Darth Nox , Emissary Of The Force

by trihexa'sbane

Darth Nox , The alliance commander watches his life get destroyed before his eyes , The Force granted his greatest wish in return for its own task for him . TIME TRAVEL FANFIC .

40. chapter 40 - The year before the war

THE PAST - IOKATH

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In the back of Nox's lab , The Zakuulan emperor paced Infront of a large apparatus , The apparatus itself fed oxygen, nutrients and other substances into a single cannister in it's centre .

Around the cannister was a thirty centimetre space around the cannister that served as a sterile vacuum that seperated the cannister from the outside world .

The cannister itself was clear except for two silver metallic caps on either end . Inside the canister was clear if not slightly yellow in colouring .

It was what was in the centre of the cannister that drew Nox's attention however .

No bigger than the tip of his thumb , A single lifeform was being constructed within , Microscopic wires fed into the lifeform to safely help its growth as the wires administered everything it needed to grow .

" Ashaa " Nox announced out loud as he paced around the apparatus .

" Yes my child " The Ai of the mother machine appeared at his side , Staring at the incubation tube Infront of them both.

" Are they ready " Nox asked , The ancient A.I nodding her rakatan head , Her hands raising as the instruments around the room moved to pick up three seperate cannisters from their storage containers in the right hand corner of the room .

A mechanical arm lowered from the ceiling of the vacuum chamber , Sanitised and safe . The cap of the cannister was removed by a second arm as the metallic limb lowered into the vat of liquid .

" Begin germline engineering process " Nox ordered , On either side of him appeared four large screens , Two showing real time live-feeds from within the cannister , The other showing an analysis of the process about to commence .

" Begin installation of T-Medrias-pureblood DNA sample " Ashaa did exactly as ordered . One of the cannisters brought from cold storage was inserted into the apparatus . The liquid within the cannister promptly moved along a series of tubing that isolated the cells from the liquid .

Eventually the cells were introduced to the developing embryo through the mechanical limb , The mechanical limb directly altering the artificial lifeform as it did so .

Nox moved his attention from the cannister to look to his right , Watching one of the screens before him as he watched the process of the introduction of the foreign DNA structure .

A small satisfied smile came to his face as he watched the modified cell duplicate , Those two duplicating twice over and before long , Hundreds of the newly developed artificial cells continued to develop.

"Implementation is a success " Ashaa announced , Nox nodding in reply " It appears to have sufficiently integrated with the already introduced artificial cellular structures "

" Prepare for the implementation of the Transgenes, I don't want any defects " Nox ordered , Squinting as the second stage began .

" Ashaa " Nox drew the A.I's attention as he stared at the growing lifeform within.

" My child " The hologram of the A.I approached , Uncertainty clear on its features.

" I'm sending a series of instructions to you as we speak via neural interface . They are to be followed to the letter . Afterwards I want you to take our creation here , Along with yourself , And I want you to be relocated onto a repurposed warship and sent to the deep core . You are to grow our creation until it is ready to awaken . I have sent a diagram of the exact specifications you are to mould it into , Throughout this process you are to keep our creation unconscious throughout its entire growth until it reaches the age of nineteen . Apon reaching the lifespan of nineteen , you will have it put into Cryo storage. Afterwards you will become inactive until I come to collect both of you. Do you understand " Nox ordered the machine that slowly absorbed his words .

" My lord , Whilst I am following your orders , Am I permitted to conduct my own experiments " Ashaa asked , Searching Nox's face as the being she considered her child considered her request .

" You may , However these subjects are to be kept away from your primary objective , And by no means are there to be any recreations of what we have done , Understood " Nox ordered , The A.I nodded to his words , Kneeling down before flickering away as the machine focussed solely on its directive .

Turning to leave the most secure section of the lab , Nox paused at the entryway before his words echoed around the chamber once more .

" Send me a list of what you require before your departure , They will be implemented into your vessel " Nox finished , Knowing the AI heard him , The entity walked through to the second part of the lab , Two bacta tanks of one very nearly recovered miralukan barsenthor , And her completely healed but unconscious Nadia grell .

Walking up to the bacta tank , Nox reached up , Bridging a connection to the unconscious woman's mind , Closing his eyes as he dragged himself into his cortex of memory along with the miralukan's cortex of memory .

---

CORTEX OF MEMORY

---

" I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing him like this " The melodic voice of the miralukan spoke .

Blind as she was , She could still perceive the kneeling trio of beings that represented Tenebrae's bound and brain-dead spirit .

" But it is no less than what he deserves " Nox slowly opened his eyes , Leaning back onto the throne that represented his dominion over his mind.

" I ... see your point " Letha sighed , Turning away from the entity to stare out at the internal world before her.

Stepping up from his throne , Nox walked forward at a slow and sedate pace , His footfalls silent as he came forward .

Coming to a stop next to the miralukan , The Zakuulan emperor looked apon the unseeing woman's face . The scars she would forever bare both physically and spiritually were carved into her skin like twisted gauges . Under her right eye was a gash in her skin that carved across to the side of her lip . The growth of her hair was still sparce and left the damage to her head visible to anyone around her .

Whilst her skull was no longer and angry red in colour , It still appeared to be unhealthy pale , Healed unevenly and blistered across the entirety of her skull .

" Here " Nox drew the depressed barsenthors attention , Pulling an ornate white and gold cloth from thin air .

The importance of the cloth was not missed to the woman however , Shakily she reached up and cupped the fabric in the emperor's hand.

In his hand was the ornate cloth that covered her eyes apon her kinds practices.

Pulling the cloth up to her head , The woman gently tied the sash around her head , Taking comfort of the feeling it gave her as its silk touch licked against her scarred skin .

Nox smiled slight , Watching small tear tracks roll down from under the white cloth , The tracks of tears falling from under her chin and pooling on the stone underfoot .

" Come , Let me take you to a more lively place " Nox placed a gentle palm on the woman's shoulder , The terrain around them shifting as he manipulated his inner realm around them .

The duo appeared within a lively forest eerily similar to that one would find on Typhon . Even the feel of the force within the vast forest was soothing , Harmony ... life , Allowing the miralukan to feel as if she were once more on home .

" Many wouldn't believe you could feel anything like this " Letha spoke , Gently plodding herself down against own of the towering trees , Leaning back into its bark as the calls of native avians echoed throughout the treeline " But to be able to create something like this within yourself ... simply for my sake ... you're alot more complicated than what people believe ... aren't you ... Obrunik "

Sighing , Nox ran a hand through the black locks of hair atop his head , Coming forward and placing himself down beside the woman.

" They weren't wrong with what they taught us you know ... " Nox spoke , Allowing a glowing bug to land on his extended right pointer finger.

" Who " Letha asked , Nox allowing the bug to climb down from his finger before circling his palm .

" Ones perspective plays an integral part in how their future is shaped . I am a master of the Darkside , It's manifestation , I am power incarnate , Yet it wasn't enough ... " Nox began , Watching the bug before it stopped , Proceeding to fly away back into the underbrush.

"I have ignored the limit imposed apon myself , And passed it ... And I am growing ... yet everyone around me perceives what I am doing as wrong ... yet who is to say what I am doing is wrong . I am unifying the galaxy , Stamping out slavery , Giving hope to the hopeless , Feeding the hungry , Mothers no longer have to kneel over their deceased child because they were worked to death , A father no longer has to rake his fingers bare of flesh and muscle down to the bone so his family can survive another night , I am single handedly making our galaxy a greater place . Yet because I possess the power to bring ruin to the galaxy ... I am in the wrong for trying to do what is right for the many , Rather than keep the high class elite apon their pedestals , I want to raise the overall standard of living for all , Yet because of my views and my way of doing it ... which is working I might add ... I am a monster ... and I must be stopped " Nox sneered as his face soured , The miralukan feeling the passion that bubbled up from within the man's soul .

" And don't bother saying something like I haven't done anything remotely good , You saw with your own eyes the state Balmora and taris was in before I took power , And now that I am in power , They're thriving , Cities have been rebuilt , Children run and cheer in the streets while parents no longer have to keep them sheltered and instead can recline and relax . Yet because I don't come from the senate or the republic and follow differing religious views , I am an enemy of the Jedi . And because I do not crush the republic for the naive views and give the remains of the galaxy to Acina ... I am an enemy of the empire . I stand one , At the head of the most influential power in the galaxy , trying to fix the wrongs that both the republic and empire actively strive to make worse . And I'm the bad guy . Do you see what I'm getting at here "

" The force is not an ally , Slave or transaction . The force is a paradox it empowers and imprisons , It destroys and unites . it binds the galaxy together and tears it apart . It has a will , But needs a commander ... That was his lesson ... and I ... am it's commander "

---

CURRENT TIME

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She could feel the gaze of the honour guard as they watched her walk past , Well aware that they did not trust her alone with their lord .

Her eyes danced across the metre and a half wide mote of water that sat on either sides of the eternal throne walkway and around the circular base ahead that housed the throne itself .

Slowly she ascended the stairs to the throne , Eyes tracing over Nox wearing his royal white armour , In turn , She could feel his eyes gazing over her , Despite her lover having no pupils thus couldn't know exactly where he was looking , But she could feel where he was staring , The raising of the hairs on her neck , The instinctual terror were all telltale signs that one was currently under his intimidating gaze .

" I have some interesting news from the senate " Vaylin purred as she slunk herself over the man's lap , Placing her knees on either side of his hips whilst she brought his head to her bosom .

" Oh ... tell me , Just what whispers have you been privy too " Nox asked , His voice once more returning to its natural state .

" An Assassination attempt on the senate , Twenty one senators are now deceased " Vaylin told her lover as the man's chest rose as he chuckled .

" Yes ... an Assassination attempt on little Sheev , Orchestrated by Grant Omega , And foiled by Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin skywalker. You'd be interested to know that the emergency powers act for Palpatine has gone through , Because those pathetic spineless cowards in the senate fear losing too much Influence and they expect him to fix it , Fools , They're all but waiting for the military creation act to be finished . Meanwhile Dooku has made a council for his confederacy and I believe they are making plans for their armies . It's funny ... How two can manipulate the events of the galaxy as a whole , Yet still remain unaware of the eyes that watch their every move " Nox replied to the woman who pouted slightly and palmed his chest with her right hand .

" That's cheating , How am I supposed to compete with you when it comes to information gathering " Vaylin playfully complained as she flattened herself , Moulding her body against her lovers as she pressed her assets into his armour.

