Chapter 16: Retrieving a Holocron
Disclaimer: Disney owns Star Wars, I only own my Ocs.
Last Paragons
Following the fiasco on Taurus A, Leliana steers the Forgotten Star through the cosmos. She quietly thinks where they should head next, the planets who follow the Empire's hidden tyrannical rule will be on high alert and finding neutral planets or those who'd welcome them with open arms grow smaller by the day.
'Will we eventually be forced to remain in space until we die of hunger?' She mentally asked herself.
Kenta and his fellow Sith Warriors go over their student's progression.
Alexandra's connection with the Force is growing with every passing day and her skill in lightsaber combat keeps pace. They know, however, strength in the Force or mastery of lightsaber combat alone doesn't make one great. Any Sith knows knowledge is equally important. So in addition to physical training, any future Sith needs to absorb as much information as possible. Kenta knows past Sith Lords stored their knowledge inside holocrons so they can pass their teachings down. The problem is the Emperor had a vast collection of Sith holocrons therefore very few remain out there in the galaxy. He also understands these ancient Sith don't give away their knowledge for free, any inspiring future Sith need to prove their worth. As such they had to evade booby traps or nightmarish creatures guarding the holocron. It's also known the deceased masters of the dark side bounded their spirits to their tombs acting as guards.
With very few holocrons left untouched, Kenta realizes only one planet had Sith holocrons on it.
Walking into the cockpit Kenta calmly ordered, "Set course for Korriban, Leliana."
The smuggler asked without looking, "Why there?"
Kenta said, "For our apprentice to progress, she needs to obtain Sith knowledge even if it means learning dark side secrets."
Leliana smirked, "I thought you light side Sith were against the dark side."
Kenta shook his head, "Me, Alec or Yuna don't follow the light with such die-hard devotion at the expense of the bigger picture like the Jedi did. Look where that got them. So please, head for Korriban." Leliana types in the coordinates for the Sith home planet.
She told Kenta, "The only reason I'm allowing this is because of Alex. If she wasn't your student, I'd have thrown you and Alec off my ship."
The Sith Warrior placed a hand over his heart in mock hurt, "What, only Yuna and Alexandra remain?"
Leliana grinned, "Well Alex is the love of my life and Yuna is pretty and you know I can't help myself around pretty girls."
Kenta said, "I don't which one is worse, you or Leon?"
The smuggler laughed, "Leon is your candidate. I flirt with attractive females, yes but I know when is the right time."
Leon shouted from kitchen, "I heard that!"
Leliana replied, "Too bad for you!" She placed her hand on the hyperdrive lever, "Okay. Next stop, Korriban." She pulls it back sending the Forgotten Star into hyperspace.
Unknown to them, the mention of Korriban causes Leon to tense. He had memories of that place. Memories he wanted to forget with every fiber of his being.
Eight hours pass until the computer lets them know they've arrived. Leliana pulls the lever forward, bringing the light freighter out of hyperspace and the Sith home world pops into view. Kenta sits in the co-pilot seat as Leliana beings reentry procedure.
Venturing through the atmosphere the Forgotten Star lands on a pad of the only building on the desert planet that somehow remains intact after more than a thousand years.
Leon watches the Sith group walk into the building.
'Why here of all places? This planet, I hate it.' The ex-Jedi thought to himself.
With the wandering group, Alexandra took in the scenery, "What a dreary place. This planet is saturated with the dark side of the Force, Masters."
Kenta nodded, "You're correct, apprentice. Welcome to the home planet of the Sith. This is where Alec, Yuna and myself began our lives as Sith Warriors. There are no life forms you may see on other planets, Korriban is home to nightmarish creatures. Some were created through Sith alchemy." He shivers at the memory of his encounter with a Sith worm that tried eating him for breakfast. Only his connection to the Force and desire to live granted him the strength to destroy the monster.
In the distance a couple of miles from their landing zone, was the remains of the Sith Academy, the stone walls and door surviving the passage of time in surprisingly good condition. The valley they landed in was as desolate and silent as the rest of the world surely was with just the wind as the only source of sound. Excavation sites could be seen here and there the signs of long past scavengers or explorers attempting to find artifacts of a lost time.
