Silverlight Rising Part I: ForceFall

Chapter One: Arrival

The air was thick and stale; I could feel my throat tighten as I breathed it in. Another massive engraved stone door skirted to the side with ease, revealing yet another long corridor.

“Do you feel that brother?” Kavin quietly exclaims.

Which feeling could he have meant? Surely it had to be the overbearing sense of dread that had gripped me since we stepped foot into this place, leaving one with the feeling that no mortal should ever tread here. Or maybe he was talking about the raw force coursing thought the very stone of this ruined and ancient temple, emanating from every nook and cranny as if the very matter was made of the force manifested. Either way this culmination of feelings lead to a singular and decisive notion…that we should not be here.

I glance up meeting my master’s gaze. “Don’t call me that, master.”

“You’re my brother are you not?” Kavin’s voice was low.

What was he trying to do get us killed? Weakness is unforgivable within the order not to mention from one at such a high level and reputation. “No, master I am your apprentice and you are Darth Ronan Sith Inquisitor of the High Council.”

I could tell that wasn’t the answer he wanted, but in the presence of the rest of the Council formalities had to be strictly followed. His red eyes shined bright with disdain against his dark blue skin. It was a great secret that Kavin and I were brothers by birth. Our only saving grace is the subtle differences in our appearance. With his sharp angular features, dark blue skin and glowing crimson eyes, more kin with our father. While I on the other hand take after our mother with softer features, light blue skin and orange eyes, it was all just enough to avoid suspicion. But ultimately looks can only get you so far…If it wasn’t for our strength together then we would have died long before finding this relic.

Kavin sighs rubbing his temples with is finger tips. “If that is how you want it Exiled One, how about you join the rest of the acolytes in clearing the passageway.”

I feel a frown beginning to form but I suppress the disrespectful gesture and nod. “As you wish master.”

I run ahead to where the other acolytes were lifting and moving massive boulders from the walk way. I make little work of several medium sized chunks of stone with a simple wave of my arm, pushing them to the side as if they weighed nothing at all. The work wasn’t particularly grueling but it was completely degrading. We were considered the best of the best, trained for advanced combat and second only to the masters we served. To be reduced to petty laborers under their heel left a sour taste in my mouth. It is no wonder that the Sith thrive on self-mutilation as a means of growth but unlike my fellow dark brethren I find myself questioning what it is we are here for because in the end no society can be sustained by consuming their own.

“We found it!” one of the acolytes shouts.

I pull my attention from my thoughts and gaze up at the colossal doors. Intricate hieroglyphs cover its surface depicting something that the makers of this temple felt should be passed on for the ages. I hear a hiss of excitement sends a shudder through me as Darth Axum approaches the doorway.

“This confirms our theories Lord Ronan. Naga Sadow did not in fact build this temple.” He says confidently brushing his fingers along the relief.

Darth Axum…the Pure Sith, ancient by even ancient terms, his decrepit body reeks of darkness and death. He is the High Inquisitor and rightfully so, with wrinkled skin is as red as blood covered in dark tribal markings that do little to hide the deep scars of a lifetime. He is the founder of this new era of Sith and the initiator of our latest conflict.

Kavin takes a step forward. “Any idea how old, my Lord?”

“Hard to tell, but I can sense there’s an unimaginably vast source of power just beyond this door.” Darth Axum says with a sinister smile.

“At last.” Kavin grins, removing his robe and taking several steps towards the door. “It is just as you promised Lord Axum, the means to finally end this war and make the Republic and the Jedi pay for the destruction of Korriban.”

Kavin lifts his arm and turns his body so that his left side was facing the door. He places his right hand and forearm parallel with his waste and with a lightning fast motion he shifts his stance thrusting his right palm towards the doors. A massive Force wave emits from is body and hit the doors with so much energy that they shatter and crumble to the ground.

A plum of dust and debris blankets the area making it impossible to see. I slam my foot onto the ground quickly clearing the area. Behind the doors was a massive marble room with ornately carved stone columns. Kavin was the first to enter with his hands outstretched ready to embrace the gifts of long forgotten. Lord Axum was correct as soon as the door fell there was nothing keeping this well of force restrained. My senses were inundated with it and I felt as though I was an exposed nerve in a cold wind. It made my body ache with a lustful desire for more and yet I felt utterly terrified at the thought of my primal urge.

“My fellow Inquisitors.” My brother says confidently. “Allow me to introduce you to our salvation. Over the ages its very existence was only expressed in the whispers of fiction or stories told to children before bed time but I always believed it to be true. May I present the Force Conduit.” He runs his hands through his trimmed purple hair.

“Force Conduit?” Darth Gilkiv says “What is its purpose?”

Kavin Smiles wildly. “It acts as a magnet for residual force gathering it like a lake gathers rain water, just on a galactic scale.”

“Then what happens.” Gilkiv responds in an arrogant tone.