" Well why don't you try competing with Kanya or Scorpio , I have no doubt you'd be able to more than compete with them " Vaylin laughed at his words , Her eyes tracking her right index finger as the black tipped digit snaked across the dragons head of his chest plate .

" What would be the fun in that , There's no challenge in any of that , Why not go for the top dog " Vaylin purred , Her hand raising to the side of Nox's neck as she rose to peck him on the lips.

" I see your point , You certainly have your work cut out for you then " Nox smirked after Vaylin pulled her head back , Her eyes squinting in a challenging gaze .

" You just watch me , I'll be better at it than you in no time " Vaylin playfully retorted , A Huff escaping the woman before she layed her head on his shoulder , A small hum soon rising from her throat as she fell into a state of comfort .

Seeing that she wasn't going to budge any time soon , Nox closed his eyes , A deep breath raising his chest before he blew said breath out , Furthering himself within the cosmic force as he looked to the larger galaxy to feel , To search and learn .

Almost instantly his face twisted , Contorting as a troubled expression rose over him .

" Guard my body " Was all Nox ordered of Vaylin and everyone within , The man quickly ejecting himself from his mortal shell .

He rose from the throne a spectre , Unseen to any who didn't have a strong connection to the cosmic force , His body made of the swirling red black , Blue and white of the force .

" I'll return shortly " His voice sounded echoed , Hundreds of voices moulding together into a single mouth .

He disintegrated into a cloud of purple , Swirling together into itself like a black hole before disappearing entirely .

---

WITH THE JEDI

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" Not exactly belazura " Darra commented as she stuffed her thermal cape into her survival pack .

" I've seen worse " ferus said " I hope "

Though for all intents and purposes , The subtle creep of static electricity down his spine , Whispers they all refused to acknowledge , The sickeningly sweet call that both called too and pushed them away unnerved them all .

Ferus may have meant it as a joke , But Anakin took it as a challenge , Took it as ferus trying to show off , And so he felt incentive to win the challenge only he perceived .

" We all have " Anakin pointed out , Half snubbing the other apprentice .

" I don't think so " Tru mumbled " I say we've finally made it to the worst the galaxy has to offer " He said happily , Winding one flexible arm around his back to fasten the strap of his survival pack . As a Teevan , Tru could bend his arms backwards or at off angles to do whatever he wished , It was one of the many things that mad who's such an accomplished fighter .

" I don't think you'll be finding any terratta strips here " The blonde Darra teased tru " I have a feeling we'll be eating food capsules , Wouldn't trust the food anyone gave us here "

" I never get the good planets " Tru whined , His face contorting comically as he expressed his feelings .

" We've come along way from the galactic games , That's for certain " Ferus mumbled " Remember how nervous we were on our early missions "

" Sure " Tru replied " I still am " He looked out a dreshdae , the humour draining from his face " especially here "

" What about you , ferus " Anakin asked as he bent down to tighten a strap he didn't need to tighten " Nervous or is that not allowed for a Jedi Knight "

" I'm not a Jedi Knight yet " Ferus replied , Decidedly ignoring the face Anakin made with his back turned away .

" But you're closer than any of us " Anakin straightened to his full height " Does that make you any more nervous , or less , I mean , Let's face it . The councils eyes are on you "

The other Padawan frowned , Though he picked up on anakin's taunt he tried not to reply " I'm not thinking on that , I'm thinking of the mission "

" We're all thinking of the mission Anakin " Darra tried to intervene .

" Of course , We all want to capture omega " Tru said , Eyes warning Anakin to back off .

" But ferus wanted to be the one to do it, I'll bet" Anakin said , The sudden backing of ferus annoying him slightly " Once you start impressing the council , you have to keep doing it "

" It doesn't matter who does it " Ferus replied " Just that it gets done "

" Spoken like a true Jedi Knight " Anakin said , smirking slightly .

At this , Ferus flushed red " What are you trying to say Anakin "

" Anakin ... " Darra began warningly , However she was turned away from the augment , The colouring of her face draining slightly as she stared directly into the eyes of a see through figure .

The woman , Garbed in white stood directly behind them , Dried tear tracks covered her cheeks as mascara looked blotched and messy . In her chest was a gaping hole , See through to both sides .

The woman was staring directly at Anakin with a sad gaze , And as if she felt Darra's own gaze , Her eyes slowly fluttered to Darra's .

" Blue ... " Darra stammered , The woman , Despite being dead , Had the most entrancing blue eyes the girl had ever seen , Deep pools of deep ocean blue that drew her in , Gave her a sense of comfort so unlike the rest of the world they were on that Darra couldn't help but bask in it's wake .

The woman stepped clear through Anakin , Three quick strides and she appeared directly Infront of Darra , Her gaze pinning the girl .

Slowly the beautiful figure went to one knee , Her brown hair Fluttering in the non existent winds of the city .

" You can see me " A melodic voice spoke from within the woman's supple lips , Calming , soothing in it's feel .

" Yes ... " The blonde girl replied , Almost in a trance like state as the other Padawan's completely ignored the usual joking girl .

" That's a serious charge , And an untrue one" Ferus spoke in the background , Almost distant as Darra focussed on the sad eyes of the woman Infront of her .

" You've been close to death ... haven't you " The woman accused , Gentle fingers rising and cupping the blonde girls cheek , The apparition looked apon her as her lips quivered , Tears threatening to spill as feelings she hadn't quite dealt with yet rose up , Threatening to spill over and into the real world .

She was dragged to the real world as a hand landed on her shoulder , The concerned gaze of tru looking soon her with knotted brows .

" Are you okay " He asked , Red flushing the girls features as both ferus and Anakin too looked at her .

" I'm fine ... ... why " Darra asked , Finally taking notice of the concerned look of the masters who had joined them ' How long was I standing there '

" You've been staring into space for like five minutes now " Anakin answered as the girl sucked ina. breath , Eyes flashing to where the apparition stood but no longer residing .

" Darra , If you're feel unwell you can stay on the ship if you wish " Her master Soara asked , Coming forward , The female master put her hands on Darra's shoulders and made her look to her face .

" N...no I'm fine ... , I'll come " Darra stammered out as she wiped the moisture from her face .

" If you're sure " Soara looked like she wished to press the matter .

" I am " Darra finished , Once more catching the flowing hair of the apparition in the corner of her eyes but continued to look forward at her master rather than entertain whatever she had gained the attention of .

---

Nox watched the group of Jedi depart from their ship and down into the city I'd Dreshdae.

The form he had taken on a whim coming in handy whilst the brown hair of the apparition he appeared as blew around him feminine head.

His kind gaze became neutral , Eyes bleeding from vibrant blue to black .

An inky swirl materialised at his side as energy bled from deep within him .

Stepping out from the coalescing whirlwind of dark was the black coloured ghost of Aloysius kallig , Red glowing eyes peering from his countenance as he too watched the troop of Jedi walk away .

" Hide all evidence of our presence here , I'll remain at their sides , But I'd rather not take the chances of them running into an outpost of ours or one of our agents " Nox ordered with his own voice , A stark contrast from the feminine voice that came from the supple lips of his.

" It will be done flesh of my flesh " Aloysius promptly vanished into thin air , Travelling hundred of miles in second towards the eternal empire stronghold on world .

---

Obi-wan looked up with unsure eyes , Eyes dancing up and across the decrepit building the troop of Jedi found themselves Infront of .

" What is it master " Anakin came up beside his master , His curious gaze staring up into his eyes .

" Teluron Thacker is a prosperous businessman " Obi-Wan began " Why would he frequent such a place "

" You think it's a trap " Anakin asked .

" I'm no sensing anything ... But ... " Obi-Wan shook his head , Raising his hand to his head and holding the bridge of his nose .

The issue was the planet they were on Dark malevolent waves continuously washed over the planet , Buffeting everything it washed over in hatred , Fear and anger . It was akin to swimming through a sea of evil , Actively messing with their senses in almost every way .

" It could be a case of not wanting to be see with us " Siri came up beside the duo ,Pointing out her opinion " one of us should go in first to check it out "

" I'll go " Anakin and ferus spoke at the same time , Locking gazes with each other at the same time after their words left their mouths .

" I'll go " The words rose from Ry-Gaul . Striding forward to and walking through the rusted door without worry . No doubt the man's height and stature would cause any to be weary of crossing the man .

The group waited for several moments , Each second nagging at them worst than the last . And Darra , For every moment they waited , Found it harder and harder to keep her gaze away from the flowing white apparition that followed them , Her tear stained face looking apon them with a saddened gaze that did nothing to dissuade the young girl of her nervousness .

Before long the man's head peeked out through the rusted door , A smile on his face " He's here , All clear "

The group released a collective breath , Staggering through the doors almost impatiently .

Apparently the uneven and rusted looks of the building scared away unwanted guests , Easily seen as only one person sat within outside of the bartender himself .

Holding a hand around a mug whilst his eyes darted uneasily around the room , Seemingly waiting for the building to suddenly collapse around them .

Teluron was a tall humanoid with pale skin , Soft looking skin similar to someone whom would spend a great deal of time inside . He gave a stiff nod to the new arrivals , Drawing his red cape closer to himself at the same moment .

" Thank you for seeing us " Obi-Wan opened the conversation with his greeting.

" The Jedi helped my Homeworld of eyyon " Teluron replied " I vowed to help whenever I could "

" How'd you find yourself in a place like this , Korriban I mean " Siri asked , Looking around with an unimpressed gaze .

"Luck I guess " The man questioned groaned " I pissed my boss off , Such a little thing but she was feisty . so I didn't check references and a deal went bad , What's a few million credits . Next thing you know , I get handed an open assignment to this shit hole " The man shuddered as a chilling breeze washed over everyone present " Haven't slept a full night since "

Obi-Wan took the whole story in , Motioning to the bartender to bring in a round of drinks , Thinking that within such a place it would be better to place an order , Didn't mean any of them would be drinking what they would be handed though.

Silence reigned as they decided to wait for their drinks . And before long the bartender slammed their drinks onto the bench , The grog sloshing and splashing over their brims to pool at the base of the mugs .

" I wouldnt drink that shite if I was you " Teluron regarded the drinks with a distasteful side on sneer .

" Appreciated " Siri sniffed the drink and quickly redrew herself from the sulphuric smelling drink " What can you tell us about the two we're persuing "

" Nothing much except they're here " Teluron began " A male and female were spotted , Matching their exact descriptions . I checked up on every hotel and hovel but they didn't check in, Nor did they register within anything that can pass for half a business "

" Doubt they'd use their real names " Obi-Wan pointed out " Did you give descriptions "

" Well , I said a woman and man travelling together " Teluron offhandedly replied as he stared at his mug .

