Chapter 2 - 2

Conqueror . Saviour . Devourer . Life Giver. Terrorist . Abomination . Master of the Darkside , Slayer of the shadow . Dread master . Messiah , Bringer of light , Subjugator ... usurper.

They call him many things , But none can deny his power . None can oppose him . Not even united can we stand against him , And in the end ... we all kneel before him , The abomination on the throne.

....

NAL HUTTA

Splashing through the mudded grounds near her village , Kanya ran.

The screams permeating from her village did naught to slow her. For the small child bound in tattered grey rags continued into the undergrowth of the swamplands .

Tripping , The blonde haired girl slammed face first into a large stone sticking up from the brown waters she tread .

Blood spurt from her nose as tears ran unabashed down her fair cheeks .

The girl pushed herself from the grey surface of the stone below , Head snapping to face behind her as calls and shouts from her pursuers sounded not far off .

" RUN" The voice of her father repeated , The same phrase he had shouted to her as the pirates invaded her village. The memory repeated in her head , Pushing her forward .

Blood caked nails raked at the stone below as she hurtled herself forward and into the increasingly treacherous growth .

Rushing under another spot of trees , The girl came to stand before what could be called a wall of thick , Ominous , Decaying grey shrubs . Dark mist snaked from within , Snaking and creeping away from the entrance to what was locally called the Deadlands .

Her lips quivered as she froze , The snaking fingers of mist reaching and coiling around her legs , Beckoning the girl onwards into its cold embrace .

A whistle drew her attention behind her , But was unable to turn as a red bolt of energy struck her shoulder , Slamming her into the thick branches of the shrub .

A cry of pain shot through her body as she clutched her shoulder .

Standing across the bog was a weequay sniper , Rising to his feet with a smirk as eight other thugs joined him .

" There she is ... get her " The weequay ordered , The thugs around him hesitantly stepping into the waters of the bog .

Stuck between a rock and a hard place , The girl made her choice , Turning to face the shadows that seemed to stretch and reach for her , She stepped into the cold waiting arms of the Deadlands .

The cry of a bird overhead startled Kanya as she crept , Stepping over a high root and under an overhanging branch .

Coiling around a tree she was sure to avoid , A snake with glowing molten eyes stared at her Unblinking as she passed , Tongue flicking in and out as its sleek black colouring hid it in the dim light .

The hairs on her arms stood on end as she continued through the dark , Looking up , Foliage of the trees blocked out all unwelcome light .

She ignored the flaring pain on her face as blood dried on her upper lip .

' Come ... ' A layered voice of deep tones spoke from far up ahead , She stared ahead , Trying to look ahead , But only succeeded on looking a few metres as the mist thickened considerably the further she went ' Not too far now child '

She had no time to contemplate the whispers as a bright light landed on her from behind , Her eyes widening in panic as one of the thugs hunting her spotted her through the fog.

Smiling , The man surged forward , Not caring of anything he tripped over in an attempt to ensnare the girl .

She proved nimble as she scurried , Fingers catching on a branch as she swung and leapt , Her bare feet landed on a particularly thick branch as she kept low and rushed around trying to loose her current pursuer .

' This way ' The shadows proceeded to stretch and elongate as her path was revealed before her , And she ran into them , Swallowed up by the mouth of the trees as the man chasing her seemed to stop nervously , Shaking himself before walking forward into the sudden blackness after the girl .

Absentmindedly she noticed her feet weren't being sucked in by mud Under foot , But rested comfortably on stone as a the dark winding corridor of a cave was open before her , Immediately behind her was the opening to the cave hidden by shrubs and vines , The thug chasing her slashing and hacking his way through whilst trying to see where she went.

The whispers picked up in intensity as lime light reflected from the damp walls around her .

" Get back here ... you ... bitch " The man sputtered as he spat out a mouthful of mud after tripping .

She ignored him, Choosing to shimmy herself deeper into the cave past a narrow wedge .

After she pried her way out of the narrow passage , She discovered the source of the lime reflected light , A snaking tendril of energy from somewhere deeper in the cave that parted around one of her fingers as she reached in an attempt to touch it .

' Almost ... come ... to your safety ' The voice in her head whispered as she began the treck in following the lime tendril deeper into the bowels of the cave .

A weight settled on the girls shoulders as she came into a cavern , The tendril of lime she had revealed to be one of many circling around the cavern , Coalescing into a single point at the centre .

She stood on a ledge overlooking a large floorspace below , Husks of lifeless corpses Garbed in dark robes knelt before an alter in lines of four . Atop this alter was the some of swirling purple energy , Surrounded by a whirlpool of the same lime energy .

Wall sconces lit with dim orange light reflected off the girls skin as she followed the winding pathway around the edge of the cavern towards the open floorspace below .

The floor , As she found , Was covered in a thin layer of ash and bone fragments that cracked together as her feet touched down from the final step .

' Yeeesss ... come ... meet your destiny ' The girl stared at the alter , Entranced by its bewitching beauty , Headless of the echoes growing in intensity from the pathway she had entered from .

With each step she took , The weight on her shoulders grew stronger , Threatening to drive her to her knees as it pressed down apon her .

She past the four kneeling figures , Unaware of the glowing eyes they held that rose to follow the girl .

She passed the second line , Whispers from behind her picking up as the heads of the robes figures rose to stare at the alter .

She stumbled slightly as the weight doubled suddenly , Sweat pooling on her brow as she passed the third row .

Passing by the final row , The robes corpses now stood behind her as she stared up from the base of the alter into the dome , unaware of the happenings behind her , She stared at a kneeling figure within.

One of the figures behind her burst into smoke , His robes falling to the ground as he trailed to and was absorbed into the purple dome of energy .