Alexandra follows her masters into the valley feeling the cold of the dark side prod her skin as they venture across the valley. A closer look at some of the dig sites reveal skeletons and skulls, abandoned bags and tools. It had easily been at least a decade before anyone had made use of this place. Approaching the massive stone doors to the academy they search for a way to open them only to find them sealed forever barring entrance to outsiders.
Yuna pointed, "Over there." It's a hole in the wall to the right big enough for each of them to enter.
Entering the Sith Academy, the four walk through the many hallways.
Alexandra said, "So this is an academy for the Sith. Far different from the Jedi Temple."
Yuna explained, "Unlike the Jedi padawans, who are raised in a safe environment, the Sith students were left in a harsh environment to kick start their rage and survival instinct. This is also where we met Skere Kaan."
Alexandra asked, "Who's that?"
Kenta kept his anger under control, "The leader of the Brotherhood of Darkness. It was created to battle Lord Hoth's Army of Light. The man was powerful, charismatic and charming. He was also an incompetent leader now that I think about it, consumed by the dark side's corruptible power. The man broke my trust with the Brotherhood." They stepped through the other door, "This leads to the Valley of the Dark Lords where the greatest Sith Lords lie buried."
Their student queried, "Why are we here?"
Kenta replied, "Because in order to become a great Sith, you need knowledge so that you may pass it down to future generations. Tell me, apprentice. Have you heard of Sith holocrons?"
Alexandra shook her head, "No, Master. I haven't." Kenta squats down, drawing the shape of the mentioned item in the sand.
He pointed his finger at the finished drawing, "That is what a Sith holocron looks like. Pyramidal in shape and unlike Jedi holocrons, ours have no restrictions placed in them. The holocron's owner instilled some of their life force into the device acting as a gate keeper. This is another part of your training, apprentice. You need to learn to fend for yourself. There'll be times where me or the others won't be around to help you."
Alec said, "More like a test. A potentially fatal test." That sends a chill down Alexandra's spine.
Kenta ignored the comment, "There is one holocron you must find. Enter the tomb of the Sith Lord Tulak Hord, find his holocron and return to us. The way there won't be easy, Sith tombs are filled with booby traps and vicious beasts. Your mental fortitude will be tested." They arrived at the tomb entrance, "Here it is. You must enter alone." Alexandra's feet remain glued to the ground, feeling the dark side energies coming from the tomb. It's almost as if it was mocking her, paralyzing her.
The young Sith apprentice felt her hands shaking in fear, "I'm not sure if I can go through with this, Masters."
Alec crossed her arms, "You must. If you give up here, you'll prove yourself unworthy being called our student. Grow a spine and move!" Seeing the girl staying put he said, "All right, then. You leave me no choice."
Alexandra turned, "What?" She next finds herself launched into the tomb via Force push, the door sliding open in time to permit entry before closing a few seconds later.
She vows to get revenge on Alec for this.
Facing ahead the young Sith apprentice's breathing becomes faster as she feels all alone for the first time in her life.
She shook her head, "Come on, Alexandra, you can't let this stop you. I'll be considered a failure if I quit. Must press forward. Besides, how hard can it be finding a measly holocron?" She activates her lightsaber using it as a makeshift torch.
On the Forgotten Star Leliana sits in the kitchen drinking a beverage when out of the corner of her eye sees Leon's hand trembling.
She asked, "What's the matter?"
Leon blinked, "Huh? I'm sorry, did you say something?"
The smuggler asked again, "What's the matter? You're not your usual flirty, boastful self ever since we landed."
Leon looked away, "It's nothing, Leliana."
She nodded, "Uh-huh, sure. You suck at lying. It's this planet isn't it?" She saw him freeze up, "Thought so. The last time you were here, right?" Leon sighs knowing he can't talk his way out of this one. If anything it'll make Leliana persist until he comes clean.