" Isn't their some sort of database for arrivals and departures " Obi-Wan asked .

" Nobody really gives enough of a fuck to keep track " Teluron replied in a clipped manner .

" Have you checked if there are any business's here that cover for omegas enterprises " Obi-Wan asked .

" Honestly ... nah " Teluron replied " But I'm not going to go out and step on too many people's toes , You don't ask too many questions on Korriban "

" Why " Siri leant forward , Raised eyebrow .

He tried to hide it , But everybody noticed the uneasy look that passed throughout the man.

" That's the unanimous rule , Everyone just knows it , Something happens here you keep your mouth shut , The way it's always been "

Obi-Wan and Siri passed a glace towards each other , Both realising that Teluron wasnt going to be very helpful in their search. Something was wrong with the man , Either fearful of the city or something else , But it was keeping his mouth shut .

" I should warn you though , You know the commerce guild has its own army , Well they have a division here " Thacker informed the group " They say it's out of necessity , To protect their business . But they have their droids everywhere . If omega and Zan have any contacts in the commerce guild , They most likely have eyes everywhere "

That was probably the most useful piece of information they had received yet , Obi-Wan however wasn't keen on leaving yet , He needed more information before being satisfied enough to leave .

" Zan Arbor has expensive tastes " He leant forward "She probably not too thrilled to be here , Doesn't seem to be much luxury in Dreshdae "

" It's a steaming pile of shite " Teluron agreed wholeheartedly .

" But they're still business executives , Used to having the best of everything " Obi-Wan said " There must be something for them , If you're looking for ... special items , There must be somewhere to go "

" There's a uhh ... well loose kind of black market here " Thacker replied " Run by theives of course , Supplies are low , No stored and it's hard to find essentials like blankets and thermal capes even though this shit freezes your bones in the middle of the night . They rob what they can whenever they have the chance , No hotel room is safe , They even rob ships several times a week if they get the chance , Hell not even the commerce guild is safe "

" So how do we get there " Obi-Wan questioned .

" It's on the outskirts , Near the plaza ruins ... Though that is if you can tell the ruins from regular buildings here ... everything's in the same state " Teluron answered quickly " I'll give you the coordinates , You want something go at dusk . Look for Auben . She's the best of a bad lot , She won't cheat ya and she knows everything that's going on . I even bought a few things from her myself . But watch out the the commerce guild , They're real jumpy and looking to lay the thieves low at the earliest chance "

The Jedi each began to rise .

" One more thing master Jedi " Obi-Wan looked back at the man whom appeared to have more information .

" The commerce guild , Auben and everyone else here have come to a sort of unsaid agreement . But if ... something ... anything happens , Don't trust your eyes or ears ... "

Slowly Obi-Wan lowered himself back down to the barside , Siri and the other master sending each other uneasy looks .

" Why would we do that "

" I won't say too much ... but keep your wits about you , Watch your back ... and don't tread on any more toes than you have to . There's strange happenings here as of late ... " The man seemed to freeze as another cold breeze washed in through the room , And in own fell swoop , The man drank the rest of his drink and swiftly departed the building with no further words , Almost fleeing as soon as his foreboding words fled his mouth , Fleeing like a bat out of hell like he would be mauled for simply passing the words .

" What do you think that meant" Siri asked , Looking to where the man had all but sprinted from the building .

" Dunno , Let's get to the market " Obi-Wan shrugged and moved to leave moments later , The rest of the Jedi following after him with questions rising within .

---

Korribans dusk lasted for hours , Beginning mid afternoon , The pale sun slowly descending over the horizon . But one wouldn't normally be able to tell , As the forever present orang tinted clouds hung over the sky like a veil , The little sunlight that filtered through , The darkening of the sky was the only telltale sign , The shadows elongated and came to life , Reaching across the streets in an attempt to ensnare anyone that walked within .

Apparently the locals had attempted to stop these clutching shadows , Uneven lights installed along the roads , But this still left several long distances of deep , Twisting darkness that twitched and moved though there was nothing within.

Everytime one of the Jedi entered the shadows , They couldn't help the subtle crawl and shiver that came up the bases of their spines.

Darra , In her perpetual cold feeling , had actively moved closer to the following spirit , The ever present creeping warmth that billowed form the white figure warmed her body , The cold chills abated and fled her , Not even the dark shadows wished to near the apparition , As the shadows sneered and fled her presence , Thus Darra kept as near as she could in the darkening day of Korriban , Even though the other appeared not to notice nor comment about the woman's presence , So she believed she was the only one able to see the woman , Perhaps something to do with her connection with death as the spirit had asked .

" I have a suggestion master " Anakin announced as they all stood at the entrance to the market " This Auben might feel threatened if she's approached by one person , More specifically a younger person "

Obi-Wan seemed to hink it over for a few moments " That's not a bad idea "

" We can't surround her , We'll definitely spook her " Siri offered " why don't you and ferus go "

" You can say you're brothers , Say you've been stranded here , Yes that sounds good " Obi-Wan added on to Siri's words , The two seemingly agreeing .

Anakin's brow twitched , The last thing he could possibly ever call the oath ferus was his brother , A total snob yes , Brother ... never .

But regardless , The two swallowed their missgivings for each other and entered the plaza , Pillars rising high to hold up some sort of roof , Behind these rows of pillars was a building , plenty places to hide ,Which no doubt was one of the many reasons it was chosen for the illegal activities that went on within .

" Whatever you don't , Don't reveal that you're jedi . That's information that they can and will sell to anyone that looks interested , And we know omega is expecting us , But we don't want him to know we're already here " Obi-Wan called out before the two Padawan's vanished into the plaza .

Silence reigned between the Anakin and ferus duo , The tension between the two hadn't lessened in the slightest , Infact the sole reason Anakin had wanted to enter the plaza alone was to get a foot up on the search , To do better than ferus , But Noooo , The masters were oh so wise that they had to send in another to baby sit , And it had to be oh so perfect ferus.

The two walked in silence , They could see people skittering around In the darkness , Dealing their stolen goods to whoever was fortunate or unfortunate enough to accept the deals .

And as if luck was on their side , A young woman approached , Wearing a tight fitting grey tunic and leggings , Her head had a grey cap that covered the sides and back of her head and snugly over her ears . She carried an enormous satchel on her back without strain .

" Looking for something friends " She asked in a friendly manner .

" You Auben " Anakin replied , The woman's eyes dancing over them quickly after .

" Who's asking "

" Thacker sent us , Said you have things for sale "

" I've got it or I can get it , What's you need " The woman seemed on edge but open to trade .

" Blankets and handwarmers " Anakin proposed .

She promptly dumped the satchel on the ground , Reaching in and pulling out two handwarmers . As she did so two blasters became visible to the two Padawan's " Credits first "

In reply Anakin held out his hands , The agreed amount of credits within to which she quickly snatched form his hand , Tossing the two warmers at the soon after " Got no blankets today , But I've got a lead on some thermal capes , Ya can meet me here at the same time tomorrow and I'll have them "

" What's the price " Ferus raised his voice , And the answer caused him to raise his eyebrows .

" I said they're plush , To quality , I'll have some other high end things too "She was quick to defend herself " Even if you don't want them , Someone else will "

" You have alot of customers " Ferus asked , His gaze filtering over the empty place with an unimpressed look .

" Yep , I've got the whole spaceport as customers my friend " Auben shrugged her satchel back into place on her shoulders .

It was clear that she was about to take off , No doubt disappear into the night forever more .

Anakin spoke up .

" Our parents marooned us here . They said they'd be back , But it's been a few week but we... "

" I don't care about your backstory , Just your creds "

" We heard that a couple had passed by the spaceport recently " Anakin continued on unimpeded " A male and female , Maybe ... "

Aubens eyes proceeded to harden " I don't discuss my customers "

" But I jus "

" Ever "

Anakin Knew right then and there he had reached a dead end .

" So you only find things and not people " Ferus tried a different angle " Seems like there's not much difference to me . You need the skills , Contacts and discretion"

The woman stopped in her tracks .

" What do you mean "

" It seems to me , For a price , You'd be willing to find just about anything " Ferus pressed her with his hardened gaze.

The woman hesitated , Scanning over them with an appraising gaze , As if wondering how much they could pay .

But she was unable to give an answer however , As an explosion tossed the tree from the feet and across a few metres before they were deposited on the ground in uneven heaps .

Slowly sitting up , The thief looked around before her eyes widened at what she saw .

" Commerce guild droids " She grabbed them by their arms " RUN "

She promptly took off ,Back to the blaster fire that no doubt prepared to snuff out her meager life , And so Anakin dashed after her , Lightsaber igniting in hand as he burst into action .

Time slowed , He could see the bolts of plasma about to strike her back steaming towards her from phalanx of the spider droids . He Dashed and leapt , Expertly deflected the blaster fire in any direction other than their intended targets .

He twisted mid air and landed apon a pillar before he leapt again , Next landing next to Auben as he deflected more blaster fire .

" WHO THE HELL ARE YOU " Auben yelled out , Ducking low as she managed to survive the onslaught for another second .

Ferus dashed forward , Covering their retreat , Anakin hustling Auben into a shelter in the dark as the three of them tried to calm their breathing .

In doing so Auben looked towards their lightsabers " Where'd you get one of those "

Peeking out , Ferus quickly returned " They have tracking units , We gotta get outta here "

" We don't know which way " Anakin turned to Auben .

The woman let out a quick , Frustrated breath " Okay ,Okay seeing as you saved my life , I'll save yours , Come on "

She immediately proceeded to sneak through the shadows of the ruins , Guiding them through twisting passageways and climbing through blasted out holes .

Both ferus and Anakin knew the rest of the Jedi group were following , Their telltale signatures remaining strong .

Despite the fading sounds of blasterfire , Anakin knew the army hadn't given up , He could feel their presence too , Heading through the city and towards the outskirts of the spaceport now .

Aurben led Anakin in and out into a series of narrow and winding streets , The streets narrowed into a single lane . The small hovels and buildings were spaced farther and farther apart the more they walked until they walked alone within a rocky landscape .

The lane had long since dwindled into a stone and dirt path that wound across the land .

Anakin mused , They were most likely climbing the plateau that cradled the spaceport and Dreshdae itself .

Before long they scrambled over the last obstacle of boulders and saw their target .

