I apologise for the delay , The new UI for the app has alot of issues that makes writing these chapters alot more of a chore , Hopefully it gets fixed soon but in the meantime I'm just going to have to deal with it .
Anyway , Onto the next chapter
THE PAST - ALDERAAN
The time was near , He could feel his child's lifeforce clearly even though his pregnant wife was across the galaxy from his current position.
At his side stood malgus and Arcann , Whilst the republic forces descended apon their position. He could feel their ailing forces , The plague he had long since engineered having rendered anyone who wasn't an exceptional existence useless in a fight .
He watched the ships , Cruisers and fighters peel through the atmosphere , Already firing apon their position even from the sheer distance between them.
Yet Nox's attention was taken immediately from the impending battle , As his head snapped to look downwards towards the position of Odessan .
' Lana ' Nox could feel her pain through the force , Racking his brain as his priorities immediately shifted.
" Malgus , Arcann , Return to the ship , This battle ends immediately" Nox looked to the forces above and crouched low .
" As you wish " Arcann replied , Turning away with malgus as they began to tread their way back to the shuttles a couple of hundred metres behind them .
Time slowed to a crawl to Nox's perspective , As he launched from the ground to the skies.
He raised his hands infront of his body as he began to levitate , Red bolts began to snap around his fingers , Each bolt easily discernable to his eyes as they moved in slow motion .
" Perish " Nox stared to the skies as he called the force to him , He could feel it rush to him , Flowing into his body in torrents as he diverted the flow of energy to his fingertips.
Time righted itself the next instant as Nox closed his eyes for the briefest of moments to shield his retina from what was to come .
The horizon was bathed white as a ringing assaulted Arcann's ears . Heat assaulted his features as trees instantly combusted around their shuttle .
Spots in his eyes began to clear up as he turned back to face his emperor as the man fell back to the ground .
Yet his attention was drawn skywards , As burning streaks of metal fell from the skies. Fire bathed the horizon , As the shuttles and cruisers fell from the skies lifelessly , Crashing and exploding apon the grounds below .
' All of our enemies , Perishing in an instant ... that is true power ' Arcann took the sight in as his lord approached .
" Lana has gone into labour , We're leaving for Odessan immediately"
DEMONSGATE - THE PRESENT
The vacuum of space surrounded Nox as he floated at the centre of the Demonsgate .
The vibrant blue shell that surrounded the centre of the demonsgate spun around him in all directions.
" Nox to command ... prepare for breach " Nox spoke into his helmets systems .
Around the demonsgate the entirety of the first fleet surrounded the vessel in all directions , Blanketing the stars as they pointed directly at the blue disk at their centre .
" Ready and waiting my lord " Vaylin responded from the bridge of the subjugation that sat just beyond the cusps of the Demonsgate's spinning blue disks .
"Now is the time , let us begin " Nox responded before he clasped his hands infront of his body whilst closing his eyes.
" Begin blanketing " Nox ordered just before he called apon the force.
All across the fleet , The knights aboard the ships raised their hands in the direction of the gate .
" All units , Begin " Vaylin's voice wrung throughout the fleet . Throughout the fleet , The knights and exarchs began to create a bubble around the demonsgate through the force .
All around the gate , A shimmer began to morph into existence around the gate . A barrier of shimmering metaphysical white light that came into and out of existence .
Nox could feel the barrier that surrounded himself and the gate .
' Very good ' Nox mused as the veins beneath his skin began to blacken .
The force began to buffet and ripple from Nox , Billowing outwards from his body into the surrounding gate .
The world began to shift and twist under the pressure of Nox's releasing presence .
Everything shook and rattled as whisps of energy from the gate contorted and twisted as the energy from his being struck out at the barrier created by the eternal empire .
The knights within the surrounding ships shuddered and shook as the energy released by Nox's body threatened to tear through the rippling barrier they had created at their masters order.
With his skin paling exponentially, Nox grit his teeth as it felt as if fire was coursing through his veins .
' There's no way I can hide the opening of the demonsgate . The ripples through the force would inevitably draw attention from everyone . Unless I can create a larger disturbance ... or a disturbance closer to those that would sense it ' Nox thought as he brought his palms together infront of his chest , White light exploding from his palms that blinded all the looked apon the demonsgate .
THE JEDI TEMPLE
Vas'lucis slowly knelt down within the room of a thousand fountains . He knew mace was currently seeking him out for something as he could feel the master of the orders searching presence .
' Time to make a disturbance ' Vas placed his hands on his knees before closing his eyes and opening himself up to the force .
Far across the galaxy , Athla'giroth floated through space as an incorporeal cloud of black matter . Shifting and twisting through the cold void of space. He floated within a dead solar system , Devoid of life as the star itself dimmed under the godly beings presence .
" Understood my master " His incorporeal body began to coil around itself , The force growing heavy with the Darkside .
' My Lord's lighter aspect is drawing the attention of those that are aligned with the lighter portions of the force . I must draw the attention of those that remain ' Athla thought as he began to release a raging pulse through the force .
The pulse expanded from his form in all directions , the closest planets rattled and quaked as a shockwave tore the continents apart , Sending debris and chunks of earth into the skies .
The stars around quaked and dimmed momentarily as waves of dark force energy tore across the galaxy unimpeded .
The dark pulse washed through the galaxy , Spreading across the dark web that hid such dark powers from the Jedi like the ripples in a pond .
He could feel it instantaneously , The undivided attention of every dark side orientated being that was capable of sensing the wave he sent out.
' My part is done my lord , Your activities shall be shielded from the eyes of the galaxy ' Athla'giroth mused as another pulse tore from his incorporeal form , Rending any life from the already dying solar system around it with extreme haste .
' Now I must return to Iokath , Where I must feast ' The shifting cloud of shadow shrunk in on itself until it completely evaporated from the system , Leaving nothing but death and crumbling planets in it's wake.