He sat down opposite of her, "During the Clone Wars, me and Ahsoka crash-landed on Korriban. We survived for three days here. This planet, it leaves its mark on you. The dark side energies that envelop Korriban it...caused me to go temporarily insane. I came close to attacking Ahsoka but was able to pull back at the last second. That moment haunted me ever since. Ahsoka tried to keep our spirits up but I could tell she was just as scared as me. We eventually got off Korriban but it felt like the planet stole a piece of me, keeping it forever. This place's been haunting me ever since."
Leliana titled her head, "In the form of nightmares, I take it?" She saw him nod, "Yes, Korriban is a planet only someone crazy or insanely brave would dare to tread. I don't have an affinity to the Force like you but I too stepped foot on Korriban once. I was on a mission to capture a criminal, who turned to be the one framing me. Well, payback is a bitch. I sniped the bastard. Vengeance never tasted so sweet. That was short-lived because I fought Count Dooku and got out alive, albeit barely. And to top it off, fought and killed a Terentatek."
Leon formed a fist, "Fought one as well. Nasty creatures, terrifying. Korriban is full of them." Alexandra moves deeper into Tulak Hord's tomb. Moments ago she had to dodge a pillar coming down from the ceiling intending on crushing her. Getting her heart to calm down she continues her journey.
Her lightsaber only serves to illuminate her immediate area, everything within a foot of her bathed in a silver light, but beyond that cold darkness. Her body shivers the cold beginning to slither its way over her, the heat from her lightsaber not enough to keep her warm.
Halfway in, she hears a hissing sound behind her causing Alexandra to stop in her tracks, gulping. Slowly turning she comes face to face with an adolescent Sith worm. Not as big as a fully grown adult but it was still bigger than a human. Alexandra's entire body shakes at seeing the frightening creature. The Sith worm stares at its meal saliva dripping from its jaws. With a roar that echoes throughout the chamber, it charges with lethal speed. Alexandra barely rolls out of the way just as the Sith worm crashes into a wall. Shaking its head the beast turns its body at the scared Sith apprentice. Activating her lightsaber's duel-phase function she slices at the worm's body. Her opponent roars in pain as super heated plasma penetrates its skin. Wounded but not finished it charges again Alexandra deactivates her lightsaber clipping it to her belt and blasts the worm with Force lightning. The red bolts envelop the Sith worm but it still keeps moving towards her, mouth opening, rows of razor-sharp teeth bared.
Alexandra cried in fear, "Get away, get away, get away, GET AWAY!" Her fear of being eaten amplifies the lightning.
Soon the Sith worm's body starts to steam. At this point the Force lightning is so great it overwhelms the beast's heart, causing it to quit beating. The smoking husk topples over landing inches away from Alexandra.
She panted, "I swear when I get out of here, I'm gonna get back at my Masters. Part of my training, my ass!" Venturing further into the tomb she keeps her eyes open for who knows what.
The Sith apprentice looks up to see glowing beady eyes staring back at her.
'Please don't tell me those are what I think they are.' She thought to herself.
A screech fills her ears as the creatures unfold their wings and dive toward her.
She said, "Not bats! I hate bats!" The said creatures flee from the Sith apprentice, Alexandra's chiroptophobia or fear of bats kicks in. Although they aren't biting her, their presence makes her fear skyrocket. Using Force she sends the creatures back, their fragile bodies slamming against the walls killing them, Alexandra breathes heavily. She next screams and faints, her lightsaber still activated.
Outside the tomb Kenta and Alec sense the girl's fear.
Yuna asked them, "Are you sure this was a good idea? Back when the Sith rivaled the Jedi in numbers, only a few students come out of the tomb alive."
Kenta replied, "It's necessary evil, Yuna. Our apprentice needs to learn how to survive on her own. We won't always be there for her." After what seems like forever, Alexandra wakes up. Memories of what happened play through through her mind, prompting the young Sith apprentice to grab her lightsaber and swiftly look in all directions. Sensing no danger she presses forward.
Soon, whether by senses or sheer luck, Alexandra reaches the room Tulak Hord's holocron rests. She sees it hovering the top of a flight of stairs carved into the pyramid-shaped altar with the only difference being it lacked a top.
