CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT
KORRIBAN
Teffa Darkstar cast a glance over the remaining forces scattered about them. None of them were paying their group any mind, and with good reason. Even as he let his gaze slide away and up to the entryway to the sith academy, Teffa knew that was the only thing that seemed to matter in that moment. Necrolis had stripped off his armour, taken only one lightsaber, and had gone to face the Dark Council member. The challenge had been made and accepted. As much as Teffa hated it, he also knew they were now nothing more than spectators. They could not interfere or help at all. He had watched as another cathar sith and a hooded zabrak had made their way down the ramp and over to where Pyrannus and the pure blooded sith had been.
Frowning, Teffa looked over those about them once more and noted Bloodshade was moving towards the four sith loyal to Marr. Khem Val was, as he always was, right on her heels following along. Teffa could not help but notice Blizz hurrying and keeping pace with the woman. Teffa grinned inside his helmet, knowing he did not want to know at all what was going on between his sister and the jawa. Some things are better left unasked and unknown, he thought.
Bloodshade had seen Blackheart as he came down the ramp from the academy, banished as the duel between Marr and Necrolis took shape. Seeing him with the cathar sith, and then joining Pyrannus and the other sith warrior, it was like a vibroknife in the gut. What had happened that he had sided against them, against her? With both sides now left to watch as the epic battle took place, Bloodshade knew she had only this chance to get answers. She was moving before she even really thought about it. Each step brought her closer to the man and to answers, but she could feel that anxiety over such knotting her stomach as well. She was barely aware of the jawa that rushed along beside her, or the giant deshade who stomped along behind her. She stopped as she drew near and the attention of both the cathar and Blackheart came upon her.
"Blackheart." Bloodshade greeted calmly, though she felt anything but calm.
"Mother." Blackheart commented, the word tinged with an edge.
"Blackheart, what has happened? Why do you stand against me?"
Blackheart's eyes narrowed as he looked upon the woman he had once called mother openly and with meaning. The term held little importance to him now. There was no reason he saw to pretend such was different.
"I stand with the Empire." He stated coldly. "I do not stand with traitors and enemies."
"You were my son." Bloodshade said softly, shaking her head.
"I am not your son." Blackheart stated vehemently, hand slicing the air before him for emphasis. "You are a traitor, and I do not stand with and support traitors. I stand free of such, strong and a true sith."
Bloodshade sighed and shook her head. It was as she had feared when she had seen him with the cathar. Marr had gotten to him. There was nothing she could argue or say against his words that would hold any weight. He was lost to her completely. It was there in his body language as he stood before her, in the hard cold glint in his eyes, and lacing the words he spoke to her. She could hear Khem growling and muttering behind her, but not make out the words. She was quite sure it involved Tulak Horde, breaking Blackheart's neck and feasting on him, or something to that effect.
"Then you are lost, and you stand on your own." Bloodshade stated bitterly.
"He stands with the Empire." Pumirra growled from where she stood next to him. "And he does not stand alone at all, foolish woman."
"You're time shall come." Bloodshade stated, pointing a finger at the cathar. "Not here, not today, but it will come, and for both of you."
Marr moved forward slowly, matching Necrolis step for step as they circled one another. Finally, Marr rushed forward, an overhand swing that Necrolis caught on his own blade even as Marr pushed with his strength forcing Necrolis to exert himself to hold the blades in place. Breaking apart, Marr drew back and circled once again slowly. He could see Necrolis was not as used to single blade combat, which gave him the edge, slight as it might have been.
Necrolis feinted rushing at Marr, then did so again before finally lunging in, slashing across his body, spinning off to the right and dropping low to slash back across his body again. Marr swept aside the first strike, then was forced to leap back and away as Necrolis' second blow came in below his guard and unexpected. Shaking his head, Marr once again began circling the man, reminding himself not to underestimate his opponent. He was the Emperor's Wrath for a reason after all. One did not get such a position without being able to fight well.
Necrolis lead once again, attacking with a high saber strike that Marr countered before leaping up and back. As he landed, Marr rushed forward in counter attack, dropping his shoulder and leading with the large metallic shoulder spike of his armour. Necrolis saw the attack, noting the lightsaber held parallel to his chest, waiting to be thrusted. Patient and unmoving, Necrolis let Marr rush in until he was on top of him. Deftly, he stepped left, spinning off and away, sweeping his lightsaber back and behind as he did so.
