ADAS KALLIG

I explored hundreds of sith tombs in my life. I ventured into them, looking for precious artifacts and forbidden knowledge, not afraid of any dark-side abominations lurking inside or ancient mechanisms, ready to annihilate any intruder. I wasn't afraid, because I expected these dangers. it was obvious for them to be there. What kind of sith tomb wouldn't have any safety measures?

Apparently mine doesn't.

It was frankly humiliating. No monsters, no traps, not even one curse capable of driving people mad. There was nothing to keep me safe there. I would be even fine with these boring ancient droids that every sith have in their tomb, even the most mediocre ones. But no, apparently I led a bunch of goody two-shoes, for whom a few spikes or flesh-eating monsters were considered too brutal.

Grandpa Aloysius would be ashamed to see this sorry sight. His tomb was perfect, full of possessed lunatics, dark rituals and ancient guardians. A proper tomb, worthy of a sith.

It wouldn't be so bad if I were to get myself free by myself. It would still be embarrassing, yes, but no one else would know about this shameful situation. Unfortunately I am not able to do that, so I have to rely on outside help. It means that my finders will find me helpless, trapped in a sarcophagus located in a jedi-like tomb. It's like the most embarrassing thing that can happen to the sith. It will really hit my reputation!

The group already entered the tomb, with the other one quickly getting closer. The only thing I can do now is to man up and get ready. I must at least try to look somewhat competent to save face at least a little. And I can endure the shame if it means getting free.

That's right, I will be free soon! Thousands of years of imprisonment are finally over! All they have to do is to reach my grave and open it!

Well, it may actually take some time. For some reason they are moving very slowly, constantly looking at walls and statues placed in the tomb. I mean, they are probably aesthetically pleasant, but don't you think there are more important things to do? Come on, you can look at them after saving me.

I could probably send my spectre again, reminding the girl to hurry up, but it would probably only spook them. I guess I can wait a little longer. Not like I have other things to do. Everyone I know is probably dead. Lana, Theron, Ashara, Talos, Xalek, Khem Val...

Khem Val?

Wait, is Khem val actually dead? He was alive when I died and he isn't exactly capable of dying from old age. Is my favourite abomination against nature still alive? Something to investigate after returning to life. Adventures are best when experienced with your friends after all, especially when the friend is a hulking flesh-eating monster, who considers force-users as a delicacy. It gives a unique flavor to your journey.

Oh, they finally reached my sarcophagus. Now the only thing left is to open it. But why did they stop? And why did they start to move so frantically?

ANAKIN SKYWALKER

This was bad.

Anakin expected to find something dangerous in the tomb, but this was on another level. He could practically smell the energy surrounding the strange grave. It was so strong that he could feel some pressure just by standing close to it. It wasn't strong enough to hinder him, but the fact he could feel it at all was alarming.

Just what exactly was buried here? They tried to investigate it after entering the tomb, analyzing symbols on the walls and trying to recognize any information about the tomb's owner, but it was all in vain. He wasn't an archeology expert and neither was Ahsoka. They were sent here to take anything dangerous before separatists would be able to find it, not to find information about some historical figure.

Anakin got closer to the grave. It was a golden sarcophagus, covered in some red markings. They looked extremely ominous, especially as they pulsated for some reason, emitting some strange unknown energy. Anakin wasn't exactly an expert, but he could guess it wasn't a good sign.

"I'm starting to think that opening it might be a bad idea," he muttered. He didn't know what was the reason for these markings, nor did he know what they did. For all he knew, it would place some nasty curse on him, as a punishment for desecrating the grave or alert some ancient guardians of the tomb. Maybe he should contact master Yoda? He would have better knowledge about dealing with this kind of thing.

But before he decided to do anything, one of his soldiers started shouting, entering the chamber they were in from a tunnel leading to it.

"Sir, separatists just entered the tomb!" What? How was that possible? From what he was able to gather from the records he stole, they didn't know the location yet. Did something change?

"Damn it, ready yourself to combat. We can't let them take this chamber" He ordered. It appeared he didn't have much time. He would have to quickly open the grave and take anything valuable placed inside. Then he would help his troops, hopefully repelling enemy forces without much casualties. " Ahsoka, help me with this. The rest of you, take the position. Don't let anyone get past you!"

