This retreat could not be called anything but shameful. Odessen was supposed to be the seat of power of the Eternal Alliance, the faction that liberated Zakuul and brought an end to the tyrannical Eternal Family. During the time they had an eternal fleet, none would dare to challenge the Alliance in the open. Alas, the glory days were over. Their fleet was no more, their sphere of influence shrank, and by allowing traitors in their midst, the Alliance made itself a vulnerable target for yet another conspiracy.
Nevertheless, he still chose to fight on.
"Cassian, thank the stars!" Lana's relieved voice echoed in his ears as Cassian and Jaesa came to the war room. There were many that gathered across the base's halls, with the strongest of warriors stationed at each entrance to fend off the invaders. Lana was in the war room along with Raina and a squad of Jedi and Sith. "We received the signal and saw the armada. What in the blazes is going on?" Lana demanded, making Jaesa respond.
"It's madness outside; they're bombarding the base, and not everyone could retreat…"
"And they have a supply of the anti-force poison on their hands," Cassian added. "Jadus leads the invasion…And something tells he won't be satisfied until we all either submit or die."
"Then it's worse than we thought." Lana's voice quivered. "I met Darth Jadus before. I know how dedicated he is…What are your orders?"
"We fight them, but we have to be careful. They know better than to attack us without using the poison, so avoid anything purple or violet. It spreads quickly, but we can avoid it."
"Master…" Jaesa spoke up before turning around. "We've got company!"
The elevator arose with soldiers and three Zakuul knights standing on it, all ready for a battle.
"Then let's finish this!" Cassian shouted and ignited his lightsaber. Jaesa and Lana followed his example. They were the strongest line of defense for countless people who hid within the base's walls, and they would not falter.
The knights charged forward, all focusing on Lana. They must have wanted to destroy one opponent as quickly as possible before moving to the next one, a clever tactic, but Cassian wouldn't allow it to succeed. He force-pushed one of the knights away towards the wall, making him vulnerable for the Alliance soldiers to fire at. The invader blocked most of those strikes, but one still managed to hit his shoulder, slowing the man down and making him wail in pain.
"Jaesa, this one's yours!" Cassian commanded while he decided to attack the strongest knight, forcing him away from Lana. Once they all claimed their positions, the knights' plan was in shambles, as they were forced to split and fight a single powerful opponent.
However, knights weren't the crux of the assailants' plan. The soldiers maintained their distance and prepared to shoot. Those weren't usual blasts, but instead purple shards of the poison. Those darts weren't lethal, but they must have spread a dosage of it through the opponent's blood. One hit and Cassian would lose his force powers for some time. The Sith Lord desperately avoided both the blade of the knight and occasional shots, praying that Lana and Jaesa would do the same thing. Eventually, he breached the knight's defenses and plunged his lightsaber into the knight's heart. By this time, Lana had defeated her opponent, too; only Jaesa still fought.
"Come on, we need to…" Cassian called upon Lana, but something sudden happened. He saw a purple shard flash before his eyes as it charged towards Jaesa. She was focused on fighting the knight and failed to evade…It hit her hand, causing the woman to let out a pained moan and fall to her knees.
"What is…" She began shaking as the violet poison spread through her veins. Jaesa attempted to push her opponent back, but the force did not respond.
"Lana, take them out!" Cassian commanded as he rushed to aid his apprentice. He was swift enough to cut the knight in halves before he could do anything to Jaesa.
"Are you alright?" The Sith asked as he helped her get up.
"Thank you, master…It hurts. Like something eats me from the inside and makes me weak, it's…"
"Stay calm, Vaylin said. It wears off after a while."
"But the battle…"
"We'll handle the rest."
"Aaargh!" Lana's pained scream made both Cassian and Jaesa turn around. She annihilated most of the soldiers, yet before she could strike down the last one, he took a successful shot. The Voidcaller shard pierced Lana's skin, sending its dark essence into her body. She still had enough strength in her to kill the remaining soldier, but that was the extent of it. Lana fell to her knees, and Cassian rushed to aid her.