Marr rushed past Necrolis, pulling up and turning to face him once more. A grunt escaped from him as he felt the bite of a wound in his shoulder and saw bits of armour on the ground. Necrolis had clipped him with his counter strike. Marr grinned behind his mask as he watched Necrolis reach a hand to his own back. The metallic shoulder spike had torn through the black under tunic he wore drawing blood as it narrowly missed the man, but still pierced his flesh. They had both drawn blood on the other.
Asha Lightstar stood and watched as best they could from down below. The royal guard had backed away and lined the outside of the flat entryway, even blocking the ramp. That left the combatants with a measure of isolation from any interference. From below she could catch glimpses of the two combatants as they leapt, able mostly to just see the red glow of their lightsabers as they slashed at one another. Blue eyes watched, trying to catch any sign of how the fight was going. She could only hope Necrolis was faring well. Glancing at the others, Asha caught the return look from Teffa and he shrugged, equally left in the dark as to what was happening.
"This is not good." Tormen muttered, watching as best he could. "He loses we are going to be hard pressed to escape, you know that right?"
"Have some faith." Asha said softly, casting a glance towards Vette.
Vette stood still, lekku visibly shaking as she saw the flash of lightsabers dancing. Part of her was glad she could not see much at all, another part filled with anxiety and a longing to see the battle firsthand. He's too strong, Vette thought about Marr. Necrolis, you have to win, you have to. As much as she thought it, Vette found she doubted he could win against Marr. She hated the fact, but the belief was there all the same.
Shifting her weight between feet, Vette felt helpless and frustrated as the battle continued. It was taking all her effort to not race for the ramp and up to Necrolis. If he was going to die, she wanted to be by his side. Let them both go down together fighting. Teffa's hand on her shoulder snapped her out of her thoughts. Glancing to the bounty hunter beside her, Vette nodded while worrying her lower lip.
"I can't take this." Vette whispered.
"I know." Teffa said back, knowing there was little he could say or do to comfort her. "We can only hope, and put our trust in him. He knows what he is doing."
Vette heard Teffa's words, glancing back up to the entryway to try and see what she could of the conflict. Even as she heard his words, Vette could not help but wonder if Necrolis did actually know what he was doing after all?
Raistlis sat on the ground, hand to his head as he fought down a wave of nausea. Glancing about he noticed everyone staring up towards the academy. The fight has begun, he guessed. Looking to his left he watched as Pyrannus slowly came to as well. She had taken a pounding when Necrolis had slammed her into the ground. In all honesty he was surprised that either of them were relatively in one piece. For whatever reason, Necrolis had not fought to kill them. Had that been the sign he was a fool and weak, or something else entirely he did not understand.
"Go easy, that kick nearly took your head off." Blackheart said as he crouched down beside the pure blooded sith.
"Feels like it too." Raistlis groaned out, still trying to focus his thoughts and vision. "Pyrannus?"
"Still alive and breathing." The cathar woman hissed as she blinked and stared up at the sky overhead. "No thanks to your incompetence."
"He saved your life, sister." Pumirra remarked crouching down and helping her sister to sit up. "Necrolis' apprentice had you defenceless, but Raistlis shielded you."
"Then you are a fool." Pyrannus growled out, casting the man a narrowed hard look.
"You're welcome." Raistlis grunted, even as Blackheart and Pumirra looked to one another and both shook their heads.
Marr came at Necrolis again, closing the distance between them, swinging in quick succession in overhand blows. Necrolis caught the first, keeping the blade of his weapon steady even as he absorbed each following blow. The strength behind the assault forced Necrolis onto one knee. Growling Necrolis shoved back, shifting his weight to one foot and lashing out with a kick that caught Marr on the kneecap. Crying out in pain, Marr staggered back, the assault stymied once more. Trying to press the attack and stay on the offensive, Marr reached out with the force sending a wave of it from him, hand shooting out towards Necrolis. Necrolis growled and crossed his forearms, drawing upon the force himself, wrapping it about himself. Despite the defence, Necrolis was thrown backwards, sliding across the stone. Grunting and pushing back to his feet, he looked about quickly trying to locate his lightsaber which had dropped from his hand.
Marr watched the weapon leave Necrolis' hand and saw the opening. Driving forward, Marr threw his own lightsaber out spinning at the man, lowering his left shoulder which still had the large metallic spike protruding from it, as he raced in close. Necrolis saw the attack coming and leapt up, twisting in the air to come down at Marr. Calling the force to him, Necrolis slammed feet first into Marr's upper back and shoulders driving the sith down hard onto the ground. Even before Marr hit, Necrolis was back flipping away to land and reach out to call his own saber to him. Marr groaned, aware of every bit of pain that shot through his body from the impact. Reaching out his hand he caught his returning saber and rolled over to rise back up once more.
