Masters of the Force: Chapter 2

The Republic cruiser was calmly navigating through the asteroid field - same could not be said for it's inhabitants, as they watched the asteroids menacingly drift past. One wrong move, and they would be on their way to collide with a massive asteroid - a fate none wished to sample.

"Curse orbital drift charts." muttered the co-pilot "Never any use, when you actually need them."

"Too late to complain now." said the Republic pilot. His gaze was firmly fixed on the asteroids "We should be grateful if even manage to get out of here."

"True that." his co-pilot checked for transmissions "I wonder how the captain's doing back in his quarters. Probably laughing joyfully, as we are here trying to navigate this thing...that's your gratitude!"

"Better keep your mouth shut, if you even wish to get out of here."

"Haven't we always? Always well behaved and risking our necks to keep the galaxy safe. But where's the gratitude? When things are going well no one ever thanks the Republic. But when things start to go bad, we are always on the front page of a list of galactic saviors."

"Guess the people like us most in times of distress, eh?" laughed the pilot.

"Doubt that anymore. The Republic is in a time of distress now. Had it not been for that Jedi, we would be waist-deep in trouble by this time."

The Republic pilot gazed at empty lifeless Malachor V ahead. It seemed like visiting a place of heritage, of history - but the history it preserved was of the type people would rather forget.

"Dead and empty." commented the co-pilot "That probably sums up the entire thing better than anything else."

"Dead - yes, but empty - I am not sure."

"Listen to your senses. Come on, how would anything even bear to dwell in a place like that? It wouldn't be the first time the ship's sensors failed and went mad."

The Republic pilot sighed. He did listen to his senses - and they told him there was something on Malachor. Even if he did not wish to believ it in his head.

Great power surged forth from Darth Fortem and the glowing dark holocron. He felt he was tiring, but he was succeeding also. There would be little time left before the ritual was complete and he would be able to bring back the mighty Sith Lord, Darth Nihilus. He felt triumph - even if he was tired.

Verra Atarr observed her master along with the dozen other Sith Marauders, and was deeply impressed by her master's control and power. She felt proud to be his apprentice, sensing the great power it took to complete the ritual. The Force crystals were of great assistance in this process - yet all eyes were focused on Darth Fortem and the holocron.

Fortem poured all his Force energy out, determined to complete the ritual and felt the effort exhausting him even greatly. Yet his determination still stood strong, as he felt the Force flow even more stronger, finally allowing the ghostly remains of Darth Nihilus within the holocron to slowly free itself from it's prison. The chmaber glowed with eeried blue light as Fortem made his last effort, draining almost all his power, and at last he suceeded.

The energy of the blast that followed was enough to knock the Sith Lord off his feet and into the further corner of the room. Verra felt the force of the explosion pinning her against the wall. At last the could see the dark cloaked figure of Darth Nihilus standing before them. The Sith Lord's appearance was greatly intimidating, as the blow glow wore away from him and he finally resumed his mortal form.

"At last..." whispered Darth Fortem. He felt excitment purge through him - he had done it.

Darth Nihilus turned toward Verra and she felt a cold shiver run down here spine. The mere presence of the reincarnated Sith Lord had a corrupting effect as she unwillingly bent here head down. Then Darth Nihilus turned away from her and gazed at Fortem. He stood up, but suddenly Nihilus extended his hand. Verra felt the room fill with massive power. The Force was too strong, too strong for her to handle. She struggled to resist it's breaking power.

Nihilus stepped forward, and Fortem was lifted into the air. Suddenly Fortem felt his power draining, the Force being taken from him, destroyed and crippled. Then he suddenly realised and gazed at Nihilus, whose power was now devouring him. He was slowly being destroyed. Everyone now were upon the floor, with their heads bent, as the grand power of Nihilus finally devoured Fortem, and a lifeless empty body dropped to the ground. It was Darth Fortem, who was now gone, dead - his life reaped from him by Nihilus.

Verra gazed in horror. Then she cried "Noooo!" Hatred filled her toward this being which had now taken her master, and she ignited her lightsaber at once and charged. Nihilus Was quick, swinging round with immense speed and igniting his own red colro single blade, deflecting Verra's blow with ease. Verra struck again, calling upon her lightsaber skill and the Force to help her. Yet she knew she was fighting a hopeless battle - but she wanted to kill Nihilus.

As their blades clashed, with the Marauders calmly watching, Nihilus did a quick manouver, knocking Verra's blade to the side and knocking her away with Force Push. Verra crashed into the opposite side of the room, yet she jumped up almost immediately and attacked. Nihilus didn't seem to be bothered by her strikes - he calmly parried them as if he was lasily deflecting blaster bolts.

Verra spun round, striking from one side and then quickly making a turn manouver and striking from the other. Nihilus blocked and quickly caught Verra's lightsaber with his own and in one swift move he disarmed her. Verra dropped to her knees, knowing she was defeated. Nihilus placed his lightsaber to her chest, one quick lunge enough to impale her heart and finish her off. Verra felt the being's power once again - it was purely a sapwn of the dark side. It had much knowledge and so she looked up at Nihilus's face. Then she quickly spoke, no knowing why:

"Take me as your apprentice."

Nihilus gazed at her and there was a long pause. Then he finally switched off his lightsaber and turning away he walked towards the altar where his holocron lay. It was now shattered and small remains lay scattered on the floor. Then he turned back to Verra and the Sith Marauders who were kneeling.

"Command me...Master." spoke Verra "I am your loyal servant." without a touch of deception in her heart.