She didn't know why , But she knelt , Unblinking as three more of the ghastly figures behind erupted into motes of energy and were absorbed into the dome .

She didn't feel the blood leaking from the soles of her feet from the bone residue on the floor of the cavern , Instead she was shaken by a biting cold that rose like a wave Infront of her .

As the sixteenth and last of the acolytes evaporated and was absorbed , Kanya remained frozen still as the lime whirlpool of energy surrounding the dome collapsed into itself , Snaking around the dome and sinking into its surface .

One by one , Around the cavern , The sconces all withered as if finally snuffed out by the dark they forced away .

Statues on all four sides of the alter bled black Viscus fluid down their eyes and gaping mouths , Their faces contorted in perpetual agony .

She stared ahead as , Into the violent some of energy as she kneeling figure hunched over , Hands connecting with the floor of the alter before it slowly climbed it's way to it's feet .

Around it , The dome seemed to feed into the figure as it spun , Coming apart like a hurricane before being sucked inwards like a blackhole .

The man , From what she saw stared down at her , Unmoving as the skull like mask stared at her with pitch black eye sockets .

Slowly , Red iris's glowed from the black sockets , The Pauldrons on the figures shoulder were dark grey in colour much like the rest of his robes , The chest plate bled together seamlessly whilst the hood of the robes was folded back . They were noble ... if not very very expensive .

She felt small , Insignificant , Feeling the need to prostate herself Infront of the being for forgiveness on some offence she hadn't known she had committed .

Slowly it's attention turned from her to looking behind her , Cracking of bones alerting the girl to the new arrivals as the group of pirates finally made their way to the floor of the cavern.

" Hey " The sniper from earlier yelled out " You there , Hand the girl over "

Ignoring the weequay , The man seemed to take notice of his surroundings , Head scanning over the cavern .

" Where am I " A thousand voices bled together , Resonating from the mouth piece of the mask as his head settled back onto the band of slavers and pirates .

"You're on Nal hutta obviously , Now hand her over " The same weequay answered , Seemingly getting annoyed at the question .

" Is that so , Tell me , What is going on here " The man's twisted resonating voice echoed around the cavern , Sending shivers down Kanya's spine in the process.

" Fuck it " The Weequay sneered as he hefted his rifle , Taking aim and immediately shooting at the stranger .

Kanya watched , Wide eyed as the man took half a step forward and raising his hand toward the bolt .

Everyone was caught off guard as the bolt struck the palm of the man , Disappearing immediately after without any other effects .

Silence prevailed as the man slowly lowered his palm back to his side , The man's expression unseen as the weequay looked like a fish out of water.

" Unfortunate you have chosen this path " The weequay shuffled as the full weight of the man's stare bore into him .

" Get him " The weequay shivered whilst the eight around him burst into action.

Another act of divine judgement was performed before Kanya's eyes that day as the smell of burning ozone assaulted her nose .

Blinding light burning her retina for a few seconds a she blinked away the spots in her vision .

When her vision cleared , She saw the man had his hand outstretched once again , But eight of the nine pirates were gone , Instead in their position was a glass ground , The ash below being melted together as the weequay sniper stood stock still with wide panicking eyes .

Smoke rose from around the weequay as he collapsed to his knees , Weapon dropping to his side as he refused to blink .

" Come " The man was dragged forward towards the alter by an unseen force , Glass pierced his kneecaps alongside bone as he was dragged kneeling to the base of the alter .

The robed man proceeded to step down the steps of the alter , Past a still kneeling Kanya until he stood staring directly down at the weequay .

He reached out , Fingers stilling a few centimetres Infront of the aliens eyes .

It was moments later that the alien opened its mouth , A born chilling , Soul scarring scream wailing from the man's throat as it felt like fingers were feeling around in the man's skull , Fire erupting throughout his veins , And seconds later , the weequay knew nothing else .

The weequay dropped to the ground , Mumbling incoherently as the man straightened and turned his attention to the scarred girl to his side .

" What is your name child " The man turned to fully face her , Glowing orbs once more pinning her to the spot .

" K...Kanya " The whimpered slightly , The man nodded as if in thought .

" Come then Kanya ... Let us leave this place ... Afterall is your village not currently under attack " She didn't question the man's apparent knowledge of the situation , Instead rising from the ground as the man immediately turned away and went to leave the cavern .

Stepping out from the cave , Anya watched as a blade of red erupted from a silver hilt in the man's hand , Slicing through the overhanging vines without issue .

" I was beginn... " Another pirate was silenced as he stepped around the corner , Head seperated from his body as his eyes widened before falling to the ground in a heap , His head rolling back into the swamp a few paces ahead.

" Y...you " Nox looked over his shoulder towards the frozen form of Kanya as she stared at the sizzling corpse.

" Ignore him ... your village ... lead the way " Nox stood to the side to allow Kanya past , Motioning her forward with his hand .

And so she lead the way , Making their way through the bog with the man following behind her akin to a monolith of black .

It took them alot less time to exit the Deadlands than it did for Kanya to make her way into the Deadlands , For a few minutes after leaving the cave they were exiting the Deadlands themselves and stepping into the shallow swamp that surrounded it .

Panic beset Kanya , As on the horizon , Highlighted by glowing orange with smoke rising into the skies , Was her burning village , Screams tore across the lands audible to her ears .

Speeder bikes streamed across the lands towards the village , Skiffs of pirates flying low as the layed siege to the commune.

" That's our destination I take it " Nox stared ahead , Squinting slightly as the sizzling of water reached his ears courtesy of the tip of his red Saber slimming the surface of the swamp .

A nod answered him as the girl stared dumbly ahead , Catching herself as he began to march towards its borders .