Everything turned hectic. Clones were moving, preparing themselves for combat. He and Ahsoka approached the sarcophagus.

"Master, how do we open it?" Asked Ahsoka, visibly shaking. The grave was affecting her, the power almost too strong for her to resist. He was also quite sure that something else was bothering her. She got quieter and quieter during their journey, falling completely silent after entering the tomb. He was starting to get worried about her behaviour, but he didn't have time for that now. They had to complete the mission first. He would deal with that later.

"Look for some gap or anything unusual. There must be a way to open it" even though he said it, he couldn't find anything that would help him. The sarcophagus was completely smooth, without any openings to use.

Suddenly, the shooting started. When the droids appeared in the tunnel leading to the chamber, clones opened fire, destroying any that got close. Not long after, droids started returning fire, aiming for the clones hidden behind columns and makeshift covers, forcing them to hide. And just like that the battle started, while Anakin was distracted.

They didn't have time for this! They had to help their troops.

"I have another idea!" Exclaimed Anakin. If the subtlety didn't work, brute force would. He started putting pressure on the sarcophagus, intending to crush it with his power. While it wasn't the smartest idea, the main goal was to stop separatists from acquiring anything dangerous located here. He also doubted that something powerful enough to emit so much power would get destroyed from something like this.

He used more and more force. He could hear the battle behind him, but he had to focus. The sooner he finished here, the sooner he would be able to join the battle. The object was extremely durable, forcing him to increase the power, even as it was becoming harder and harder to concentrate.

Dents started to appear on the sarcophagus, slowly warping its form. Anakin was getting tired, as he didn't use so much force for a long time. But he wouldn't give up. His soldiers were fighting, protecting him while he worked. He wouldn't dissapoint them, especially by losing to some stupid metal can. He gave his all, flooding the object with his concentrated force.

Then the sarcophagus exploded, sending its pieces around the chamber. The force of the explosion threw Anakin and Ahsoka back, making them fall on the floor.

Anakin felt the force flowing to the place where the sarcophagus was just a second ago, as if was just waiting for him to destroy it. He raised his eyes, but the only thing he was able to see was a bright light emitting from a former sarcophagus. It was getting brighter and brighter, as if fueled by the force that gathered there.

He didn't know what was happening. He distantly heard that the battle stopped. Looking around he found out that everyone was looking at the light, mesmerised by its sight.

Then, everyone heard the voice, powerful and deep, coming from the direction of the light.

"FINALLY, AFTER SO MANY YEARS, I AM FREE!"

The voice was accompanied by the violent shaking of the ground. Clones and droids alike started to fall on the ground, unable to withstand the sudden earthquake. Only Anakin and Ahsoka were able to keep their balance, trying hard to not end like the rest.

He looked at the destroyed sarcophagus. The light vanished, leaving a sight of a man in its place. He was huge, obviously muscular, wearing some suit of black armor. His face was covered by a weird grey helmet, not similar to anything Anakin has seen before. Yet it wasn't what was the most striking about this man. The most noticeable was his obvious strength. It was as if he was surrounded by a raw force, covering him completely. It was extremely alarming. Anakin didn't know what to do in this situation!

It was supposed to be just an artifact, not some powerful, dangerous man in the ominous armor, apparently imprisoned in the sarcophagus. What was going on?

He slowly moved in front of Ahsoka. He didn't fully understand the situation yet, but the most important thing right now was her safety. He wouldn't let this man hurt her! no matter what

Noticing him moving, the stranger turned in his direction. Anakin tensed, expecting him to attack, but it didn't happen.

Instead the mysterious man started to speak, his voice more normal than before. Anakin readied himself, afraid of what would be said. Would that man be an enemy or a foe? Either way, this exchange of words would dictate everything. He had to be cautious.

"Man, thank you very much. You don't even know how uncomfortable it was there" spoke a man, voice full with joy. He started to stretch, moving his hands in different positions "It's so good to finally move again. And the smell of the veil of the dark side in the air? Magnificent!"

...What?