1 Week Later…
Millennial sat alone in his chambers quietly meditating, still trying to master his force shadow ability. Though he was still having difficulty creating an almost identical copy of himself. His latest attempt was still incomplete, with small imperfections that made it obvious to those who would see the imitation that it was a fake.
As he continued to train, he couldn't shake off the feeling that something was not right. His thoughts slowly turning to Cognus. He knew that his master was powerful and skilled, but the longer she was away, the more he feared for her safety.
He reasoned with himself however that she was still alive as he hadn't sensed her passing through the force. Though he knew something had to have happened as his master should have arrived back on Haruun Kal by now. Cognus was a lot of things but she was never late for anything. If she said she'd be somewhere at some time, she would make it so.
Millennial was broken out of his concentration by the sound of knocking on his bedroom chamber. Opening the door to he was greeted by the sight of the manor protocol droid which informed him that he had an invitation from both the Queen and Princess to visit them at the Haruun Kal royal palace.
He was surprised by the invitation, but he knew that he couldn't refuse. He quickly got ready and made his way to the palace. As he walked through the city streets, he couldn't help but think about his master and where she could be. Was she in danger? Was she okay? He knew that he had to stay strong for her and continue to improve his skills as a Sith.
When he arrived at the palace, he was greeted by Queen Adira and Princess Hanan. They thanked him for his help and invited him to join them for a meal. Millennial was hesitant at first, but he knew that it was important to maintain good relations with the leaders of Haruun Kal. So, he accepted their invitation and sat down to enjoy the meal.
"Welcome, Millennial, it is good to see you again" Adira greeted as he was seated at the banquet table. "I trust you have been well since our last meeting".
Millennial bowed his head in respect. "I have been well, Your Majesty. I assume the invitation to dine with you tonight is not just for pleasantries?"
Adira nodded as she took a sip of her wine. "Indeed, it is not. I have a problem that I believe you may be able to assist me with".
Millennial listens intently as Adira explains her concerns about her brother's whereabouts and potential plans to overthrow her. He nods understandingly as she speaks, taking in all the information she provides.
"I understand your concerns, Your Highness. I can assure you that I will do everything in my power to help you locate your brother and put a stop to any plans he may have to overthrow you," Millennial says, his voice steady and reassuring. "Of course, that is under the impression that our previous arrangement is still in place".
"Of course, it is" Adira replied, seemingly offended by the idea that she would go back on her word. Her expression relaxing slightly, she continued. "I am glad to hear that, Millennial. My brother is cunning and ruthless, I fear he will stop at nothing to seize the throne," she says, her voice tinged with worry.
Millennial nods, his mind turning to the ways he could possibly track down Melech and put a stop to his plans. "I assure you, Your Highness. I will find your brother and deal with him accordingly. In the meantime, I suggest increasing security around the palace and preparing for any potential attacks," he says, his tone firm and decisive.
Adira nods, a look of determination crossing her face. "I will do as you suggest, Lord Millennial. Thank you for your help in this matter," she says, her voice filled with gratitude.
As Millennial finished his meal, Hanan smiled at him and asked her mother if the pair could be excused as she wished to spend some time alone with him, feigning embarrassment at what she was trying to convince her mother was young love.
Adira, who was pleased at the idea of Hanan having a suitor, agreed and the two left the room. Once alone, Hanan revealed to Millennial that she had been studying the force in more detail since their last meeting and had discovered something that she wanted to show him.
As Hanan led Millennial through the room filled with Jedi and Sith artifacts, she stopped in front of a particular holocron on a pedestal. She told him that it belonged to Jada Katarn, a powerful Jedi who had become stranded on Haruun Kal and had eventually turned to the dark side.
"I wish for you, as my master, to take it and learn from Katarn," Hanan said. "His knowledge may help bring down Cognus".
Millennial looked at the holocron with interest. He had never heard of Jada Katarn before, but the idea of learning from a powerful Jedi who had turned to the dark side intrigued him.
"Why do you think this holocron will help bring down Cognus?" Millennial asked, turning to Hanan.
