Starkiller's ship landed in the imposing hangar of the Imperial Destroyer, where the air was thick with the metallic coldness of the Empire. He descended the ramp of the Rogue Shadow with a steady step, carrying with him the lightsaber of Ka-Moon Kholi, hanging alongside Quinlan Vos' saber. The symbolic weight of both trophies seemed to lighten his burden as he made his way to the corridor leading to his master's quarters.
The doors to Darth Vader's meditation chamber opened with a hiss. The darkness inside was almost tangible, broken only by the reflections from the light panels and the glow from the star system visible through the large window.
Starkiller moved to the center of the room, knelt, and bowed his head in silent reverence.
"Master," he said, his voice firm but submissive.
Vader stood with his back to him, gazing out into the void of space. His mechanical breathing filled the silence like an endless litany. Finally, he spoke, his deep voice resonating throughout the room.
"Ka-Moon Kholi has fallen."
"Yes, Master," Starkiller replied, lifting his gaze slightly. With a gesture of his hand, he extended Kholi's lightsaber toward his master.
Vader extended a gloved hand, and the saber flew toward it. He examined it for a moment, turning it in his hand as if weighing the failure of his former enemy.
"Without witnesses." Vader's statement was more of a confirmation than a question.
"The planet was deserted, Master. The only inhabitant was the Jedi."
Vader remained silent, his thoughts inscrutable behind his mask. Finally, he turned toward his apprentice, his imposing figure overshadowing everything else in the room.
"You're almost ready," said Vader, making Starkiller smile inwardly. "But you must face another trial before you confront your destiny." That took away the inner smile.
'Another trial. Will there always be another trial?' Starkiller thought, a bit impatient.
"I am ready, Master."
"You've defeated a warrior and a madman." Darth Vader's distorted voice was like a whip lashing out, filled with rage. "You won't be ready to defeat the Emperor until you've defeated a true Jedi Master."
"Who is it?"
"Oppo Rancisis, a former member of the Jedi Council, is hiding on the world of Thisspias, his home planet. He's gathered an army to protect himself, and we suspect that he has the help of the king of his planet."
Starkiller nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and pressure. Every Jedi who fell under his hand brought him closer to the destiny Vader had promised him: to overthrow the Emperor.
"It won't be easy," Vader continued. "The Thisspiasian soldiers are loyal and prepared for war. Also, the Emperor may have sent one of his Inquisitors after Rancisis. If this is true, you must consider the Inquisitor as another enemy."
Starkiller frowned, though he kept his head bowed. "Does the Emperor suspect your intentions, Master?"
"The Emperor always suspects," Vader's reply was curt, his tone filled with underlying resentment. "But that should not concern you. Your only priority is to fulfill my will."
"As you wish, Master," Starkiller replied, his voice firm.
Vader took a step toward him, his imposing figure casting a shadow over his apprentice. "There can be no witnesses. You must not only eliminate Oppo Rancisis and his soldiers, but also any Imperial forces present. No one must know of your involvement in this mission."
Starkiller's heart beat hard, but he did not let fear show on his face. He knew what this order meant. Eliminating Imperial forces was a direct act of betrayal, but it was also a sign of the absolute trust Vader placed in him to fulfill his true objective.
"And if the Inquisitor stands in my way?" he asked carefully.
"Then you will eliminate him as well," Vader replied without hesitation. "Anyone who stands in your way is expendable. Jedi, Thisspiasian soldiers, even those who serve the Emperor. Your loyalty is to me, and only to me."
Starkiller nodded, without hesitation. "Understood, Master. I will carry out this mission, no matter the cost."
Vader turned once more toward the window, his gloved hands crossed behind his back. "Your ship is prepared. Leave immediately. And remember, my apprentice: do not fail."
Starkiller stood, determination burning in his chest. He turned on his heels and left the chamber without looking back, the echo of his boots resonating through the cold hallways of the Destroyer.
As he walked toward the hangar, the weight of Vader's words pressed down on him. Oppo Rancisis was a legendary Jedi, a brilliant strategist, and an experienced fighter. The Thisspiasian armies would not be an easy obstacle, and the possibility of facing an Inquisitor added another layer of danger.
But Starkiller didn't hesitate. He had accepted his fate as Darth Vader's ultimate weapon. No matter how great the challenge, he knew he had no choice: he would complete his mission, eliminate all his enemies, and return victorious.
As he climbed aboard the Rogue Shadow and prepared for the hyperspace jump, a sense of anticipation washed over him. Thisspias awaited, and with it, what could be his hardest battle yet.
