Korriban, 947BBY – Sixteen Years Later
Cognus stepped off the shuttle onto the barren, lifeless surface of Korriban, her Gamorrean apprentice trailing behind her.
Now in her sixties, bore the unmistakable marks of age etched deep into her once-vibrant Iktochi features. Her skin was pallid and deeply wrinkled, as if her body was slowly being consumed by time itself. Her once-sharp horns and ridges had lost much of their definition, their once-sharp edges now dulled and worn down by years of physical and mental toil. Despite these physical ravages, however, there was still an undeniable aura of power that radiated from her. Her piercing yellow eyes still glittered with an intensity that belied her age, and her presence in the Force remained as formidable as ever, seeming to mask the otherwise withered appearance of the Dark Lady of the Sith.
"This is your test, if you desire a name of your own," she said, turning to face him. "Here on this planet, the Sith Order was born. You will prove yourself to me by surviving the trials that await you".
The Gamorrean nodded, his eyes locked onto his master's. He had always dreamed of having a name, of being something more than just a tool for Cognus to wield. He had trained hard, learning to harness the Force and hone his combat skills, in hopes that one day he would earn the right to a name of his own.
Cognus smirked, a cruel glint in her eyes as she addressed her apprentice once more. "But be warned, my dear Hoggy," she said, using the derogatory nickname she had given him. "Korriban is a harsh mistress. She will test you in ways you cannot imagine. If you are not strong enough, she will break you."
The Gamorrean nodded again, steeling himself for the challenges to come. He knew that this was his chance to prove himself to his master and earn what he desired, a name.
Cognus stood before her Gamorrean apprentice, staring at him intently. "Deep within the tomb of Darth Phobos, you will come into contact with the Terentatek," she said, her voice low and menacing. "This will be your test. If you pass, you will earn a name of your own. If you fail, you will be nothing more than a worthless swine, fit only for the slaughter."
The young Gamorrean nodded, his eyes wide with both fear and excitement. He had been training for this moment for years, honing his skills and preparing himself for the challenges that lay ahead.
Cognus couldn't help but think back to her previous failure with Millennial. She had trained him, moulded him into the perfect apprentice, only to have him turn against her in the end. She couldn't bear the thought of another failure, and secretly hoped that this swine of an apprentice would prove to be different, that her training would benefit him, and that he would remain her obedient servant.
The Gamorrean apprentice, now alone in the tomb, was on guard as he made his way through the winding corridors, knowing that danger lurked around every corner. As he reached the inner sanctum, he was suddenly ambushed by the skeletal corpses of Darth Phobos' followers, coming to life as if possessed by some unseen force. The Gamorrean quickly drew his lightclub, swinging it with expert precision, but he was outnumbered and quickly overwhelmed.
As the skeletal corpses closed in on him, the Gamorrean could feel a strange presence in the Force, something he had never encountered before. It was as if someone was manipulating the dead bodies, using them to attack him. Despite his fear, he fought on, trying to stay alive as he was slashed and clawed at from all sides.
As he finally emerged victorious, panting and sweating from the intense battle, the Gamorrean was left feeling confused and uncertain. He had never heard of a Force ability like this, and he wondered what other secrets lay hidden within the ancient tombs of the Sith.
As the Gamorrean continued to make his way deeper into the tomb of Darth Phobos, he soon found himself face-to-face with a group of Shyrack. The creatures were perched on ledges and hanging from the ceiling, resting together in the room ahead of him. The young apprentice could sense the presence of the Terentatek close by, and he knew that he had to press on.
Without hesitation, he ignited his lightclub and ran through the next room, cutting down a handful of Shyrack that foolishly attempted to pick him off. The glowing blade of his weapon cut through the air with ease, and it was clear that the Gamorrean was skilled in its use.
As he moved forward, he could feel the Terentatek drawing closer. The sensation of the beast's presence in the force was both exhilarating and terrifying. He could sense the creature's power and knew that he had to be careful.
The walls of the cave began to close in around him, and the air grew thick with the stench of death. The Gamorrean pushed on, feeling his way through the darkness with his senses. He could hear the low growl of the Terentatek up ahead, and his heart raced with anticipation.
He moved forward cautiously, readying his weapon for the coming battle. The room ahead was dark, but he could sense the creature's massive form looming in the shadows. He could feel its power, and he knew that he had to be careful.
With a deep breath, the Gamorrean stepped forward, ready to face the Terentatek head-on. But as he did, a wave of fear washed over him, and he could feel the Sith Lord's presence in his mind. He tried to fight it, but he was no match for the power of Darth Phobos.