"Stars, it's…" Her lips quivered. "It's horrible!"
"Get up. I'll get you to safety." Cassian helped her walk away from the elevator.
"I…It's the same void, just like on Nathema, but…It's coming from within; it hurts! Is this really the weapon Jadus created?" Cassian could feel the pain in her voice, showing just how grim their situation was. One strike made them weak and defenseless. There was barely any way to fight this all-consuming scourge.
But it always could get worse.
Cassian heard steps coming from the elevator. The Alliance soldiers in the room attempted to shoot their opponent, but their blasts got deflected in a matter of split seconds, piercing their bodies and making them fall to the ground.
"Impressive, isn't it?" A calm voice echoed from the elevator as a tall, one-eyed man and a few more knights stepped into the room. "Even I did not think it possible to hold the power of the void in one's hand so freely. Mastering it was not a simple task, yet it was worth the effort. This is the Voidcaller, the power that will make Empires crumble and change the core of our galaxy. And Odessen shall become the first stepping stone."
"So that's why you decided to crawl out of the shadow, Jadus? To continue your mission and prey on the galaxy in turmoil? Yet you've made a mistake; you challenged the Alliance, and you should know that we have brought down far worse than you. Killing my people will only invigorate survivors' determination!" Cassian said with pride.
"You should've accepted my offer and surrendered. It's regrettable that so many have to die today. Those people are far more useful to me alive…In fact, there is only one man that needs to die today. The leader of the pack." Jadus announced, looking into Cassian's eyes and reaching for his lightsaber. Lana shook her head at the display.
"If you want to face Cassian, you'll have to face us all!"
"Bold words for someone depleted of force. Should you take as much as a single step, my knights will end you. If Cassian faces me alone, I will award him the same honor."
"It's alright, Lana. I'll take him on." Cassian reassured her.
"Are you sure? He is among the strongest Sith in the galaxy…"
"So am I," Cassian spoke before stepping forth, making Lana and Jaesa watch with worry and waning hope. "I heard stories about you, 'Archon.' They say your power is only second to the Emperor's. And do you know who erased Vitiate from existence?" Cassian ignited his lightsaber.
"You were not alone back there. You are now." Jadus ignited his own, a blade glowing with a rare and unique white color.
It was time to end this.
Two Sith charged towards each other and clashed in a fateful lightsaber duel. Cassian knew not to underestimate Jadus; he had given this battle his undivided attention, as he knew his opponent would. Even looking into Jadus's eye made the Chiss uneasy. There was a dark aura pulsing around him; it was but a faint shadow compared to the one the Emperor possessed, but for a mortal to replicate even a fraction of his poisonous essence was an achievement. Jadus's stance was impeccable. He blocked Cassian's every strike just moments before he would be able to wound him. However, the Chiss didn't give up; Jadus could not have been invincible. After all, even Vitiate wasn't.
However, Jadus didn't falter. When Cassian was about to open himself up, the Archon attempted to pierce him with a lightsaber. He came dangerously close, but Cassian was still able to leap back and avoid the strike, using this opportunity to push Jadus a few meters back with force. They kept their distance for the next few moments, carefully thinking about their next step. Jadus wasn't someone who'd attack directly; he would use every opportunity to trick his opponent and lure them into a trap. He would also expect Cassian to be the exact opposite, a brute who relies on raw strength rather than intellect. Cassian had to act to surprise while not giving away his true intentions to a man as shrewd as Jadus.
Cassian saw Jadus swiftly raise his hand, attempting to trap the Sith Lord in his forceful grip. The Chiss reacted swiftly and jumped to the side, slightly breaking Jadus's focus. The Archon adapted as well. He took a quick turn and unleashed lightning from his fingertips, directed at Cassian's new location. The Sith Lord raised his lightsaber and blocked this lightning, trying his best to deflect it at Jadus. Eventually, he succeeds and manages to make lightning strike the Archon's face. For the first time during their duel, Jadus finally recoiled, and Cassian decided that this was his time to strike. He rushed towards Jadus, carrying his lightsaber and ready to bring him down. Even Jadus's aura became weaker; it seemed like a perfect opportunity…
But Cassian miscalculated. Jadus was far from distracted.