Necrolis remained calm and patient, keeping his guard up even as Marr got back to his feet. He is fighting defensively, Marr noted. Strange, he thought even as he moved in slowly on his opponent. Marr did not know what to make of the man's strategy. Drawing close, Marr rushed once more at Necrolis, saber drawn up and coming in for an overhead strike. Necrolis moved to defend against the blow, only to see Marr draw his arm back and down, attacking low underhanded. Necrolis knew there was no way to parry the blow, no time left to avoid it. Trying to sidestep, Marr's blade sliced through the side of his thigh. Necrolis dropped to a knee in pain. While not a clean hit, the damage had been done all the same.
Vette paced a couple steps to either side, frustrated at not knowing what was happening. She had seen Necrolis leap and twist in the air but still had no idea what really was happening. Unable to stand it any longer, Vette broke into a run, racing for the ramp. Swearing under his breath, Teffa saw the twi'lek dart towards the fight and sprinted after her, aware both Jaesa and Pierce were following after her with him.
"Vette, stop!" Teffa yelled even as he noted a few of the troopers moving to take aim. If they took a shot, everything was going to come undone into a wild fight.
Catching up to the twi'lek, Teffa noted the royal guard at the top of the ramp moving down to intercept them and keep them from interfering. Vette pulled up well before them, holding up both hands even as she tried to look past them. The royal guard stopped their descent, standing with vibrostaffs at the ready, but as Teffa, Jaesa, and Pierce joined them, they held their position and allowed the four of them to do the same. Teffa knew if they made any move at all, they would not hesitate to strike at them.
"Damn you, Vette." Teffa growled in annoyance. "You nearly gave me a fucking heart attack."
Vette ignored Teffa, eyes trained on the large flat expanse of the entryway. She could see Necrolis kneeling down, Marr standing with his weapon drawn. It took only a moment for her to realize Necrolis was injured. Get up, she urged silently, even as everything seemed to slow down as she watched. She barely registered Jaesa swearing, or Pierce having to grab the back of her hooded top to keep her from trying to rush in. Vette did not register right away that she had vocalized anything, hearing a scream before she recognized it was herself.
"Necrolis!"
Necrolis heard the cry, the all too familiar voice. Looking back over a shoulder towards where the ramp would be, he could just see Vette and the others. They were just high enough to have a view. He took every detail in within a heartbeat. He saw the scared look on Vette's face, the terror in her eyes, the shaking of her lekku and body as she was now able to see the battle. Teffa stood to her left behind her, grabbing and getting a hold of her arm to prevent her rushing to try and come to him. He could see the worry and fear even in Jaesa's face, his once apprentice being restrained by Pierce. The soldier was frowning, mouth drawn in a thin line that bespoke his worry. Looking back to his opponent, Necrolis noted Marr closing in, sensing the moment to strike and finish the battle.
Necrolis looked hard at Marr, glaring at his nemesis. Marr moved to draw his lightsaber up to strike at his injured and kneeling opponent, seeing his head rise up sharply, the intense glare cast at him. He stopped his approach as he noticed Necrolis' eyes flare and then pulse and glow with a swirling reddish-black energy that radiated out to the sides of him. Watching, Marr stood confused as the energy began to coalesce and swirl up from Necrolis' form. What is this, Marr thought in confusion? He could feel the force trembling violently about him, something he had never felt before.
Necrolis let his fear, his anger, rise within him. He called on his emotions, held in check once but now set free to rise and fuel him. Delving within himself, Necrolis' eyes rolled back as he lost himself within all that he was. Every moment of joy, pain, pleasure, every bit of memory unlocked and rushed forth. He could feel himself falling into it, the power swelling and rising. It was a familiar sensation, but it grew this time, rising until it swelled past where he had ever allowed it to build. He could feel the fear, the anxiety, the confusion, the rage all about him. Latching onto it he drew that into himself as well, adding it to the rising tide of power. I know who I am, Necrolis thought, even as the notion proved fleeting and lost in the miasma of swirling power he was building.
Marr stood in confusion watching the Wrath kneeling and pulsing with power, the red and black swirling energy rising and growing in intensity until Necrolis' form could no longer be made out. Marr swore under his breath, never having felt anything like what he did now. No sith, no jedi, had ever displayed the level of power he was seeing. Marr was not sure what to make of it at all.