DEMONSGATE
The knights of Zakuul shuttered as they struggled to stand under the pressure forced apon their shoulders .
The Exarchs fared little better even with their enhanced bodies . The force flowed heavily , Saturating the very air around them as they were threatened to be crushed like tin cans .
Yet they persisted in maintaining the barrier around the demonsgate .
Vaylin squinted at the shimmering white dome that surrounded the gate , Puckering her lips slightly in thought . Her eyes danced over to a knight whom was struggling , Dropping to one knee as the battering waves from their lord forced him to the ground.
' I guess I could offer a little assistance ' Vaylin thought bitterly as she raised his right hand , Facing her palm at the gate and making a grasping gesture. The air around her extended fingers visibly distorted as the force came to her call , The woman adding her own efforts to maintaining the barrier .
The effects were immediate for both Vaylin and the knights of Zakuul. The woman physically shook apon feeling the torrential waves of energy coming from Nox . It felt as if she was being forced under the ocean , Her very soul being contorted and twisted under the barrage of energy coming from her lover .
But she refused to let go , As she could see the burden of maintaining the barrier be significantly eased for the knights. The young man on the bridge slowly finding his way back to his feet .
' Don't take too long now love . I don't know how long I can hold your power for '
The demonsgate shuddered , Releasing a whine from all around Nox as the man himself grit his teeth in exertion .
He held his arms aloft at his side , His hands clasped into fists before he slowly began to drag his outstretched arms inwards .
The space all around him shuddered and twisted , It looked as if his body was twisting and distorting as his arms slowly came together at the centre of his chest.
Holding his hands over his chest , With his palms facing eachother . He slowly unfurled his fingers until his fingers slowly created a cage with his digits .
Bursting from his back , A total of twelve elongated pale arms swayed aimlessly at his back .
And with a mere flex , The arms spread wide . The long slender fingers of his now twelve extra hands clawed at the space around them , Grabbing at the energies of the demonsgate before beginning to drag them towards Nox's main arms.
' We need more gravity ' Nox hissed internally ' Very well '
With a breath of power , A black orb formed at the centre of his palms , A pinprick of pure darkness that ate at the very fabric of space and time around it .
Controlling this orb took considerable effort . As the flow of the Demonsgate's energies began to divert directly towards the orb he held , The arms at his back continued to drag the energies of the gate with each centimetre they drew inwards .
Slowly , Nox began to seperate his palms from eachother , Allowing for the tiny orb to expand to the size of a volley ball .
The entire demonsgate shuddered as he did so , The orb eating at the energy of the demonsgate with gusto .
' The key is in the lock , Let's turn it ' Nox grunted , Preparing for the final push needed for the gate to be opened.
Spreading his arms wide , Nox dispelled the conjured arms from his back , The appendages slithering back into the base of his spine before they had completely vanished .
Layering a shield over his body , Nox smiled wickedly before his whole body tensed .
' Be ready Vaylin , This gate is about to scream ' Nox closed his eyes and let out a slow breath , Before finally slamming his hands together around the volley ball sized orb of peerless darkness , Squashing it with brute force and energy .
The backlash came immediately thereafter , As his hands were forced apart and his body flung across the gate .
Nox careened through the space of the gate with little control , Waves of energy expanding from where the orb had been squashed not a second prior .
He was about to impact the barrier made by the knights when his uncontrolled flight was inverted . Gravity increasing exponentially apon his body as it tried to pull him back to his origin point .
With a grunt , Nox stopped his body from moving , Choosing instead to turn around and stare directly towards the centre of the gate .
' Well isn't that pretty ' Nox thought as he stared in awe at the opening gate .
At the centre of the demonsgate , A blue whirlpool of energy quickly expanded outwards . Its centre was as dark as a starless void , Whilst it's fringes dragged the energy of the gate around its circumference like a draining bathtub .
What came next gave Nox even greater satisfaction , As the darkness of the gate seemed to stretch onwards , The energy it sucked from the world around it shrunk and shrunk until it looked like it was about to run out of fuel .
Yet it was not to be , As a small pinprick of light could be spotted deep within the starless void . And from the pinprick of white , Energy flowed upwards .
Had Nox not been anchoring himself , He would have been jettisoned away from the opening gate as a new rush of energy pushed its way out from the gate with an explosion of blue iridescent light that spread out and restored the demonsgate to its full power .
' Its now self sustaining . Nobody will be able to close it now . The gate ... is open '
It wouldn't be for several more hours until the demonsgate would settle down , The wormhole sustaining itself without any outbursts of energy or fluctuations .
All the while Nox simply floated over the maw of the wormhole , His form hovering of the eclipsing tunnel of darkness like a long spectre standing apon a lake at night.
' I'm coming for you ' Nox spoke as he stared directly into the tunnel , Eyes narrowed as he looked at the tiny pinprick of white light at the far end .
' Its time to gather our forces and prepare for an invasion '
WITH HK - 1 WEEK LATER
" I have need of your capabilities " HK stood before count dooku . The towering droid stood before the count , His red eyes staring unblinkingly at the aging man whilst a bald dathomerian stood to their immediate left .
" What is your commission " HK asked , His deep baritone voice rasping throughout the room .
" Due to the recent failures of my apprentice here and the loss of another , I would like you to accompany her and durge to oversee operations on Queyta and assist them in their mission " Dooku motioned to ventress who regarded the droid with contempt .
Turning his head to face the dathomerian , HK was alerted to the arrival of durge as the door opened with a resounding hiss , who stepped into the room not a moment later .
" We meet again durge " HK turned to face the bounty hunter who stopped moving within the entrance to the room .
" Abomination " Durge ground out as he crushed the desire to reach for his blaster .
" It appears you two have a history together " Dooku remarked as the looming golden droid walked in a slow gait toward the hunter , Standing half a full head taller than the Gen'dai .
