"Cataclysm. I have deciphered the Emperor's plans, and whether they succeed or fail, I emerge stronger. For now, however, I must remove myself from the field of conflict."
Those were the words Darth Jadus spoke to Cipher Nine the last time they met. He couldn't deny there was a tingling feeling within him, an urge to tell her the truth of his voyage; if there was anyone in the galaxy that deserved the knowledge, it was her. However, in a mission like his, no one could be trusted. Everyone had a breaking point. Everyone had their price. Jadus intended to keep this knowledge to himself when he ventured away from the Empire, once again submerging himself in the shadows.
Despite his undeniable and cathartic triumph when he was at the helm of the eradicators, despite the warm welcome Imperials had to give him, Jadus soon learned that this was not enough. The process of the Empire's reforging has begun, a society steeled by fear and anger, broken to the point of becoming unbreakable. There were times when Jadus believed this was enough, but as his spies revealed to him, there was still one threat that remained far outside of his control. A knowledge only a handful of people possessed across all of the known galaxy, and Jadus counted himself among them. There was a threat to the new order, and another of the Emperor's plans was taking shape.
Zakuul…A world from beyond their reach, a civilization shrouded in the mystery of the wild space, the one that was no less developed than Dromund Kaas or Coruscant. And this was the true focus of the Emperor; this was his project, just like Jadus sought to make Sith Empire into his.
And so he ventured forth into wild space to explore Zakuul for himself and to uncover the Emperor's mysteries. Jadus had no doubt that Vitiate did not intend to keep this planet hidden forever; one day, their eternal fleet would make itself known to the galaxy. It was his duty to prepare himself and all within the Empire who he could count as worthy servants. And he learned much, indeed…Of the fleet, of the balance between light and dark that Zakuulan knights have found, and of the family that Vitiate started. Vitiate, he said, though the Emperor wore a different mask and had a different name on Zakuul. Valkorion, a seemingly noble man to all upstanding citizens of the planet, shifts his devious nature. Their Emperor was a true deceiver, a trait Jadus admired.
But his luck was only temporary. One day, he was discovered, and when Jadus was about to leave Zakuul on his personal spaceship, the fleet arose above him like the unstoppable armada it was. Few things could make Jadus feel awe, and this was one of those rare images. The Sith didn't know what was the mistake he made, what made them realize he was an enemy, but it was too late to think about it now. Jadus always preferred to plan ahead, but some situations left no choice but to adapt.
It has been almost an hour since they put him into a detention chamber. Jadus did not resist too much, he could kill dozens of knights, yet eventually, he would still be deterred; there were too many of them at the royal space station, at the heart of which lay the Eternal Throne. He decided to save his powers for something that would come later.
He sat in silence, absolutely certain of the fact that he was being watched. Jadus was still clad in his armor with a signature silver mask covering his face; for some reason, the knights didn't force him to take it off. Were they confident in their superiority? A typical weakness that gets displayed by many.
Finally, the door opened, and Jadus saw a young man in a black royal costume, a face he was well familiar with. There wasn't any hatred in his eyes, simply an interest; perhaps he would be able to have a productive conversation. Jadus wondered why out of his three children, Vitiate would send the one which resembled a rabid yukata the least. Perhaps he didn't want the confrontation to get violent just yet.
"Greetings." The man spoke as he looked at Jadus. "I see our knights have finally caught you…You proved to be elusive; I see why Father took an interest. I am…"
"I know who you are." Jadus interrupted calmly. "Prince Thexan of the Eternal Empire, son of the immortal Emperor Valkorion." He spoke in a monotone voice, not showing any emotions, not intrigue, not worry, not anger.
"Correct." Texan sighed and nodded. "I take it you spend quite a while on Zakuul; you could've inflicted more damage than Father realizes." He spoke sternly. "I would ask you for your name, but I assume you would not give it away willingly." This one was somewhat intelligent.
"I would not," Jadus confirmed and finally turned his head towards Thexan. "Surely, your agents have done a thorough search on me the moment you discovered my existence."