Anakin looked down in wander at the ancient structure before them , Drilled deep into the side of the mountainside Infront of them that made almost two thirds of the structure impenetrable. The entrance had long since crumbled to dust and charred pillars , Toppled columns and crumbling stone .

A familiar , Stomach churning sensation rose over Anakin , Tremors of the Darkside emanated from the ruins , Shaking , Whispering in the deepest recesses of his mind.

He knew what this building was , One of the many ancient sith monasteries located on the world and more than likely still haunted by its long time deceased Tennant's .

" Is that where we're going " Ferus asked .

" Creepy isn't it , Don't let it bother you though " Auben soothed. "Nobody lives here , Everyone's afraid to come here , Except for me , We won't be followed , That's for sure "

" What was it " Ferus asked , Though Anakin himself was aware of this buildings purpose , He knew damn well that ferus was also aware .

"Just some old monestary , They blasted out the side of the mountain to make it , Will you too hurry up it's going to get cold soon " Auben started down the path to the monestary with hasty steps , Winding through the treacherous terrain before them .

Something once more rose within Anakin,. Something he wasn't familiar with , A rarely felt but recognisable fear , Deep warning telling him to stear clear of the building they were approaching .

But something far deeper , More sinister beckoned the boy forward , He didn't know but it clawed at him , Drew him nearer eagerly , And he all but kept his chin high as it quivered , And walked into the maw of the awaiting beast .

Kallig watched the trio walk to the ancient monestary , Beady red eyes peering at them unblinkingly from within the dark soulless eye sockets of his mask .

His head slowly twisted to follow them as they walked the beaten path , And with an explosion of malevolent energies that erupted into a wave of blackness that dwarfed the dark energies of Korriban itself .

Not even a second later , Aloysius appeared within the monestary , He glanced towards the direction of the other person already within .

A rising screech tore from his mask , Echoing through the narrow shadowed passages , Passing through stone and across stale air .

Answering his call , Like ink , Black splotches of dark lifeforce piled together from the floors , Walls and ceiling . The long deceased spirits quite literally crawling from the stone as they answered in their own twisted screeches .

Their molten eyes stared at Aloysius , Dragging themselves forward from the ground like zombies .

The powerful spirit stared at them apathetically , His imposing presence demanding their servitude .

The first if the newly appeared dead knelt before him , Tongue waggling in it's see through jaw , Eyes wild as it had yet to regain itself .

The others followed suit , Kneeling before him , And slowly but surely , The spirits became more aware , Intelligence slowly bleeding into their unblinking eyes as Aloysius awaited the completion of their gathering.

" Lord ... " The first one to kneel asked , tongue twisting and winding , Slinking out the side of his mouth as he spoke.

" I AM ALOYSIUS KALLIG , HERALD TO THE TRUE RULER OF THESE LANDS , HE DEMANDS THOSE THAT TRESPASS HERE IN OUR CATACOMBS DO NOT COME ACROSS ANY OF OUR GREAT SECRETS . THEY ARE UNWORTHY AND FREE OF THE TAINT THAT BINDS US HERE . THEY ARE NOT TO COME TO HARM , AS HE WISHES TO OVERSEE THEIR TRAVELS HIMSELF . NOW ... GO ... DO HIS BIDDING " his words spurred the phantoms into action , The spirits scattering at his command , Phasing through doors and walls , Ascending and descending as they did exactly as ordered . Hording their secrets and treasures , Buring them deep into long forgotten and untouched tunnels .

Aloysius soon phased into a large chamber deep within the monestary , A tunnel dug beneath the ground that moved under the surface of the planet and to the great sith temple at the valley of the dark lords , No doubt an escape tunnel for a cowardly ruler .

" THAT WILL NOT DO " the first of the phantoms appeared at his side , Carrying a jewel and tablet it had died with and no doubt held a great deal of sentimental value to the spirit , And held its teachings .

" GO ... Take your things to the dark council chambers within the Great temple and hide them there and return after , His majesty will collect them and make sure they are only uncovered by those that deserve your teachings " The Great general ordered . The listening spirits immediately speeding down the dark tunnel like dark whisps that blasted through any debris that blocked their path .

Aloysius turned his back to the constant stream of spirits that came to and from the tunnel , Staring up through the monestary towards the unwelcomed guests , The presence deeper within and the trio currently entering . He also made sure to keep track of the group of Jedi nearing the cliff away from the monestary with the presence of his descendant floating around them .

" Hmmmm ... those droids appear to be follow their tracks "

---

Darra and tru easily slipped through the crevice that served as the entrance to the monestary .

Siri , Soara and Obi-Wan followed . But due to the slim size of the crevice , It became more difficult to pass through the larger you were .

Obi-Wan had the most trouble shimmying by , chest and back raking across the cold surface of the walls , Rocks digging in and tearing at his robes .

And when it came to Ry-Gaul , The man wasn't able to go through the crevice outright due to his large stature . It would simply be an impossibility for the man to fit in the small crack .

" Go on ahead , I'll find another way in " The man reasoned , Head scanning the side of the ruin from left to right .

" I'll how with you master " Tru made to go back through the entrance to not leave his beloved master alone .

" No , I'll catch up " Ry-Gaul affirmed before promptly disappearing towards an outcrop he had spotted .

Seeing the winding darkness ahead , Obi-Wan wasn't first into the Slinking shadows . He could feel the dread of the building , Mounting apon his shoulders as a chilling weight that tried to force him to succumb to its influence . The only light that came into the passage was thin trails of light that looked akin to bony fingers dropping from the ceiling and walls .

Footsteps echoed throughout , Obi-Wan wasnt entirely sure whether they were Anakin and ferus or someone or something elses .

Voices whispered in his ears , Rising from deep within the shadows he swore were moving , But he kept his Witt's to himself , What really unsettled him however was when he turned a corner .

The setting had suddenly shifted as he moved , A figure lay kneeling on the ground , Begging and pleasing in a high end furnished room , Standing over the sith student was his instructor , Sick satisfaction Shon clear on the instructors face as a blinding flash of lightning struck the student . And as soon as the vision started , It faded back into uneven stone blocks into he floor , A skeleton half buried by a fallen walkway and thousand of years of dust caked apon the surface of the stone . The figures from the vision were long since gone , Dead Obi-Wan suspected , Yet the malevolent feel for the vision remained , Reinforced by the rising shadows , Whispers crying out towards the group that walked within .

Obi-Wan could tell he wasn't the only one to see the vision , As Siri tachi looked downright shaken , Tru shivered as he rubbed himself for comfort . But oddly enough , Darra seemed unfazed , Either because it seemed she was focussing almost completely on something else , Or she wasn't Shivering at all . Obi-Wan was almost jealous , To be so resilient in such a twisted evil place . No ... he was glad for the girl .

Deeper down the hallway , Auben climbed over a collapsed piller blocking the way , Motioning for ferus and Anakin to follow her as they struggled to climb the unforgiving stone .

They stopped outside of what looked like a small chamber , From it's design and architecture it was most likely an enclosure , Possibly a meeting room .

Auben was evidently living here , Anakin mused , A storage place and a hide out . Bins lined the walls of the room , Filled to the bin with assortments of scarp and valuable resources , Stolen most likely Anakin thought . In the far corner of the room was a lone bedroll , Cleanly kept , A canteen lay by its side obviously for if the woman got thirsty in her sleep . Next to those two items was a pile of boxes put together to form a crude table , A lamp lay on its surface . Auben leant over and lit the lamp , Bathing the room in iridescent light , It seldom helped the feeling of the trio however as the shadows barely crept back , Snaking and reaching for the lamp in an effort to snuff out the only source of light in the night .

Turning to face Anakin and ferus , Aurben held her hands on her hips and a squint on her features .

" So who the hell are you really " Auben accused , Deciding to rest against the uneven wall .

" We already told you " Anakin refirmed his introduction " We're stranded "

" I think you're a Jedi " Auben began " Never seen one of your kind , But I've heard of ya " Auben looked over Anakin and ferus again as the two didn't speak " Fine jedi credits are as good as anyone else's I guess . If you wait here a while , The army will stop hunting and you can leave , But youre safe here until then , They won't enter this place "

" Do you live here alone " Ferus asked , Changing the topic of conversation easily .

Leaning towards the light , Auben basked in the little warmth of the lamp , And in that moment , They saw a moment of utter loneliness , Agony flash in the woman's features , But as soon as it came it passed , Her gaze hardening " I live in many places , But yes ... I'm alone here. But ... I don't think am really . Sometimes I get spooked , I hear things , But I chalk it up to this place being so old ... but I can't help but wander "

" Maybe we should look around for you " Ferus asked " Make sure it's safe for you "

"I don't need your help " Auben gently pet her blasters" I got all the help I need right here , So now tell me . Are you really looking for a man and a woman , And don't tell me they're your parents "

" Yes , We're looking for a couple " Ferus confirmed , Anakin looked uncomfortable at the thought of answering the thiefs questions .

" Do you think you can help us " Anakin asked , Not wanting to give too much information to the woman .

Crossing her arms , A playful smirk came to aubens face " If you're Jedi , You can make it worth my while right , I hear Jedi have a cast fortune "

" Who says that " Ferus looked offended at the prospect of the Jedi hording credits.

" Hey it's just what they say " Aurben held her arms up in a non aggressive gesture .

" Well it's not true " Anakin retorted " But yes ... we can make it worth your while , But it depends ... do you know something "

She opened he enough to answer when Anakin and ferus perked up , An explosion rocked and shook through the catacombs , Shaking the ceiling and knocking Anakin and ferus to the ground .

Behind the entrance to the chamber , The group of Jedi ducked for cover as slabs dropped form the roof , Attempting to snuff their lives out .

Suddenly , The unmistakable clank of metallic footsteps echoed throughout the catacombs , Growing in intensity as spider droids appeared , Ready and in attack position .

It appeared Aurben had underestimated the effort the commerce guild was putting into snuffing out her operation, Because their army had indeed entered the monestary and was hunting her down .

Leaping to her feet ,The woman looked panicked " They're coming through the main chamber , There's only one other way out , Follow me "

Obi-Wan watched and waited until Auben walked to the wall and slammed her heel into its surface , A hidden passage flinging open that she hurriedly ushered herself through.

Leaning down to Darra and tru , He urged the two into the small chamber as Anakin and ferus moved through the newly opened passage .

" You two , Stay with Anakin and ferus no matter what happens . We'll take care of the spider droids " Obi-Wan gave them a gentle shove , The two Padawan's looking upset but accepting his orders as they slowly made their way through the hole in the wall .