Darth Gilkiv is a worthless excuse of flesh and bone and blood, head of the Sith academy that was once on Korriban. Gilkiv, while not being singularly remarkable amongst the Inquisitors, is megalomaniac and a sadist. I loathe his existence, not only for the hell he had put me through at the Acadamy but for other thing as well. His tan leathery skin shows years of neglect and abuse, his face is partially covered by a white and gray beard, utterly unimposing. He is simply an intellectual that does little to hide his fascination with torture and interrogation.

“Do you not understand!? It was because of these Conduits that the Galaxy took form in the first place. Life…light, hell even the very ground you stand on, Gilkiv, was once nothing more than the Force incorporeal. There is enough power here to virtually become Gods.” Lord Malitrix’s voice echoes through the room.

Kavin smiles. “Mistress Malitrix it is good to see you. I hope your journey was without fault.”

Malitrix grimaces. “The Jedi and Republic scum are crawling all over the main hyperspace routes but…”

“But, yours truly knows a few secret routes the pompous sods don’t.” Lord Jarus says conceitedly from behind Malitrix causing her to roll her eyes.

Darth Axum claps his hand together. “At last, the High Council together for the first time since Korriban, and what better place than this to commemorate our return.”

Lord Axum was right, it feels as though ages have passed since the destruction of Korriban, The Inquisitors were scattered to the corners of the galaxy. For a brief moment in time the Republic thought they had finally defeated the last Sith…but they were wrong.

Mistriss Malitrix steps into the chamber and noticeably shivers as she takes in the vast force energy. She is known as the Serpent for her fast and deadly nature. While being smaller than the other Inquisitors she is arguably one of the strongest. Her light brown skin is adorned with azure glyphs and her black hair is tightly kept in a bun. Her martial prowess is something to be fear.

Then there is Lord Jarus, who is just as unremarkable as Darth Gilkiv as far as strength goes. Lord Jarus prides himself with his own overinflated legacy. Everything about him smells of arrogance, with the truth being he’s only part of the Council because of his numerous connections with the Hutts, a powerful ally indeed. Jarus is red skinned Twi’lek with black and gray stripes covering his face and head tentacles. He follows behind Malitrix closely with an overconfident grin on his face.

The five Inquisitors greet one another as old friends do, but subtly they were sizing each other up determining what may have changed in their extended absence. It was the unseen power struggle that haunted the very nature of the Sith…there is no such thing as friends and no such thing as family.

All five wanted to lead and they were willing to kill for it. As I stood there alert to my master’s safety as every apprentice does; I couldn’t help but find my focus returning to the ancient device resonating behind them. I knew what they wanted to do with it, knew that it would mean the death of so many innocents and as much as I tried to be excited at the thought of revenge I couldn’t quell the absolute sense of self-loathing that grew inside of me for not stopping their plot.

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The Force Conduit begins humming loudly gaining the Inquisitor’s attention. “I think we’ve delayed enough…” My brother says confidently gesturing towards the device.

Before I realized it I was kneeling before my brother. “My apologies master, might I ask what you and the fellow Lords plan to do with the Conduit?”

Although the Inquisitors were quiet I could feel their anger growing. I had over stepped my boundaries and they were silently waiting for my brother’s punishment. “Rise Exile.” Kavin’s voice was harsh and low. “Are you questioning your master!” he growls

“I meant no disrespect my lord; I’m just speaking out of concern…”

“And you think I need your protection!” Kavin shouts lashing out at me. A moment later I slam into the wall across the room causing fractures to scatter across its surface.

I slump to the ground feeling my body ache. That should have killed me I know it but Kavin held back. Another little lie to add to the pile, I remain still for several minutes suppressing my own energy. Hopefully the other Council members will be pleased with my brother’s punishment but then again I’ve seen apprentices killed for much less.

I finally muster the courage to stand and meet the stare of the other Inquisitors. “Thanks you master.” I say impishly taking a knee.

“You apprentice needs to learn to hold his tongue Lord Ronan.” Darth Gilkiv says. “I cut the tongue out of mine for simply forgetting to greet me by my formal title.”

“You allow him too much freedom. An example must be made.” Lord Axum whispers.

Kavin grimaces “Need I remind you, my apprentice has done more for our cause than any of your so called protégés.”

“Reputation is nothing when it comes to power. If you would like a show of it, please allow me.” Lord Jarus snaps his fingers and his Apprentice draws two lightsabers from underneath his robes, activating their crimson blades.

I remain still, knee planted firmly onto the ground. But I can feel my blood rushing through my veins. The Council has been repressing their bloodlust for too long, I’m surprised they didn’t orchestrate a duel sooner.

“That is unnecessary Lord Jarus, we have more pressing matters to deal with.” Kavin’s tone was formal but authoritative.

Jarus scoffs “It will only be a moment.” His arrogance annoys not only me but the rest of the Inquisitors. Jarus snaps his fingers again and his apprentice rushes forward blades leading the way.

I’ll give him five seconds; I push myself upright and draw my lightsaber and assume one of the many Niman fighting stances I had mastered during my long Exile. Now that I think of it he’ll only last three.