"Alas, I only know that our spies discovered your actions in the Underworld of Zakuul and certain connections you were forging. They kept an eye, but we wouldn't have acted with such haste if it wasn't for the order of the immortal Emperor." Vitiate must have sensed a familiar essence through the force; the fact that he immediately turned his attention to Jadus showed that the Sith's presence on Zakuul was threatening the Emperor's plans, whatever they were. "Alas, discarding various pseudonyms you used with the people you came in contact with, your name remains a mystery. As do your origin and motives. I sense strong affiliation to the force in you, but it is…Corrupted, unbalanced, darkness outweighs the light." For anyone familiar with Jedi and Sith, one-sided force usage would not come as a surprise, but Zakuul had a different method of embracing it.
"Perhaps I should leave it to you and yours to figure it out." Jadus wasn't impressed.
"I see you're not taking it entirely seriously. Allow me to explain; you will talk today. How much time and effort it takes depends on you, but know that while I am not one for torture, there are more than enough people in our ranks that are quite the professionals."
"Ironic of you to threaten me with pain. Believing that it is something that puts fear into the heart of a Sith is more than enough to unveil your ignorance." Jadus remained cold.
"A Sith, you say? No, matter. You wouldn't be the first one to boast before a downfall. I will give you one last chance to reconsider."
"I will speak, but with a single condition," Jadus spoke up. "I wish to talk with the only one here who knows who I am, even though he may pretend that he does not. Your 'immortal Emperor.'"
"There must be a mistake. Clearly, you are from outside of Zakuul. My father never came in contact with other systems…"
"Are you willing to fulfill this condition or not?"
"If that will get you talking, very well. Be warned, as merciful as our Emperor is, he is also fair. If you attempt to deceive him, he will administer the punishment you deserve."
"Fairness is irrelevant in this matter." Jadus shook his head. "Your beliefs prevent you from understanding it. Take me to Valkorion and watch."
"And what are you expecting to happen?" Texan asked with some amusement in his voice.
"I am not sure yet, but eager to find out."
"Very well." Texan nodded and opened the metal door. "Follow me through the hall; I will bring you to my family in the throne room.
"I only care for Valkorion, at least for now."
"He is there, too, waiting," Texan reassured him and gestured for the Sith Lord to stand up. Jadus obeyed and followed the man through the hall. They walked through the space station's interior, a bridge that led directly to a vast throne room surrounded by glass and opened a vista of the night sky. Vitiate had an impressive taste, although Jadus theorized that it was more for the sake of making an impression among his people, especially visitors. Vitiate wouldn't care about such trivial things otherwise. The Knights of Zakuul stood in silence, unmoving, as Thexan and Jadus walked towards the throne room. The closer they got, the stronger Jadus's senses became. He felt force coming from inside, its concentration being incredibly strong and overwhelming. Even when Jadus bowed before Vitiate on Dromund Kaas and accepted the title of Darth, he did not feel the presence of power so untamed. Fitting for an entire family who have the power of gods.
And then he saw them in the flesh.
Two young people guarded the throne, one being an exact copy of Thexan, only differentiated from him by the white color of his clothing, and on the other side was a young woman with long dark hair matching the color of her hood and robes. Arcann and Vaylin, the prodigy children. From what Jadus knew of them, their experience in battle was far below strong Sith Lords, but their potential in force power outmatched every single one of them, especially Vaylin. He would have to be careful. And between them, a man sitting on his throne. A man who showed no sign of corruption, no signs of withering or dark side like the Vitiate Jadus remembered, but the all-consuming presence was much the same.
"Here he is." Texan broke the silence. "The man you spoke of, Father."
"Huh…" Arcann looked over at Jadus. "And that is the dreaded intruder who our knights had to hunt? He hardly looks intimidating in those chains. They should've executed him on the spot."
"Don't be so quick to discard him," Vaylin added with a playful yet menacing voice. "Outsiders make the best playthings, as rare as they are…Always so fun to break them." She smiled maniacally while focusing on the Sigh Lord.
"I assure you, I intend to grant you no such satisfaction." Darth Jadus looked up and spoke calmly.
So well-mannered, as well!" The woman giggled. "Oh, I can't wait to hear your screams…Please don't tell my grumpy old man anything; I want to 'work' with you myself."
"Speaking of him…" Jadus looked up at Valkorion. "I assume you wanted to see me here yourself. So, here I am. Do you intend to speak at all?"