Turning back , Obi-Wan, Siri and Soara looked to each other , Their hands flying to the hilts of their blades before they leapt into action , Flying from the small chamber and out towards the main chamber , Ready to engage the gathered army .

---

Creeping through the hidden passages , Anakin made sure he never once lost sight of Auben , He knew the woman was keeping something from them , He just ... knew . She was they key to their whole search , He could feel it in his very bones , So he steeled himself for staying on her tail no matter what she did.

Unfortunately for him , it seemed ferus had the exact same hunch , Because he could feel ferus directly on his own tail just as he was following Auben , Ferus was following him . He could practically feel ferus breath on his neck .

He tried to ignore this as Auben pushed forward , He took note that they were adjacent to the great Hall . And despite the thick slabs of stone hiding them from the droids , He could hear the blasterfire clearly , The fast pinging of their barrels as they unloaded volleys of the ammo .

Auben ignored all this , Choosing to quicken her pace in a frantic effort to get as far away as possible .

" Where are we going " Ferus whispered , Barely loud enough for all three of them to hear .

" Just follow me " Auben bit back " And hurry "

Taking a sudden turn , The passage opened up into a collapsed opening , Stepping and jumping over stones and slabs until she entered the new chamber open for them .

" There was a whole system of secret passages through here . Guess the big monks didn't trust the others " Auben thought out loud .

Anakin agreed with her thinking , As much as he knew about the sith , It was well known they had little to no trust for each other.

As they kept moving , Moisture began to pool along the walls , Leaking and dropping down the uneven surfaces , Anakin guessed they were most likely within the mountainside now .

As they kept going , Anakin quickly realised he had forgotten exactly which path they had tracked to get to this point , Thinking he may have to make use of some kind of tracker to get back out .

" What I am about to show you isn't visible from above " Auben relayed over her shoulder , Pressing herself into a rusted door before pushing it open with all the force she could muster.

Anakin followed her through the door before stopping cold in awe , Before them was a large ship , Definitely old by its state , Clunky in build . Afterburner tanks were mounted to the back of the ship and were gargantuan in size .

" This was probably before sunlight travel was perfected " Anakin came closer to the ship, His mind going crazy as he wanted nothing more than to pull apart the old vessel and see how it worked , The old technology could be so different from today's technology, The secrets it could hold .

" It's a service bay " Anakin announced , Looking towards the rusted and decaying parts surrounding the ship , Tools still lay within toolboxes , Half sticking out from the rusted openings " We must be in a hanger "

" You got it " Auben took his attention " Look "

Anakin did so and couldn't help the widening of his eyes , The hanger was Titanic in size , Going on bar beyond the veil of shadows with pillars that rose high into the roof to hold up the ceiling .

Wrecks of various ships lay decommissioned throughout the hanger , Awaiting the repairs they would never receive , The smell for rust rose and assaulted their noses , The air was full and thick , Full of memories they weren't privy to .

" It's huge " Ferus looked around " You could dispatch an army from here "

" Yea , Alot of ships for monks " Auben stated , Ignorance of the true significance showing clear as day .

" The sith were much more than monks " Anakin told her as he snooped the large ship Infront of him .

" So I've heard , The big bad original evil right " Auben gestured to the hanger " Well they're all gone and dead now "

'All you know ,Except for the two still running around and maybe more. 'Anakin thought to himself bitterly .

" So where's the exit " Ferus asked , Sensing Anakins quickly souring mood .

" The landing platform is completely blocked off , No way out through there , Probably blasted to pieces by artillery long ago . But you can get out through some of the hanger bays . It's abit of a climb down the mountain , But I say it's better than the army on our tails "

Anakin stopped after hearing her reply , A rising presence he was long familiar with , His stomach twisted and shifted against his will as the hair on the ends of his arms stood on end . He could feel the Darkside of the force Flooding the hanger like an invisible ocean above their heads .

" Anakin " Ferus whispered .

" I know " Came his quick reply .

" Let's go ... quietly " They backed up , Stepping back into the service bay , The shadow calming Anakin slightly as he felt his rapidly beating heart lower ever slow slightly.

Auben seemed confused as she watched them with a raised eyebrow " What is it "

" Something worse than the army " Anakin whispered " And it's coming this way "

---

Two rows of droids greeted the Jedi in the main chamber , Dwarf spider droids mixed with honing spider droids .

Tracing lazers lanced from lenses atop the Honing droids heads , Scanning their surroundings as they searched for their intended targets .

Standing behind the droids was an army of militarized locals dressed in plastoid armour .

The whole assortment was more sophisticated than what was surely needed on such a world , making Obi-Wan's suspicion of the commerce guild operation skyrocket .

Blaster fire from the droids came quickly and accurately , The flash of Obi-Wan's and Siri's blades answered the flying bolts of plasma , Redirecting bolts away form themselves and into their surroundings .

The two moves forward , Their years spent together , Fighting and learning together honed their ability to meld their fighting styles together . They two advanced , Siri's manourverability coming to at as she danced around blasterfire .

Obi-Wan was the strategist of the two , Setting her up for a chance to which she expertly capitalised on . He moved , She danced around and struck . They moved like phantoms , Blurs of speed as their After-images flew through the main chamber , Cleaving through the army of spider droids without fault .

Their ferocity took care of the first two lines of droids in moments , The two landing together back to back with their blades up and ready just as the third line stepped up for battle .

Soara was known for her fighting prowess , As a combat instructor within the Jedi temple , Obi-Wan took the chance to observe her technique , The fluidity of her movements . Each swipe of her lightsaber was true and calculated as she severed the head off a droid , A blaster in half or deflected an incoming bolt . With one savage strike , Rendered five droids defunct with a single swipe , Their heads dropped to the ground as she simply stared forward , Smoke rising from the droids decapitated bodies.

Seeing the Jedi deal with the droids spurred the gathered militia into action , Seeing that they weren't dealing with simple thieves , They mounted their weapons and opened fire on their Jedi , Streams of blaster bolts filled the main chamber and hailed down apon the Jedi .

It was then that the third line of droids advanced , Using the chance to mount an offensive whilst the Jedi were saving themselves .

Obi-Wan began to sweat , Whilst he could not see the chance of them being defeated , Being struck by a plasma bolt was not something he wanted to deal with especially since they were hunting a rather resourceful target .

It was this moment that the third party made it's move , The Jedi , The gathered militia and the army of spider droids froze as a palpable pressure settled on their shoulders .

The shadows of one of the connecting passages elongated to an impossible degree , Countless arms crawling from the only darkness , Dragging themselves from the darkness like nightmares given form .

Their screams drew the attention of the droids as the registered the noises .

Obi-Wan ,Siri and Soara shivered as the humanoid shapes stood tall , Hunched over as ruby red eyes looked at everything within the chamber .

The chill of the room intensified as clanking footsteps came from the other side of the chamber , Stepping from the shadows was something Obi-Wan wasn't sure was dead or alive .

Made out of pure coiling darkness that shrouded it from view , It's red molten eyes scanned over the Jedi and everyone else present slowly .

Seeing the apparent leader , The droids opened fire apon the figure , Giving the answer to Obi-Wans question in the negative as blaster fire simply passed through the spirit and hit the stone behind it .

This was apparently the wrong move for the droids , As the spirit seemingly took offence to this as it raised his hand in a balled fist .

They watched as the spider droids began to claw at the stone , Digging into the storm as they wined and cried , Their forms beginning to dent and crumble , The steel of their bodies screaming , Crumbling and warping , And before long the entire droid army was a mangled mess of steel , Dropping onto the ground into the scrap .

The gathered Jedi each felt the collective fear they each held rise as the dead turned their attention to the masters .

The militia froze z Their blasterfire long since ceased as they paled several tones .

They held their lightsabers forward , This seemed to apparently offend these dead figures as they shifted , Their stature lowering as they prepared to sweep and snuff out the lives of the organics present .

They were halted however by the same one who crushed the droid army , A lone hand raising in a halting gesture that completely froze the prepared army .

The creature drew their attention as it's shoulders grew stiff , chest pumping out , Head raising before blasting forward .

What came out of its mouth was a scream that shook the temple , Rocks dropped from the roof as the beastial yell shook their souls , Fear swelled up from within , Crushing them as an instinctive terror froze them .

When it ended , The intended warning was imposed .

" Yea we read you loud and clear " Obi-Wan announced , Motioning the Jedi with him to go back into the catacombs away from the spirits . Ry-Gaul manourvered himself in the shadows , Steering clear of the spirits watching him as he followed his fellow Jedi .

---

Kallig watched the Jedi leave , Head slowly turning towards the army that had come to snuff out the thieves , And one by one , The militia thrust their blasters to the ground , Turned tail and fled back into the sands of Korriban .

A flick of his wrist caused the spirits to surge back throughout the catacombs of the temple towards the hidden passage under the monestary , Once more flying under the continent towards the Korriban academy where mounting shadows were arriving .

All the while kallig remained , Staring down towards the hanger with squinted eyes , Thus he proceeded to take a step in following the trail left by his ancestor , Continuing in following his orders of protecting their secrets from the intruding Jedi figures .

---

They heard the marching drums of the droids footsteps , The clattering of the footsteps of the army apparently nearing drew panic from ferus and Anakin .

" Stay here " Ferus ushered Auben into the shadows of the service bay " And hide "

He ran back over to Anakin as the two looked around , The army they were searching for remained hidden for several moments before the reflective glint of their armour reflecting the little light that Shon in .

The two spotted maybe thirty to forty droids approaching as sweat looked on the bases of their necks.

" Wait " Ferus squinted " Those aren't ordinary battle droids "

" They have reinforced armour " Anakin swallowed hard " And the control centre is lower ... you can't cut off their heads "

" There is too many of them " Ferus began looking around the hanger " We have to retreat "

" We can take em " Anakin sneered , Grabbing the hilt of his lightsaber before ferus settled his hand on anakin's shoulder .

" Anakin , There's no time to play hero . The two of us can't do it by ourselves " Ferus tried to coerce anakin's current thinking.

" That's your trouble ferus " Anakin shrugged off the boys hand " You're always looking at the odds "

Ferus huffed as Anakin stepped forward through the shadows , Of course the hot head went on to attack the army of approaching droids head on. And as such , Both Anakin and ferus knew that ferus wouldn't leave him .

" We should attack them from above " Ferus pointed out " They won't be expecting that "

" How "

" Follow me " Anakin gathered the force I to his legs before Leaping high onto a gigantic statue , Landing on his knee gently . Clawing into the stone , He began to ascend higher .

