using it to hold Jaesa in place.
With Pyrannus neutralized, and Raistlis down, Necrolis held Jaesa in place and walked slowly over to her. He was all too aware the others were all watching. He was not mad at Jaesa. She had remained out of the fight until she saw there was an unfair advantage. Necrolis knew he could have handled such, but having the help of the woman who had until recently been his apprentice was not something he was going to turn down. Leaning in close Necrolis whispered into her ear before releasing her.
Jaesa stared at Necrolis, brow furrowed and in disbelief. Necrolis chuckled before shrugging. He knew she would have questions but now was not the time or the place for such. Glancing down at Raistlis, he looked to Jaesa as she moved before the man.
"He just saved your life." The woman hissed before looking to the downed cathar woman and striding over to her. "You on the other hand…"
"No!" Raistlis yelled, groaning with the effort but scrabbling across the distance and tossing himself in the woman's way. "You will not get a free kill without killing me."
Jaesa snarled and made to grab and fling the young sith off the cathar, but stopped. Glancing to Necrolis he shook his head negatively. Jaw clenched tight, Jaesa shut off her lightsaber and pointed a finger at Necrolis.
"You and I, later."
Necrolis nodded as his apprentice withdrew back to the group. Standing and looking down at Raistlis, barely able to focus from another blow to the head, positioned to block any attack on Pyrannus, Necrolis cocked his head to the side. He had put himself in harm's way to protect her. In that, he could see himself, and that made him wonder if he was as lost as it had seemed.
"Why did you save her?" Necrolis asked him.
"I… I don't know." Raistlis answered before his gaze turned from contemplative to hard and cold. "It doesn't matter. This changes nothing between us."
"I did not expect it would." Necrolis said with a sigh. "A shame, you have such promise my son. I am sorry it has come to this."
Lashing out with no warning, Necrolis caught Raistlis square on the chin with a kick that snapped the young man's head back and left him unconscious, sprawled out over the cathar woman. Neither moved, but both remained alive. Looking up at the top of the ramp, Necrolis locked his sights on Marr.
"Nwul tash. Dzwol shasotkun. Shasotjontu chatsatul nu tyuk. Tyukjontu chatsatul nu midwan. Midwanjontu chatsatul nu asha. Ashajontu kotswinot itsu nuyak." Necrolis yelled up to Darth Marr, speaking in the sith language.
"Midwanjontu chatsatul nu asha." Marr yelled back, igniting his lightsaber and holding the glowing red blade up over his head in answer.
"One stands, one falls." Necrolis yelled out. "You and I, Marr. I will champion those falsely accused. The winner has the right of judgement. Do you accept?"
Necrolis could hear the gasps and whispers all about, as well as the cries of alarm and yells for him to not do such coming from those of his family. A modified version of the kaggath, it would come down to just he and Marr as he had wanted and planned all along. Watching a waiting he saw Marr pace along the edge of the ramp, saber lit, and seeming to ponder the challenge. He is drawing it out for effect, Necrolis knew.
"I accept." Marr stated. "Prepare yourself, Wrath."
Necrolis raised and crossed his blades in salute to the elder sith, bowing before turning and walking back to his family. Not surprisingly, Vette was the first to reach him, throwing herself into him, arms about his neck and clinging to him. Necrolis shut down his lightsabers and hugged his wife back, even as he met the gazes of the rest of the group.
"Don't do this. Necrolis, please…" Vette pleaded.
"I have to." Necrolis said. "This has to end, Vette. It'll be okay."
Teffa moved over placing a hand on Vette's shoulder even as Necrolis drew her back from him. Reaching up, the bounty hunter ripped off his helmet so he could look at his brother face to face. Teffa knew telling him not to do it was pointless.
"You do what you have to, but survive this." Teffa said with a frown. "We need you."
Necrolis moved past to Quinn, Jaesa, and Pierce. Both Quinn and Pierce snapped to attention and saluted him. Necrolis shook both men's hands and then turned to his once apprentice. Jaesa frowned, chewing on her lower lip before finally she grabbed and hugged him tightly. Necrolis returned the embrace before letting his hand find her chin to lift her face up to him.
"One day soon you will become more powerful than any sith I know. Learn to temper that passion and anger." Necrolis told her before handing one of his sabers to her. "Hang on to this for me."
"For you, master, I swear I will." Jaesa said quietly, accepting the weapon before her voice grew to its normal strength. "Now kill that nerf loving bastard up there."
Bloodshade hugged him and Khem Val nodded, saying something about facing the spectre of death with passion like the great Tulak Horde had done. Necrolis wasn't sure what the deshade really meant but took it as a compliment. Aela stood there looking at him, the white haired sith unable to find any words to say. Necrolis felt the same and settled for nodding and then grabbing and giving the woman a hug.
A tap on his leg made Necrolis look down seeing Blizz standing beside him. The little jawa patted his leg, looking up at him until Necrolis finally crouched down. The jawa reached a small hand up to touch his face and then found his voice.
"Big sith save everybody. Blizz sad. Blizz not want big sith to go."
"I have to." Necrolis answered back, reaching out to pat the jawa on its hooded head. "If I don't everyone could die."