This time keeping her guard up, Alexandra walks up the steps. Reaching the top she comes face to face with the holocron.
Just like Kenta described, it was pyramid-shaped instead of the cube shape design the Jedi use for theirs. It was colored black with an eerie, glowing red interior and gold symbols lined the edges of the holocron.
She's about to reach for it when she feels a presence. It is powerful, one that commanded fear and respect from everybody.
A Force ghost appears before her.
It stood 6'5 and was covered head to toe in heavy armor with a mask that sent chills down Alexandra's spine.
Whoever this spirit is the 19-year old can feel its powerful connection to the dark side of the Force.
It said, "Why do you come to my tomb? Who are you?"
The Sith apprentice replied, "Alexandra Wolf. I've come to retrieve your holocron. You must be Tulak Hord."
The spirit demanded, "How do you know me, trespasser?"
Alexandra said, "My Master told me little other than your name."
Tulak Hord told her, "Why do you seek my holocron?"
Alexandra explained, "I wish to become the greatest Sith in galactic history. There is one Sith Lord I want revenge on. Unfortunately his connection with the Force exceeds my own at the moment."
The Sith spirit evaluated her, "Ah, you're speaking the truth, young one. The Force is very strong with you. However, it's the weak light side of the Force you're immersed in. To become a powerful Sith, you must embrace the dark side. I can feel it smoldering beneath the light. It struggles to reach the surface."
Alexandra said to him, "The dark side corrupts the user, turning them into a shadow of their former. I wish it not to happen to me. Therefore I seek to wield the light side so that it the dark side won't touch me."
Tulak Hord scoffed, "You are deluding yourself. A Sith who embraces the light find themselves grow weaker, not stronger. They're called Fake Sith to our Order."
Alexandra frowned, "Then why did take so long to eradicate the Jedi Order?"
The Sith spirit queried, "What? How did that happen?"
Alexandra looked away, "Change. They changed their tactics."
Beneath his mask Hord grinned, "The Jedi got what they deserved, then. They were fools not to use their power to guide the galaxy. Instead they've become slaves to a corrupt government and lapdogs. If they knew how to properly use their power, the Order would still exist."
Alexandra stared at the spirit, "I'll admit the Jedi aren't avatars of peace and justice they claimed to be."
Tulak Hord told her, crossing his arms, "If you want my holocron, you must prove yourself."
Alexandra kept her frustration in check, "How?"
Hord grinned underneath his mask, "By defeating this." A large black shadow appears.
Stepping into the eerie purple light generated by the immense dark side energies, Alexandra looks into the eyes of a Terentatek. The Sith's eyes waver at the sight of the beast. It was like your worst nightmare come to life.
It resembled a Ranchor but had spikes poking out of its back and was smaller than a Ranchor.
The spirit commanded, "Kill this and you can have my holocron. Should you fail, not only will you die but also prove to me you're nothing but a Sith pretender. Have fun." He disappears.
Her opponent bellows loudly, shaking the entire room.
On the Forgotten Star Leon begs the Sith group to hurry and complete whatever task they're doing. Being on this planet is dredging up horrible memories he'd rather forget.
Alexandra struggles to kill the Terentatek. Her lightsaber can't penetrate its hide and it shrugs off her Force lightning.
She screams in pain as she feels the monster's claws slice the skin of her back, cutting through the cloak and armor weave like they're a sheet of paper. Wincing Alexandra rises to all fours then to one knee. She almost collapses again, using a fallen pillar as support. The pain near debilitating.
Adrenaline kicks in, numbing the pain. Staring at the pillar beside her, Alexandra uses her lightsaber to carve a sharp point and cuts it in half. Using the Force, Alexandra raises the makeshift spear. Barrel rolling to the right to evade a sweeping strike Alexandra brings her arm back, lifting the spear and thrusts it forward with everything she had. The spear jams itself into the Terentatek's throat severing the jugular vein and making the beast choke on its own blood. Eventually succumbing to blood loss, the Terentatek falls to the ground dead. She then attempts to use the Fore to heal her injuries only managing to mend some of the cuts but the heavier wounds remain she would need help.