The Archon used the split second Cassian allowed him to rise up and block the Sith's strike, pushing Cassian away. While the Chiss was in the air, Jadus unleashed his lightning and struck Cassian, forcing the Sith to shout in pain. He could feel his body getting overtaken by stinging pain, quickly corroding the energy in his body. Cassian fell on his knees, breathing heavily and preparing to continue the fight. He sensed Jadus jumping forward and getting ready to pierce him, but Cassian was prepared to block his strike. It would make more than lightning to…
"Master!" He heard Jaesa's horrified shout as another joined their fight. Cassian froze as her shadow arose above him just split seconds before he heard the crushing sound of a lightsaber piercing skin and bone. Cassian looked up with shock and fear in his eyes, watching Jadus's blade thrust through Jaesa's heart. His apprentice thought that Cassian was vulnerable. She couldn't stay back and stood between them.
"J-Jaesa…"
"M-master…Live…"
Before she could say anything else, Jadus slashed Jaesa's torso in halves, breaking her neck with force and tossing the body aside.
"Such a wasteful end." The Archon remarked coldly.
Only a few seconds passed, yet those felt like an eternity for Cassian. His loyal apprentice and friend, a woman who stood by his side for years, is gone. Unable to stand aside and charge into the fray to stall Jadus at the cost of her life, to give Cassian time that he did not need. And now he looked once again, his condescending, arrogant gaze.
He will pay for this.
Cassian jumped up and rushed at Jadus. There was no room for tactics or patience in his mind, only blind rage. He would destroy him, rip out his heart, and obliterate his soul for taking away his dear friend. Of course, Jadus would not budge. Cassian's onslaught grew harder and unhinged, but the Archon blocked his quick strikes.
"DIE!" Cassian shouted in fury as he desperately attempted to break Jadus's defense; he could see the Archon slowly weakening, his strikes beginning to lack their strength and grace. Eventually, he made a misstep, allowing Cassian to make his lightsaber collide with Jadus's knee, leaving a small scar on his shoulder. A small wound which nevertheless made Jadus pause, Cassian had a chance to strike again until…
The pain in his body was a corrosive poison that began to spread, forcing Cassian to shake. Three more silhouettes emerged in the room, two of which were Atiel and Vaylin. Atiel, who rarely misses a shot…And now she inflicted him with the Voidcaller.
…
The moment Vaylin entered the war room along with Atiel and Ki Sazen, she witnessed a grim and chaotic picture, which nevertheless was not at all hard to figure out. A dead and mutilated apprentice, a vengeful Sith Lord on his knees with a Voidcaller shard poisoning him, and Jadus standing victorious above him. Lana and other remaining allies stood aside, powerless to stop Jadus, and when Atiel's squad entered, the few chances that they had were immediately squandered.
"I see I'm just on time, my lord," Atiel said.
"Quite. This pest was starting to become annoying. You made my job much easier." Jadus said negligently. "As always, Voidcaller proves itself a wonderful tool."
"Eh." Vaylin shook her head. "It only makes things less fun."
"I see you're free, Vaylin. Welcome back, and be proud…You'll be able to see the downfall of your nemesis." So that's what he wanted to do… "Atiel, prepare the holocamera. This will send a message to the entire galaxy when the time comes for them to know about my return. The Outlander, the Emperor of Zakuul, commander of the Alliance, finally on his knees…" This was a decisive victory, yet Vaylin felt no pride or joy at it, only hollowness.
"Vay…Lin…" Cassian spoke through pain as he looked up at her. She had never seen him so weakened and broken before and often dreamed of it. It would only be fair after he made her kneel before the entire galaxy on Zakuul and made a mockery out of her. Still, she felt no joy at it…
"We treat you with more respect than you deserve, and that's how you repay us?!" Lana shouted in anger and pain but didn't attack. She must have fallen victim to the Voidcaller. This outburst made Jadus shake his head.
