Good evening, everyone! Welcome to the final entry in Star Wars: Jedi Odyssey V: Shadows Hunt II: Tribulations! How are you all doing on this warm night of Tuesday, July 9, 2024? I'm all right, if worried because of politics and the future of the United States, the Catholic Church, and every corner of the world. But I can't take those burdens onto myself, they'd crush me or drive me mad. I just need to put my faith in God that whatever happens, I'll be able to face it with dignity and fidelity in Him. In other words, I've been rereading some HandofThrawn45 fanfics, and they are even better than I remember. I'm starting the 2nd entry in his Sword of the Jedi Trilogy, and it's off to a great start. I'm even getting good inspiration for my next endeavor after I complete this story, which brings me to my most important parts of these Author's Notes.

After I complete and post this chapter, I'll be rewriting major portions of my first five Jedi Odyssey rewrite stories before I start writing Star Wars: Jedi Odyssey VI: Shadows Hunt III: Omega. After a deep introspection, I've realized that my writing has improved a good bit since I've started, so I can go back and improve my stories accordingly. Of course, this means I'll need to take a bit more time in laying the groundwork for improving my overall storytelling. But there's another reason I will be revising my works. Thanks to Joseph Bongiorno and his personal website, I have a chance to get my works published there, or at least get a link there, if I manage to tie up my writing and ensure there are no inconsistencies with my story and characterizations, mistakes in grammar, punctuation, and other related elements. This is all possible since I was able to tie his Supernatural Encounters story into my works, so I owe him a HUGE debt of gratitude, and I intend to pay him back with interest. I don't know how long this will take, but I WILL come back and complete this magnificent saga. I've come too far to stop now. I just felt it best to let you know before I forget. I think that's it for this entry. Since I've already written most of this final epilogue chapter, I'll be able to publish it in just two days, at most. May the Lord be with us all in these Dark Times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!

Twelve Hours Later

Helona 34th, 59 ABY

Perann Nebula, Rhand Surface

Deep Within the Planet's Catacombs

Pain. Agonizing, unending, and searing pain was the only sensation Tor Valum felt after reporting to the Lich Kings of the Gunninga Forge's destruction. Now sporting hundreds of scars from many electrical bursts, a mind twist of enough strength to affect a thousand souls, and feeling the dozens of boils he developed burst from his cloned body, the Grysk knew he should count himself lucky to even be alive after delivering the news of this disaster.

Writhing on the hard stone floor, barely able to move his lips and breathe, let alone whimper, Tor silently listened as best he could as the Infernal Council quietly deliberated with each other. Hearing occasional tidbits of useful intelligence he could use to guess the eventual retaliatory response, all while discreetly using his rejuvenated connection to the Force to heal the worst of the punishing wounds he suffered, he patiently waited until he felt the summons from his masters.

Slowly testing each part of his recovering body, wincing from each weary bone and burnt pore that threatened to break again, he lowly bowed and requested, "What do you wish of me, my Lords?"

"The loss of the Gunninga Forge and its guardians are regrettable losses, but not irrevocable ones." A Lich King reproachingly began. "And the debacle was not your fault, but that of Belok Rhal and those under his fallen command. They underestimated their enemies' resolve and any survivors will pay the price for such folly."

"Don't forget that we have far more defenses protecting our empire than any feeble mind could conceive." Another of the Nihil Retreat's decrepit rulers sternly continued. "The Last Alliance and their precious stores of baradium bombs can barely make a dent against us, not if they wish to 'save' our slaves and worlds from their natural state."

"Be that as it may, we mustn't underestimate this coalition." Abeloth patiently contradicted, earning an agreeing burble from Mnggal-Mnggal. "Their resourcefulness and resolve are greater than most of you yet realize, and now that our prey has united against us, they will be more dangerous than ever before."

"Ah, how quickly you forget, Bringer of Chaos, how Tor has already sown the seeds of disunity and treachery within the Last Alliance from the One Sith's highest ranks." Rictus pointed out. "Through all manner of attacks, we can slowly bleed the Last Alliance dry of strength and enable our ultimate ascendance."