Teffa stared at the growing intense energy being cast off Necrolis. It had consumed him, flaring out to blind them all. Even with filters in his helmet Teffa could no longer see his brother or what was happening. Moving right behind Vette, he grabbed both her arms even as she stared herself, refusing to look away. She had grown silent, and Teffa did not need to see to know the tears were already streaking down her cheeks. Glancing over to Pierce, he noted the trooper had a firm grasp on the struggling Jaesa.
"Jaesa!" Teffa called to the sith woman. "Can you see him?"
"No!" Jaesa stated back with a frown and concerned look to the bounty hunter. She was blind, but she could feel the immense energy of the force building and rising. She had never seen or felt such to that extent ever before, and it scared her. Whatever Necrolis was doing, Jaesa wondered if he could survive such.
Asha Lightstar put a hand over her mouth as she stared up at the flaring intense light that bathed and hid the front of the sith academy. Glancing to Kira, the other jedi shrugged in confusion unable to say what was happening any more than Asha could. Looking about she noticed Aela and Bloodshade likewise confused and awe struck by what they were all seeing.
"Do you feel that?" Kira asked, casting a quick look to Asha before returning her gaze to the sight, shielding her eyes with her hand to try and keep looking at the intense light.
Asha only nodded in answer back, shielding her own eyes with a hand and refusing to look away. She could feel the force rising and it was not a tremble, more a shaking that buffeted her mind. The intensity was beginning to make her head hurt. Unsure what was happening, Asha somehow could tell Necrolis was at the core of it. Was he calling this much force energy? The only time Asha could recall even a similar feeling, and it paled in comparison, was when she had confronted the Emperor and fallen.
Frowning, and blinded by the light as it grew in intensity even more, Asha lowered her head and closed her eyes. Silence your mind, she told herself, letting her thoughts clear to a blank slate. Calm and at peace, Asha then reached out. She could feel the throb and pulse of the energy as it raced and built atop the ramp. She could feel the point within it, the center where it fed into, and it was Necrolis. Asha felt as if she might fall into that mass of energy, as if she were in water and grabbed by a strong current. Blue eyes flew open and began to water with unshed tears as she brushed her mind against Necrolis'. It was only a moment, a fleeting glimpse through that small pinpoint of coalescence, but it was enough to know what was happening. Holding on a moment longer, Asha spoke the thought aloud even as she sent it into that energy.
"There is no death, there is only the force."
Necrolis could feel the energy tearing at him, ripping through him as he drew it to him and let it build. He let go finally, letting himself sink into it fully, not holding back at all. Once he had done so, Necrolis knew there was no going back, but there was no other choice, no other way. He knew who he was, it was his moment, and for those counting on him he could not fail. As he poured himself into the surging force energy, Necrolis heard Asha. He could feel her presence, she was too close within not to. Reaching out he guided her away, helping free his sister from the drawing energy he was channelling to his will. He heard her as her presence faded.
"There is no death, there is only the force."
Darth Marr had witnessed much as he had risen from acolyte to his position on the Dark Council. In all the years he had never sensed the sheer power that Necrolis Darkstar was channelling, not even from the Emperor himself. He could feel the energy, feel the weight of it pressing down as it built up and was held. Shaking his head Marr stood and closed his eyes. He had thought they would fight, and he had looked forward to that. They had made their preparations and then faced one another. Marr had never thought such would be the outcome. Whatever happened next, Marr knew if he survived he would be fortunate. Perhaps it is fitting it end so, he thought, knowing that Necrolis was a kindred spirit, married to the Empire and serving it even unto death. Seeing the inevitable before him, Marr did the only thing he could, calling on the force himself to try and wrap the power about him like a shield. He doubted it would be enough.
Necrolis barely felt anything save the surging rolling energy he had drawn forth. Knowing he had reached the point where he could no longer hang on, it was time to simply let go. Necrolis closed his eyes, a lone vision coming to him, a last look as it were. He saw Vette, his companion, his friend, his wife. The twi'lek smiled and nodded to him, and Necrolis could feel her love flow into him. Surrendering into that vision, clinging to that emotion, Necrolis stopped holding back the force energy he had been channelling.
Aela Darkstar felt it a moment before the explosion. She had just enough time to yell before the energy pulsed and flew outwards. The wave of force energy slammed backwards, Aela watching as bodies were thrown from the flat of the entryway to fall. The wave cascaded down and out from the academy slamming into everyone who was still about. Imperial forces as well as their group were hammered by the brunt of the blast. Aela was lifted off her feet and slammed to the ground, rolled along it as the wave of energy passed by. Coming to rest on her stomach, she blinked and looked about, taking note of where the others were. All of them, including the deshade of her sister, had been flattened by the blow.
