Ali once again glanced at the Sith Master. The masked figure remained in place, his hands behind his back, showing no intention of signalling the fight's end.
The oppressive silence of his presence hung over the bloodstained sand. Ali calmly patted the red grains off his grey clothes.
When he finally looked up, his gaze met the wild eyes of the Rhino-like alien standing across from him. The massive creature exhaled deeply, steam escaping its nostrils as it glared at Ali. Its expression was one of both fury and primal determination, but Ali didn't flinch.
He simply stood, his face unreadable, allowing the beast to catch its breath.
The Rhino stepped forward, then again, each movement slow and deliberate at first.
Suddenly, it exploded into a sprint, its enormous frame hurtling toward Ali with terrifying speed. The ground trembled beneath its weight, each heavy step causing a dull thud that resonated across the arena.
Its horn lowered, aiming directly at Ali with lethal intent, and the gap between them closed rapidly.
Ali didn't move. He stood rooted in place, his black eyes fixed on the charging beast as if studying it. The wind whipped around him from the sheer force of the Rhino's charge, but he remained utterly calm.
At the last possible moment, Ali let the insect-like arms he'd been holding fall from his hands and ducked sharply under the Rhino's attack.
The beast roared in frustration as its horn missed its mark, but its momentum didn't stop. Ali timed his next move perfectly.
As the Rhino's massive torso passed by, Ali pivoted and drove a straight punch into its exposed stomach. The impact sent a shockwave through the beast's body, momentarily halting its charge.
But Ali didn't stop there. He followed the initial strike with a rapid barrage of punches, each one aimed with deadly precision at the same spot. His fists landed with bone-crunching force, the sounds of impact echoing across the arena.
The final punch hit like a hammer, the sound reverberating as the Rhino staggered. It let out a guttural groan of pain before collapsing to its knees, clutching its stomach as though trying to hold its insides together. Ali stepped back, watching as the massive creature crumpled to the ground, its immense frame trembling from the damage it had sustained.
Ali raised his foot, preparing to bring it down on the Rhino's head and finish the fight. But just as his boot hovered above the beast's skull, his body froze.
A strange force suddenly pushed against him, holding him in place and stopping him from moving any further. The pressure was subtle but absolute, an invisible hand pinning him where he stood.
Ali stumbled slightly as the force released him, regaining his footing on the blood-soaked sand.
His sharp eyes turned toward the Sith Master, who had begun walking toward them. The masked figure's presence felt even heavier now as he approached, his footsteps slow and deliberate.
Ali remained still, watching him carefully. As the Sith drew closer, Ali noticed something at the edges of his mask, mottled and severe, creeping out from beneath the metal.
'Burn marks,' Ali thought, his analytical mind noting every detail. 'Third-degree, most likely. Someone must have done this to him for the burns to be only there'
The Sith Master stopped before the Rhino, who was still squirming in pain, and stared down at the fallen alien with an air of disdain. "Get up," the Sith said coldly, his distorted voice adding an edge of menace. "Or stay down there forever."
The Rhino let out a deep, agonised groan but began forcing itself upright. Its muscular frame trembled under the strain, and it growled loudly as it powered through the pain.
When it finally stood, its wild red eyes darted nervously toward Ali, the earlier rage now replaced with a flicker of fear. The memory of Ali's punches was fresh, a reminder of his monstrous strength.
The Sith turned his attention to Ali. "What's your name?" he asked, his tone sharp and commanding.
"Ali. Just Ali," he replied flatly, meeting the Sith's gaze without hesitation.
"Did you use Force strength in your attack just now?" the Sith asked, narrowing his eyes.
"No. Just my natural strength," Ali responded, his voice steady and emotionless.
The Sith tilted his head slightly, as though assessing Ali with new curiosity. "I thought so," he muttered. "I felt no trace of the Force in you." He turned to the Rhino next. "And you. What's your name?"
The beast-like alien straightened as much as it could, its beastly voice slow and guttural.
"Drogath," it said haltingly, making it clear that English wasn't its first language.
"My na—"
The Sith was about to respond, but a distant groan interrupted him. One of the other captives, somehow still alive despite his injuries, squirmed weakly on the ground several meters away. He tried to push himself up, but his broken body refused to cooperate.
The Sith Master raised his hand, clenching it into a tight fist.
PLACK
The captive's head exploded, his skull crushed like a ripe fruit, spraying blood across the sand. The Sith lowered his hand without a word, turning back to Ali and Drogath as though nothing had happened.
"As I was saying," he continued smoothly, his tone cold and detached. "My name is Darth Malgrith. I am a Sith Master, and from this moment forward, I am your teacher. You are now Sith acolytes, training in the most ancient Sith Academy on Korriban. Your goal is to become Sith Masters of your own, serving the Emperor's will."
Drogath let out a low growl, tilting his head curiously. "Will I... use Force?" he asked hesitantly, his beastly voice careful not to anger Malgrith.
The Sith Master's crimson eyes gleamed behind his mask, and his tone hardened. "I will forgive your disrespect this once," he said sharply.
"From now on, you will address me as Master. As for your question-every captive sent here has shown potential in the Force, even if it is untapped. Take you, for example—You use Force strength naturally, without even realising it. With proper training, you will learn to bend the Force to your will."
Malgrith then turned his gaze to Ali, his expression unreadable behind the mask.
'And yet', the Sith thought, 'this one is different. A human with such strength can only have Force enhancements, yet I sense nothing from him. No Force signature. No energy. He's... an anomaly!' The Sith's eyes narrowed slightly. 'I'll keep a close eye on him!'.
"Follow me," Malgrith said aloud, turning toward the edge of the arena. "I will take you to the academy. From there, you will receive your robes, quarters, and instructions."
Ali and Drogath exchanged a glance before falling in step behind Malgrith. The Sith raised his hand, and the massive stone wall at the arena's edge rumbled before lifting once again, revealing a corridor made of dark metallic walls typical of the Empire's designs.
They walked silently, the air thick with tension as Malgrith led them to an elevator embedded into the wall. The ride up was long and silent, the only sound the low hum of the elevator's mechanisms.
When the doors finally slid open, Ali and Drogath were met with the sight of a massive, bustling hall.
The space was filled with acolytes of various species, all clad in black robes or battle suits, their movements purposeful and swift. Some carried lightsabers on their belts; others wielded blasters or crude training weapons. The hum of activity was constant, punctuated by the clash of practice duels in designated sparring areas.
Ali's gaze wandered, taking in every detail, from the towering statues of Sith Lords that loomed over the hall to the disciplined combat stances of the training acolytes. A sleek black droid approached them, bowing slightly before addressing Malgrith.
"Welcome, Master Malgrith."
"These two are my new acolytes, show them to their quarters and provide them with the necessary equipment," Malgrith ordered.
"Give them a tour of the academy while you're at it."
The Sith turned back to face Ali and Drogath, his tone colder than ever. "You will hear from me in a day or two. Until then, acclimate yourselves to the academy. Remember, you are now my acolytes. Your actions represent me. Do not shame my name." His voice carried a veiled threat, his crimson eyes narrowing before he turned and strode away.
As he walked through the hall, the acolytes parted for him, each bowing slightly in deference. Ali watched him disappear into the crowd before turning to the droid.
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