"Still," He conceded, "That doesn't mean we can't take a few reasonable precautions and accelerate our plans." Rictus, the eldest Lich King and the True Sith Empire's most powerful Sorcerer, knew that while the Infernal Council still held the advantage in this war, that did not mean it couldn't slip away in the foggy fortunes of war.

True, the Rhandites had far more lethal and dangerous forces under their dominion, each hungry for blood from their masters' enemies: all manner of war beasts and spacefaring predators mightier than any beyond their borders; hundreds of ships capable of destruction tenfold greater than the late Megador; Sorcerers with a connection to the Dark that surpassed virtually every practitioner of the subpar Force the Last Alliance utilized.

Even without the ability to alter space through the Gunninga Forge, the Nihil Retreat was nowhere near defenseless. No. If anything, this war was only about to get so much more interesting for all loyal to the Infernal Council.

But there were a few oddities the Lich Kings needed to investigate quickly, before the opportunity passed. The Gunninga Gap, it shouldn't have been penetrated so easily by the Last Alliance. And Rictus, brilliant and cunning as he was, could see when there was subterfuge underway inside the Infernal Council. If one of its allies or vassals was hatching plans of their own, trying to advance their own goals over the Way of the Dark, that simply would not stand.

But this opposition hardly mattered for now. Everyone's plans were now in motion, and there were orders to give out to all the Infernal Council's waiting legions. The so-called Supreme Maker's followers weren't stopping to speculate on subversion, and neither could the Father of Shadows' servants if they hoped to affect their master's return.

Let the Last Alliance and whoever else might oppose the inevitable. Let them try and defend the wretched lives they and their misguided flock lived, for it would be all the sweeter when it was all taken away from them.

Just the thought of victory and omnipotence over all excited Rictus beyond all measure, and it blinded him to the careful and scrutinizing gaze Abeloth was giving him. But Tor was just able to perceive it, and he could only wonder what heretical thoughts were going through the old and ugly woman's twisted mind. Remembering his vision of her fighting Tau Palpatine and A'Sharad Hett before joining their efforts against his masters, he knew she would need to be watched more carefully than ever before.

Twenty Hours Later

Helona 35th, 59 ABY

Within the Gunninga Gap's Outskirts

Aboard the Dominance

Telekinetically constricting the air out of Belok's lungs, Abeloth plunged herself into her acolyte's mind, sifting through his psychotic bloodlust to learn all she wanted on the Last Alliance's daring first attack. Witnessing just how the Megador, after finishing their journey through the nebulous blockade and made it to the Gunninga Forge, plowed into it and triggered an explosion with the strength of an imploding planet, she was initially terrified that her pawns had died in the blast. But her fears were soon eased when she heard the earlier reports that the Super Star Destroyer's hangers and escape pods jettisoned its crew and were recovered. Even more fortuitous was how a small flotilla of ships had used the opportunity to jump into hyperspace in all the chaos, on their way to Rhand, just as she hoped they would.

With only his command ship and its crew able to escape the small supernova that was once the Gunninga Forge and its mighty defenders, the Bringer of Chaos had the perfect excuse to journey there and eliminate anyone who could divulge this betrayal and implicate her for the deed. And seeing how Belok Rhal had finally outlived his usefulness, she finished her interrogation by closing her hand into a fist, immediately satisfied by seeing the rogue Mandalorian's body go limp and fall onto the ground.

Now, all that remained was to destroy the Hope Breaker and its last few surviving crew members, and she could then return to Rhand and ensure all her preparations were complete. A simple measure, really, and she made short work of the damaged Grysk flagship by telekinetically ripping it apart down to subatomic particles. With that brief bit of entertainment done, she could reflect on the Infernal Council's latest setback and learn from their fatal arrogance.

Seeing how committed Skyriver's rulers were to protect their own by sacrificing one of their most powerful and prized warships, all while ensuring their gambit cost them as few casualties it would wreak, such conviction deeply impressed her. The differences between her enemies and temporary allies in terms of character and war doctrine helped her see how badly outclassed the Infernal Council was, and their overconfidence would prove crucial in their undoing.