"You thought that Vaylin cares about your fake pleasantries? No, of course not…She is driven by what every Sith understands on a personal level. Revenge and spite. Am I correct, Vaylin?"
"Yes…Of course." She said without much enthusiasm, quickly overtaken by Lana.
"Then you know exactly what will drive me if you dare to kill Cassian!" Lana shouted.
"Good, that is my intention. The war room is mine, and everything else will fall very soon. Your base now belongs to me." Jadus announced before looking back at his weakened and spiteful enemy. "And you, a filled leader…"
"I…I won't give up!"
Cassian jumped up, attempting to strike his opponent, but Jadus just clawed into his neck. Without force, there was nothing Cassian could do against him, and he was at Jadus's mercy. Vaylin couldn't help but look away as the Archon raised the defiant Chiss and tossed him aside.
"I don't need you to give up. The galaxy must know that even the defiant ones will fall."
"My lord," Atiel spoke up. "I began the recording."
"Good, no need to linger." Jadus looked down at Cassian. "You have fought well, Wrath; you even became a symbol for the entire galaxy during turbulent times; it's impressive. But just like every star burns out, your legend must come to an end one day, and that day is today."
"Wait," Vaylin spoke up, making him turn around.
"What is it?"
"Wouldn't it be a bit stupid to kill him now?" She suggested, uncertain as to why she was doing this, yet she couldn't stop. "Imagine what he can do if…If we get him on our side, for example?" She tried to think of reasons, feeling her heartbeat increase and her voice becoming nervous, but they were hardly convincing.
"That won't happen." Atiel shook her head. "I know Cassian; he's far too stubborn to join our cause, far too stuck in the old ways."
"And if we keep him prisoner? Wouldn't it have more of an effect? That Jadus didn't just defeat one of the strongest Sith in the galaxy, but that he also able to keep him in chains."
"No, this will only create an unnecessary illusion." Jadus denied. "An illusion that the old ways might yet return, that the galaxy might remain unchanged. I won't allow this to happen. Cassian Narok dies today, and this will be my message." Jadus raised his blade, making Vaylin's world freeze for a moment. The thought of Cassian dying made Vaylin shake in fear and uncertainty. The image of Jadus piercing him plagued her mind and forced it into utter shambles. Everything she saw before she became fainter became muddled. There was no logical explanation or reason for this, yet for a moment, Vaylin forgot about revenge and spite Jadus so proudly spoke of. All of this simply stopped mattering, not when it came at the cost of her enemy's life.
It's not your fault.
You didn't deserve it.
I'm sorry.
Jadus's blade never reached Cassian's neck, instead being met with an invisible wall created by Vaylin's hand. Resistance that even he could not withstand.
"Fascinating…" Jadus's quiet voice broke through the silence. Vaylin made her choice, and now everyone in the room stared at her with pure shock and disbelief. Atiel took another shot, sending a Voidcaller shard her way, but Vaylin raised another hand and made the violet blast it freezes mid-air. There were no words others could say, only the moment of enlightenment and confusion. Vaylin's eyes ran around from one person to the next until she eventually focused on Cassian. Was this gratitude in his eyes? Hope? She wasn't sure, but it was impossible to look away. Her only distraction from this was the pain. Vaylin felt the Voidcaller, felt the shard slowly breaking through her defenses and corroding her force wall.
"What are you doing?!" Ki shouted and leaped towards Vaylin with her lightsaber ignited. It was all or nothing.
Vaylin clenched her fist.
The shard exploded, unleashing a cloud of darkness that immediately clouded everyone's vision. Vaylin could feel its poison getting into her lungs and skin, getting absorbed by her blood and slowly weakening her essence once again. She still wasn't powerless, but there was still enough for one push. Vaylin unleashed an array of lightning into the void and rushed towards Cassian, helping him get up. The Chiss didn't resist, likely still shocked by all that occurred in the last few minutes.