With a deep sigh, he activated the ship's controls and launched into the starry void. The next chapter of his bloody ascension had just begun.
The Rogue Shadow emerged from hyperspace with a flash at the outer edge of the Thisspias system, its dark hull reflecting little light from the nearby star. Starkiller, sitting in the cockpit, adjusted the controls and watched the planet unfold before him.
Thisspias was a world of vibrant green, covered with vast emerald oceans and mountain ranges that rose like claws toward the sky. From orbit, the extensive jungles covering much of its surface looked like a sea of undulating leaves. Silver rivers wound through the landscape like arteries, emptying into crystal-clear lakes that reflected the glow of the atmosphere. The planet had a primal, almost wild aura, but also signs of civilization: towers sculpted from stone and metal rose in places, their structures reminiscent of the native species' traditions, the Thisspiasians.
The planet's atmosphere felt alive, charged with an intensity that was almost tangible. Starkiller could feel the Force vibrating within him, like a dull thrum resonating in his chest. The planet radiated an energy that felt unsettling, a mix of light and dark intertwined in a chaotic way. It was as if Thisspias was a spiritual battlefield, a reflection of the wars and conflicts that had shaped it throughout the centuries.
Starkiller adjusted the controls and guided his ship toward a mountainous region south of the equator, where Vader's spies had located Oppo Rancisis. As the ship broke through the atmosphere, the details of the terrain became clearer. The mountains were covered in lush forests, and their peaks were shrouded in white mists. Deep valleys stretched between the ranges, hiding fortified cities and ancient temples that seemed carved directly into the rocks.
The air grew turbulent as the ship descended, the high mountain winds striking the hull with force. Starkiller kept his focus on the horizon, where a massive settlement loomed in the distance. From the air, the city looked like a natural fortress: built on a plateau surrounded by cliffs, with high protective walls and watch towers guarding the skies. According to the reports, Oppo Rancisis was hiding there, protected by an army of loyal Thisspiasians.
The Rogue Shadow landed in a clearing at the edge of a dense forest that stretched down to the foot of the plateau. Starkiller exited the ship, his boots sinking slightly into the ground covered with leaves and moss. The air was thick and humid, carrying a mix of fresh vegetation scents and a faint metallic touch that seemed to come from the minerals in the nearby mountains.
He looked up at the fortress, visible through the treetops. From his position, he could see flashing lights on the towers and the movement of troops patrolling the walls. They were not only Thisspiasian soldiers; he also recognized the white armor of the Empire's stormtroopers.
"Perfect," Starkiller murmured to himself. The Imperial presence confirmed that he would not only face Rancisis, but also those the Emperor had sent to control him.
The forest around him felt alive, as if it were watching him. Starkiller could feel the Force flowing through the trees, the rocks, and the very air itself. This planet was deeply connected to the Light Side, but there was also a shadow seeping through, an echo of darkness that fed it.
He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the Force guide him. He could feel the presence of Oppo Rancisis, a bright and ancient light radiating serenity and purpose.
Starkiller moved cautiously through the trees, his figure cloaked in shadows as he advanced toward the mesa. The leaves crackled beneath his feet, but his connection to the Force allowed him to move almost silently. Each step brought him closer to the battle he knew awaited him.
The Thisspias fortress rose more imposing before him, a structure that seemed to resist not only time but any invasion. The walls were carved with ancient Thisspiasian symbols, depictions of serpentine dragons and warriors with spears, protectors of a noble lineage.
From his position, he could see the assembled forces. Thisspiasian soldiers armed with technological spears and high-powered rifles patrolled the walls, while stormtroopers held positions near the main entrance. Imperial transports were stationed nearby, suggesting the operation to capture or destroy Rancisis was on a large scale.
Starkiller halted his advance, assessing the situation. He knew he couldn't rush into battle. He needed a plan to infiltrate, eliminate his enemies, and reach Rancisis. And above all, he had to ensure he carried out Vader's most important order: leave no witnesses.
He tightened his grip on his lightsaber hilt, feeling the familiar weight of the weapon in his hand. The Force swirled around him, as though the planet itself were anticipating the bloodshed that was about to unfold. Starkiller smiled slightly, letting the power of the Dark Side envelop him.
From his elevated position, Starkiller had a clear view of the chaos below. The forces were well-organized, though clearly in a prolonged standoff. Tall and slender Thisspiasian soldiers patrolled the walls with impeccable discipline, wielding technological spears that emitted electric pulses with the slightest movement. Some carried high-powered rifles, which, with lethal precision, fired bursts toward the entrenched Imperial troops near the main entrance of the complex.