Not only did the Last Alliance succeed in penetrating and opening the True Sith Empire's borders with relatively few losses, but now they accomplished their far more vital objective in secreting their subversion teams without exposure. And leading those teams were the two Jedi who carried the keys to the Infernal Council's destruction, with only Abeloth being the wiser to this turn of events.

But none of them yet realized how Tilotny's final offspring was key to having allowed this defeat to wrack the Infernal Council by subtly diminishing the weaker minds of many lesser Sorcerers of Rhand to aid the Last Alliance's first victory. She fervently hoped her luck held, because the longer she remained undetected, the longer she had to enact her own plans. And no one would ever expect what her last act would be before she finally faced up to all she wrought in her lust for power and worship.

After her last conversation with Master Skywalker and realizing the folly of her mother's deluded schemes for godhood, she was determined to start undoing what damage she could from her terror campaigns and dismantle the dark forces she helped empower. And she would start by protecting her followers and resources from the True Sith Empire's corrosive influence and subversion. They would be useful when she enacted her own final plans.

Oh, Tor Valum and his fellow Grysk might think themselves clever, hacking into her warships and implanting intricate computer viruses to turn her technology against her, just as they used their spells to manipulate her followers towards their own ends. And against a more malleable mind, the plan would most likely succeed. But Abeloth had spent millennia observing Skyriver's inhabitants plot against each other, and she recognized the signs of betrayal quite easily.

Only now, instead of using such treachery to her selfish advantage, it was time to free the galaxy from its endless cycle of killing, but with a few crucial modifications from her now-discarded plan of destroying all life.

Originally, Luke's meddling had convinced her that the galaxy didn't deserve to have anyone rule it, and she would prevent the Father of Shadows from being released by leaving Skyrvier an empty domain. Fortunately, though, she soon realized the contradicting insanity of that idea, and began devising a new plan. And this one would be a far more intricate and beautiful stratagem than she ever believed possible.

If the Jedi and Sith could come together to defy the end of all things, then it was only fair that Abeloth truly verified their convictions and see if they could stay true to their oath when tempted with all their hearts could desire. She would test the best among the Last Alliance's fighters and leaders, push them to their limits, and determine if her ultimate dream could succeed.

Soon, the galaxy would indeed be forever changed, and the Bringer of Chaos was determined to leave an immortal mark on it. But it would be one that no one would ever see coming. Just the thought of outplaying everyone one final time sent a shiver of anticipation up her spine and let her flash a toothy smile, one without any malice for the first time in eons.

Melona 3rd, 59 ABY

At the Morddoth Cluster's Outskirts

Aboard the Hapan Battle Dragon Teneniel Djo

Even when she knew this star cluster was home to dozens of worlds, each home to abominations and evils greater than any she could ever conceive, she never forgot her duty out here. Hidden behind the multi-colored veils shielding those many planets, untold numbers of hapless and destitute souls needed deliverance, and Allana was one of those placed in charge of liberating this region of space. And she was burning to bring hope to those that never even heard of the concept until now.

Alongside well-honed leaders like Boba Fett, Wedge Antilles, Julius Gaia, and Darth Irola, the twenty-three-year-old Chume'da and Jedi Knight was responsible for ten divisions of Last Alliance soldiers and their escort warships, enacting a piece of the overall campaign strategy. By striking against the True Sith Empire's facilities to soften their worlds up for eventual invasion and learn more of their capabilities, these surgical strikes had another purpose, one more psychological in nature.

For tens of thousands of years, the Sorcerers of Rhand had kept a razor-sharp eye on all its slaves, allowing no dissent to fester in their territory and feeding them nothing but the lies and half-truths they saw fit to give them. Those miserable wretches would never think that those invading their homes were here to emancipate them, to liberate their domain and deliver it into the light of the rest of Skyriver. But if they were shown another path, one starkly different than their twisted overlords walked, it would create the first stirrings of doubt in their hearts. And that doubt, with proper cultivation, could help them find the courage and hope they never possessed before.