" Then let us make our way with haste "

THE VILLAGE

When they arrived , They were greeted by the sight of the burning village , Buildings Crumbling and crashing as those foundations were turned to crisp splinters .

The screams of a couple reached their ears as a young human couple were crushed under a pylon, Being burned to death as they were pinned down .

Four slavers simply stood outside , Pointing and laughing as the couple begged for help , Their skin flaking and melting from their bodies as their fat stores exploded over their bodies.

The four were taken by surprise as Nox tossed his lightsaber through the air , Slicing them in half at the waist before calling his weapon back to his hand .

Turning his attention back to the still pleading and Screaming couple , He caught the tearful eyes of the young husband , The knitting of the man's brow as he Seemingly plead for his and his wife's life .

In turn , Nox raised his hand and made a twisting motion , The couple's heads violently snapping to the right before all movement and noises ceased instantly.

Stepping over embers at his side , Kanya was openly crying as she stared at the couple .

" Mr and Mrs Douglas " Kanya's lips quivered as she stared at the two roasting bodies .

" Where is your home girl " He looked down to the girl , Watching as she openly cried with her hands wringing against her closed eyes .

" T...that way " The girl continued to cry as Nox gently pet her shoulder and ushered her deeper into the burning village.

He walked her through the village , Meanwhile slaying any pirates they were to come across , Murders , Rapes , Tortures , Kanya was exposed to it all as they made their way to her parents abode .

But what they found when they arrived at her home broke what little remained of her naive and innocent heart.

Three bodies lay close together , Her father clutched at her elder brother . Both had smoking sounds covering the bodies , Scorch marks to be precise as Nox observed the plasma burns .

He turned his head to the still body of the older woman whom held similar features to the girl currently Crumbling to her knees at his side .

Her eyes were wide open , Mouth agape slightly , Her body bare to the world as glistening white fluids covered her breasts face and nether regions .

Her neck was slit , By a jagged edge that severed the muscle in her neck , Her eyes were murky and pale , Evidently having being deceased for some time.

" Byron ... Mamma , Papa " Sera said as she crawled over to them , their lifeless eyes not registering her as she pulled them all together , Laying with them in a futile attempt to bask in any warmth she had felt with them in the past .

Nox stood over the girl , Head remaining straight whilst he looked down at her down the bridge of his nose .

" Clutch at it , Don't let it go , Use it as fuel to make you stronger " Slowly Nox bent down at the waist , Mask leaning close to the girls ear as she wept " They took everything from you , Everything you know . Everything you love . You will never feel the love of your mother as she embraces you . You will never again feel safe under your father's gaze . Nor will you ever experience the love of your brother . You have no home . No friends . You have nothing but burnt wood and corpses "

She was helpless as the thousand voices beat into her ears , Her ears ringing as his words circulated over and over in her head .

" As we speak people are being murdered , Mother's like yours are being raped and killed , Soon there will be nothing left , You ... are alone "

He stood to full height as the child cried louder , Making no moves to comfort or reassure the child as everything she knew crumbled to nothing.

" Use it " Nox repeated , He could feel the agony the girl felt peeling from her like a miasma.

" Use ... it " He knew she knew what he meant , Just as he knew she was force sensitive .

The Coalescing feelings of sorrow and the sheer negativity rising from the girl increased tenfold as he subtly reached out with the force , Bathing her in the energies that bled from him , The almost physical cloud of insanity and chaos that surrounded him .

Soon enough the girl went silent , Coughing and gagging as she simply lay there .

" Rise child , There is no point in remaining still and pretending the world no longer exists . Don't you want your revenge , Don't you want to see the people who hurt your family hurt in turn . Rise child " He waited to see her response . And he wasn't disappointed as she placed her Pam's to the floor and pushed herself up , Blood caking her hair alongside mud as her eyes swam with untold hatred and emotion .

Slowly the girl began to shake , The blue of her eyes slowly peeling into green before a spark of sulphuric yellow began to bleed into her iris .

Her head slowly rose to meet Nox's own countenance , Her eyes twin pools of gold that stared up at him with open sadness , Tear streaks reflecting in the orange light from the flames that danced over her skin .

" Come , Let us get your revenge child " Nox turned away from the girl , His robes Fluttering in the Scorching winds from the fire around them .

Scrambling to chase after him , Kanya reached down and hastily removed the rings her parents both wore and the necklace from Byron's neck , Holding them close to her neck before following after the form of Nox whom turned around the corner towards the nearest disturbance .

Coming to a stop Infront of a YV-865 Nox turned to face what remained of the village , A trail of victims stretched throughout the village . Men were split in half , Hanging from pylons or skewered on fences . Heads burst and popped as brain matter leaked from their orifices .

Standing to his immediate right , Holding onto his right index finger as the rings and necklaces of her family were clutched in her other hand .

" Turn away child you don't need to see this " The girl turn and buried her face into the fabric of his robes .

He cast a glance to the girl clutching his leg before turning back to the village , He raised both hands towards the burning remains of the village .

Like the vengeful bitch nature was , Water rose from the nearby swamp , Swallowing everything in its wake .

What remained of the foundations of the buildings was swallowed under the current , The water lapping at the feet of Nox and Kanya .

Another motion from Nox , Sweeping his hands downwards , Reduced what remained of the village to splinters and dust , Like an apple crushed under the heel of an elephant .

And Nox's final move , A sweeping motion with his hand , The water from the lake receded , Taking all evidence for his presence and the village away to be swallowed up by the mud at the bottom of the hill .

What remained of the village was the foundations of the huts , Everything else , The bodies , The fire , Everything that wasn't fully bolted down and been swept away by the current .

" Come child , there is nothing for you here . let us go " Nox said down to the girl , Turning with her still clutching him as they walked up the ramp of the liberated slaver vessel .