Raising her head Alexandra sees the Sith holocron floating in front of her.
Tulak Hord materialized out of thin air, "Congratulations, young one. You were able to kill a Terentatek. Take my holocron as your reward, use my knowledge to improve yourself. Go now and may the Force serve you well." He vanishes afterward.
Her test complete Alexandra exits the tomb.
Kenta, Yuna and Alec meditate or reflect on their time training on Korriban. They hear the door to Tulak Hord's tomb open up, Alexandra walks out with the holocron in hand.
The Sith Warriors stand and wait for her.
Alec said, "You retrieved the holocron of Tulak Hord, excellent work apprentice." He saw Alexandra glaring at them, "What's wrong?"
Alexandra bared her teeth, "Did you take a sick pleasure in torturing me mentally? Do you have any idea what kind of creatures I encountered?! I could have died in there!" Rocks of varies size rise behind her.
Kenta held up his hands, "Hold on, apprentice. What we did was a test. You had to learn how to fend for yourself and you passed the test."
The girl growled, "But that's no excuse for scaring the hell out of me! I'm gonna teach you three a lesson!" The Sith Masters run away from the pissed 19-year old.
They dodge rocks as they run through the Valley of the Dark Lords. They're suddenly frozen in place as Alexandra moves closer until she stands before them, lightning crackling between her hands.
She said, "This is your punishment for trying to mentally scar me for life!" She blasts them with non-lethal Force lightning. She holds the current for five minutes then stops, letting them fall to the ground, bodies twitching and frizzed hair arcing with electricity.
Alec groaned, "Note to self: Never piss our apprentice off."
Kenta nodded, "Duly noted."
Yuna had a dazed look on her face, "Look at the pretty lights!" Alexandra sighs, her anger spent.
Using the Force to lift the trio, she heads back to the Forgotten Star walking up the ramp. Dropping them unceremoniously Alexandra closes the ramp and heads for the cockpit.
Leliana asked, "So, got what you came here for?"
Alexandra nodded, "Yes."
Leon yelled, "Excellent! Can we please get off this planet now?" The smuggler fires up the engines and lifts the freighter off of Korriban. As the planet becomes more distant, the more Leon feels his stress subside.
'Thank the Force we're no longer on that nightmarish planet.' He thought with a sigh.
Later that day, Alexandra stares at the newly acquired Sith holocron.
She commented, "Don't know why but this device is beautiful. The designer did an excellent job creating it."
Kenta nodded, "Yes, very few Sith Lords are patient enough to build their holocron."
Leon gave the device a dull look, "So that was the reason we traveled to Korriban? Retrieve the holocron of Tulak Hord?"
Alexandra asked him, "You heard of him?"
The ex-Jedi nodded, "Heard of him? I met his spirit when Ahsoka and I were stranded on Korriban. He was called the Lord of Hate and Master of the Gathering Darkness, he's bit of a smug prick. Apparently he possessed a mastery of the dark side of the Force and lightsaber combat that left him nearly unrivaled. He was considered the most powerful of his day. I found that holocron you have there, learned some of his more secret techniques, used them to incorporate into my own style and lightsaber form."
Leon shook his head, "Maybe when you're better at handling your lightsaber."
Alexandra puffed her cheeks out in a cute manner, "Meanie." Kenta covers his mouth to muffle the laughter escaping him.
Leon shook his head again, "Call me what you want, I'll teach you when you don't suck as much as you do now."
Leliana asked, "How did you get it?"
Alexandra said, "How to avoid booby traps and face fearsome beasts."
Leon grinned, "Your hear that, Leliana? She likes your..."
The Sith apprentice cut him off, "Finish that sentence and I'll cut your head off!"
Leon said, "As if you could."
Alexandra asked Kenta, "Is it possible to wield both sides of the Force?"
Kenta replied, "It is but extremely difficult. Very few have the ability to do so."