" I trust we won't be having any issues together on our mission " HK leant down to the Gen'dai .
" None " Durge snapped out as he stared up at HK's piercing red eyes .
Seemingly satisfied , The droid stood back up , Regarding the alien for a few more moments before turning back to the count for a second time .
" I'll be expecting advanced payment " HK then turned away from the count whom squinted and made his way from the room with no further words .
With the droid now gone , Dooku turnt to durge with a curious gaze .
" You seem to have a less than favourable history with the droid " The silent question hung in the air as durge tensed .
" That droid is an abomination with no morals or care for anything around it or in it's way . Allies or not , that droid is an aspect of chaos and carnage " Durge stared at the closed door with contempt .
" Care to explain " Ventress asked as the Gen'dai thought over how to answer their query .
" Shortly after it joined the bounty hunters guild , A bounty came through for the droid , Whilst many didn't take it ... many did for the sheer amount of credits promised. Despite it being against guild policy , I too joined in for the hunt for I had heard about the machines combat prowess . I was late to the battle by half an hour , but things were already wrapping up " Durge explained as he reached into his armour and pulled out a piece of jagged steel grey shrapnel .
" Forty seven aspiring hunters were found dead on the scene . Civilian casualties were in the hundreds , It hadn't hesitated to throw the innocent in it's way to get a shot at the hunters . I saw a little boy had been caught between it and a hunter as they battled with vibro-blad's , It had decapitated the child while it made a killing strike at the hunter , Cleaving the hunter in half with a single stroke . It didn't care for the blood it spilt . I watched the settlement burn as it left the survivors to perish without aid. What's worse is the commission was a test , Some company wanted to test the droids capabilities and acquire it's blueprints so they could produce their own . It hunted them too without care or permission from the guild , Within the week the company disappeared from the face of the galaxy . I keep this memento of that day , A reminder of what happens when you turn on your allies ... what happens when you make hasty decisions without thinking things through . Whilst I have no problem killing clones ... if I ever have the request to battle that ... monster ... I am afraid I will have to decline " Durge explained as he slid the shard back into his armour , His keepsake of the past he wished not to forget .
" I see , This has been very informative , I thank you for the information ... you may leave " Dooku dismissed them with a wave of his hand , Pleased about the information he had garnered about the droids apparently bloody past .
THE JEDI TEMPLE
Vas stood within the room of a thousand fountains as he communicated directly with the force , Meditating while hovering several feet from the soft grasses below .
' I'll give you what's left of my strength ' Vas twitched as he received a series of visions from the force , Something he felt to be a premonition of sorts .
' No ' A familiar voice cried out as he saw a blonde haired woman reaching for master kenobi , Leaving a gentle kiss to his forehead .
' Too late ' Yet her sacrifice was not to be as a Vibro-blade pierced their chests , A very familiar droid standing over their crumbling bodies as they fell .
Vas's eyes shot open as he understood the premonition . Quickly coming to his feet , Vas blitzed his way out from the room of a thousand fountains and rushed his way around the corner towards the sets of elevators at the end of the hallway .
' Thank you for the opportunity HK ... I'll make to use it to my fullest of capabilities ' Vas entered the elevator and selected the level of the hangers where his ship was located .
He impatiently tapped his feet against the cold steel of the floor , Crossing his arms as a tick danced within his eyebrows.
' Come on ... come on ' A sigh escaped him as the elevator opened moments later , Where he appeared as a white blue that sped from the doorway , Knocking over several Padawans and three knights before he ascended the ramp of his vessel and deposited himself in the pilots seat of his D-5 mantis .
The ship powered on with an aggressive roar , The engines whining as cones of blue plasma leapt from the thrusters .
His adolescent summa came into the bridge and regarded him with curiosity as the mantis lifted from the ground with rushed urgency.
The ships engines rotated as the ship lurched forward , Barely making it past several other vessels without damaging them as it cleared the hanger and rushed towards the skies .
' Let's hope they're Atleast good enough to hold off HK for a small amount of time ' Vas smirked as he cleared the atmosphere of the planet and immediately activated the hyperdrive , Sending his ship hurtling through hyperspace towards Queyta .
QUEYTA
Arriving to the planet with his starfighter , Obi-Wan disconnected his fighter from the hyperspace ring his ship needed.
' It appears I'm not the first to arrive ' Obi-Wan thought as he urged his fighter forward.
The molten planet of Queyta grew closer with each moment .
He could feel one of the individuals on the planet below calling to him , Guiding him closer towards their location , And he was wise to follow their calls to him towards them .
HK stood at the top of the chemical facility , Eyes zeroed in on the location of the Jedi masters he could see from his location at the top of the facility.
The dark robe he wore hid his metallic form from the world around him , As his clawed metallic feet crushed the steel surface below .
" The Jedi are approaching , Have you infiltrated the facility " HK asked as he watched Kenobi join with the other masters .
" We have , We're descending to the lower levels as we speak " Durge answered whilst the droid watched the group move towards the cliffs.
" Then be quick about it "
" So much for teamwork " The group of Jedi leapt down to floating rocks below , Making sure to make sure they landed on sturdier rocks so they didn't simply fall into the magma .
Kenobi felt overwhelmed in the presence of such legendary figures as the ones that surrounded him .
Nico diath , Jon Antilles , Knol Vannari and master Fay . They were legends within the Jedi order , Nomads that went around the galaxy and helping those in need , They rarely went to Coruscant as they followed the will of the force more than many within their order .
The masters landed with a grace that amazed the younger master , As he saw them leaping across the field of lava with practiced ease towards the facility that gleamed silver amongst the molten orange around it .
" Everyone land safely " Fay asked as they landed Infront of a open passage way that accessed the facility.
" Master Knol was right , There are no battle droids here " A man with flocks of long brown hair regarded whilst a man wearing black robes that obscured his face approached .