" O...Okay " Kanya said as she clasped the rings in one hand and Nox's tunic in the other .

' First things first ' Nox said as he walked up the ramp , heading for the data banks on the ship , For whatever reason the force seemed to be pulling his attention to it ' What is it you wanted to show me '

Apon entering the flight room , Nox went to the main consol and powered it up , However one thing in particular caught his attention when he fired it up , The date , Which should have read 48 ATC ( Treaty of coruscant ) .

However , If these dates where correct , It was over three millennia since then .

Nox's agitation grew as he went from console to console , deactivating and reactivating each one , Even his holo communicator failed to connect to those he was trying to reach in the empire .

After failing to find anyway to prove that it was a lie and reaching into the force for confirmation , Nox snapped , Activating his lightsaber and carving through the console infront of him as he all but destroyed the room he was in , Which luckily was a storage room as it was one of the last consoles he checked .

Walking out of the room and locking the door Nox saw Kanya , The little girl who had started following him around after saving her .

" Ignore what you heard It was a malfunction of the console " Nox said as he activated the lock and headed back to the flight room .

" Where are we going " Kanya asked as she followed close behind him .

" We are going to perhaps the only home I have left " Nox said as he felt the nexus he had become attuned to , Zakuul , Although he could feel a slight change to it .

Nox hopped into the captains seat as he looked over to the girl who had placed herself in the seat next to his before punching in the coordinates for the location he was feeling through the force .

Within moments the ship took off on its planned course , roaring through the atmosphere as it prepared for lightspeed .

" Brace yourself " Nox said as the stars around them warped from yellow two blue as they streaked across the view port , The feeling of rapid acceleration going through Nox as they sped away .

ZAKUUL 6 DAYS LATER , GOVERNMENT HIGHRISE .

" Those fools , The order of zildrogs have gone too far , And those scions , Preaching about the second coming of some deity , They've camped out at the base of the tower, The Not to mention those damn skytrooper units resist every effort we make in trying to get to that damned throne " A man named nilek growled out as he sat at a table , Wine in hand as he lounged in a comfortable chair . He had greying silver hair swept back whilst he wore a dark grey and red embroidered suit. " I don't see why we have to pussy foot around our own cities because of the knights , We should have them all arrested "

" We would , But trying to go after those recluse knights , Or gaining a foothold of the tower has left our militia in need of ... human resources " Yasmine announced , A woman of equal age to nilek replied , Seated at the opposite end of the table , Also seated at the table were other government officials coming together for their annual meeting . She wore a similar outfit to nilek .

The man grunted as he turned to the wall wide window that oversaw one of the portions of the city , Everyone else at the table chose to remained silent as they ate .

" That damn throne , When are we gonna be able to get to it , Nothing gets in or out of that stupid tower " Nilek said as his eyes looked over the city with a sneer marring his face before he caught sight of an incoming blur .

" what is that " The man rose from his chair , Swiftly walking to the window .

He watched as a black blur quickly grew in size , Realisation coming to the man he turned to the rest of the room , He made to yell but never got the chance as the window behind him exploded , Propelling him across the room , Forcing the man to slide across the ground until he hit the leg of the table .

Rising from a kneeling position was a hulking black droid , Twin thrusters connected to the droids shoulder blades . As a Single red scanner mounted to the droids head glowed ominously as the towering droid rose to its full height . The heavy skytrooper unit glared balefully down at the gathered officials , Hosting a heavy rifle into its hands .

As it took a step forward , Explosions rocked the building , Causing the rooms occupants to stumble and fall from their chairs .

They caught by surprise further when two Zakuulan shuttles lowered and hovered Infront of the large wall wide window , Their side doors opening , Allowing for the knights of Zakuul within to jump down and sweep into the room .

" ONE YOUR KNEES " A white coloured knight yelled out , Female with her helmet off .

" Captain tyreece what is the meaning of this " Nilek retorted , Coming to his feet as he glared at the fair skinned woman .

" I said , On ... your ... knees " The captain ordered , Storming forward and grabbing the aging man by the shoulder before using her enhanced strength to drive the man to his knees .

" You can't do this to us " Yasmine tried to argue as the knights went to apprehend everybody within the room .

" Knights next person to open their mouths , Silence them " The guard captain ordered as she hauled the old man off of the ground and towards the awaiting shuttle at the shattered window .

Tossing the man into the shuttle where a second knight leapt up and into the shuttle to make sure the man didn't attempt anything , Tyreece turned to the rest of the room with a hard glare on her face , The heavy skytrooper joining her at her side .

" Status update " Tyreece held her left hand Infront of her face as she activated comms connected with all units in the vicinity.

Slowly reviewing the update of the situation , Tyreece held her firm gaze as she received news all floor had been secured .

" Begin phase two " At her words , The rest of the arrested individuals were hauled from their knees and forcefully moved into the waiting shuttles .

With their query secured , Everyone moved to board the shuttles except for four remaining knights that stood guard over the residence .

Nilek grit his teeth as Tyreece climbed into the shuttle .

" So you'se have finally had enough huh , Forcibly taking control , I guess it can't be helped with groups like yours huh " Nilek spat but was otherwise ignored by Tyreece as the woman turned to the Holo terminal in the shuttle .

Catching everyone's attention , Atop the pedestal , A shimmering blue figure came into being , As did it across all terminals across the planet. A human male wearing the dragon armour of Zakuul .