Leon disagreed, "It's not hard, I do it everyday. Then again I'm amazing."
Alexandra said, "I'm taking a shower. I reek." She stands, walking to her quarters to drop off the Sith holocron and grabbing a fresh set of clothes. Walking to the shower compartment, the girl turns on the shower allowing it to reach the right temperature. Once it does Alexandra undresses 'til she's bare of any clothing. Stepping inside the shower she closes the door, allowing the water to touch her body. Running hands through her long dark hair, she removes dirt, pebbles and who knows what else occupied Tulak Hord's tomb.
She enjoys the feeling of the hot water caressing her, grabbing a bottle of shampoo, lathering it before rubbing it into her hair. After that she rinses her hair. Grasping the sponge, she squeezes body wash on it, lathering it as well. Alexandra scrubs her body, loving the mint scent. Once that's done she rinses the sponge, squeezing to get rid of leftover body wash and rinses off herself. Shutting off the shower, Alexandra opens the door stepping out and and dries off. She then dresses into the clothing she brought with her. After drying her hair, she combs it and hangs the towels.
She enters her quarters and sits on the bed. Grabbing hold of Tulak Hord's holocron she activates.
A small holographic projection of the deceased Sith Lord appears. She listens to the ancient Dark Lord talk about the history of the Sith, the Sith Code, etc.
Alexandra disagrees with Tulak Hord on certain aspects of how Sith draw their power through fear, anger, hatred or fear.
After an hour of listening the young Sith apprentice turns off the holocron. Memories of her parents flash through Alexandra's mind. Her father was honorable and would help anyone in need. After the CIS attacked Corellia during the Clone Wars, he provided funding for the relief efforts. Ryan Wolf would certainly love the crystal cave on Dantooine.
Her thoughts next move to her mother, Cassandra. She was a popular singer during her teens and early twenties, having released hundreds of albums, the very first one being the top favorite ten times after its first month of release. Her beautiful voice earned Cassandra the nickname the "Songstress of Ossus". Alexandra remembers her mother saying she met Ryan during a concert tour. Her father offered Cassandra to take her out to eat. She accepted and from that point, they knew they were meant for each other.
Alexandra is so caught up in her memories, she doesn't hear Leliana enter, the smuggler wraps her arms around the Sith's shoulders, drooping them over her chest and resting her head on the girl's shoulder.
She asked, "You okay?"
Alexandra sighed, "Just thinking of my parents. I miss them." Leliana smiles sympathetically.
She met Alexandra's father after the attack on Corellia, during the relief effort. From their first meeting, Leliana knew Ryan was an honorable and selfless man, helping those in need. Ryan himself took a liking to the smuggler after she kept his daughter safe. Leliana then met Cassandra prior to taking Alexandra to Dantooine. Seeing the two embrace reminded the smuggler of her adopted father. Both of Alexandra's parents respected Leliana and trusted her. Leliana, in turn, respected them.
Leliana tightened her embrace, "They wouldn't want you be consumed by grief, Alex."
Alexandra's eyes glistened with tears, "I know. It just hurts. They didn't deserve what happened to them."
Leliana gently turned her love around, "No they didn't but I'm here for you. I always will, I promise." She leans in to kiss the young Sith apprentice.
Pulling the covers of the bed back, Leliana removes her clothes leaving her in just her underwear and climbs in pulling Alexandra with her. She holds the grief stricken girl close to her, rubbing Alexandra's back until she calms down.
The two fall asleep with Alexandra nuzzling closer to Leliana earning her a smile from the smuggler.
A/N: Chapter 16 done.
The gang traveled to Korriban so Alexandra can retrieve the holocron of Tulak Hord inside the Sith Lord's tomb. It was part of her training, battling nightmarish creatures and evading booby traps. To prove herself worthy of obtaining it, Tulak Hord made her battle a Terentatek which she did. She later made her Sith Masters pay for possibly scarring her mentally.
Leon revealed his history with Korriban and desire to get off the planet.
Lastly Alexandra reminisces over her parents. Leliana comforted her.
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Stay tuned for chapter 17.
Vader 23A