"You go, you die." Blizz said back quickly shaking his head negatively. "Blizz no like, you no go."
Necrolis patted the little jawa once more on the head before turning to face Kira and Tormen. Tormen stuck his hand out and Necrolis took it. The smuggler nodded his helmeted head and put an arm about Kira's shoulders. The young jedi smiled faintly at Necrolis.
"Remember, there is no death, there is only the force."
"I shall." Necrolis answered before moving past them to face Asha Lightstar.
Try as Asha could, there was no way to keep her eyes from watering. They had talked about it before when he had slipped off in the middle of the night. She knew his reasons, but facing it, being there to watch him do such, it was almost more than she could take. She was used to being the one fighting for others, walking into such situations. Now all she could do was watch Necrolis walk into the danger, and with the knowledge that he was likely facing his own death.
"I don't know what to say." Asha finally stated before chewing her bottom lip and shaking her head.
"Nothing to say, sister." Necrolis answered, reaching out and grabbing her and drawing her to him in a tight hug. "Goodbye."
"No." Asha said as she pulled back. "There is no goodbye, there is just the force. I will see you again."
"Remember what I need you to do." Necrolis whispered before he turned and walked back towards Vette and Teffa.
Reaching them, Necrolis patted Teffa on his shoulder. The bounty hunter frowned before just grabbing Necrolis in a tight hug. Stepping back, Teffa let Vette talk alone with Necrolis. Vette looked at her husband, tears nearly blinding her. She went to say something but it caught in her throat. Necrolis smiled very softly, leaning in and resting his forehead against hers. Playfully he reached up to tug on a lekku, making Vette grunt and then laugh a moment.
"Necrolis I'm scared. I know you are strong but… it's Marr. I am scared you can't win."
"I know." Necrolis said softly, hands sliding over her shoulders and down her arms to take hers.
Holding her hands in his, he looked at his wife and tried to smile again. She had always been trying to get him to, and he had spent so long playing that game with her. Now it seemed foolish and he wished he had just let that happen more often between them. He felt the warmth of her skin against his, taking in a long deep breath to capture the scent of her so he would not forget such.
"I am always with you, Vette. No matter what." Necrolis said softly then leaned in and kissed his wife hard and deep. "I have and always will love you."
Turning away at that point, Necrolis made to walk to the ramp. Vette let him go, but hung onto his hand until his steps pulled it finally from her grasp. Once she had lost that contact she could not fight back the tears. She was almost unaware of Teffa placing hands on her shoulders and holding her gently.
Necrolis took each step, feeling the weight of each one as it carried him to face the moment. To face Marr. As he walked, Necrolis reached up and unclasped the chest armour, letting the damaged piece fall away. He stopped walking long enough to remove each leg armour, then returned to the slow steady walk to his opponent. Each bracer fell off and away next.
"What the fuck is he doing?" Vette asked, looking up and back at Teffa.
"Honestly, I have no idea." Teffa remarked. "Necrolis always has a plan though, Vette. Trust him."
"I do." Vette whispered, trying to see through her tears to watch as he shed his armour and marched up the ramp to face Marr.
Necrolis reached the top of the ramp, noting the presence of another cathar sith and a young zabrak with her. Blackheart, he guessed. Both made to move towards him and Necrolis froze, hand moving to his lightsaber hanging from his belt at his right hip. Pumirra and Blackheart did not take more than a couple steps before Darth Marr's voice bellowed out to them.
"Do not interfere!" Marr roared, waving a hand at both of them. "See to your sister and the young sith. This is my challenge."
Looking to Necrolis, Marr bowed slightly and Necrolis returned the gesture. Neither of them had wanted to trust the other, of course being sith when could one ever truly trust another, but both wanted the same thing. That gave them a common goal, and that alone Necrolis knew he could trust in. If there was nothing else, there was mutual respect and a loyalty to the Emperor and the Empire.
"You are impressive, I have to admit." Marr said taking his lightsaber in hand. "It is just you and I now, Necrolis."
"You should have left my son out of this." Necrolis growled. "Otherwise I would say we worked rather well together."
"I take it your family members were acting on their own?"
"Guess we both erred some in getting to this point." Necrolis smirked and shrugged, knowing Teffa taking out the spaceport had annoyed the man. Good, he thought, now we're even.
Glancing about, Necrolis noted the royal guard standing spaced out about them, ringing the flat entryway of the academy. None would be permitted to pass, Necrolis knew, and they would remain unmoving and impartial. If either received aid so, the spirit of the duel would be ruined and the Dark Council would act to punish the victor who cheated so in receiving that aid.
"I hate to kill you, Wrath." Marr said and his tone of voice showed he meant the words spoken.
"You are an honourable sith, Marr." Necrolis quipped back. "I hate to disappoint and not die."
Marr raised his lightsaber in salute, noting Necrolis had also gone and only brought a single saber to keep the playing field level. Necrolis grasped his lightsaber and let the weapon flare to life, bringing it up to return Marr's salute. It was time, Necrolis knew. This was the moment he had come to know he had to face, and it was upon him. I know who I am, he thought.