"Run!" Vaylin said quietly yet sternly, seeing Cassian nod in silence. The two of them ran as far away and as quickly as possible.
"Find them!" She hears Jadus's commanding words from behind, but they are already separated by that point, and the cloud is still dark, allowing Vaylin and Cassian to escape into a safer spot. The entire base was consumed by chaos and turmoil as Jadus's and Alliance's forces clashed in a merciless battle. The nearest safe place two of them found was in the Hutt's laboratory, which was turned into a mess by invaders, even if the Alliance forces stood tall. Vaylin stopped in the adjacent hall, staying in the shadows of the walls for a break. She put Cassian down, as both needed a breather, considering how quickly the events developed. So far, their pursuers were behind, and the Sith Lord finally regained his composure.
"Why?" He said and looked up at Vaylin.
"Well, aren't we grateful?"
"I am, but…I didn't expect it. Not after…"
"You aren't dying without my permission, understand?" Vaylin said sternly. "We have to get out…Don't you land your ship on one of the platforms nearby?" She spoke, still unable to let go of her nervousness.
"Not so fast." Cassian denied her as he attempted to stand. "I have to help them! Lana, Vette, Pierce…Jadus will pay for what he did to Jaesa! I will make him beg for mercy, I…"
"You'll just die!" Vaylin said angrily. "You can't fight any of them with this Voidcaller thing. You'd just give him what he wants!"
"It's worth a try, it's…Aargh!" Cassian shook due to the pain that spread through his body.
"Come on, Outlander, I know you aren't that much of an idiot. You just can't win…I can, maybe, but they'll just shoot me with their poison."
"I…I gave a promise."
"Oh, for Izax's sake…" Vaylin began to get angry. Their time was limited, and if they held on for any longer, their enemies would reach and annihilate them. She already gave up what little she had to save Cassian, if he'll end up dead anyway… "You'll just die and make your allies even sadder than they are now."
"And if we run?"
"I…I don't know, we can think of something! It doesn't matter, you have more chances to do something useful there, either way…You don't want to be less pragmatic than even a crazy bitch like me, right?" She saw Cassian clench his teeth and look away for a second.
"I hate that you're right…" He said with spite. "Jac and Theron are on Tython, and there are Alliance sympathizers on almost every major world, not to mention the Sith Empire. I'll gather their strength and annihilate Jadus once the time comes." He said as if trying to rationalize this decision to himself, although there was still some confusion in his voice. "And you…Will you help me with it?"
"I have no bloody clue; I just think we should get out before thinking about that!" Vaylin felt strange as if she wasn't herself. Why would she run from those enemies when she was always eager to battle against overwhelming odds, even if it meant death. All was worth it as long as she could have fun…But not today. Today, she wanted to run as far as possible.
"Fine. Follow me. My ship isn't far." Cassian said and took the lead; Vaylin could hear the heavy steps of Jadus's assault droids coming from the hall.
"Your move." Cassian looked at Vaylin; she was the only one still with force powers, even limited, she would have to battle anyone who stood in their way. "Destroy them and then follow me; I know a shortcut."
Vaylin nodded and emerged from the shadows. There were two heavily armed droids before her, but they were no match for the prodigy. Before they could even begin firing, she unleashed lightning that made those droids explode. Not a second later, Cassian got out of his cover and rushed down the hall with Vaylin following him.
"Come on, we're close!" Cassian shouted. Soon, the two of them reached the elevator in the hangar that would lead them to the landing spot above, but it wasn't so simple. Soldiers from both sides were in the middle of a showdown, which made the simple task of crossing the corridor into stepping on a mining field, but there was no way to avoid it.
"Stay close!" Vaylin said and raised her arms, creating a protective aura around both of them when they approached the elevator. However, the soldiers quickly noticed them.
"It's Wrath!"
"Look, Vaylin!"
They opened fire at the same time, switching their focus from each other to the two escaping fugitives. Vaylin's aura reflected most of those, but it was still incredibly overwhelming when so many blasts flew her way at the same time.
