Bound: Apocalypse/narrative

Chapter 1: Reloaded

Kalast awoke to the various echoes that were bouncing off the walls of the dungeon, the echoes ranged from cries of pain to rattling chains. Kalast tested his shackles as was customary of him whenever he awoke, still tight. The Neimoidian's eyes darted across the dungeon in search of anything that might help him escape, nothing had changed since he had passed out with the exception of a fresh blood trail that led from the dungeon's entrance to further on down the hall. A thought ran through Kalast's head, Jagar had not visited him in days, perhaps he had given up on trying to make him his apprentice, maybe he was just being left to rot away in the dungeon of Durillon Castle? “Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow, but I will get out.” Kalast muttered to himself as he let his eyes shut.

Kalast awoke to the sound of his shackles being unlocked and unbound from his ankles and wrists, his rescuer was a person in Dread Legion Armor. Kalast began to speak and was shushed by his rescuer who handed him a set of Dread Legion Armor. The figure did not speak until the two were out of earshot of the prisoners in the dungeon, “You have caused quite a stir and have set things in motion, I am part of a group called the Liberators, we seek to end Jagar and believe that with your help we can. Go to the local temple when night arrives and ask for Brother Tullici, he will lead you to us and we will train you in the art of combat. Now, go, before your escape is discovered.”

Ark Ato was a short, thin, pasty, white human male of indiscernible character, despite it being out of character, he sweated profusely as he nervously entered the throne room in response to Jagar's summons. Although Ark was a Commandant of the Dread Guard, he always felt uneasy around Jagar, due in no short part to his odd mannerisms and fits of insanity. Ark arrived at the throne and knelt before Jagar without a word, even though Jagar wore a mask, Ark could feel his intense gaze boring into the back of his head. A moment of silence passed before Jagar spoke “A prisoner of particular interest to me has escaped from the dungeons, I am certain that there is a traitor in my midst, perhaps even a group of them. I want you to search for this escaped individual, this is to be a private affair, you are not to mention this assignment to anyone, is that understood, Commandant?” “Of course, my master. Dead or alive?” responded the man as quickly as possible. “Destroy him, destroy him utterly, kill him and everything he holds dear. Burn his entire world down around him.” “As you command.”

When night fell, Kalast and his astromech droid, RX-78, arrived at the temple as advised. The door opened without resistance.

I hope he went to the temple or things are going to be a lot more difficult Ark Ato thought to himself. Ark turned his gaze away from the run down workshop and brought it to his troops. “Burn it to the ground as the King wills!” he howled. Ark and his unit aimed their blaster rifles at the workshop and opened fire. Chunk by chunk, bit by bit, the workshop was blasted apart, one of the shots struck an unknown gas source and flame ripped through the workshop. Kalast Quakerunner's workshop was no more.

Chapter 2: The Plan

“Everything is in place, come.” said Ark Ato as he motioned to Kalast. Ato hurriedly entered a pass-code which opened the door to Jagar's chambers in Durillon Castle. Kalast stealthily entered the room, moving ever so slowly so that his disguise wouldn't make any noise and alert Jagar, Kalast had snuck into the castle while disguised as a Dread Guard. Simply crossing the room seemed to last an eternity, but finally Kalast managed to reach the balcony where Jagar was poised, busy giving one of his speeches (a delusional rant, really). Positioned behind Jagar, Kalast thumbed on his newly built lightsaber and swung, the blue energy blade cut through Jagar's neck as intended. Jagar's helmeted head flew from the balcony into the stunned crowd below as his headless body fell to its knees and then slumped over on its side. Kalast left the castle and used the crowd as a veil as he disappeared like a phantom, the crowd soon parted as the Dread Guard rushed in and retrieved Jagar's helmeted head.

Chapter 3: New Leader

All of Durillon gathered as the inauguration of the Dread Legion's new leader began. “I, Augan Octavian, hereby accept leadership of the Dread Legion, I will hunt down all who conspired against my adoptive father, for those who do not know, I was posthumously adopted by the late Jagar. Furthermore, I hereby abolish the title King of the Galaxy and replace it with the title Jagar. I will rechristen myself as Jagar Augan by wearing my father's helmet, let the new age begin!” the man firmly pulled the helmet down over his head and disappeared from the balcony. After the crowd began dispersing Ark turned to Kalast, “It looks like we have more work to do.”

Inside the castle Jagar Augan sat at his throne, thoughts rushed through his head, but the thoughts were not his. The Neimoidian survived, someone in the Dread Legion, most likely the Dread Guard, was a traitor. Words escaped Jagar Augan's lips without his consent, “Have all members of the Dread Guard assemble.” Jagar Augan subconsciously tapped the left armrest on his throne and a hidden compartment slid out, Augan grabbed a lightsaber from the compartment.

Jagar Augan stood up from his throne and paced back and forth after the Dread Guard arrived and began speaking, “There is a traitor amongst you, no, a group of traitors, too organized and efficient for just one.” A feeling of unease coursed through Ark Ato, although everyone present had their faces covered, he could tell he was not the only one that felt that way. Jagar Augan ignited the lightsaber that he had retrieved earlier, it shone blood red, “Your services are no longer required.” Ark Ato and several of the other Dread Guard members present raised their blaster rifles in an attempt to defend themselves, they were cut down one by one and eventually Ato and Jagar were the last two standing. A realization formed in Ato's mind as the lightsaber connected with his torso, Jagar was somehow in control of Jagar Augan.

Chapter 4: Flight

“Ark Ato and most of the other Liberators have been killed by Jagar Augan, we have decided to remain in hiding. Our spies have ascertained that Jagar Augan is at least as powerful as Jagar was if not the same person, due to this we are moving you off planet. ” stated Brother Tullici. “I can't leave! This planet is being torn apart! I must end this now!” “No Kalast, you must leave. One day you will be strong enough to overthrow Jagar, train, grow powerful, and return to end this. A starfighter is waiting for you in the depths of this temple, it is quick enough to break the blockade. Go.”

Kalast descended a stairway into the depths of the temple, as he did so the temple began to rumble. The temple shifted and repositioned in response to Tullici pressing a panel on the wall. Members of the Dread Legion poured into the temple and surrounded Tullici with blasters drawn in response to the recent developments.

Kalast and his droid, RX-78, were in position aboard the starfighter, “RX, fire up the converters.” The droid beeped in acknowledgment and the pair took off. Tullici and the Dread Legion looked up at the sky as the fighter broke through the temple and the planet's stratosphere. “Godspeed.” muttered Tullici as he was riddled with blaster fire.