On the other side of the field, stormtroopers fired in formation, their blasters lighting the gloom with red flashes. Despite their superior numbers and weaponry, they were clearly at a disadvantage against the Thisspiasians, who moved with feline agility, their serpentine tails becoming an extension of their deadly bodies. Near the entrance, the imperial transports remained parked, ready to evacuate or send reinforcements should the situation demand.
Starkiller halted his advance, evaluating the battlefield. The Force provided him with details no human eye could catch: the fear of the stormtroopers, the fierce determination of the Thisspiasians, and beyond all that, the shadowy presence of Oppo Rancisis, deeply connected with the Force, hidden somewhere within the complex. But there was no time for distractions. His mission was clear: get to Rancisis and carry out Vader's orders. And most importantly, leave no witnesses.
He tightened his grip on his lightsaber hilt, feeling the familiar warmth of the weapon in his hand. The Force swirled around him, a whirlwind of dark energy that seemed to anticipate the bloodshed that was about to come. Starkiller let the Dark Side consume him, smiling faintly as anger and determination mixed inside him.
With a leap, he descended from his position, landing silently behind a group of Thisspiasians. One of them, alerted by a change in the wind, turned his head back, but before he could react, Starkiller's red saber had already ignited with a deadly hum. The crimson blade pierced the soldier's torso, sending him crashing to the ground with a dull thud.
The other Thisspiasians turned in unison, alarmed by the surprise attack, but Starkiller gave them no chance to organize. With a fluid motion, he extended his free hand, unleashing a bolt of Force lightning that struck three of them, their bodies writhing violently before falling, lifeless. The rest attempted to attack him, but Starkiller was already upon them, moving with superhuman speed.
One of the soldiers wielded his technological spear, aiming directly at the apprentice. Starkiller deflected it with a flick of his wrist, cutting the tip off with his saber before piercing the warrior with a lethal blow. Another Thisspiasian fired with his rifle, but the energy shot was easily deflected, returning to the attacker and knocking him down instantly.
In seconds, the group had been annihilated. Starkiller paused for a moment, gazing at the lifeless bodies around him, then looked up toward the walls. More Thisspiasian soldiers had seen him and were already beginning to descend to face him.
"Come," he murmured with a cold smile as he raised his saber.
As the soldiers charged, Starkiller extended both arms and, with a powerful gesture, unleashed a wave of Force energy. The ground trembled, and the Thisspiasians were thrown in all directions, crashing into walls and the ground with a dry thud. Starkiller moved toward the main gates, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake.
Upon reaching the entrance, he found a squad of stormtroopers, who, surprised by the Sith's appearance, aimed their blasters at him.
"Identify yourself!" one of them shouted, clearly startled.
Starkiller didn't answer. Instead, he extended his hand and lifted the soldier who had spoken with the Force. The stormtrooper struggled in the air, his screams muffled by the invisible pressure tightening around his neck.
"I don't have time for you," Starkiller said, before clenching his fist. The stormtrooper's body dropped to the ground, lifeless.
The other troopers began firing, but the apprentice advanced unfazed, deflecting the shots with his saber as his figure moved like a shadow among them. Within seconds, the Imperial soldiers were also lying dead.
The entrance to the complex was cleared. Starkiller surveyed the battlefield around him, covered with the bodies of both Thisspiasians and Imperials. He had fulfilled Vader's most important order: leave no witnesses.
With calm restored, he refocused on his objective. Through the Force, he could feel Oppo Rancisis, a bright beacon in the midst of the surrounding darkness. Gripping his saber tightly, Starkiller ventured deeper into the complex, ready to face the Jedi.
The further he went into the complex, the more Thisspiasian soldiers appeared in his path, as though their ranks were endless. However, this didn't pose a real obstacle for Starkiller. Surrounded, the apprentice simply closed his eyes, allowing the Force to flow through him. Slowly, he lifted a few centimeters off the ground, adopting an almost fetal position as he channeled all his energy.
In an instant, he unleashed a violent explosion of power that ravaged everything around him. The nearest soldiers were reduced to ashes upon contact with the energy, while those farther away were thrown into the air in various directions. When they fell, most were unconscious, leaving the path clear for Starkiller.
The apprentice wasted no time and delved deeper into the complex, where he could feel the presence of the Jedi waiting for him.
'He's close,' he thought as he moved through the dark hallways lit dimly by flickering red lights. However, something stopped him. A strange buzzing, like a metallic echo in the air, was rapidly approaching him.