"Aela?" Bloodshade called out, pushing herself up on the ground.
"Here." Aela grunted, rising to her feet to stare back at the academy. Her voice choking even as she said the words and vocalized what they all knew. "He's gone."
Darth Marr blinked, trying to focus his vision. For a moment he thought something was wrong with his sight, only to realize part of the faceplate of his helmet that kept his visage hidden had fallen away. One eye looked through the visor, while the other saw things unfiltered. Groaning with the effort to move at all, Marr felt as if he had been trampled on or smashed by a rancor. Breathing sent a searing pain through his side and he knew from such he had broken ribs. The fact he was even alive, he took as a good sign. Looking about he found himself embedded in the crumbling indentation of the academy wall. He could not remember hitting it, but knew he must have been slammed by the release of energy Necrolis had called to him. Such force, such power, he thought.
Trying to get his bearings, Marr looked over the flat expanse of the entryway. The walls of the academy were streaked with cracks and crumbling pieces. His own armour was broken, cracked or had pieces fallen off. The entire expanse of the entry was devoid of anyone else, including Necrolis. The once flat surface was nothing more than broken stone. Shaking his head, Marr attempted to rise and despite the pain and lack of co-ordination, managed to stagger up to stand. Once more he looked about, but could find no trace of his opponent.
Teffa Darkstar groaned and opened his eyes. He was disoriented for a moment, thinking he was upside down. After looking about he found he was on his back on the ramp, head facing down. Looking left he could see the unmoving body of the red robed royal guard, the faceless helmet turned to face him. Grunting Teffa rolled up and got to his knees, looking about. The guard was down and not moving. Behind and to his right, Pierce had slid further down, the trooper cradling Jaesa Willsaam in his arms protectively. The woman appeared unhurt, but even from a distance Teffa could see the tears falling over her cheeks. The ruthless cold blooded killing machine had been broken, he noted.
Vette.
The thought of the twi'lek made the bounty hunter look about and focus. He spotted her groggily getting up, the twi'lek clearly stunned from the blast as they all were. Teffa made to move even as Vette crawled about onto all fours and began moving towards the entryway. Teffa got to his feet and stumbled for the first few steps before finding his balance, moving quickly and catching her as she reached the top of the ramp. Teffa saw her stiffen even as he looked over and saw Darth Marr rising to his feet to stand. Scanning about he saw no sign of his brother.
"No." Vette whispered, looking about.
"Vette, don't." Teffa said softly, grabbing hold of her shoulders as he knelt behind and to the side of her.
Vette felt the tears slide over her cheeks, not even fully aware she was crying. There was no sign of Necrolis. Her gaze swept over the entryway, once a familiar place, now changed completely. Her eyes finally settled on Darth Marr, standing in his broken armour, looking equally as dazed by what had happened. Teffa caught the look and immediately grabbed the twi'lek about the waist even as Vette pushed forward trying to break free.
"You did this!" Vette screamed, fighting to break Teffa's grip. "You killed him, you son of a bitch! You killed him!"
Teffa caught the flash of a golden blade as Jaesa made to rush past. Swearing under his breath Teffa knew he could not let Vette go to grab the sith woman. He did not need to worry as Pierce's large form rushed past and grabbed Jaesa from behind, large arms scooping her up and crushing her against his chest even as she kicked and tried to even throw her head back and head butt him.
"Let me go, damn you!" Jaesa roared. "He killed Necrolis! He's going to pay for that! You bastard I'm going to gut you like a nerf!"
Vette dropped her hands, going for her blasters, but Teffa expected such. Sliding his arms lower he pinned hers to her side. Hands locked together, he knew despite anger and emotion, Vette was not going to break his hold. Leaning in close, he tried to talk to her.
"Vette, stop." Teffa said softly. "It's not going to change things. You know he would not want such. He made me promise to keep you safe."
"Fuck you!" Vette exploded on him. "You were his fucking brother! That son of a bitch killed him…. He killed him!"
Teffa bit his tongue and clenched his jaw as his sister-in-law broke down into uncontrollable sobs and tears. Going limp in his arms, Vette gave over from anger to grief as the moment bore down on her. Looking over to Pierce he could see the trooper backing up step by step slowly, making sure to hold tight to the sith. Looking back across the flat expanse, Teffa nodded curtly to Darth Marr.