"In moments like those, I prefer to listen." Valkorion's stern, domineering voice echoed in the Sith's ears. He stood up from his throne, slowly walking a few steps forward past Arcann and Vaylin, the duo that Thexan soon rejoined. Valkorion looked down at Jadus from the throne platform. "And besides, you are the one who decided to come here. I expect you to be the one asking questions."
"I came to Zakuul; that plan did not include me stepping into your throne room so early."
"'So early'?" Valkorion wondered. "So you expected it to happen sooner or later…You do not deny your ambition, interesting. I suppose that's to be expected when it comes to outsiders and their vaunted arrogance."
"I am not in the mood for those games. I may be just an outsider to your spawns, but you know exactly who I am, Vitiate."
"Do I?"
"I did not cross over the deepest reaches of space to have you pretending to be oblivious," Jadus replied sternly.
"Then why did you come?"
"To confirm my suspicions and theories. I had to prepare."
"For what?"
"You do not keep the eternal fleet on your leash to simply guard this world. No true Sith will stop at that. I have come for answers, and I was given no reason to doubt my conclusions."
"Enlighten me, then. What are your conclusions…Darth Jadus?"
"So they do know each other?" Arcann's disgruntled voice echoed from behind.
"Quiet, don't interrupt them." Texan was quick to step in, giving Jadus a moment of silence to continue.
"The body you left behind on Dromund Kaas is nothing more than an abandoned project, a ruse that you kept in the shadows for years, all because this is where your attention lies. Another world, the one that seemingly achieved the balance between light and darkness, is another experiment. Perhaps, this time, it is even successful. As to what you intend to do with the army and followers you've amassed here…I assume your goals aren't any different from what they were. Total domination across the galaxy, a world where there is no Republic or Empire, only your endless domain." Jadus explained confidently. "I understand your motives better than most, for it shares similarities with my own vision."
"Hah-hah…" Valkorion smiled. "If that is your conclusion, the one which you follow with such fervent belief, why those attempts at secrecy and espionage? You could've come here and bent the knee, pledging yourself to a new order."
"Superficial similarities don't mean we are not at odds," Jadus said dismissively. "I will create a society forged by flames of fear and hatred, a powerful and unstoppable force. You leave no opportunity for rebirth, only a barren wasteland…My contacts from the Empire told me about your actions on Ziost in great detail. You are a threat to my plans."
"You seek to destroy me, then?"
"Yes."
"Bold words. Few would dare to speak them in my presence." Valkorion nodded with approval. "That, however, leaves us in an unfortunate situation, for I do not intend for you to leave my watch. That leaves you with two options. You can give up peacefully and become a prisoner of Zakuul…Or you can step forth and try to accomplish what you came here for." He didn't even hide his mockery as he spoke those words. He looked at Jadus as if he was a worm, dirt beneath him. Sith would often look at those who had no connection to the force like this; the irony wasn't lost on Jadus.
"A duel?"
"Yes." Valkorion nodded before looking at the three who stood by his side. "If you can get past my children, that is."
"Finally, getting to the point," Arcan said eagerly.
"This is going to be fun…" Vaylin's voice brimmed with anticipation.
"So, Jadus, what will it be?"
Many thoughts rushed through Jadus's mind. He believed himself a brilliant strategist, and it was rare for him to find himself at what could only be called a dead end. He could give up and try to find a better opportunity, but would there be one? They had means to contain force-sensitive prisoners, and Vitiate would watch him closely. Even if this was just an opportunity for the Emperor to amuse himself, taking it would be better; at least, there is a small chance of success, unlike the other option.
"I will fight," Jadus said firmly. "But I need a weapon; my lightsaber was taken from me by your knights."
"That will not be a problem," Valkorion said with a smile. "Vaylin, give our guest your lightsaber."
"What?! Why me?" The woman said with disgust and annoyance.
"Let us even the chances to an extent…And besides, your true power never lied with lightsabers."
"Fine…" Vaylin scoffed and tossed her lightsaber to the bridge; there was no going back now. Jadus activated it, witnessing a bright yellow blade emerge from the handle.
"Are you ready?" Valkorion asked as Arcann and Thexan ignited their lightsabers.