" We must be careful , No passage is completely safe " The Antilles remarked as the group entered the passage .
" The base is manned , But that shouldn't be a problem " Master Vannari pointed at a sentry but was stopped by Antilles who placed his hand on her shoulder .
" An attack would be unwise , The sentry is skakoan , Wearing pressurised suits . They're methane breathers , If you puncture the suit they'll explode " Antilles informed the alien who held her green lightsaber for a moment before signing and disengaging.
" Who uses combustible workers ... it doesn't make sense " Vannari squinted in suspicion for several moments .
" We'll just have to avoid them " Diath announced as he placed his hands into the sleeves of his robes .
" Master diath , I've accessed the facilities floor plan . A synthesis lab is located nearby , We should be able to find the samples we need there " Kenobi informed the other masters as he looked over the hologram .
" Then that is where we'll go " Diath announced as they began to move out whilst avoid the sentries that manned the facility .
HK stormed through the facility as his sensors kept track of the intruding Jedi masters , Stalking through the cold metallic hallways of the facility .
" We've arrived at the lab , Securing the samples as we speak " Durge informed him as he accessed an out of commission elevator shaft , Deciding to simply drop down into the dark with little care .
" The Jedi are apon your position "
' No ' Kenobi thought as he looked at ventress , The dathomerian studied the sample in her hand .
" I've secured the sample , Let's scuttle the lab before the republic dogs have a chance to track us down " Ventress smirked but paused as she heard the ignition of several sabers from behind .
" Too late Darksiders " Diath announced as he took a step forward infront of the assembled group .
" Not quite " Ventress cooed as she grabbed the hilts of her sabers and ignited the blades " We already knew you were here ... false Jedi "
" We're fully prepared to kill you all " Ventress declared before leaping forward towards the Jedi masters ready to strike .
A warning through the force drew their attention as ventress struck , As durge raised his blasters and pointed at the methane breathers nearby .
" Scuttling lab " Durge smirked before blasting the Skakoan without mercy .
The laboratory exploded moments later , Sending fire screaming around the room as it threatened to devour the Jedi masters .
Yet Kenobi was amazed as the flames began to be sucked away from them .
" It's stopped , Are you holding the fire back " Kenobi asked but recieve a negative from Diath .
" No ... master Vannari is pulling it in " Diath remarked as the flame vanished to revealed the smoking form of master Vannari .
" The fire breather ... of course " Kenobi stared in admiration but grew worried as Vannari collapsed to the ground , Groaning in pain .
" MASTER KNOL , Hang on we'll get you out of there " Diath yelled out as he ran across the scorched grounds and picked up the gasping Jedi master .
" No , My burns are too extensive ... My time here is over " The furred master spoke as she began to lose strength in her body .
" Go then , And my the force be with you in your next journey " Master Diath held the master in her final moment as Kenobi approached .
" Is she ... gone " Kenobi asked , His face crest fallen as she went limp in the man's arms .
" Yes , I eased her passage into death .Now we must persue that witch " Diath grit his teeth as he lay the master to the ground .
" And devise an escape plan , The facility has been compromised , Were sinking " Fay pointed outside as sections of the facility could been seen dropping into the lava below.
" She went that way , Let's move." Diath bellowed and rushed off with the Jedi .
The Jedi left the room with little care , Not noticing as HK entered the room , Stalking over towards the downed Jedi master to stare down at her corpse.
" A shame I couldn't have hunted you myself , No worries " HK reached down to pick up the jedi's blade , Igniting the green weapon before severing the woman's head from her body with her own weapon , Ensuring she was indeed dead .
" Now " HK clipped the blade to his hip and made to exit the lab , But stopped for a moment , Choosing to access the surviving console and download all remaining data it contained " This could be useful for later "
Fumes licked at the platforms they danced across , As the Jedi pursued ventress across the walkways that had began to collapse under the heat from below.
" We have to stop her , If she falls the antidote will be lost " Kenobi yelled out as he leapt from a pipe and up to the platform ventress was crossing , His blue lightsaber ignited in his hand as he gave chase .
Stopping for a moment , Asajj turned to the group with a glare , Igniting her red blade and pointing it downward in preparation to fight.
Antilles leapt high and over her to land at her back , Igniting his green blade whilst Kenobi approached her from the front .
" You're surrounded , Give up " Kenobi announced only to recieve a glare from Asajj .
" Your whole order couldn't destroy me " Ventress decreed and swiped her blade through the steel infront of her feet , Severing the pathway in half before using a force push to send it tumbling downwards with kenobi.
Now being left with just Antilles , Asajj turned to the man with her hateful glare.
" We don't need to , The Darkside has already destroyed you " Antilles announced as flames danced around his form .
" I'm here to release you " He pounced forward and connected blades with Ventress's curved blade .
" You're all so arrogant " Ventress sneered as the flames to their left parted , Durge flying forward with his jetpack to take Antilles by surprise as he tackled him from the platform.
" And overconfident , But you can't fly " Durge let go of the Jedi master and let him fall .
With her path clear , Ventress took off , Leaping from platform to platform with ease .
" The ceiling is going to collapse " Kenobi announced as steel beams began to plunge to the lava around them .
" We need to G " Master Diath began but was surprised as his platform suddenly dropped into the lava , Kenobi reaching down to catch him .
" GO " Diath bellowed as he used a force push on Kenobi , Sending the younger man soaring to a higher platform where he would be safe , And promptly sunk into the lava below to his immediate doom .
Seeing Kenobi and Fay rush for ventress , Durge made to Intercept them . But he was stopped as Antilles wrapped around his body from the back , Managing to restrain him for the moment.
" Obi-Wan don't let the witch get away ! I'll hold the monster back " Antilles decreed as he used the force to enhance himself and stop the Gen'dai from moving .
" Go on ahead Obi-Wan, I'll kill your friend and then I'll find you " Durge roared as they both fell to the platforms below .