Hanan explained that she believed Katarn's knowledge of the Jedi and their ways would give Millennial an advantage in defeating Cognus. She also mentioned that Katarn's fall to the dark side may also provide insight into how to manipulate and control Jedi.
Millennial considered Hanan's words carefully. He had never thought of using the knowledge of fallen Jedi to his advantage before.
Millennial looked at the holocron with interest. "What abilities did he possess?" he asked.
"Katarn was a master of the force," Hanan said. "He was skilled in telekinesis, crucitorn, and even had knowledge of ancient Sith techniques. He was also a skilled swordsman and had trained in lightsaber combat".
Millennial nodded, taking in the information. "Why do you believe his knowledge may be of use to us in taking down Cognus?"
"Because," Hanan said, "Katarn had a unique perspective on the dark side. He understood the Jedi and their weaknesses, having been one himself. He also had knowledge of ancient Sith techniques that have been lost to time. With his knowledge, we may be able to bring about a new era of the Sith, one in which we are not so limited by the Rule of Two".
Millennial nodded, taking the holocron from the pedestal. "I will study it and see what can be learned. But I must remind you that there are no guarantees in the path of the Sith".
As Hanan continued to speak about Jada Katarn and the power he possessed, Millennial couldn't help but wonder if her devotion to him as her master was as genuine as she made it out to be. For a moment, he considered the possibility that she was manipulating him, guiding his decision making in regards to the Sith order for her own interests. But he quickly dismissed the thought. He couldn't sense any ill intent in her words or actions, and he knew that the she had a strong sense of loyalty and duty. He believed that she was genuinely interested in the betterment of the Sith order, and that her desire to bring down Cognus was rooted in that.
The princess gesturing towards the artifact in his hands with a look of reverence on her face. "I have always found Jada's holocron particularly fascinating," she confessed to Millennial. "Even before I discovered my own connection to the force, I knew that there was something special about this holocron. It's as if it calls out to me in a way that the others do not. Of course, there is the blood relation, however, diluted at this stage, but I am not foolish enough to claim that as my reason of interest".
Millennial looked at the holocron with a sense of unease. "Why do you find it so fascinating?" he asked, trying to mask his curiosity.
"Jada was a powerful Jedi who turned to the dark side after becoming stranded on Haruun Kal," Hanan explained. "His fall from grace is something that has always fascinated me. The idea that one so powerful could be tempted by the dark side is something that I have always found intriguing".
Millennial stood across from the girl, studying her as she gazed at Jada's holocron with a sense of almost child-like wonder.
"Hanan," he began, breaking the silence. "It's important that we learn from the failures of previous Sith and darkside users like Jada. We must avoid making the same mistakes that led to their downfall".
She nodded in agreement, "You're right, we must be cautious in our journey and not let our ambition cloud our judgement. We must be careful not to repeat the same mistakes as those who came before us".
Millennial looked at her, impressed by her wisdom. "You are a quick learner. With your intelligence and your potential in the force, you will go far".
"Thank you, my master," Hanan replied with a bow of her head. "I will do my best to serve the Sith and bring about a new era of power".
Millennial smiled, satisfied that Hanan was truly devoted to the path of the Sith. Together, they bring about a new age for the galaxy and she was the first of what he assumed with be many apprentices in his lifetime.
As Millennial thought about her fervent devotion to the Sith cause, he couldn't help but admire her passion. She truly believed in the power of the dark side and was willing to do whatever it took to achieve their goals. Despite her youth, she was incredibly intelligent and driven. As she spoke, he couldn't help but notice the way her eyes sparkled in the dim light of the room, her long dark hair falling around her shoulders. He couldn't help but feel a certain attraction towards her, not just because of her beliefs but also because of her physical beauty. He quickly shook the thought off, knowing that as a Sith, attachment was discouraged.
He knew it was a violation of the Sith code to have an attachment to another, but he rationalized it as passion for her. In his mind, he recited the part of the Sith code, "through passion, I gain strength," convincing himself that his attraction to Hanan was not a weakness, but a source of strength.
He knew that Cognus would never approve of such an attachment, and that it could potentially jeopardize his position as her apprentice. He resolved to keep his attraction to Hanan a closely guarded secret, to use it as a tool to further his own power and ambition.