However, while this task was one of crucial importance, one that Allana would gladly undertake, she just wished she could occasionally work near the front lines alongside the thirty thousand other soldiers under her command, whether on the ground or in her own ship, the Phoenix Whirlwind. Threats to her life and maintaining military protocol aside, she longed to stand beside her own citizens and fellow Jedi as a true equal again. By the Force, being confined to her personal flagship, a gift by her mother, to coordinate the overall mission was more constraining than the Hapan Royal Court ever was!

Being forced to sit in her command chair for countless hours each day, listen to advisors and give orders from afar, it was almost enough to make her impale herself, greater good could go kriff itself. She recognized the burden was only just beginning and how she would get her chance to serve with the troops, but that was a good way off, and youthful impetuousness often got the best of her.

Without the counsel of those wiser than her, especially her unlikely bodyguard and even more unbelievable friend in Vestara Khai Skywalker, the Hapan princess would assuredly have sneaked off and found a way to fight on the battlefield. Even now, the newfound Jedi Knight was proving herself a valued source of insight into teaching the Chume'da's forces in more exotic tactics and maneuvers when she wasn't probing the Rhandites' ranks in Ship. No one could say that the ex-Sith wasn't determined to atone for her sins and validate all her loved ones' renewed faith in her.

But while Vestara could fool most with her stern training, strong discipline, and occasionally disarming charm, Allana knew that more troubled her new distant cousin than she let on. And she was determined to get her bodyguard to come clean by the day's end, for her own good more than anything else before the war progressed any further. Out at the edge of the True Sith Empire, no one could harbor private doubts for long, nor should they when one recalled the titans of evil who stood against them.

Which was why, a couple hours later, when all the Battle Dragon's officers were preparing to enjoy a simple dinner in the ship's mess hall, sequestered from the rest of the crew as military protocol dictated, Allana was doing something rather stark for her usual carefree approach to dining aboard a Hapan vessel. She insisted that she and Vestara ate in the Chume'da's cabin, allowing both women to speak their minds free of any form of surveillance.

Having prepared for this moment, a dining set and elegant meal ready for consumption before both women entered the private berth, the two Jedi began enjoying one of the few benefits of Hapan culture and engaging in a wide variety of light topics. It was a nice change of pace from the constant military and logistics meetings.

But Vestara was no fool, and she knew when she was being segued into more serious talks, so she decided to get to the point. Putting her utensils down, she courteously asked, "Allana, what's going on?"

Taking a sip of a light nectar, Allana coyly answered, "Can you be more specific?"

"Why did you arrange all this?" Vestara gestured to the table. "Usually when someone goes to so much trouble for anyone, they have an ulterior motive. And I don't want to assume anything negative, so please just tell me what this is about."

Solemnly nodding, her gaze becoming both kind and with a hard-earned wisdom, Allana answered, "I'm worried about Ben, my grandparents, Edaan, and everyone else in his battle group, too." Before she could be verbally accosted, she compassionately continued, "I know that I don't need to tell you this, but I just want to remind you that if you ever want to talk, I'll be here to listen. You're family now, and family sticks together no matter what."

Deciding to come clean, touched by Allana's generous gesture of faith, Vestara admitted, "I'm scared for far more than just my husband and Edaan. It's everyone that's thrown themselves against the Enemy, and the temptations we'll all face while we're in the Nihil Retreat."

"And you're afraid you might fall back into the Dark Side." Allana suddenly understood. "But you've faced the darkness before back on Falleen, and you resisted then. We all have faith you can do it again."

"Losing Ben or myself to the Dark are only two of my main worries." Vestara corrected. "Belot's going to be on the battlefield soon, and I want to be there for her while she makes a new identity for herself outside the Lost Tribe and One Sith. She was my last apprentice, and I feel I need to take responsibility for her."

Mulling an idea over in her mind while taking a few bites of her meal, Allana suggested, "What if I could transfer her to serve as a junior officer aboard my fleet?" Seeing the startled look Vestara gave her, she explained, "This operation is a joint effort between the Alliance of Light and One Sith, and if you're worried that Belot will fall under the Rhandites' sway, then it would be remiss to throw her into this war without giving her the start of a better foundation for her life."

Well, that wasn't an offer Vestara expected from her charge. But it was one that she instantly knew would be good for Belot for several reasons, many of which she could relate to on a personal level.