" Not before you die " Antilles hissed in his ear as the Jedi master began to nudge them to the edge of the platform , Intending to take them both out .
" Unfortunately" Durge smirked under his helmet as a green place came through his chest , A gasping being heard from behind as the Jedi masters arms slackened .
" You won't have the chance " Durge unwrapped the jedi's arms from his neck to see HK had impaled the Jedi with his comrades blade .
" Ventress is in extreme danger " HK informed him before simply walking off " Make it quick "
Durge gave a nod and grabbed the Jedi by the neck , Promptly jumping down below and plunging the man's head into the lava rivers below " Take a deep breath Jedi "
The man's struggled for a half a moment before going limp .
HK watched Kenobi and Fay corner ventress , His processors running in high speed before he turned back to the facility , The slots on his back panels opening as he aimed his rockets at the weak points of the building .
Durge rushed away as he noticed HK doing his thing .
" Shit " Durge cursed as the rockets fired , The following explosions were immense as the facility blew itself to pieces , Swallowing the droid in the process . Yet Durge knew the droid would be fine , It was Afterall as tenacious as he was .
" We have to get out of here " Fay yelled out as durge approached , Intending to take out both Jedi at once .
" You're not going anywhere but the afterlife " But they were all seperated as a final explosion blew them away and to the cliffs .
Fay lay on the ground in pain , Yet she gave it no mind as she noticed Kenobi hanging onto the cliffs in a precarious situation .
" Obi-Wan" Fay began yet was surprised as twin red blades pierced her chest .
" I'll have your heart one way or another " Ventress whispered as she kicked Fay's legs out from under her body , The woman falling to the ground as her life rapidly began to leave her body.
" I'll call the evac ship , Are you hurt " Durge landed at her side as he studied the bald woman .
" No , But there is one other thing , Where is Kenobi " Ventress began to look around , And smirked as she saw his situation .
" Ah there you are " Ventress approached the cliffs , Yet Durge stared at the figure that landed next to the evac ship , The smoking armour of HK stared back at him as the droid began to stand back up .
Durge watched as Ventress seemingly tried to recruit Kenobi , Yet they were surprised as a flur appeared between the two , Seemingly appearing from thin air only to blitz across the charred stone with no issue .
Ventress leapt back in surprise as a recognisable man in white clothing pointed his blade at her with a disappointed countenance. His orange blade hissed angrily as his almost glowing blue eyes studied her intently .
" Just in time I see " Vas smirked slightly as made a gripping motion and raised his hand , Raising Kenobi from the cliffs and onto the safety of flat ground with a simple implication of the force .
" Knight lucis " Obi-Wan announced in genuine surprise and yet a hint of worry as the young man pointed his orange coloured blade at ventress . His other hand clenched into a fist at his side whilst his legs parted slightly .
" Master Kenobi ... it is imperative that you leave at once , Your escape from here will decide the fates of millions " Vas stared ahead at ventress as the woman sneered and reignited both blades , Being flanked by Durge and HK as they too prepared for battle .
" But " Kenobi was silenced as he was lifted from the ground by Vas once again .
" Master ,Please ... the people of the galaxy need you and that antidote more than us " A following force push sent Kenobi head over heels high into the air yet he also felt a rush of energy flood into him from the knight , Tears threatening to spill from his eyes as he was forcefully ejected from the impending battle.
Fay watched as Kenobi cleared the mountains with a confused gaze , As the young man turned to ventress with a hard glare. Her breath was eased as she too began to feel a flood of lifeforce being forced into her , Her eyes widening as she felt the young man forcefully heal her.
" It's you ... " Ventress hissed as she crouched low " The results will be different this time , You're alone ... and outmatched "
" Out numbered I may very well be ... outmatched ... I don't think so " Vas spoke evenly as an emerald hue overcame his eyes , Drawing the force to his call that very moment .
" I'll get Kenobi " Durge turned and leapt to the air , Yet was surprised as he was suddenly dragged back to the ground face first , Hearing his jetpack crumble as Vas tore him from the skies and slammed him back to the ground .
" No , You won't ... the only one that will is Master Fay " Vas turned to the woman who's eyes widened as he turned to her.
She looked up at his face sadly as he raised his off hand in her direction and made a swiping gesture .
It appeared to her as if the world had suddenly swirled and became a mixture of colours , Before immediately clearing up as she found herself Infront of Kenobi's ship.
Both Jedi appeared surprised at the others presence as Kenobi slowly understood what happened , His face contorting into sadness for a moment as he moved to assist the ageless woman.
" Let's get you out of here "
As Fay vanished , Durge made his way back to his feet with a growl , All three opponents regarding the Jedi Knight with caution and agitation .
" Now that they're safe , I don't suppose I can get you all to just leave now " Vas asked as he pointed his blade downwards , The point spearing through the ground with a hiss .
" No ... I don't think so " Ventress growled before losing her patience and rushing forward .
" I didn't think so " Vas sighed before leaning back , ducking under a decapitating thrust with her right blade .
Whilst leant back , Vas raised his blade up , Letting ventress's second blade slide downward and into the dirt before he righted himself and slammed his open palm into her abdomen , Forcing spittle to to fly from her mouth and drive her to her knees .
" A shame " Vas removed his palm from her stomach before placing it at at the base of her neck above her breasts with her looking up to him in confusion .
She received her answer a moment later as she felt electricity begin to course through her body , It wasn't necessarily painful but it was uncomfortable and definitely not something she would have wanted to experience once again . As emerald arcs leapt from her body to the ground , She was immobilised and fell to the ground as she lost her balance .
Disregarding ventress now that he knew she was immobilised for the next few moments , he turned to face Durge and HK .
" Will you two surrender " Vas asked as HK analysed the young man , His deep red lenses staring intently at the young man .