Suddenly, a double crimson lightsaber spun out of the shadows, heading directly for him with the intent to slice him in two. Starkiller didn't flinch. With a swift movement, he blocked the attack with his own saber, deflecting it forcefully toward the ground. The weapon rolled a few meters before, with a snap of energy, it was pulled back into its owner's hand.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" said a gravelly, mocking voice as the figure reclaimed their lightsaber.
The Inquisitor who had launched the attack stepped out of the shadows, dressed in an imposing black cloak adorned with the Empire's large emblems on each shoulder. His mask was terrifying, resembling a white skull with glowing red eyes that seemed to pierce the darkness. The hood covering his head accentuated his sinister appearance.
"You don't look like a Jedi... Don't you think so, Eleventh Brother?" said a second voice.
The speaker stepped forward, revealing his own figure. This Inquisitor was bulkier, dressed in dark armor seemingly designed for direct combat. His short cloak fluttered slightly as he walked, and in his right hand, he carried a uniquely designed lightsaber, with a rotating emitter glowing a scarlet hue.
"Yes, doesn't seem like it, Third Brother," responded the Eleventh Brother with a hidden smile behind his mask, reigniting his double-bladed lightsaber and slowly spinning it in his hand, producing a low, intimidating hum.
Starkiller watched them both calmly. They were no more than minor obstacles, though their appearances and presences seemed designed to instill fear. But he was not someone who knew fear.
"Finished with your chatter?" Starkiller asked coldly, holding his saber ready to strike.
The two Inquisitors exchanged a quick glance before assuming combat stances. There was an air of confidence about them, as if they were accustomed to hunting and eliminating threats with ease.
"Today's going to be fun, brother, we'll take down a Sith," said the Third Brother as he lunged into attack, closely followed by the Eleventh.
However, before they could even reach Starkiller, he quickly extended his free hand, sending both of the Inquisitors' lightsabers flying toward him. As he caught them, he broke them with the Force.
Before they could react, Starkiller closed the distance between them with unimaginable speed and struck at both, decapitating them, causing their bodies to fall to the ground.
"Weaklings." Starkiller muttered as he walked past the bodies of the Jedi killers.
Starkiller advanced with firm steps through the heart of the complex. The air felt heavy, charged with the presence of the Force, but it wasn't a dark aura like those he knew well. This was different, ancient, almost as if it emanated from the roots of a tree that had withstood the winds of countless storms. Each step brought him closer to his goal.
Finally, the doors of a circular room slid open with a metallic sound, revealing a spacious area dimly lit. At the center, sitting on an elevated platform, was the Jedi Starkiller had been tracking: Oppo Rancisis.
The elderly Jedi Master, with his long white hair and braided beard, remained still. His serpentine body, a blend of humanoid and Thisspiasian, rested serenely, his arms crossed over his lap. He seemed like a living statue, a monk who had spent centuries in contemplation. However, his narrowed eyes slowly opened as he sensed Starkiller's presence. His gaze, deep and almost infinite, seemed to scrutinize every corner of his being.
"Vader's apprentice," Oppo said in a deep, calm voice, as if the upcoming battle were nothing more than a conversation. His tone was filled with wisdom, but also with an evident weariness. "You've traveled a long and dark road to get here."
Starkiller halted his march, igniting his lightsaber with a hum that filled the room's silence. The red blade illuminated his face with an ominous glow.
"I've walked the path I was taught," he replied, his voice as cold as steel. "I'm not here to talk. I'm here to fulfill my mission: to destroy you."
Oppo slightly tilted his head, as if reflecting on those words. Slowly, he uncrossed his arms and raised one hand, deactivating the security systems of the room with a gesture of the Force. The doors closed behind Starkiller with a definitive sound, sealing the confrontation.
"Destroying me will not give you the answers you seek," the Jedi replied, as his arms began to move with an almost hypnotic grace. His fingers slid into complex positions, manipulating the Force with a precision that reflected centuries of training. "But I understand that words won't stop the inevitable."
In an instant, Oppo Rancisis fully rose, his serpentine tail uncoiling and extending, filling much of the room. With a fluid movement, he took his lightsaber, a green blade that glowed with the purity of the Jedi Order. The calm on his face contrasted with the intensity of the energy now surrounding him, creating an imposing aura that made the ground beneath him tremble slightly.
"If you seek to destroy me, young one, you'll have to face something greater than yourself. The Force is not a tool for destruction… but I will not remain idle while you try to snuff out its light."
Starkiller flashed a smile full of contempt and raised his saber into a combat stance.
"I've defeated other Jedi before you. You won't be any different."