Before she could agree and pledge to give the offer to Belot, a chime from the cabin door went off, and Allana sighed before rising from the table to answer. Since the frequency emitted was one used by only three of her most trusted officers in her command, she could guess what this message was about. Opening the door to see her XO awaiting her, the older woman silently offered the Chume'da a piece of paper with the Queen Mother's personal seal and the words "eyes-only" for her and Vestara, she saluted the royal heir before leaving the two women to finish their meal.

Seeing the seal and sensing the grim anticipation from Allana, Vestara forgot about her food and arrived at her superior's side, reading the top-secret message and issued a silent prayer to the Father of Light.

The Last Alliance's deep cover infiltration teams had finally reported in, and they were all on course for their first target. Of course, that meant that the easy part of this conquest was now over, and the real trials would begin in earnest. But both Jedi Knights hoped with all their hearts that Tau, Krayt, and everyone else in their task force could finish the job and return whole to all those awaiting them.

Deep Within the Gunninga Gap

Twenty Parsecs from the Perann Nebula

Aboard the Jedi Ronin

Tau was receiving the same subspace reports as everyone else in this strike force, and he was relieved that, at least for now, everything was proceeding as planned. However, as he and every other ship in this flotilla prepared to commence with their fifth hyperspace jump across the Nihil Retreat, he knew that good fortune wouldn't last forever. The longer they remained in this infernal land, the likelier its evil rulers would detect their presence and respond accordingly. And his sentient ship was faring little better, for her mind was struggling to remain calm in the realm of darkness and barely being sustained with the few untainted nutrients she could harvest.

After the Last Alliance Triumvirate divulged the plan for invading the Nihil Retreat, many decried the three leaders as madmen and unfit for command. According to the traditionalists and many other stubborn fools, the best way to defeat the Infernal Council was through brute force, invading their homes, and crushing their resolve. But they didn't understand that the war now raging was unlike any they had faced, and this foe couldn't be negotiated with or convinced to surrender, not even in the same brutal fashion the Yuuzhan Vong were defeated.

No, to destroy the Infernal Council and stop their plans, it required a plan more intricate, desperate, and dangerous than any in anyone's wildest imaginings. The only way this war would end would be if their leadership was all eliminated, its fighting capabilities obliterated, and its nihilistic creed and culture was expunged from the souls of all its adherents. But the True Sith Empire's central world was too well protected from any frontal assault, and there were hundreds of worlds also in need of salvation.

Eventually, the Triumvirs convinced High Command that victory could solely be achieved if its armies kept the Infernal Council's forced occupied on its borders and blind to all else that moved towards Rhand. While the Last Alliance's military focused on planet-hopping, securing nexuses across the Nihil Retreat and creating a network of key points to strike at the True Sith Empire's most vital holdings, it would conceal the movements of its sole hope for triumph.

Composed of thirty-six ships containing a total of fifteen hundred fighters, among them the Last Alliance's best commandos, scholars, and Force Users, this motley group would attempt to infiltrate Rhand and work to destroy the Lich Kings and Mnggal-Mnggal. Led by Tau and A'Sharad, the task force planned to first destroy the central core of the Cancer God, hidden somewhere in the Rhand System and preparing to contaminate and consume all life to satiate its endless hunger and malice. Suspecting how its many cults spread across Skyriver were preparing to summon it and destroy all in its path, it was paramount that the entity was stopped before such rituals were complete. Otherwise, not even the vaccine being distributed on every world and its denizens might be enough to halt its advance.

But ending Mnggal-Mnggal's threat was simply the beginning of their plans. Accompanied by stalwart fighters like Jayce Solo Fel, Mirta Gev, Tyria Sarkin-Tainer, Soldier Tirall, Phasma, Darth Snoke, Din Djarin, and Jaing Skirata, the heirs of Niphal and Eipha's spirit and power were prepared to strike at the Lich Kings at the center of their domain. Accompanied by eight companies of warriors from as many different creeds, ranging from the Sun Guard, Olpakan commandos, Mandalorian Protectors, this elite army would be well-equipped for any raid on virtually any enemy world.