" This Jedi is dangerous " HK announced as he turned to durge .
" Then let us take him together " Durge announced as he raised his pistols .
" Agreed " HK pulled out his vibro-blade in his right hand and ignited the stolen green saber in his left .
They both leapt into action without any given signal , With Durge blitzing to the right whilst HK decided to meet him head on .
' Let's see how good you've gotten HK ' Vas smiled as he became a blur , Screaming forward with his lightsaber held at the waist and pointed forward .
HK stopped his charge and brought his vibro-blade forward , Using it as a shield as Vas slammed into him .
The lightsaber screamed as it met the electrified alchemically enhanced blade of HK , As the Saber was diverted downwards towards the ground .
Taking this chance , HK used his left hand to make a stab at Vas with the stolen lightsaber towards Vas's stomach .
HK's processors stopped for a moment as Vas's offhand blurred and met the blade of the green saber with an open palm , Using tutaminus to halt the weapon and absorb its energy .
Closing his fingers around the energy blade of the Saber , Vas tore the blade from HK's grip , Hurling the weapon away to the ground tens of metres away .
Left with nothing but his vibro blade , HK brought both hands to the hilt of the weapon and heaved upwards , Cleaving towards Vas's apparently exposed chest .
Meeting the blade with his flat palm , Vas diverted the blade upwards before thrusting his his orange Saber into HK's chest .
The droid managed to save itself by turning slightly , allowing for the blade to Peirce the hydraulics in its shoulder rather than its powercore .
Sparks sprayed from the droids left arm as it recieve several severe damage warnings , Yet It remained focussed on its adversary , Analysing his fighting style intently .
With Vas's blade now stuck in his shoulder , HK swung his right arm and this is blade at Vas , Yet the young man simply turned his Saber off and leapt high into the air , Safely avoiding the swipe .
Now in the air , Vas hurled his Saber through the air at HK , The blade spinning like a buzzsaw as it cut through the air towards HK's neck .
Raising his blade , HK batted the Saber off towards to the ground , Sending a signal towards the Gen'dai to open fire of the Jedi Knight.
Feeling the impending danger , Vas turned his head towards Durge who raised his blasters towards his falling form , And at the same time HK slammed his legs into the ground , The missile pods on his back opening before unleashing a salvo at the jedi's front .
Instead of being phased ,Vas stopped falling and raised his arms to his side's , A barrier of emerald energy forming around him the next second .
The duo watched as the missiles and energy bolts struck the shield , Obscuring the Jedi in a haze of black billowing smoke .
" You two make an impressive duo " The smoke was forcefully parted , Dispersing to the wind to reveal an unnamed Vas simply floating in the air .
A scream drew their attention , As ventress leapt towards the floating man with both her sabers held over head , A feral look in her eyes as she soared at his position .
She collided with him mid air , Forcing him from flying as he caught her hands by the wrists.
They landed on their feet with no effort , Sliding several metres back across the ground .
" You're going to have to do better than that dear " Vas smiled , Crushing the woman's hands as he squeezed , Forcing the sabers from her hands as they cluttered to the ground harmlessly .
Fear overcame her eyes as he bounced slightly before spinning and mule kicking her in the stomach , Launching the bald banshee through the air back towards her allies .
Slowly he raised himself back to his feet , Making a gripping motion with his hand as his Saber skidded across the ground towards his waiting hand .
" Let's kick this up a notch " Vas ignited his main orange Saber whilst grabbing his double bladed Saber hilt with his left hand , The blue blade hissing as it was activated .
He held the second Saber at his waist , His left arm curled slightly as the weapon crossed infront of his stomach and protected his back at that same moment .
" Let's go " Vas cried out in excitement as he leant forward and blitzed forward in a display of orange and white and blue blurs .
He appeared between Durge and HK , Twirling around as his sabers spun around him violently .
In a single swing his orange blade severed HK's broken arm from his body whilst his blue Saber slaved through the Gen'dai's armour and cut the lower portion of his right leg clean from his body .
Making a gripping motion , The Gen'dai became worried as his armour crumbled in on itself as he was raised into the air .
Coming to the aliens aid , Vas was forced to duck his head to the right as HK thrust at his skull with his remaining arm and blade . Followed up by a downwards swipe that forced Vas to dance out of the way as he let go of Durge , the cocoon of armour falling to the ground to almost roll away.
Another warning drew his attention , As he manoeuvred his double Saber behind his back to stave off a swipe towards his spine , Before twisting around and slashing at Ventress's legs .
The woman leapt over his wings yet fell prey as she was once more assaulted by Vas's electric judgement , Before he used the forced to hurl her into the ground .
His eyes widened as he leant forward , HK blade passing where he had been a moment prior . Yet he dropped to the ground , Planted his palms on the ground and swiped HK's legs out from under him .
Leaping back to his feet , Vas kicked at HK's fallen chassis , Sending the droid tumbling across the ground before it skidded to a stop .
With his immediate area cleared of foes , Vas turned back to ventress and Durge who were rising once more with Durge having freed himself from his crumbled and now ultimately useless armour .
' It appears I expected too much for now , I'll have to teach HK some new blade tactics ' Vas mused before he used the force to push Durge , Sending the Gen'dai flying over the cliffs towards the facility and lava below with little care .
With Durge out of the picture for a while , He turned to the still fallen HK and ventress , with the prior now slowly rising to his feet .
' I grow weary of this duel ' Vas gripped HK through the force and made an upwards swing with his arm . Resulting in HK being hurled skywards at colossal speeds which terrified the dathomerian woman to no end as she watched the droid become a spec in the sky .
" Give up ventress , You've lost " Vas disengaged his sabers and clipped them to his belt , Regarding the dathomerian with a sad gaze.
" I WON'T" she cried out as she rushed him , Intending to thrust her blades through his chest .
Yet he appeared as a blur just as her blades would have pierced his white robes , Catching both her hands with his own .