The Gamorrean turned around, feeling a sudden chill in the air. The ghostly apparition of Darth Phobos stood before him, her haunting presence sending shivers down his spine.
"You are not welcome here," the Gamorrean stuttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Phobos chuckled, her eyes cold and menacing. "Oh, but I am. This is my tomb, and you are nothing but a trespasser."
The Gamorrean stood frozen, unsure of how to proceed. He had never encountered a Force ghost before, and the presence of the ancient Sith Lord was overwhelming.
"You serve Cognus," Phobos sneered, "a foolish girl who is destined to bring about her own destruction. And if you do not change your ways, you too shall meet a similar fate."
The Gamorrean's eyes widened in fear. He had always been loyal to Cognus, but now he began to question her motives. Was she truly leading him down a path of destruction?
Phobos continued to taunt him, her words cutting deep. "You are weak and foolish, just like your master. But perhaps you have a chance to change your fate. The choice is yours."
With that, the ghostly apparition vanished, leaving the Gamorrean alone in the tomb. He stood there for a moment, contemplating the words of the ancient Sith Lord. He knew that he needed to think carefully about his next move, and that the fate of his future lay in his own hands.
The Gamorrean stood firm, his lightclub illuminating the dark chamber as he addressed the force ghost of Darth Phobos. "I will not be swayed by your words, spirit. I have trained under the Sith Lord Cognus for years, and I know the path that I must take. The rule of two, set by the great Sith Lord Bane, is the only way for the Sith to rise to true power."
Darth Phobos' ghost scoffed at the Gamorrean's words. "You believe that Cognus and the rule of two are the only way forward for the Sith? Do not be so naive, young one. The Sith are not meant to be confined by rules and traditions. We are meant to be free, to use the force to its fullest potential."
The Gamorrean remained resolute, his grip tightening around his lightclub. "I will not stray from the path that I have chosen. I will become the next Sith Lord, and I will lead the Sith to greatness."
Darth Phobos' ghost let out a cold laugh. "Foolish creature. You think that by clinging to the rule of two, you will achieve greatness? The Sith do not follow rules, they break them. If you wish to be truly powerful, you must cast aside your beliefs and embrace the true nature of the force."
The Gamorrean remained silent, his mind racing with thoughts of doubt and uncertainty. Could it be possible that he was wrong, that the rule of two was not the way forward for the Sith? He shook his head, banishing such thoughts from his mind. He had come too far to turn back now.
With a determined look in his eye, the Gamorrean spoke once more. "I will not be swayed from my path. I will become the next Sith Lord."
Phobos' ethereal form shifted slightly, her expression softening. "I understand why you cling to the Rule of Two," she said, her voice taking on a sympathetic tone. "It promises power, a chance to prove yourself as the strongest Sith, to become a true master of the Force. But it is ultimately flawed, my dear."
The Gamorrean narrowed his eyes, unsure of how to react to the ghost's change in demeanour. "Flawed? How so?" he asked cautiously.
Phobos floated closer to him, her form becoming more transparent as she did so. "The Rule of Two leads only to infighting and betrayal, as each apprentice seeks to prove themselves worthy of taking their master's place. It is a cycle that never truly ends, and it is one that has led to the downfall of countless Sith Lords throughout history."
The Gamorrean considered her words for a moment, weighing them against everything he had been taught by Cognus. "But...what other option is there?" he asked, sounding genuinely curious.
Phobos smiled, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "There is always another way, my dear. It may not be the easy path, but it is one that could lead to a better future for the Sith. A future where power is not simply a means to an end, but a tool to be wielded wisely and justly."
Phobos continued to speak, her voice more insistent. "You fear admitting the flaws of the rule of two because you fear being seen as weak. You fear being nothing more than what your species is used for - hired muscle. But I can offer you so much more. Power beyond your wildest dreams. All you have to do is embrace it."
The Gamorrean shook his head, his eyes filled with determination. "I will not abandon the teachings of the Sith," he declared.
Phobos' expression turned to one of anger. "Very well," she snarled, before releasing the Terentatek from its hiding place. The beast let out a deafening roar and charged towards the Gamorrean, who raised his lightclub to defend himself.
As the Terentatek closed in, the Gamorrean took a deep breath, readying himself for the fight of his life.