"I am," Jadus replied, preparing for the most challenging duel in his life.
"Then let it begin." The Emperor's voice stroke like thunder in Jadus's ears, but he couldn't afford to show any weakness. Jadus felt that each of the Emperor's children was prepared to battle tooth and nail to bring him low. He had to be a worthy opponent to them.
"You've made the wrong choice!" Arcann shouted as he was the first one to charge toward Jadus with his lightsaber held tightly. The Sith was prepared and deflected Arcann's incoming hit, making their sabers clash. Jadus immediately felt the overwhelming power Arcann had in his hands; the force turned him into an unstoppable killing machine, and many would crumble, even Sith lords. There was no chance for Jadus to win in a contest of raw strength, so he had to rely on tactics and agility. The Sith force-pushed Arcann away, giving himself a moment to evade his blade and uncover a safe position for himself.
However, this break was far too short-lived; Thexan was quick to follow his brother in attacking the Sith Lord. However, there was no burning rage or desire within his heart, which made him slightly hesitant, an opportunity Jadus would use. He evaded moments before Thexan was about to slash him, beginning his onslaught immediately after. The young man blocked Jadus's every hit no matter how swift they were; he was more skilled than his brother when it came to fighting with a lightsaber. Jadus could sense it in him, calm and dedicated, the rational and tactical-minded one…He seemed like a misfit compared to his father and siblings; this one did not have it in his heart to be a true Sith. He could feel Thexan faltering; his experience was still inferior to that of Jadus…
However, just when the Sith Lord felt he could finally sound Thexan, a surge of agonizing pain pierced his body. It was forced lightning that immediately made him freeze and clench his teeth in an attempt not to shout.
"Do you feel it?" Vaylin's voice echoed from the throne platform; she was the one tormenting Jadus with lightning. "This is just the beginning… I'm going to make it so much worse!"
Jadus had a momentary thought of taunting her and saying that this pain would not hold him back, but a duel was no time for exchanging insults; it was a moment of pure focus and mastery; one wrong movement could get you killed. Texan tried to counterattack, but lightning wasn't enough to make Jadus lose his coordination. The Sith Lord blocked Thexan's strike and desperately tried to hold him back.
"What are you trying to prove?" Texan asked, trying to maintain his breath. "You can't win against all of us; you seemed like someone who wouldn't jump into a suicidal battle like that…"
Jadus jumped back and avoided Thexan's hit, although his blade was dangerously close.
Jadus didn't even get time to catch his breath, as Arcann was the next one to attack. He rushed into the heat of battle with his rage fueling him and descended upon Jadus from above. The Sith Lord felt his heart skip a beat, but he didn't falter. Bracing and empowering himself with the dark side of the force, he unleashed force lightning of his own right at Arcann. It slowed the young man down and made him fall on the bridge earlier than he must have anticipated. Nevertheless, he still clashed with Arcann and his saber. Jadus could also feel Thexan approaching, but this time he believed he could outsmart them.
The Sith took a few steps back, causing Arcann to step forward and open himself before approaching Thexan. The black-robed twin tried to slow down, but it was too late. His lightsaber stroked Arcann's side, causing him to let out a yell and fall on his knees, reeling from the accidentally-inflicted wound.
"Arcann, are you alright? I'm sorry…"
This moment of worry for his brother allowed Jadus to strike, inflicting a wound upon Thexan. He didn't aim at anything specific; his goal was to prevent the second twin from retaliating as quickly as possible. Most of them stroke Thexan's chest and shoulder, causing him to let out a pained shout and fall to his knees. Jadus raised his lightsaber, ready to decapitate his opponent…
"NO!" Vaylin's piercing scream echoed in Jadus's ears as he felt an agonizing force pull from the throne platform. Vaylin unleashed her potential, dragging the Sith Lord towards her with incredible speed, with him barely able to resist. Arcann and Thexan were left behind, both wounded but alive; now he only had Vaylin and Valkorion before him, but Jadus felt the excruciating pain that prevented him from resisting further, forcing him to clench his teeth even harder. "I'll make you suffer here and now!"
Jadus decided not to resist but instead to try something reckless yet potentially effective. Instead of trying to use his force to break from Vaylin's grapple, he made his approach even quicker, all while clinging to the yellow lightsaber. With any luck, surprising tactics like those will make Vaylin hesitate; a second will be enough for Jadus to kill her.