Looking over his shoulder , He could see ferus was doing the same on another statue not so far off . And finally they were high above the floor , But even so the ceiling still towered high above them , Stretching to disappear into a veil of darkness that was reminiscent of a starless sky .

Balancing on the shoulders of the statue , Anakin looked down as the ranks of droids passed down below .

" Wait for the first wave then drop " Anakin said " Then we can use our liquid cable launchers , The statues can cover and ... "

" I get it " Ferus quieted the explanation as he tried to focus .

They waited for several moments as the droids drew closer and closer , But it was as if luck was against them , As two shadows blasted into the hanger gaining the immediate attention of the droids .

Ferus and Anakin sucked in a breath as they realised Darra and tru had arrived and became the sole attention of the droids .

" They think we're down there " Ferus blanched in horror.

Both Jedi Padawan's leapt from the statues into the air , They bounced from the cold stone of the statue and swung over the first line , Their lightsaber sawing through the droids they cut through . Due to their quick thinking and unexpected angle , The droids were ill prepared for the descending Jedi , Taking out dozens in moments before the Jedi came to a landing .

Seeing Anakin and ferus , Darra and tru sprung into action , Engaging the droids form their direction as they cut through the nearest of the ranks .

Anakin steeled himself as he became drenched in his focus of battle , He lost focus for anything else even as he knew the chances of victory were slim . it he knew , That if he were to prove himself a true Jedi , Such things were what he would have to do on a regular basis .

He force pushed a droid , Carrying it over and into another , Crushing them together against eachothers robust forms.

He drew apon the force further , It was always something he and his sister could lord over everyone around them , Their connection rivalled the greatest of the great , So when he drew it to himself , His senses sharpened , His actions became faster and strength greater. He continued to cut down any before him , The droids turned to scrap heaps within moments as he plowed through the lot .

Even as he focussed on the battle , He kept note of all the other Padawan's around him , In battle all his misgivings with ferus evaporated , In battle , They were simply Jedi , Brothers at arms defending eachother .

But even as well as the Jedi were doing , Something has to go wrong , Such was the nature of Korriban as tru's lightsaber flickered unevenly . Darra seeing his predicament , She moved to defend him even as the boy was struck by a blaster bolt .

Anakin would have moved to do the same had he not spotted a flickering shadow out of the corner of his eye , A fleeing figure , Ominous and flowing running away in the opposite direction . And making a moments decision , He charged after his target.

---

Watching Anakin rush away after some unseen enemy , Darra began to panic , Standing over a fallen tru , Blade flashing in wild arcs as she , Ferus and true were soon surrounded by droids .

Panic began to settle within her as her breaths became ragged , He movements became sluggish and she began to tire .

The same could be said about ferus as the knight candidate slowed considerably .

But their saving grace came in the form of the glistening white lady that had followed them , Darra's eyes widened at her arrival as like a gracious deity , Spread her arms to the side as earth radiated from her body .

Energy flooded the Jedi , The movements becoming foreign to them as they began to blur and speed with speeds they had not the ability to achieve .

Darra flipped and contorted mid air as her lightsaber left trails in the air , Terrible wakes that severed the bodies of the silver droids around them like a terrible warrior had taken her body .

The same could be said for ferus as he was rejuvenated , His actions becoming a blur as he sped up further and further , A force push from him tearing through several of the droids , Turning them to scrap instantaneously.

Simultaneously, The two lost compete control as a ripple rose form them , Domes of energy erupted from them , Blasting the rest of the surrounding droids to the ground or outright obliterating them on their surroundings .

The gracious spirit lowered her hands , The brimming energy fled their bodies in the waking silence , The two Padawan's beginning to Huff and puff as weariness came over them .

Darra collapsed to the ground , She couldn't help the utterly grateful gaze she sent at the woman who had helped them .

Ferus neared , More than weary as he easily recognised he had nothing to do with what he had just done .

" What was that " Ferus whispered , Kneeling down and seeing to the unconscious tru .

" The lady in white " Was all Darra said , Ferus didn't say anything else as he could still feel a remnant of the absolute power that had washed over him in their time of need.

' Who ... or what is the lady in white '

---

By the time the masters had arrived , Obi-Wan had rushed after Anakin and returned shortly after , Dissatisfied with the apparent failure to capture the man.

" You alright " obiwan asked as he knelt down to tru .

" Just a few bruises , Ferus fixed me up " The boy smiled up to Obi-Wan as he flexed his body to show he was fine .

" I saw someone fleeing the side of the hanger , Obi-Wan is sure it was a sith " Anakin tried to explain the reason for abandoning the group .

" Well we're on Korriban Afterall " Darra's tone was clipped as she sat not too far off from the others , To Anakin her tone differed from when they last spoke , As if she resented him for running from them .

" Our mission is to find and secure grant omega , You had things under control so I went after him " Anakin stayed resolute in his stance .

" So you were sure we had things under control " Ferus growled , Wiping his hand on his tunic .

" That's what I said "

" Tru was wounded , I couldn't help him . Darra stood over him and battled against waves of droids alone . and we had things under control " Ferus glared hard at Anakin .

" Well obviously I made the right call " Anakin looked around at the scattered scrap of the deceased droids .

" And of course you were only thinking of the mission " Ferus insinuated .

" Of course " Anakin replied in a short tone , Squinting at the other Padawan . But deep down he knew , The main reason he had chased after the sith was to one up ferus , To win their bet , And Admittedly , His thoughts of his friends were lost on him in the moment .

Chancing a look to tru , His friend looked pained and unhappy with his explanation , He hoped tru would eventually understand why he did what he did , Afterall they were best friends right .

The masters chose that moment to approach , Appraising the droid scrap as they knelt down and picked up one of the pieces .

" These are the super battle droids we've been hearing about " Soara announced " A complete violation of republic regulations"

Wincing , Obiwan neared " we're lucky to be standing , this could have ended so much worse . I think our next step is to trace the steps if the sith , He most likely used the exit you used to get inside , Ry-Gaul "

" That's why he blocked it I assume " Ry-Gaul supported .

" Or the landing pad is still operational " Siri offered her opinion.

" It's buried " Anakin shook his head .

" Maybe it just looks buried " Siri replied .

" Let's ask Auben " Anakin said " She can atleast show it to us "

Standing he walked back to the bay ferus had left her , And froze apon seeing her absence .

" She was hiding beside the cruiser , Where could she have gone " Soara said .

" I dont think she'd return to the monestary " Ferus said " She's terrified of the commerce guild .

" She must have snuck behind us when we were helping tru and ferus " Siri began to look around the chamber at where she could have gone .

" Most likely heading for the other exit , I thinks she mightve gone in the same direction as the sith " Ferus announced .

This caused the Jedi took look at each other , The group promptly departed without further words , Hurried footsteps moved them across the hanger , Checking each service bay as they made doubly sure that Auben hadn't hid in any of these seperate chambers .

Finally they found the collapsed hall the sith had escaped through , Immediately using their lightsabers to clear a path , Until they had a large enough hole to crawl through , And one by one they each passed through into the last bay that was hidden away .

And Inside this bay was a much newer ship , Ramp down and obviously ready for immediate use .

" Did you see this when you came in " Obi-Wan asked Ry-Gaul, The man shaking his head .

" Must've came in after I left "

As the Jedi came closer , They spotted a body on the ships ramp , Undoubtedly dead as her hair sprawled around her , itching what little she had been able to get , Which just happened to be one of the thermal capes Anakin and ferus had requested , And without a doubt .. she was dead .

---

With the Jedi currently tracking the sith and omega on world , Nox evaporated from his following of Darra and the others , Shifting across Korriban to the sith academy dark council chambers.

He came together like gathering ash atop his old throne , Leaning back into the ancient cracked stone of his council seat , Nox rested his chin on the back of his right hand . Black eyes peering at the spirits ready to sweat themselves to his servitude .

Kallig ascended the steps to stand at his side , His skull countenance peering at the spirits with disinterest .

" Approach one at a time " Kalligs words echoed throughout the chamber , The temperature dropping considerably the more than darkness gathered .

As the first of the newly gathered spirits approached and knelt , Nox listened to the words it spoke . Mind wandering as he mused over how long it would take for the Jedi to find omega and the sith in the valley of dark lords not far away .

---

VALLEY OF THE DARK LORDS - HOURS LATER

---

The group of Jedi peered at the ruins around them , Huddled together as they walked away from a group of recently dispatched tukata .

" We'll have to search every tomb " Soara announced .

" Oh ... good " Darra dryly commented .

Anakin refused to looked at either ferus and tru , Having caught ferus fixing tru's malfunctioning weapon . It hurt him to think that tru would go to ferus for help , Rather than asking Anakin considering he had already been working on the power cell . But if ferus was doing it then there was no need to tell them what was wrong with it because obviously the perfect Padawan would already know .

" You're hurt " Obi-Wan said as he looked over Anakin.

" It's nothing " Anakin replied shortly , Still very much annoyed .

" Anakin , This is only the beginning of the battle " Obiwan stopped their progress " Let me take care of it "

Quickly , Almost embarassed ,Anakin raised his arm , Obiwan quickly applying bacta to the wound on his arm , And as soon as it was applied , The burning sensation began to lessen .

As they continued their walk , The group began to feel more and more uneasy as the valley around them began to contort , Shadows twisted and grew , Darkness roiled and awakened , Brought from their slumber by their mere presence , Trespassing on land that didn't belong to them .

"They are waking," Ry-Gaul said.

"They know we're here," Siri agreed.

"Let's try the first tomb," Obi Wan said.

Anakin wanted to say something , Somehow , Someway , He knew that the individual they were searching for wasn't within .

He hated the feeling rising withing , A feeling of uncertainty, He hated it . He wanted to be sure , To know exactly what was happening , That was power .

"Stay together," Soara said.

They entered the tomb , It was absolutely massive , Two stone obelisks stood guard on either side , Teeth bared at whoever was near , Claws ready rend the flesh of everyone about to enter . Anakin noted them to be tukata .

Walking forward, Obiwan pushed against the entrance to the building , The stone groaning and screaming under the pressure.

It took longer than one would have thought but before long they were all walking inside , Keeping close together , Lightsabers at the ready , using them to light their path .

The tombs ran deep and far Into the dark , Stone depicting life sized carved stone figures showing long dead sith Lords . And with each step , The whispers grew deeper , Growing in strength in their attempts to draw in all listening.