And in preparation for the supernatural dangers in their way, there were nearly two hundred representatives of the Last Alliance's Force Orders from all corners the galaxy when not counting the Jedi and One Sith: this included the Aquilian Paladins, Kilian Rangers, Fallanassi, Kashi Mer Guardians of the Breath, Jensaarai, Witches of Dathomir, the Blackguard, and Zeison Sha. Even Abeloth ought to think twice before directly engaging this army head-on.

At the thought of Abeloth, a deep pang of worry coursed through Tau, but whether it was his own emotions or Niphal's imprint was unclear to him at the prospect of killing the Bringer of Chaos. Sure, cold justice would demand her immediate death and treatment as nothing more than a cautionary tale for all youths. Nevertheless, he wholeheartedly believed that he and A'Sharad could reach the good long slumbering within her and convince her to turn against the Infernal Council. Strategic validity of dividing the Infernal Council's leadership aside, he somehow knew that reaching out to her and offering her forgiveness was the only way to end her violent intrigue.

There were even a handful of Jedi that were willing to give him this chance, so he was that much more motivated to succeed. And combined with A'Sharad's efforts and their shared connection to Abeloth, they held best and sole chance she held for redemption.

Discarding his doubts, he knew how wondering about the future wouldn't do him any good now, not when the fate of the galaxy was in his hands and his worries would only empower the Enemy. And he now had too much to live for now to even consider failure, especially since he had his amazing girlfriend aiding him in this quest. Chelli might be new to many aspects of life, but she was a persuasive woman and held vital knowledge on pre-Republic cultures that would only be a boon to the mission.

After receiving navigational data from the probe droids, securing the next leg of their journey through the Nihil Retreat, Tau prepared his ship for the next hyperspace jump. And if the old maps the Last Alliance acquired were accurate, then they were now set to enter the Perann Nebula. Once everyone entered that infernal region, the true test of this company would begin.

Cut off from virtually everyone dear to him and surrounded everywhere by many primordial evils, Tau knew that no one would emerge the same from this quest, if they lived at all. Even the brightest and noblest soul would be tempted and assaulted through methods only the darkest minds could imagine. And as Niphal's heir and a resolute Jedi Knight, he would be particularly vulnerable to discovery from these attacks, just as A'Sharad was from his ties to Eipha.

Preparing the Jedi Ronin for another hyperspace jump, he felt his hand tremble from a terror he couldn't properly identify. Whether it was the Rhandites, Tilotny's offspring, or far more terrifying entities and their plans in motion, the sheer darkness exuding from them was greater than Korriban's entire reservoir of Dark Side energy.

Fully sensing his master's anxious anticipation, Butch, ever a loyal friend and guardian to Tau, whined loud enough for him to hear and unconsciously sent waves of gentle reassurance through their bond. Feeling the Tuk'ata hound's hope and determined resolve reverberating through his soul, the compassionate gesture encouraged and reminded him how everyone was facing their own demons, and he could only hold on to his simple faith that they would stay true to their hearts and convictions.

'I just hope we're not too late.' Tau fervently prayed, clinging to the belief that the Last Alliance could stop Bogan's return, even as his ship was once again blanketed by the bright lights of hyperspace.

And that's a wrap on the fifth story in my 6-book saga! What do you all think? Hopefully, it meets and surpasses all your expectations while leaving you tantalizingly excited for more. I decided to cut out a planned scene with Edaan reflecting on the initial campaigns and his inner thoughts, figuring it'll serve me better as part of the introduction for Star Wars: Jedi Odyssey VI: Shadows Hunt III: Omega. Of course, that means I'll be able to publish this chapter in a little while, so I'd best get started on reviewing it. So, how are you all doing on this warm afternoon of Wednesday, July 10, 2024? I'm well, as I ran some errands with my parents and checked out a nearby library, getting a good history book for a great deal. And I have plenty of time left in the day, so I'll need to figure out what to do for the next nine hours. I hope you all can wait patiently for a few weeks/couple months as I rewrite my first 5 stories, as I want to make sure they're all prepared for when I try to submit them for Mr. Bongiorno's Star Wars website. May the Lord be with us all in these Dark Times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!