"Damn…You!" Vaylin unleashed a powerful shockwave, pushing all of the soldiers right into the walls, no doubt crippling or even killing some of them, but this hardly mattered at the moment. They were just another obstacle on their path.
"Impressive…" Cassian said as they approached the elevator.
"Thanks," Vaylin said coldly, uncertain how to reply to this compliment. They were about to leave, but it turned out Vaylin overestimated her powers. She felt a surge of pain in her back as something incredibly sharp and thin pierced it. "Aaargh!" One of Jadus's soldiers hid behind the cover and unleashed the Voidcaller when he got the chance. Vaylin shook and felt the pain within her, quickly eroding her force powers.
"No, no, not again!" She couldn't feel her legs anymore and was about to fall. The soldier prepared another shot, but Cassian managed to push Vaylin away from it at the last moment. They both ran inside the elevator and closed the doors behind them. "Ah, fuck…"
"So, it can pacify even someone as strong as you," Cassian remarked grimly. "What is this abomination?"
"How would I know? Some nuisance born of father's rotten, stinking corpse, probably."
The two of them ascended to the bridge, which, thankfully, wasn't overrun yet, and Cassian's ship. It was still intact.
"Here it is, the Fury! Come on." Cassian rushed with Vaylin following close. They were both stripped of their powers and had no option but to run.
Cassian and Vaylin quickly got inside the Sith's ship, bearing the name of Fury. Of course, the woman didn't have much time to look around, but she immediately found the decor of the ship quite fitting for a lord of the dark side. Dim colors, mixing in black, grey, and red, made her immediately think of the Sith Empire's style…And, of course, the irony of finally stepping on board Cassian's ship wasn't lost on her. The Sith ran to the bridge and took control of the ship, preparing it for take-off.
"They will probably try to shoot us."
"I am well aware of that." Cassian sighed in annoyance. "It's still our only way out, beats staying behind."
"Fair…" Vaylin said as Cassian checked some panels and slammed his fist on the metal in anger.
"Damn it!"
"What now?!"
"I should've told the refuel it…There is barely any fuel here, not enough to reach Tython or any of the core worlds. Only worlds in this sector, and there aren't many discovered ones."
"I don't like where this is going…"
"Our only option is Zakuul."
"As if it could get any worse…People won't exactly welcome me there!"
"You were the one who decided to run at the first opportunity…"
"Argh, fine!"
They had no time to waste; Cassian got the Fury into space, allowing them to emerge in the midst of Jadus's armada. A single wrong move could be enough for them to get blown to pieces.
"Preparing for hyperspace, hold onto something."
"Like I needed a reminder," Vaylin responded snappily. They were about to enter hyperspace and travel to Zakuul, Vaylin's long-abandoned world. The one she terrorized so much that her own people despised her and spoke her name only with fear and hate. It was time to pay a visit, as much as she hated the thought. Perhaps Cassian will be able to find allies there.
They were about to leap forth…But moments before they submerged, one of the starships shot one of the Fury's engines.
"NO!" Cassian shouted, but it was too late to back down. The broken ship disappeared and charged towards Zakuul. "The engine…It will be chaos the moment we emerge, get ready."
Everything happened far too quickly for Vaylin to have time to react. Their ship quickly emerged on the other side of the region, right before her forsaken home. However, they weren't destined to land safely due to the damage taken. It didn't take long before Cassian could barely hold onto control; the planet's atmosphere began slowly dragging them toward its surface.
"We'll have to land wherever we're falling to…" Cassian said with fleeting worry.
"And have you done this before?"
"I wish…" Cassian sighed. He focused on trying to use whatever parts of the ship remained intact to ease their fall and secure a landing as safely as possible. "Of all the blasted places…" He said after glancing at the map.
Once the Fury fell into in the atmosphere, it was overtaken by a powerful thrust. Vaylin got thrown back and hit her head on one of the metal walls, only barely sticking to the chair she took.
"Aw!…" She shouted as everything before her eyes began to muddle and darken. The last sight they caught was the horizon of the Endless Swamp.