Within the ears of all present , Whispers promises that would never be fullfiled , Trying to pry them from the group in an attempt to gain power of everyone present.

As they walked , The dark ess grew in intensity , The light of their lightsabers passing on only for a few metres before being swallowed by the void.

Suddenly a skeletol hand grabbed ahold of Soara , Rising out of the dark corner in a attempt to main the Jedi , A snap hiss of a lightsaber split the skeleton in half.

All at once , Everything exploded into action , Blasterfire exploded from all directions , Energy nets attempted to bind everyone in place .

Leaping into action , Every moved forward , Obiwan proceed Soara and Darra whilst tru and Ry-Gaul moved forward to deflect the blasterfire .

Anakin , Ferus and Siri did their best to disable the energy energy net binding them .

As the energy net broke , A fireball erupted. from the rear of the tomb , Swallowing everything in its path in an attempt to burn them all to a crisp .

"We have to get out of here!" Obi-Wan shouted.

Soara hauled Darra from the confines of the net , The group flying towards the door , And as soon as they reached its surface , Trepidation over tool them as they realised it was shut , With them trapped inside .

With nowhere to go but up , They could feel the heat of the fireball as it neared , The group leapt up and high into the air as the fireball smashed into where they previously occupied . As they hung from the stone above , Their situation became a whole lot more manageable when the fireball busted through the sealed door , allowing them freedom from the corridor they were confined within.

Deeper within , The fire all stopped and exploded as it lost momentum , Eating at stone , Annihilating everything it came across for a good ten metres in diameter.

Quickly departing the tomb , The still smouldering crater of where the fireball landed was easily avoided , Fire still burning of where it previously exploded.

" Are you alright " Soara asked

Darra nodded, Still shaken by the sudden ordeal but more than willing to continue onwards .

The group came to the unanimous decision, following that event , They couldn't well search all tombs and expect to make it out in one piece.

Obi-Wan stood forward , He stretched his senses out on a whim , He could feel him , Omega deep within the ruins and tombs , Knowing which direction he was in thanks to the unique bond they had between each other , Not that omega knew of this bond , Obiwan suspected .

He turned. "There." He pointed down the row. "Zan Arbor and Omega are in there. They've gone to meet the Sith."

And of course how they missed it was beyond them , For halfway up the valley was a littered trail of bloodied tukata .

Anakin couldn't help but agree , He too could feel that was the right direction , The sith was out there , Calling to him from that direction , He was near , He was waiting , And he was watching.

They entered the tomb before them , It was far darker than the last , Smelling of death and decay . Everything was ING apart from age , Worn to the point it could crumble at a moment's notice . Buried within , stacked atop each other and within the walls were hundreds of bodies piled on-top of each other.

Once more rising their lightsabers as a source of light , Their weapons made the murals on the walls visible to the group , Drawn in red , The deeds of the great Lord's were shown before them , Interestingly enough ,Apart from the massacres , The worldwide bombings , others appears to be scratched out , And recently they might add ,Within the last decade of two if the age of the scratches was anything to go by. ,Like something was trying to remove evidence of its existence .

Sitting up beside him , Causing Anakin to jump , One of the bodies wore the face of his mother .

"Annie," she called. "Annie."

"Mother." It pained Anakin to see her in such a sorrowful state , The last he had heard she was living a comfortable life with a new husband , Kanya had said so , She wouldn't lie. ... would she .

"Anakin!" Obi-Wan's voice was sharp. "It's a vision. Nothing more."

Anakin shook his head , The risen body where his mother was now layed back down looking like a simple corpse . He grew red with embarassment , The other looking at him with what looked like pity . Even ferus , And that was something he hated more than all else , Pity , From ferus , No ... this was unacceptable .

It wasn't just him that experienced the visions however , Everyone was experiencing something different , Everyone was being shown something that either scared or terrified them .

Once more Darra showed her fortitude , Seemingly unaffected by the whole ordeal as she simply continued on .

Many shadows once more rose to meet them , Reaching out , Screaming , Clawing and biting , But no harm came , They continued through the swimming sea of darkness , They walked through the passage of hate , The whispers and taunts.

The murals continued on , Depicting creatures of ma y different shapes and sizes , Images of death and destruction followed in their wake .

One of them sprung to life and flew at the group , Screeching and trying to claw at them , Tru leapt to the floor but as the avian was apon them , it exploded into dust .

" Hehe " Tru found his way to his feet , Clutching at his lightsaber.

Anakin glared at the weapon , The weapon who's right to modify had been stolen by ferus , And no doubt the other Padawan no doubt fixed it perfect just like he did everything else.

Obi-Wan held up a hand. "Stop. Energy trap."

Squinting , Anakin could see nothing but the dark except the light of his master's blade .

"I don't see anything," Ferus said.

"Look away, then look back. Use the Force," Siri instructed.

Doing as told , Anakin looked away , The. turned back , And sliced the absolute fainted glimmer of purple one could possibly see , It shimmered and disappeared , how easy would it have been to run into it .

"I see it," Darra said.

"There will be more," Obi-Wan warned. "The Padawans must be very careful. You most likely won't be able to escape alone. Stay close to your Masters."

Stepping around the trap , The group made their way past deeper into the next chamber .

The chuckle split the fetid air. "I would expect no less of you, Obi-Wan." The voice mocked then , Laughing at any misfortune they may have had on their way here .

Granta Omega.

Obi-Wan stopped dead in his tracks as grant omega stepped out from the shadows just metres ahead of where they were .

He tapped a finger on his utility belt. "Did you really think you could avoid a few traps and catch me?"

"Get back here you fool," Zan Arbor hissed as she appeared , Unhappy look easily seen on her face , appearing behind him out of the darkness. "Why must you always talk to him" Wearing her blue silk robe that clung to her figure , She looked like a snob with her blonde hair braided into coiling robes that hung around her head.

"Well because I'm enjoying myself of course " Omega said , His face contorted into a sickening smile on his face , He apparently felt right at home where he was "I have, let's see one, two, four, eight Jedi, all sent to capture little old me "

"Are you serious , Are you forgetting I'm here, too" Zan Arbor snapped through gritted teeth "Typical. I was a Jedi enemy before you were born, Granta "

"My father was their enemy before me," Omega said.

Xanatos , A traitorous Jedi that had turned and tried to kill quigon jinn , It wasn't something they were proud of . But apparently the man's son had inherited his utter arrogance , Cruelty and the same boiling hated that need to spill the blood of any Jedi around him , Whether he was office sensitive or not .

The blonde waved her hand " Go ahead , I'm going on without you , Whether we meet this sith or not , I'm going on . I can't wait to be off this ... disgusting planet . Anyway , We've wasted enough time ... he's waiting "

" All we need to do is get there and meet him , And you're here humouring these Jedi , Let's go and get everything we've ever wanted you fool "

But it appeared his hubris had once again gotten the better of him as he didn't move , Simply shoved her off of him and arrogantly stared down the Jedi .

" I can do this , With or without his help " Omega sneered.

" Uhh hello , incase of whether or not you've forgotten , You're no sith , You don't even have a connection to the force " Zan hissed .

" I've outpaced Kenobi every step of the , Out smartest and outgunned " Omega continued on his hate filled rant " I don't even know any secrets of the Sith . But when I get my hands on them , Nobody is ever going to be able to stand up to me . And what better place to end Kenobi , That the very halls that call for his death "

Obi-Wan's eyes hardened , Lightsaber held at the ready , The man held no words for omega . He wasn't angry , It appeared he was simply ready to do what was needed . Nothing was going to save the criminal before them Anakin realised , Not unless Obi-Wan let him live .

" Ahh I see , You don't want to speak to me . You're ruining my fun Obi-Wan" Omega held his brow and gave a dramatic sigh as if he were on a play . His other hand reached into his coat and produced a blaster , A KYD-21 to be precise .

" It's annoying , That you Jedi managed to find me here . But it's a fitting end , Our final encounter . With the sith nearby , I'm invincible here . You can do nothing , But die like dogs at my hands . You , All of you . your end has arrived . Come ... or are you too afraid "

His finger pressed into the trigger , But that's all he achieved as Obi-Wan exploded into action , Sprinting forward with his lightsaber pointed forward in a classic maneuver .

The bolts from omega's blast came fast and hard , Obi-Wan blocking and redirecting each bolt away as he continued on towards his intended target .

A sick smile came to omegas face as a smell slowly cooled up from behind and up from the floor

The hundreds of dead buried within suddenly rolling to life as they sprung from their resting places , Screaming and roaring. Zombies ... No doubt raised by the sith to protect omega , But something was off about them , As if they were actively resisting being activated , As with some of the zombies did not rise , Shook slightly but did nothing else , Like the sith wasn't able to reign them in . They should have been answering the call of the Sith within the tomb , But it appears the activated zombies werent attacking because he ordered it , But because something else other than the hidden sith had down so .

The evidence for this came when one of the zombies tried to take a bite out of omega , Causing the man to panick and blast a hole in it's skull .

Recovering from the confusion of the zombies attacking everyone within , Anakin moved to assist Obi-Wan , Coming to his side as they cut through the horrible smelling dead .

These undead were simply in their way , Nothing more. Answering to an unseen force that cared not for the machinations of the current sith , These dead wanted them all out , And if they didn't leave then the zombies no doubt would attempt to add them to the count of the dead .

Working with his master , Anakin and Obi-Wan cut through the continuing to grow horde of zombies , Cutting a path towards omega who was not only firing apon them but also the zombies that were leaping at him . Together they would capture the lunatic ... and the reward would be theirs .

Zan had long since disappeared into the shadows as soon as the first zombie turned on them . But she didn't matter in the slightest , It would be simple to find her if need be again .

It was then that the culprit of the zombies turning on Omega appeared at the entrance to the tunnel , Shrouded in shadow , Feet clanking against the ground , The spirit from earlier had reappeared . Causing the Jedi masters to draw their breaths short at its sinister eyes , Every other feature on its face hidden .

It simply stood there and watched as they battled , But it's presence was enough to cause everyone to shudder , And when visions rose from lookin at it for too long , Shrieking sith shadows leapt from the walls only to evaporate into ash , An illusion , But they were no doubt effective as they wore at the resolve of everyone present .

" Why aren't you obeying " Omega yelled to the spirit , The being turning to him with its molten eyes , Unblinking and unanswering before turning it's attention back to the fight with the Jedi .

The spirits very presence drove the power of the Darkside to new heights as the Darkside interfered with their senses , Sapping the source of light from the. , And to save each other they reached it in an attempt to anchor themselves to reality.