The Terentatek continued its charged at him with incredible speed, its massive jaws wide open, ready to bite down on its prey. He narrowly dodged the attack and sent a bolt of force lightning towards the beast, hoping to stun it. However, the Terentatek shook off the electricity and charged at him again. The Sith apprentice quickly switched to his lightclub, deflecting the creature's sharp claws with his weapon. He knew that he had to be careful, as the Terentatek was much larger and stronger than he was.
The Gamorrean continued to dodge the Terentatek's attacks, leaping out of the way just in time to avoid its snapping jaws. He swung his lightclub, striking the beast's head and causing it to roar in pain. The creature retaliated by swiping its massive paw at him, who jumped back and deflected the attack with his lightclub. The Sith apprentice was starting to feel the strain of the fight, his arms beginning to ache from blocking the Terentatek's attacks. But he knew he had to keep going, that he couldn't give up now. He gritted his teeth and prepared himself for the next onslaught.
The Gamorrean had been fighting for what felt like hours, his body drenched in sweat as he dodged the Terentatek's powerful strikes. He could feel the beast's hot breath on his skin as it lunged towards him once more, but this time he was ready. With a quick movement of his hands, he sent a powerful force push the beast's direction, momentarily stunning it.
Taking advantage of the creature's momentary weakness, he charged forward, his lightclub held high above his head. With a fierce roar, he brought the weapon down, landing a powerful blow on the Terentatek's neck.
The creature howled in pain, thrashing its head from side to side as it tried to shake off the Gamorrean's attack. But he was relentless, landing blow after blow with his lightclub as the creature slowly began to weaken.
However, as the Gamorrean moved in for the kill, the Terentatek suddenly lashed out with a powerful swipe of its massive paw, sending him flying through the air. He hit the ground hard, his grip on his lightclub slipping as the creature loomed over him, ready to finish him off.
As he laid on the ground, the Terentatek looming over him, he knew he had to act quickly if he wanted to survive. He reached out with the Force, grasping for anything that could aid him. His fingers brushed against the hilt of his lightclub, and he focused all his energy on it, willing it to fly into his hand.
The lightclub soared through the air, landing firmly in his grasp. With renewed determination, the Gamorrean leapt to his feet and launched a furious assault on the Terentatek. He swung his weapon with all his might, the bright red blade cutting through the air and slicing into the creature's flesh.
The beast let out a roar of fury, lashing out with its massive claws, but he dodged and weaved around its attacks. Though the Terentatek was formidable, he was determined to prove himself, and he fought with all his strength.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he landed a final, devastating blow on the Terentatek, the lightclub slicing through the injury sustained from the previous blow on its neck and ending its life, nearly decapitating it in the process. He stood there, panting heavily, gazing at the massive creature he had just defeated. In that moment, he knew that he had truly proven himself as a Sith warrior, and that his destiny as a Sith Lord was within his grasp.
Raising his head, he called out to the force ghost of Phobos, his voice echoing through the tomb. "See what I have done! I have defeated this creature, without the need for any so-called 'Sith philosophy.' If this is not proof that Bane's Rule of Two is the true path to power, then you are blind and weak for clinging to the old ways of the fallen Sith Order."
He paused, waiting for a response, but none came. The air was still and silent, the only sound the beating of his own heart. The Gamorrean frowned, wondering if the spirit of Phobos had fled, unable to face the reality of her defeat.
But then, he felt a sudden chill run down his spine, as a voice spoke inside his mind. It was Phobos, her tone cold and mocking.
"You are a fool, young one. You think you have accomplished something great, but you have only proven your own ignorance. The Rule of Two is a weakness, a flawed philosophy that will ultimately lead to your own downfall. You are not strong enough to see it yet, but one day you will."
With a snarl, he shook off the spirit's words and bent down, igniting his lightclub once again severing one of the creatures tusks to bring back to his master as physically proof of his accomplishment.
With a newfound confidence, the Gamorrean stood up, holding the severed tusk in one hand and his still-ignited lightclub in the other. He knew that this would prove to Cognus that he was capable of completing the tasks she set before him, and that he was deserving of a Sith name of his own.
As he made his way out of the tomb, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. He had faced off against one of the most feared creatures in the galaxy and had emerged victorious. He felt as though he could take on anything now.
When he finally made it back to the shuttle where Cognus was waiting for him, he held up the tusk triumphantly, a smirk on his face.
"Good work, my apprentice," Cognus said, nodding in approval. "You have proven yourself worthy of a name. Tell me, what name do you wish to strike fear into the hearts of your enemies?"
After a moment of silence, the Gamorrean spoke, "Darth Terentous."