" Citizens of Zakuul , This is your immortal emperor , I have returned from uncharted space and untamed lands in your time of need . Fear not as our forces amass around the spire . For I have called them to my service . You no longer need to fear rampant skytrooper units going rogue , Or need to tip toe around the knights of Zakuul . For everything is safe once more , As our empire returns to the control of its rightful ruler. It is a time to rejoice , A time to celebrate , For our golden age is once more apon us . There will be no more taxes for things such as water or rations . We need not fear for crops or harvests , Medicine and treatments will be freely provided . The government that tried to replace me and subjugate our people is now defunct and inactive . The power grids will be reworked effective immediately, Do not be alarmed as maintenance units and automated forces move to return power to the city " Everyone onboard the shuttle watched shell shocked as the man explained his apparent return.

" What nonsense is this shite " Nilak hissed before being backhanded by Tyreece , A tooth dislodging from his mouth as she suddenly turned on the man .

" You will not speak I'll of his majesty " The captain roared as she stood over the man " Now be silent cur , We approach the spire "

ETERNAL THRONE ROOM , 30 MINS LATER

The eternal throne room was once more given life for the first time in thousands of years . Heavy skytrooper units stood in two lines on either side of the walkway leading to the throne. Surrounding the thin walkway was a more of water that ran along with walkway and around the platform that the throne itself sat on.

Wearing the white dragon armour Valkorion wore thousands of years ago in the same room. Nox's eyes scanned over the everything before him. His angular chin the perfect combination of a point but having enough curve to its shape to add to its splendor . His jawline was pronounced whilst he had the perfect proportions of his nose . His black hair was slicked back into place . If one was to look apon him, One would see one of the most physically appealing individuals in the galaxy , Boosted furthermore by his charisma and intellect .

It would be considered unnatural how the man affected the individuals around him , His charm giving all a false sense of security , The miasma that constantly surrounded him allowing for him to easily contort their feelings to his wishes . To look apon him was to look apon beauty incarnate . To feel him through the force was to stare into the heart of the force itself , A chilling titan of a blackhole that sucked in all light , And a supernova of light that outshone even the brightest stars , These two bled together and fed off each other , Balancing eachother out ... atleast until he used the force .

Nox looked over his last remaining ship from his once great fleet , His personal flagship , The eternal flagship after being rebuilt for his use , He had decided it would remain on Zakuul as it saw to its upgrades when the original fleet was destroyed , According to what he read up on the state of the galaxy from the data banks of the insufferable ship they called a freighter , speaking of the ship , It should be in the process of hitting atmosphere now , Nox watched as the shitty freighter got blasted to bits , Superheated plasma turning the ship into a colossal explosion by one of Zakuul's orbital cannons .

He turned his attention from the expanding fireball back to thinking , He could feel the approaching knights and their prisoners. His thoughts soon turned to the state of the galaxy in his absence.

According to what he read , The galaxy was in a state of peace and nearly entirely de-militarized which would make it all to easy to occupy a system .

Though without the fleet that would be a problem .

From system reports , Nobody had made it into the eternal throne room let alone half way up the spire in over three thousand years .

The throne itself was still in pristine condition , Service droids having maintained the throne room and the entire structure of the spire during his absence .

Turning from the open space of Zakuul , Nox made his way around to the front of the eternal throne , Bending down before placing his rump onto its cushioned surface .

Leaning back , Nox placed both his hands on either side of the throne as he leant back , Looking every bit the ruler he was .

At the very base of the throne stood a squad of nine Exarchs , Standing side by side as his immediate guard .

Nox looked over the exarchs as the few knights within the throne room , They seemed to be somewhat unnerved under his intense gaze . But loyal to a fault , For as soon as he had called for them from the throne , The entirety of the order has come running to see if he was as he said .

The scions , Order of zildrog and Exarchs were the same , They heeded his call and prostated themselves at his feet , And with the entirety of the Zakuulan skytrooper army at his call , They were quick to realise his legitimacy.

He was drawn from his thoughts , Leaning onto his right elbow as he shifted slightly , The man watched as the entrance to the throne opened , The heavy skytrooper units all looking at the arriving people's in unison .

" Greetings " He opened his mouth . A thousand tones layering over each other to spill out of his mouth , It raked into the ears of everyone present , Sending instinctual shivers down their spines as he glared flatly at the prisoners " It is nice to meet the people who have driven my empire to the ground in my absence "

Intensified , Nilek rose to his feet , Face beat red as he glared at the emperor of his people . All his life's work , The sacrifices , The labour , Gaining the faith of the people , All gone , Simply because of some boy who calls himself the supposed emperor .

" WHO DO YOU THINK YOUR ARE , IMPERSONATING OUR EMPEROR " Nilek roared , Gritting his teeth as Nox's orbs flickered to him , Yet he stood defiant even as the boy on the throne squinted " To come in here and fool our people , Declaring yourself emperor , GUARDS KILL THIS INTRUDER AT ONCE "

Silence prevailed in the throne room , The other politicians each looking unsure and uncomfortable as Nox simply stared at Nilek . A twitch developed in Nox's brow as he drummed the fingers of his right hand over the armrest of the throne , Crossing his left leg over the knee of the right whilst a scowl developed .

" You are an arrogant jaded fool who can't see past the bridge of his nose to see the full picture. You drove my throne to the ground , Made it a shadow of its former self in my absence. Luckily for our people I have several contingencies to fix this issue but that is for another time. Right now , You've convinced yourself that I am some kind of lier ... an intruder " Nox slowly leant forward as he pinned Nilek solely under his gaze .

" The throne , As you and anyone else in our empire is aware , Only responds to the recognised ruler of our empire . The only way to sit on this throne and not perish is to be emperor. The only way to control both the automated systems of the empire and the skytrooper factories and armies ... is to be emperor . The eternal fleet will only respond to the emperor ... All force sects of our empire ... serve the emperor . And as you as well as anybody else can see ... it is I whom these respond to " Nox's time rose several octaves as his original voice was used , His presence Overwhelming for all present as he glared down . The exarchs shifted as the temperature dropped several degrees under the increasing pressure within the throne room .