"Arrogance is always the downfall of those who walk in the shadows," murmured Oppo, and then, with unexpected speed, he launched himself at Starkiller.
The clash began with an explosion of power, the room filling with flashes of green and red light, and the Force itself seemed to tremble at the collision of two relentless wills.
The battle began with a burst of energy that shook the entire room. Oppo Rancisis, despite his appearance as a wise old man, moved with an agility and strength that belied his age. His serpentine body rose like a wave, advancing toward Starkiller, enveloping the space with fluid yet deadly movements. The Jedi Master's green lightsaber spun with precision, each strike aimed not only to wound, but to disarm and control his opponent.
Starkiller, for his part, did not retreat a single step. He raised his crimson saber to block the first strike, and the impact between the two blades resonated like thunder. The force of the blow made the air vibrate, but Starkiller used the moment to release a burst of dark energy through the Force, trying to unbalance his opponent.
Oppo reacted instantly, anchoring his tail to the ground as if it were made of steel roots. The shockwave dissipated around him, unable to move him, and in a fluid movement, he spun his body, using his tail like a whip to violently sweep the floor. Starkiller leapt back just in time, but the impact destroyed part of the floor beneath him, sending debris flying everywhere.
"Is that all you have, apprentice?" said Oppo in a deep voice, his calm intact even amidst the chaos.
Starkiller responded to the challenge with relentless fury. He extended a hand toward the ceiling, tearing several metal beams free and launching them as projectiles toward the Jedi. Oppo, unfazed, raised a barrier with the Force, deflecting the fragments toward the walls and floor. However, this was just a distraction: Starkiller was already upon him, his saber descending in a brutal arc.
The clash of their sabers illuminated the room with intermittent flashes. Starkiller attacked with fierce aggression, each strike infused with overwhelming power, aiming to crush his opponent's defenses. But Oppo, with centuries of combat experience, responded with precision and grace, deflecting each blow with minimal and calculated movements.
In a critical moment, Rancisis used his tail to wrap around one of Starkiller's legs, pulling him to the ground with a swift motion. Before the apprentice could rise, Oppo raised his saber, ready to end the battle. But Starkiller, with a scream full of hatred, unleashed a blast of Force lightning that struck directly at the Jedi's torso, forcing him to release his grip and retreat.
Both combatants rose at the same time, breathing heavily. Oppo watched Starkiller with a mix of concern and sadness.
"You are strong, young one, but your fury blinds you. Your strength is a fire that consumes everything in its path, even yourself."
"Shut up!" Starkiller yelled, extending both hands.
The entire room trembled as a massive wave of Force energy erupted from his body. The platform they stood on began to collapse, columns fell, and pieces of the ceiling crashed down as if the complex itself were collapsing.
Oppo remained firm amidst the chaos, channeling the Force to shield himself from the debris. But before he could counterattack, Starkiller appeared in front of him in a flash of speed, hitting him with a brutal strike that sent him skidding back several meters.
The Jedi managed to stabilize himself, but his breathing had grown heavier. Despite his skill and strength, Starkiller was an unrelenting storm, and Oppo knew he could not face him in direct combat for much longer.
"Don't underestimate balance, boy," Oppo said in a more severe tone.
With a quick motion, the Jedi Master lifted himself with the Force, spinning in the air and wrapping his body around Starkiller. From this position, he began to apply an unconventional technique: he used his tail to create a closed circle, a living prison that restricted the apprentice's movement. Starkiller growled, trying to free himself, but the pressure increased with each passing second.
"Give up," ordered Oppo, tightening his hold. "You don't have to walk this path."
"Never!" Starkiller shouted, and suddenly, the atmosphere changed. A surge of energy erupted from his body, surpassing everything he had shown so far. With a roar, he unleashed an explosion so powerful that Oppo was thrown to the opposite end of the room, crashing violently into a wall.
The Jedi fell to the ground, his tail moving slowly as he tried to rise. Starkiller, now surrounded by a dark, crackling aura, walked toward him with his saber in hand.
"It's over," Starkiller murmured, raising his weapon for the final blow.
But just before he could take the final step, Oppo weakly raised a hand.
"Maybe not for you... but your fate will catch up with you, apprentice. Your master will betray you, as all Sith do, and that will be the moment you wish you had listened to me."
Starkiller didn't respond. His saber descended in a swift strike, and the battle came to an end.
With the fight over, he drew the Jedi Master's lightsaber and hooked it to his belt, finally leaving the place.
As Starkiller silently withdrew from the complex, unbeknownst to him, a kind of spy droid was watching him, capturing his movements.