But the moment he got close, getting ready to Pierce Vaylin's heart, she realized what was going on. The direction of the force switched immediately, leaving their streams in opposition. Vaylin would push Jadus away while he would try to get closer.
"I am tired of this silly game, you have something of mine, and I'm going to take it back!" Vaylin unleashed another force stream, this time pulling the lightsaber away from Jadus's hands. If he lost his weapon, this would be over, and the Sith Lord would lose his slim chance of victory; he couldn't let this happen. The Sith raised his arm, trying to pull the lightsaber back, making it stuck between him and Vaylin. She might have been a prodigy, but he didn't spend those years training for nothing.
And yet, there was something he didn't calculate.
Instead of trying to pull even harder, Vaylin tilted the saber so that the blade would face Jadus…The Sith had no time to evade; the lightsaber sliced right into his face. The Sith's mask broke in two halves, both of which soon fell off the edge of the platform, drowning in the abyss of the throne room. The face of a dark-haired man with pale skin and yellow eyes, signifying the darkness flowing within him, was unveiled. One of his eyes was missing as a long scar lay over it. But what truly mattered was that a moment of distraction made Jadus lose his focus and let go of the blade, allowing Vaylin to claim it.
The Sith fell on the stairs before the throne, realizing that, at this exact moment, he lost.
"Now, let's make a nice example of you, shall we?" Vaylin raised her arms, making Jadus feel agony within him. The Sith could feel his armor crush his body, could feel the pain piercing his bones, as if all of them were about to break, leaving nothing but a mutilated corpse of a disgraced Sith lying before the throne. Jadus tried to breathe, but every time he grasped for air, he coughed as he felt his throat torn apart with even more force, lightning scorching it. The few breaths he managed to do were in a hoarse voice that would remind others of a dying animal; his eyes quickly became red. He thought back to the day he made his daughter, Zhorrid, sing before the nobles of Dromund Kaas until her throat could no longer take it. He felt just like her now. "Which limb should I break first? An arm or a leg…Maybe pop out your eyes? That would be fun."
"Didn't you plan on torturing him?" Arcann wondered as he and Thexan returned to the throne.
"He is boring and doesn't even scream; what a waste…"
"He can still tell us a lot about what the outsiders plan," Texan spoke up. "It's too early to end his life."
"What's it to you? They cannot harm us anyway…Or else we will return it to them tenfold."
"Vaylin, please." The man spoke with a soothing voice. "We need to make sure that we did not miss anything."
"I…" Vaylin hesitated before letting out a disappointed sigh. "Fine, if you want it that much." She dropped Jadus on the floor, and the Sith Lord was completely exhausted. He coughed with blood as broken armor made it almost impossible to breathe. He usually never fell, especially so quickly, yet the strength of this woman was unlike anything he ever witnessed before. Not he realized…The main source of raw power in the room wasn't Valkorion; it was her.
Jadus coughed, spitting blood on the floor, and looked up. Valkorion and his children stood above him, victorious and unyielding, while he had no choice but to grovel at their feet.
"I…" He tried to speak through the pain in his throat. "I have never seen such power before…I see why you needed children now, Vitiate, I see…"
"Now you have seen our power for yourself." Valkorion overshadowed Jadus. "So much like all the other Sith. Endless arrogance and spite, but no true willpower to resist the might of gods. Now you are at my mercy."
"Should we interrogate him, father?" Texan asked.
"No…This fool deserves no such effort. I already have what I need." He said neglectfully before a vile smile emerged on his face. "But he is a resilient subject, and we have just a place for his kind."
"Oh, you couldn't have picked a worse punishment…" Vaylin giggled, and Jadus wasn't even sure if she said it with disgust or some twisted form of admiration.
"You will be sent to the Royal scientist, Jarak, to Nathema," Valkorion said in a commanding voice. "He will find a use for you, on that I have no doubt. You will spend the rest of your days there…" His voice made Jadus's soul burn. For the first time in his life did, he feel so utterly defeated and humiliated. "…And you will never see what I have in store for this galaxy."
This was the day when Jadus's existence became hell.