" I am your emperor . This empire which you tried to take control of ... is mine . Your lives are mine to do with as I see fit. Come ... kneel and kiss my feet for the chance you may keep your lived beyond this morning " Nox beckoned the irate man forward .

" I will not stand for this " Nilek bellowed before taking half a step forward before freezing outright .

" Then you will not stand at all " Nox's right index finger rose slightly as Nilek was levitated , Arms outstretched to the side as the aged man seized and shook at the all encompassing embrace that stole away his movements .

" Let this be my decree . None of you shall refute or attempt to rise above your stations . You will no longer serve within the governing body of my empire " Rising from his throne , Nox proceeded to take several steps down the throne , Stepping past the guarding exarchs whom held their weapons to leap to his defence at a moment's notice. Nox walked up to the seizing Nilek , Standing at the man's side as he hovered , Groaning and Twitching as he tried to resist .

" From this moment onwards , This empire returns to my control . This world , This space and our empire are mine , It has been since I last sat on the throne , And will be so until I forfeit control . Remember this moment for the rest of your days , For this is the punishment for if you forget " Nox turned to face Nilek .

He reached up to Nilek's face , Right pointer finger tapping the man's forehead .

He let go of Nilek through the force and turned away , Walking back towards the throne as the man fell to the ground .

The politicians watched with wide eyed stares as Nilek screamed as loud as his aged vocal chords would allow .

His skin paled , Veins pulsing under his skin to a dark colour . His eyes were wide as the whites of his eyes began to pool with red , Blood vessels under his eyes popping , Popping was heard as blood burst from the man's ears running down the sides of his face and pooling at his chin .

He turned his head to face his fellow politicians , Bloodshot eyes looking at them , Pleading for them to interfere whilst Nox made it back to his throne and settled down onto its soft fabric once more .

" Your only chance is to kneel " Nox's voice was low as it carried across the throne room , Nilek looking at the being whom was killing him , He struggled to remain conscious as he fell onto all fours , Black Viscus material pooling in his lips and dropping onto the floor in droplets " Kneel , Kneel before your emperor "

Nilek's flesh became ghostly white as his skin began to flake . Skin fell from his body in flakes , Growing in intensity and speed at which his skin proceeded to fall from his frame .

Finally , Nilek prostated himself , Face kissing the ground as black coloured blood leaked from every hole in his body.

" Very good ... now you have my permission to die " Nox leant back , Snapping his fingers . And as if a switch was flicked , The blood throughout his body proceeded to combust as his internals liquified.

The officials all got to their knees in both fear and awe at the power of the man infront of them .

As nilek was swiftly turned to as soon after , Nox regarded everyone else within the room with a disinterested gaze .

" And what of each of you , Do you share in his opinions "

" ALL HAIL THE EMPEROR OF ZAKUUL " The voices of everyone present shouted in unison .

" You are all Dismissed ,over the next few weeks , your lives are going to change , I suggest you be ready for it " Nox grunted out without care , Watching as the Zakuulan Captain tyreece entered the chamber , Eyes resolute as she looked into his orbs.

" Your majesty , She is changed and bathed as you requested " The guard Captain announced as she took to her knee a few paces Infront of the exarchs .

" Thank you tyreece , Bring her in " Nox said to the female guard captain .

That's the other thing that's been on his mind lately , The child . He had thought of leaving her somewhere , but she seemed adamant about staying with him , And the force didn't give him an incentive of what to do with her in that rare occasion he asked for its guidance . So he decided to let her come with him , Afterall she would make a competent enough enforcer if he trained her well enough , she was a relatively strong force sensitive after all .

' It'd be a waste if the jedi found her ' Nox thought to himself as he sat back in his throne , Eyes closing as he pondered over what to do about the child.

WITH KANYA

Kanya was both amazed and in awe as she looked around . She could see out of the windows the beautiful planet below them , A swirling storm clung to the northern hemisphere, The eye of the storm over a portion of some land , She stopped and peered out z Face pressed against the glass .

She wore a soft white outfit with golden highlights ,Soft and warm to the touch , It gave her a sense of comfort as her blond hair bounced , Smelling of ripe fruits as it has been cleaned by several servants whom took their time to cater for her needs.

She could see the shining lights from the towering city and spires that punctured the atmosphere and rose above the clouds .

What caught her attention next was the glistening silver vessel that was amazing by the tower , Larger than the tower itself , The ships close proximity shook the tower slightly as the blue cones of energy from its thrusters were reflected in the glass close to her face .

" Woah "

" She's called the eternity " A strong female voice startled Kanya , Guard captain Tyreece stood behind her , Her white knight armour catching the girls attention.

" You gave it a name ... why " Kanya looked back towards the vessel as it slowly changed direction .

" Because she's the most important ship we have , The symbol of our empires power . We gave her a name because she was important enough " Tyreece told the girl whom looked to be pondering the guard captain's words.

" I see ... I think " The girl stood back from the window as she finally gave the guard captain her full attention . She grabbed the hem of her robes nervously as her right foot tapped at the ground nervously " Uhm ... who are you "

" I am Guard captain Tyreece child , I serve our emperor , And your name is " Tyreece knelt down to the girl who continued to stare down at the ground.

" Kanya ... " Kanya replied as she began to nervously wring her hands .

" I beautiful name for a beautiful girl . Now ... I do believe someone important is waiting for us our emperor has asked for you , He wishes to talk to you alone " The captain rose back to her full towering height as Kanya gulped , The captain placing a comforting hand on her back before moving to guide her through the passages of the spire.

The two passed by many scores of skytrooper units coming up from the factories on the surface , or Knights moving to their posts . Kanya was in awe at their movements , Or the towering height of someone the droids they passed that ignored all around them .