" It's over " Vas squeezed her hands harder this time , Causing her to cry out as her sabers once more fell to the ground at her feet .
" Give up "
Yet ventress resisted as she tried to headbutt him , But was met a bursting of her ears . As her vision faded for a moment and she appeared disorientated the aftermath of a terrible roar causing her ears to leak blood .
She knew what he had done , Yet he shouldn't have been able to , A force scream of such power from someone such as him .
" I apologise , You'll have to forgive me for the slip of the tongue " Vas looked at the sprawled out woman , Having not meant to use the force scream on her at all , But he had quickly grown tired of her resistance .
Her eyes ran from the stone her face had been planted in the ground to look up at the looming Vas whom stood over her.
He knelt down next to her as all fight was forcefully dragged , Torn from her body at that very moment .
Like a doting parent , He grabbed the side of her head and turned her around to see if she had any lasting damages .
" You'll be okay , Now then " He gently laid her head back to the ground and stood back up while brushing his clothing off " I'm afraid I can't talk any longer , I must depart for Coruscant immediately "
" Stay well until next time " To ventress's perspective he simply vanished in the spot , Leaving her sprawled on the ground .
Durge appeared after several minutes of her simply laying there , Still stunned from the force scream that had rattled her entire being .
" It appears we have someone within the Jedi order to be weary of " Durge gripped ventress by the armpits and hoisted her from the ground .
Their attention was drawn by the sudden landing of HK who slammed into the ground with a shockwave .
" We must leave at once "
DEMONSGATE
Through the viewport of the subjugation , The swirling wormhole of the demonsgate lay before the first fleet .
The entirety of the first fleet had been gathered , Surrounding the colossal capital vessel that dwarfed the rest of the ships in the fleet .
" All vessels are primed and ready for battle " Vaylin replied at his right side , Her face hard whilst she squinted at the gaping black maw of the demonsgate .
" Whatever is beyond this gate , be prepared for anything " Nox spoke solemnly as he waved his hand , Urging for Scorpio to begin the invasion.
As one , The first fleet began to move forward under Scorpio's command . The Legion of vessels began to enter the wormhole .
With a mere thought , Nox evaporated from the bridge of the subjugation , Appearing at the head of the fleet where he was the first to go through the demonsgate and through to the other side.
Arriving on the plane of otherspace , Nox floated aimlessly , No long influenced by the gravitational well of the demonsgate as he exited it's other side .
Taking his spiritual form , Nox grew tremendously until he stood at over a hundred metres in height . His thousand arms erupting from his spine to sway aimlessly like a trail of flowing hair .
The six arms connected to his torso remained lowered at his side as his feet touched down on the surface of the barren wasteland .
The white skies with black stars held a beauty of their own as the six eyes within Nox's head gazed towards the stars with awe .
Behind him the first fleet gathered , Firing off occasionally at a native creature that got ballsy enough to approaching the hundreds of vessels .
Yet as Nox stared into the white expanse above , The opposite of space as the creators wished it to be . He found what he sought , And with a faint buzz ,Evaporated into purple mist that shrunk in on itself .
Appearing in a cavern far below the surfaces of the Dark Illathurion , Nox stared out at the pathetic existence that made its home so .
" Here you are , El'shuddem " Nox mocked the ghastly figure as he stepped into its place of dying .
His glowing purple eyes spied the creature as one of his thousand of arms came forward to rouse the creature in it's form of unknowing .
The creature stirred groggily , It smelled of death as corpses made up its grotesque form . The feelers on its behind felt around aimlessly yet found nothing.
The teeth and claws that lines it's form moved uselessly , Even as its eyes finally locked onto the aeon like form of Nox in his approach .
He spied the unhealed holes within its body , Where it's offspring had once crawled out of its womb into the outside world .
And if he focussed properly , He could feel the waning presence of mourning , The power that she beheld even in her birth , For he was before Mourning's mother ... the creature that birthed her with it's final power.
" It's pathetic , What's become of you. You were beautiful once if not vain . Yet you allowed yourself to become this due to your hate ... your refusal to admit your wrongs " The towering form of Nox knelt infront of the creatures head as two of his hands cupped where it's checks have been .
" You have wallowed in this pit of depravity for eternity " He had its focus , He knew , As all of its eyes peered at him with sadness .
" Beautiful " It whispered in its horrid tongue . Yet he understood as it attempted to move closer to him in a vain effort to comfort itself .
" I pity you " Nox stroked its forehead as it beedy eyes glistened with tears " Yet that is not why I have come "
He could feel it's curiosity , It wanted to know of why he had come to it .
" I have come to end your suffering . The pain you feel for simply existing . You will never be free of this form . You know that as much as I . You would never know anything else for you are forgotten by all , None shall help . Yet I am here to end it for you , A small mercy for one such as yourself " Nox continued to stroke its forehead as it's teeth clenched , Knowing of the truths that he spoke .
Yet it was fearful , For it feared death , It always had . But to exist as such for any longer was unbearable and it cried out to him in acceptance and wanting .
" Then let us begin " Nox Surrounded the creatures worm like form with his innumerable arms , Every part of its body being touched by Nox's thousand arms leaving nothing untouched .
" This will be over in but a moment , Rest now dear " Nox gently kissed it's forehead so it may know love for the first and last time of its existence .
She need not express her gratitude , For he could feel it echoing through the force . And with a simple thought , He absorbed the creatures life for all it was worth.
Its grotesque form shrivelled and collapsed in on itself in an instant , The body turning to ash that flowed directly into Nox the next instant .
Calling his thousand arms back , They moved back to flowing behind him as he stared at where the Soulworm had laid not moments prior .