Marr heard the cries, standing and watching the two women. Had they come at him and attacked he knew he would not have held back at all. Seeing they were restrained, and succumbing to their grief he ignored the words thrown at him and let the matter go. Necrolis had been a worthy opponent, and it had been a fight that no matter what came of it, he had gone into knowing would be one he would always cherish. Few had come along that he held in such standing and regard. Necrolis Darkstar had earned such from him. You are known by the quality of your enemy, Marr thought, knowing that in such was revealed the quality of the individual themselves.
Marr was not sure why, but he was inclined to look down and to his left. Sitting against the wall of the entrance itself into the academy, he spotted a lone lightsaber. It was not his, he knew, which left only one person to whom it could belong. Reaching out to it, Marr called it to him through the force. Plucking it from the air before him he held it in his hands, weighing the weapon. To him it seemed far heavier than it should have. A simple tool, that was all it was, and yet it represented far more now. It represented the man, the ideals he had fought for so nobly.
Looking back to where the bounty hunter held the blue skinned twi'lek, Marr called the force to his bidding once more, lifting and floating the weapon across the distance to them. He knew the twi'lek was Necrolis' wife, and if that object should be anywhere, it should be with her. Marr knew if it was kept, it would wind up locked away somewhere and forgotten. That was not at all what he wanted.
"It belongs to you." Marr called out, ignoring the bit of pain that came with raising his voice to be heard.
Marr floated the weapon right into Vette gently, letting the woman grab hold and cradle it to her. Teffa nodded in thanks at the gesture, such as it was. Don't do it, he reminded himself as he fought back his own anger. You promised to take care of them, of Vette, he thought, knowing he could not do such by trying to avenge Necrolis. Lifting Vette into his arms, Teffa carried the grief stricken woman down the ramp heading back towards the group. They're beaten, he noted, seeing that with Necrolis' death the life had been sucked out of all of them. If they had to fight, it was over before it began, Teffa knew. Tapping the comm in his helmet to life, he spoke quietly.
"Shadellis, we need a pick up. Get here quick." Teffa said.
"We saw the explosion. What happened?" Shadellis queried, voice clearly worried.
"Just get ready for a fast dust off. I don't know how this is going to go here." Teffa said back, knowing there would be time later to tell his sister what had happened.
Marr watched the bounty hunter nod and then lift and carry away Necrolis' wife. Gingerly, Marr took the steps to reach the head of the ramp, watching as the trooper and bounty hunter carried the women down and rejoined the others. Glancing to the side he could see his apprentices, along with Raistlis and Blackheart, looking up at him. Troopers littered the area, some dead, some stunned and wounded. Still others looked confused and lost, unsure if to attack or stand down. Marr cast his gaze over everything and everyone, taking note of just how costly it all had been. Secrets can destroy, he knew, and Mekhis had laid a tangled web indeed full of secrets. Such had not wedged a divide in the Empire, as it had already existed, but it had widened such to where the Empire sat poised on the brink of collapse.
Necrolis understood such, Marr knew. He had, like him, wanted to find a way to end things. There had to be a cost, a high one, in order to set the tone for the future. Necrolis Darkstar had served the empire as few others ever had or could. While not uncommon that the victor wiped clear the history of the fallen in such duels, Marr knew he was not about to let such happen. Standing there, as those below turned to look upon him, he ignored the pain to speak so all could hear.
"Today sith fought, one stands, one has fallen." Marr bellowed. "Necrolis Darkstar, the Emperor's Wrath, never wavered in his duty. He stood true and strong, he broke his chains and was free! While he has fallen his loyalty, and surety that those accused of treason were innocent speaks all that needs to be said. The charges against those he stood for are withdrawn and false. So say I, with authority of the Dark Council and on behalf of the Emperor himself. As such this is irrefutable."
Marr looked over those below him, letting his words sink in. His eyes settled on the cold hard glares cast his way despite such by those of the Darkstar line. It did not bother him. In fact it pleased him to see how strongly they felt. Passion was the key he knew for all of them. It was always the cornerstone for the sith.
"Necrolis Darkstar was the Emperor's Wrath, a Lord of the Sith. We will remember him, and we will honour him!" Marr yelled out to those below. "Let all know what it means to be sith, to be a loyal servant even in death to the Empire! Two days time, on Dromund Kaas, we shall pay our respects and unify this broken Empire and make it whole on his sacrifice!"