Coming to a halt Infront of a large sealed door , Tyreece stopped and looked Kanya over once more for good measure .

" His majesty will see you now " Tyreece beckoned the girl towards the door that opened on its own .

The girl freezing in place under the gaze of the numerous giant skytrooper droids that stared down at her like guardian gods .

Nervously she skittered her way forward , Gently trotting past the droids whose heads followed her as she walked.

Slowly her eyes followed the length of the walkway towards its far end , Where nine intimidating figures stood tall with black staves and golden shields .

It was who there were protecting that calmed her , Sat atop a golden throne , Looking at her with a kind smile was Nox , How she knew this she did not know as he wore something completely different than what he last wore .

She resisted the urge to simply run forward and ascend the throne , But the intimidating figures gave her pause , Though she missed the amused glint in Nox's eyes as the man spoke .

" Kanya ... I trust you've been treated well " Nox looked over her fine robes with an analytic gaze , Catching every detail with intense scrutiny .

" Uh huh , It's been very nice mister Nox thank you " Kanya replied nervously , Fiddling once more with the base of her robes .

" Good then , Now ... I welcome you , to your new home child . I know you have gone through a great tragedy , But you need not think you are alone . I will allow you a family , Into my family . I will raise you , I will not try and replace your parents , But I will do my best to treat you as if you are my own "

" Thank you " Kanya said , Her lips quivering as she comprehended exactly what Nox had just told her .

" It is okay Kanya , Now Tyreece " Nox called for the guard captain who quickly came in and knelt down .

" Yes my lord " Tyreece said as she kept her head down .

" Treat her well , I will be going on a personal errand over the next few weeks , Apon my return I expect Kanya to have atleast basic concepts on the force and to have started basic studies " Nox instructed the guard captain , Slowly rising from the throne to descend the steps to stand before both .

" As you wish my lord " Tyreece said as she as she looked apon the face of her emperor , Being both attracted by his unnatural beauty and fearful as she felt the power in the eyes that bore into her own .

" You're going " Kanya said in a scared voice , Nox allowing the girl to reach forward and wrap her arms around his leggings.

Kneeling down , Nox placed his right knee to the ground and embraced the child .

" Don't worry little one , I will be back before you know it , Get to know your new home in the mean time , The spire is open to you " Nox said as he pulled back from the girl , Ruffling her hair before standing back to his feet .

" O...okay " Kanya siad as she looked up to nox , Her worries dashed as she laid eyes apon his own .

" I will be going now , I will return once my task is complete " Nox said as he left the throne room , His personal guard falling into step behind him as he went to his Flagship.

4 DAYS LATER , KORRIBAN

" How pitiful " Nox said as he looked apon the valley of dark lords from the cliff leading to the Sith Academy , Crumbling statues stood tall , Weathering the sand that assaulted their bodies .

Buried tombs remained untouched for millenia , Shadows crept over the lands , The planet recognising one of its own and welcoming him home with open and eager arms .

" To think after claiming themselves the strongest force in the galaxy , Their own arrogance led to their downfall "

The eternity hung low over the valley , Remaining hidden from the settlement far across the continent .

" FAN OUT , SCOUR THE RUINS AND TOMBS FOR ANY AND ALL ARTEFACTS YOU CAN FIND , LEAVE NOTHING UNSEARCHED , FIND EVERYTHING " Nox said as he commanded his battalion , each group heading off for different tombs as he made his way to the Academy .

As he made his way through the Academies halls , Nox couldn't help but feel saddened by the destruction of his home with statues turned to rubble as well as some of the walls that once defended the building .

Nox made his way to the top of the building after finding close to nothing on the previous floors , He now stood infront of the doors of the dark council chambers , Using the force , Nox tore the malfunctioning door from its place and made his way inside .

Once inside the room Nox made his way to the twelve seats at its centre each seat having a skeleton apon it , Some having their armour intact , other being degraded and worn .

However it was his previous seat that drew his attention , Sitting apon it was an aged skeleton holding onto a glowing Holocron , The force itself drawing him to the figure , More specifically , The Holocron being clutched by the skeleton .

Nox picked up the Holocron and placed it inside of his satchel ' There is nothing left here for me '

With gaining what the force needed from him here , Nox left the temple and made his way to the shuttle , Each sky trooper and knight having returned .

" WE ARE DEPARTING AT ONCE , LET US GO " Nox shouted as he and his men got into their designated ships and left for the Flagship awaiting his return nearby .

3 DAYS LATER , DRUMOND KAAS

Coming out of hyperspace , Nox looked apon the centre of his former empire .

The Darkside still as strong as ever over the planet as the perpetual storms covered the skies of the world , flashes of lightning tore across the horizon in seconds.

Issuing orders to each company in his battalion , He watched dropship after dropship leave planet side .

With the last ship departed , Nox made his way to his personal hanger before entering his ship , His exarchs following in suit , Each one silently rising and standing in form as he hopped into the pilots seat .

He guided the Legion of dropships through the storm , Each one following behind for safety as lightning burst across the windshields of the ships , Rain pelting against the steel of the vessels as the gripped through the atmosphere.

Breaking through the base of the storm clouds , The shuttles , Accompanied by a legion of airborne skytrooper units of all kinds , Flying at blistering speeds towards the sunken sith citadel known as Kaas City .

KAAS CITY

Nox looked at what remained of the city , Vines having grown over anything they could get to .

" Whoever did this is a genius " Nox mumbled as he looked at the old sith citadel , Having been built atop a plateau surrounded on all sides by a shear cliff that dropped off into darkness below , Whoever deemed it necessary to sink it into the hole below was a genius , no doubt about it .