Calling apon whatever they could to help aid them .

Ferus looked to Darra , The girl knowing what he was asking .

" Please help us " Soara heard her words , Many questions rising from within his mind .

And like a great heat had descended apon the zombies , They physically recoiled as blinding white light filled the tunnel , And stepping from within , Was the lady in white .

The imposing spirit seemed shaken as much as the zombies , For it's screech was a terrible thing.

But the flowing brown hair of the spirit flowed with its movements , It sprung forward , Cutting a straight line through the zombies before it impacted the spirit , Both dispelling into the force immediately after .

With the presence of the Sith spirit gone for now , The zombies returned to their previous assault , The amazement of the Jedi fading and returning to battling the group of sith zombies.

Anakin began to lose focus , As he was the main focus of the hidden sith , Visions of being betrayed by his master , Cut down In this very tomb , Being abandoned for ferus or cast out of the Jedi order.

"Anakin." Obi-Wan's voice was close. "Keep your focus."

Anakin shook his head once more , Yes he needed to focus , The Darkside preys on your insecurity, so all he needed to do was focus , And he wouldn't be affected by it any further .

Tru leapt high , Cutting two zombies in half , Redirecting stray blaster bolts from omega away from himself , But the moment soon turned to horror as he landed , And the blade of his lightsaber flickered and spluttered , It threatened to lose power at a moment's notice .

And to make things worse , Try was located at the very middle of the horde of zombies . Obi-Wan was long gone , Having taken after omega on the far side of the corridor , He was too far to help right now .

Anakin looked both left ... then right , He had a moment to make a decision . The only thing stopping him from assisting in the capture of omega was friendship . His friendship to tru , The chance that he wouldnt be okay .

' He'll be okay' Anakin sprinted after his master.

Ferus called to tru ,catching the boys attention as he hurled his lightsaber through the air .

The boy smiled greatfully as he too tossed his own sputtering weapon at his friend , Catching the working blade and swinging in a wide arc , Cutting through the zombies about to crumble apon him .

Ferus caught the half powered lightsaber , Resolving himself to make do with the weapon as he aimed it at a zombie .

Suddenly , Omega appeared again , Having snuck past Obi-Wan and back to the fight , Zan at his side . Anakin's eyes narrowed , This whole thing was a trap , They never planned to fight them , they were about to run out through the front door .

And at the entrance of the tomb , Another stood , This time the real sith , The one they were hunting , Sick yellow teethed smile ,Ike a snake ready to pounce . His face was hidden , What Anakin wouldn't do to see the bastards face .

Zan ran to the sith as they were about to make their escape , Anakin turning his attention back to the fight of the Jedi , Ferus was watching tru's back , But none of the masters noticed , Only he and Darra , that the blade was once more short circuiting.

He stood still, Watching Darra leap through the air to save him , Completely selfless in the endeavour even as omega smiled at seeing her leap , His target clear .

And like a serpent strike , Fired .

The bolts sailed and nailed the girl in the chest , Three in quick succession . But she had done what she had wanted , Come between Ferus and omega and cutting through a pouncing zombie even as her body collapsed face first on the ground.

Everything froze , The zombies rounded Alon the dying girl in confusion , Soara roared in anguish , And in a burst of power , Carved a bloody path through the distracted and immobile zombies.

The three targets took this chance , They ran through the entrance and into the darkness , Disappearing into the shadows .

Tru howled in anguish , Ferus collapsed to his knees Infront do Darra , Craddling her from the ground even though the zombies surrounded them .

Siri leapt , Decapitating the zombies between herself and the group of Padawan's , Landing and swinging her blade in an arc to finally sniff out the lives of the final gathered dead .

Omega was still nearby apparently , As ferus took a blaster bolt to the shoulder form the shadows of the entrance , Deep down and nearly around the corner , They were escaping .

Anakin remained frozen still as Darra's head turned towards him , Eyes pleading , Begging for him to come to her , Her cheek lay against the dirt , Eyes slowly growing cloudy , She seemed to be struggling to accept the inevitable , But it was just that ... The inevitable .

He saw all this, and still he didn't move.

Obi-Wan appeared once again , Having apparently been in a scuffle with more than a few zombies deeper within the tomb , Heedless of the situation he continued to the direction The sith and omega were escaping through .

Anakin closed his eyes , Shedding a silent tear before bursting after his master .

---

Slowly she felt her body grow still , Eyes closing against her will a sad whimper escaped her , She was cradled in her master's arms as tears ran down both their cheeks .

Almost pathetically, One harsh cry escaped her before she went still in her master's arm , Her eyes finally went shut and refused to open , No amount of shouting or crying from the others could wake her from her eternal slumber .

And because of the decisions of many around her , The actions and ignorance . Her life had been snuffed without a fair chance .

---

Her eyes opened to a star filled sky , Soft grass pet her arms and legs , Her hair lay sprawled around her hair as she resolved herself to simply rest in the afterlife in comfort .

" Well I wouldn't exactly call this the afterlife ... more smile a cross roads " Darra's head snapped to the side as she caught a familiar figure .

Sat atop a small perfectly shaped rock was the same silhouette that had followed her for the better part of the last day .

Sitting up , Crossing her legs , Darra stared at the woman with a pouring expression .

" You say this is a cross roads , What for " Darra asked as the woman's eyes trailed over her before looking at something behind her .

" A choice " The voice became disassembled as the woman faded , Making Darra look to where she had been staring .

Apparently the plain of grass she was on was apart of a small island teaming with life , Floating in the void as a small stream of water flowed through the island and drifted off into mist within a waterfall that dropped into the void .

Across from the island was another island , The other covered with ash and sand , Dead trees lined the decaying field as bones jut from under the surface .

The sand twisted and rose , Flowing off the side to meet the water from the island off life in the middle . Both sources colliding with a stone path that kept the two islands seperated .

Surrounding the two islands were colloidal statues hidden behind giant stone robes . Floating around the islands like ancient monoliths .

Standing at the centre of the path was a humanoid shape made of shifting colours , Staring up into the sky as if it was waiting for something.

Correctly assuming it was waiting for her , She came to her feet and made her way to the edge of the island . A small amount of wander filling her as she stepped off and onto seemingly invisible ground below .

" Hello little one " The shifting figure turned to her as she made it onto the floating stone path .

" W...where are we " Darra asked , Staring up into the black eyes that stared down at her .

" As of two days ago ... you died protecting your friend . In his self imposed guilt ... ferus Olin has resigned from the Jedi order . Anakin Skywalker continued on the path before him ... And tru ... tru feels the most guilt of all for it was his lightsaber that shorted ... But that is not why you are here ... you see I need help " The being slowly lowered himself to her height , Giving her a full view of the multitude of stars within his endless sockets .

" M...my help . W...what do you need my help with " Darra asked , Unsure of where she was as nothing gave her a straight answer , Scared of what this being wanted with her .

" You see child. A sith has taken control of the senate . And Within a few short years , Will begin a galaxy wide war with his apprentice ... who currently leads the confederacy of independent systems " The being explained .

" You mean count Dooku " Darra asked , The shock of the situation shaking her.

" Yes ... this sith . His goal is to rule the galaxy . And one of the biggest obstacles between him and his rule is the Jedi ... so he plans to destroy them " The thing explained to her , His words spoke of nothing but absolute truths that rocked her very soul .

" You ... you plan to stop him " She wanted to cry out when the being shook his head , Reaching forward and gently holding onto both her shoulders .

" The sith is a problem . But what will rise from the Jedi order to oppose him will be a great deal more noble and far greater than the current Jedi order . But that doesn't mean I won't help anybody , I plan to save as many people as possible " He continued to tell the girl of what was to come , The truth of the upcoming events causing tears to flow down her face .

" Then why don't we just end the problem before it grows too big " Darra asked in pure desperation. The bing comfortingly rubbed her arms , Flooding her with soothing energy at the same time .

" Because in time , Dangers far greater than this sith will come . And without the sith preparing the galaxy , They will all die and perish . Nobody will survive . Not the sith , Not the Jedi , The galaxy will burn . And then the ones who did such a thing will burn when even greater dangers drop atop them . You see child . For the survival of the galaxy , This sith must prepare everyone. That is why I can't do anything until the time is right "

" B..But what could be more dangerous than a sith " Darra grew terrified , For her entire life she was told that the biggest enemy of the Jedi was a sith , For something more dangerous to exist ... it terrified her .

" Armies of beings without the force , They crave nothing but death and destruction , They will turn coruscant into hell if given the chance . And apart from them ... There are demons and evil gods z Malicious and twisted ... locked away or too far away to endanger the galaxy ... But they are breaking free as we speak , They are the ultimate danger ... everything dies if they win ... even the force itself "

Darra froze , The mere thought of something able to endanger the force itself instilled an instinctual terror within her , But it also steeled her ... in life she protected the galaxy ... and in death she was being offered the chance to do something to continue to help .

" What do I have to do " He could have been lying , But the possibility of what would occur of him not lying would be the worst possible thing she could ever think of .

Behind her a gleaming white hole opened on the stone path.

" There are others in this quest with me , They are in a similar situation that you are in . But through that doorway , You will come across a vessel of light , You will be bound to it , You will grow with it . You will protect it , It is vital for not only the survival of the current Jedi order , But many important events in the future . And through this vessel , You will be given the chance to guide and protect your friends from this vessel " The being grabbed a hold of her stomach , Withdrawing his hand as a trail of bluish light coiled around him palm . It then cast the tether of light through the doorway , Almost immediately after Darra could feel a connection to something on the other side , An insurmountable amount of light , Warmth and comfort rose from across the gate .

" Go now child ... watch over and protect the fate of the galaxy " The being stood tall as she nodded , Trusting in the being as she turned away from him , Eyes catching the tether that connected to whatever was on the other side of the gate , She did however completely miss the same tether coming from her back and directly connecting herself to the being , Not that she noticed she was connected to it however as she stood over the boundary of the gate .

Nox watched her depart , A small smirk playing on his features as the dead girl did his bidding in a missguided sense of justice that he had implanted within her .

Looking around , Nox sniffed at the islands before contorting and shifting out of the fabricated reality towards his body currently still sat atop the eternal throne .

---

CHAPTER COMPLETE

THIS CHAPTER IS LIABLE TO CHANGE AND EDITING IN THE FUTURE .

NEXT CHAPTER - EPISODE 2 - ATTACK OF THE CLONES - ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON CORUSCANT