The overzealous apprentice was almost upon me. He was a brute and nothing more, crazily hacking and slashing away with little to no actual combat presence. He leaps into the air high above me arms outstretched with blades high above his head, novice mistake. I remain calm and still with my arm cocked back, Vermillion blade pointed towards the ground. My body was exposed and vulnerable but not without purpose. He comes down on me with both blades; the fool has committed so much to his first strike that he left himself open for a counter. I may have been a little nice giving him three seconds.

I shift my weight slightly moving only as much as I needed in order to dodge his careless attack. His blades sink into the stone floor obliterating the rock around it. By the time he realized I wasn’t there it was too late I had already followed through with a single precise strike severing both his arms at the elbow. He lets out a painful cry falling backwards onto the ground, staring at his smoking stumps with a mixture of shock and disbelief. His twin lightsabers lie on the ground with the blades still activated and his severed hands still grasping the hilts tightly. Ironic that he will never hold them again.

I look up at the Inquisitors, all but Kavin, Malitrix and Axum showed signs of shock. Lord Jarus frowns “Are we going to allow this insolence!” he shouts over his apprentice’s screams for help.

“It seems your apprentice was no match for the Exile after all.” Malitrix says in a caviler tone. “Now are you going to shut him up or do I have to for you?”

Darth Jarus’s scowls and lifts his hand snapping his former apprentice’s neck with a flick of his wrist. Kavin grins. “Now as I was just about to explain before our needless show of barbarism. The size of the Conduit is too large for us to transport it using our current resources. So I propose an alternative solution…”Kavin approaches the device and places his hand on it. “If we siphon even a fraction of the Force stored within this conduit we should have more than enough power.”

“Enough power for what?” Gilkiv ask.

“Revenge.” Kavin grins. “Do you think Korriban will be last planet the Jedi and Republic reduced to ashes? They will hunt every last one of us until the Sith is nothing more than a faint memory. This device will give us the strength to destroy the very heart of the Jedi and Republic…Coruscant.

“You’re mad!” Lord Gilkiv states “There is no way any number of us will have the strength to withstand that amount of…”

Before he could finish Kavin activates the device drawing in immeasurable amounts of energy sending bolts of lightning everywhere. Wave after wave of raw Force emits from the epicenter where only the silhouette of my brother remained. A few seconds later the conduit falls dormant again. Kavin was hovering several inches above the ground with an eerie red glow emanating from his body. I could sense the power now stored within him and it frightened me as much as it astounded me.

The other Inquisitors felt the same as Kavin approached them slowly losing his red aura. “Do you see now? I possess enough power to do anything, but in order to avenge Korriban I need you all.”

One by one the other Inquisitor take in the Conduit’s gift barely able to scratch the surface the device’s near infinite wealth of energy. Collectively they were now more powerful than anything I had ever felt.

But something was terribly wrong…After Lord Jarus absorbed his share of the Conduit’s power I began to notice the shadows in the room starting to move on their own. And I wasn’t alone in this observation because without warning Kavin and the other Inquisitors drew their sabers.

“Who’s there!?” Kavin demands. But there was no answer.

The absolute feeling of dread that I had sensed earlier was now back tenfold making my heart pound and my pulse quicken. I grab my chest and attempt to control my heart but it only got worse as a silver mist began to appear. At first it formed at my feet moving slowly to the center of the room where it gathered into a cloud. It continued to accumulate and condense as small blue and white bolts of lightning darted across its surface. I found myself frozen in fear as the silvery vapor began to compress itself into the figure no more than six and a half feet tall.

The Force Conduit began to buzz loudly causing the temple to shutter violently as lightning bolts begin emit from the conduit, striking the thick mist and releasing massive shockwaves. I attempt to brace myself but the force waves proved too powerful and I was thrown against the chamber wall along with the rest of the acolytes. The featureless mass began to shine brighter with every lightning strike until it was completely encased in light. The temple chamber was falling apart with chunks of stone being sucked into the light’s vortex and thrown outwards.

I could feel my body being pulled in all directions almost like the force was ripping me apart cell by cell. I recognized the feeling immediately; it was the same one I felt after Korriban’s destruction. The light begins to pulsate, slow at first but growing in frequency until the brightness illuminated the entire chamber. Then, almost as fast as it was conjured the light disappears, the conduit stops humming and the temple settles eerily. It takes me several seconds to regain my composure; it felt like my head had been spit open. I look around at the other acolytes noticing several had been rendered unconscious from the chaos, except from one. He was frozen in a state of terror staring in the direction of where the light had been.

I quickly turn to see what was there; in the center of the room kneeling towards the Conduit was a creature like nothing I had ever seen before. I could sense the being’s power flowing from its body. After a few seconds it stands and looks around the room resting its gaze on Kavin and the other Inquisitors.

“I breathe.” The creature says with a deep and ghostly voice. “I see.” The being's voice sounded like many different things talking in unison. It raises it hands toward the council and shouts. “I live again!”