Even as Nox stood on an overgrown landing pad , His shuttle behind him as the others landed at select spots across kaas city , Nox could sense the power of the Holocron's he had collected in the past and whatever else was added to the vault , Each one intact due to the genius who had decided to sink the most important part of the city to keep it from getting into the wrong hands.

" Go , Recover anything you find inside the collapsed citadel , get all the Holocron's you can from my chambers and the Holocron vault " Nox demanded of the skytrooper units whom proceeded leap from the platform they were on , Diving headfirst toward the hazardous area below . Meanwhile , Nox made his way back to his shuttle , Leaving the droids to do their work.

His shuttle lifted from the ground , The growth of life below blowing around violently before lifting off in the direction of his old apartment in search of something of greater importance to him .

KAAS CITY APARTMENTS

Nox landed his shuttle on his landing pad before departing and making his way through the hallways , Each one being taken over by the vines that had overtaken the city , Which now required him to cut through with his lightsaber .

NOX'S APARTMENT

Nox made his way through the through the ruined building , cutting and hacking his way through infestation , That was until he found himself in the main room after Looking through every room to find his target , But now in the main room it became painstakingly obvious where his target was .

In the centre of the room lay a partially built HK chassis with his deactivated companion halfway through building it .

' You tried building yourself a new body to continue your mission , You're a terribly loyal companion HK ' Nox said as he made his way to his friend , Leaning down and carefully lifting the machine off of the ground with the force as he made his way back to his shuttle before placing HK in the back , Getting in the controls as he watched the other shuttles enter the atmosphere as they to headed back to the Flagship.

ON BOARD THE ETERNITY IN ORBIT

" Begin " Nox said as he held his lightsaber infront of himself , practice setting on and his eyes covered with a blind fold .

Surrounding him were 8 knights with 6 Skytroopers circling around him .

" Do not use patterns , Attack me in any way you see fit " Nox said as he brought his lightsaber around to his right , Blocking a would be decapitating blow as he deflected it and sent the knight scurrying with a force push .

Nox raised his right hand as the force warned him , using it to stop a stun bolt from a skytrooper before leaping to the side and spinning mid flight , Lightsaber coming around in a violent arc , tagging one of the knights in a strike that would have removed the knights arm if their weapons were on any setting other than their training settings .

Nox landed gracefully as he crouched down and swung his leg out , knocking a second knight off of her feet as he swung the blade around , hitting the side of her mask .

" That's two out " Nox said as he leapt up again , this time swinging his blade up , Tagging one of the skytroopers as it forcefully shut down in air before collapsing onto the ground " Make that three "

Nox's senses warned him as soon as he hit the ground , Swinging his blade in his right hand to the left as he brought his left hand to block a saber using tutaminus , Stopping the blade dead in its tracks as soon as it made contact with the unnoticeable force barrier on his hand as a second blade struck his lightsaber .

Nox grabbed the blade with his left hand after parrying the first knight with his lightsaber , Gripping the saber of the second Knight and pulling them off their feet before tagging their armour in the chest with his lightsaber " That's three knights down , and one skytrooper "

" Skytrooper units , Empty clips now " Nox said as he called for his second hidden lightsaber , A blade he inherited after being recognised as the heir to tulak horde , After recovering the blade was found inside of a lockbox inside the Holocron Vault on Drummond Kaas .

Nox brought his second lightsaber to bare in his left hand as the force screamed warnings at him .

Using the force , Nox kept his blade in his hand as he opened his palm before it started to rotate in his hand , He repeated the process his right hand blade as he kept them at a different rotation each so their blades wouldn't strike in the middle , Instead each one being at a steady pace as they protected him in a high-speed rotation with stun shots hitting the blades as the troopers emptied their clips .

As Nox counted the number of shots per clip , He waited for them to hit zero before stopping the rotation on his blades , launching Tulak horde's blade at the circling Skytroopers , Using the blade to guide the projectile weapon as it tagged each trooper before they shut down .

Nox caught the blade as he raised his arm , The weapon flying into his grip as he brought it back down to his side , The long blade scrapping the ground .

" No skytroopers left , Lets see how much better you knights are " Nox said as he used his monstrous connection in the force to levitate objects around the room , each one starting to orbit around Nox as he leapt at the closest life force he sensed .

Using his left blade to distract the Knight as he turned his right blade off , Bringing it forward and activating it while it pointed directly at the knight , Tagging him before he fell unconcious.

" Four down four to go " Nox said as he unleashed lightning from his left hand at the night who was running at him , The knight brought his blade up and caught the lightning , Not noticing the container flying to his left , Hitting him in his side before becoming subject to the weak bout of lightning meant to stun the knight .

" Make that five , You last three , Attack me in unison " Nox said as he brought his blades to his side before launching at the remaining targets .

Two of the knights jumped forwards at Nox while the third leapt behind his Emperor .

Nos brought his right hand blade to block the two blades targeting his front , While rearing his left blade behind him as it deflected the third blade .

Nox stepped to the left as he stopped blocking the two infront of him , Bringing his blade down in a low swing , Tagging the first knight as he flipped his left blade

in his grip , Tagging the second Knight in the head as he brought his blade behind him , Nox used the force to grip the last Knight before launching her into the air followed by launching the knight into the metal wall across the chamber .

" I win " Nox said as he clipped his main lightsaber to his belt before putting the second in its hidden spot on his armour , Opening his black cloak and showing his leg to show a perfect groove in his leg piece that the lightsaber slides perfectly into while being indistinguishable from the armour due to being the same colour .

Nox stood back to his full height before removing the blindfold as the sky troopers reactivated before returning to their posts and the Knights regained consciousness before going to the mess hall to rest .

" Let's go home now " Nox mumbled as he watched through the view port as the ship engaged it's hyperdrive to head back to Zakuul .