' This is my fate should I fail in my goals ' Nox clenched his lipless jaw together , The jagged razors that were his teeth grinding together in fury . He commit the creatures existence to memory , As it's power was added to his own , Its memories added to the stockpile within his mind ' I'll sort through them later '
Nox stared up at the dark ceiling , A mere wave of his hand created a wave of force energy that obliterated the cavernous ceiling , Tossing the debris to the skies and into the void of otherspace .
Crouching down , Nox leapt up through the newly created entrance and back up to the surface of otherspace , Already in search of his other target .
' Its interesting to me that both El'shuddem and Tilotny can exist at the same time . For they are the same creature. I suppose those are the benefits of being outside of time . One may coexist with their own rotting corpse . Or maybe they exist on a seperate timeline and are completely ignorant of their own deaths and corpses . For we perceive both Tilotny ... who is currently somewhere in the skyriver galaxy with the other bedlam spirits . And the Soulworm which is Tilotny's corpse or dying form . I wonder ... is it because we are on a fixed timeline that both may exist at once , And they are not , Creatures that may jump through time and space as they are ' Nox thought as he floated towards what one what one could see was a massive churning cyclone of energy .
' Ahhh ... what remains of Cold Danda Sine ... Nothing but energy churning a raging vortex ' Nox mused as he approached the edges of the Vortex's swirling clouds .
Connecting his mind to Vaylin's Nox stared out a the violent clouds with a hardened expression.
" Keep everything away from my location , Begin the invasion , I want nothing to remain by the end of the next forty eight hours " Nox sent his thoughts to his lover and entered the storm .
He could feel the raging energy around him attempt to pull him apart , To crush his very being and shred him into dust . Yet he remained , He persisted as his will kept him alive even now .
Apon entry , Nox immediately started the absorption process , The energy blasted him as quickly as he was able to absorb it into his being.
Even in death , The energy that made up Cold Danda Sine's body and soul was tremendous .
Approaching the eye of the vortex , Nox could feel his form being strengthened the more energy he added to himself . The sickly looking skin that covered his body became a glistening marble white with veins of black under the surface .
And as he broke into the centre of the vortex , Having absorbed a portion of both the energy that flowed throughout the vortex and the life force and soul of the creature it had once been .
Floating at the eye of the vortex , Nox made a grasping motion at the sides of his body and began to drag inwards .
Outside of the vortex , The storm began to be compressed together , As a bubble of energy created by Nox began to force the vortex to be compressed inwards to Nox's position at its centre .
The more compressed the vortex came , The more violent it would become , The winds picking up exponentially whilst the particles within tore at Nox in an effort to kill the man.
Yet , Even as the vortex began to eat at his marble white flesh , Nox drained the vortex just as quickly if not quicker that it was able to damage his form.
He could feel it enter through his eyes , Be forced into his skin and even down his throat . The flow of energy into him was tremendous , And soon it began to accelerate .
As the vortex became as large as a cruiser , The energy had nowhere to go but inwards directly into the one eating at it .
It was painful as cracks of black leaking energy began to peel across his form .
'This is nothing ' Veins in Nox's face bulged whilst he let out a small growl ' Something like this will be enough to snuff out my eternal conviction '
The purple of Nox's iris's erupted with blazing trails of light .
' I will not stop , My will shall never be snuffed . I will survive until me convictions are found fullfilled . Not until my enemies are writhing , Agonising in pain under my foot ' The energy peeling from Nox began to billow out in all directions as the meteors floating around him began to shake uncontrollably .
' Begging for mercy amongst their pitiful lives ' Nox clasped his hands together infront of his body as he felt as if the cells of his body were on fire ' Regretting , ruin the day of which they crossed me '
Slowly the billowing energy from Nox's body began to settle , Until the only thing left was Nox himself who floated where the energy vortex had been .
" In which I will deny them such mercy called death "
Against his will , His vision went black as the world around him paused .
" Where am I " Nox snarled as he found himself floating in the white void .
" Hello again " The iridescent humanoid of energy introduced itself from behind Nox once more , Its white eyes contorted in concern and sadness .
" It's you ... what are you doing here " Nox but out , Becoming guarded as even with his new powers he couldn't perceive the creatures existence.
" I have merely come to warn you my child and congratulate you " The being held out its arms in peace whilst approaching slowly .
" Is that a threat " Nox's eyes blazed with energy as the white expanse shook with the energy he was pulling into himself .
" You took in too much energy back there ... far too quickly . You went over the threshold of what your body was currently capable of handling " The voice of the being gave it's wisdom .
" So I died " Nox whispered out into the void .
" No . you went against what I thought would happen ... and succeeded " The white light approached closer to Nox .
" And you will now have to deal with the consequences , For I can protect you no longer from the searching eyes of those that would do you harn . Do not forget it , There are things out there that are vastly superior to your current self . And they are wanting ... they can see it just as I , Given time you will become a threat "
" So take my warning my child . Trust only in those that crave not your power . And continue forward ,Destroy anything in your way" Without warning Nox was expelled from the expanse with no further words , Leaving the entity to return to its previous thoughts.
' You're too late , You can't stop him now ' The entity spoke to nobody in particular as it stared through time and space .
" AAAAAHHHHHHH " Supercharged bolts of lightning launched from Nox's body and into the caste white void of otherspace .
The bolts spread from meteor to meteor , Turning the massive celestial bodies to dust with each strike of lightning , Wiping out anything they came into contact with .
Not even the Charon ships hiding in ambush could withstand the barrage as bolts sung across their hulls , Melting the ships along with their inhabitants in mere moments .
It was a spectacle to watch for Vaylin , Even as her retina burnt from the intensity of the light .
A storm of webbed red lightning danced across the entirety of the horizon , From left to right as far as one could perceive .
And at its epicentre , Vaylin could see the arches of energy penetrating from Nox's hands into the world around him .
It was cataclysmic ... it was beautiful.
" Begin the invasion" Nox's command echoed through the minds of those within the fleet , Signalling the opening battle for the dominion of otherspace.