Months had passed since Kael's last victory. The galaxy, however, remained unchanged. The Empire still sought to crush all resistance, and Kael, once a fledgling apprentice, was now a force to be reckoned with. His training under Vader had deepened his connection to the dark side, and his growth in power had been nothing short of remarkable. He could feel it—the Force, flowing through him, surging at his command. The darkness had become his ally, and with each passing day, Kael was more attuned to its intricacies. It was no longer just about mastering his lightsabers; the Force had become an integral part of his battle strategy.
Tonight was no different. Kael stood in the dimly lit training chamber aboard the Executor, his body ready for the next trial. His lightsabers hung by his side, their crimson blades dormant, but his mind was already alive with anticipation. He had been summoned by Darth Vader once again.
"Your next mission awaits, Kael," Vader's cold voice echoed in the chamber as he approached.
Kael straightened, his expression unreadable. He knew that whatever challenge lay ahead, it would test his limits. It always did. He glanced at his two lightsabers—one curved, the other straight, both glowing with the promise of death. But tonight, Kael had something more in mind than just the blades. He had spent the last few weeks focusing on his Force abilities, refining his control over the dark side. His lightsabers would be his instruments of death, but his true power lay in the Force.
The mission was simple: eliminate a rogue force user who had been a thorn in the Empire's side. The man, once a Jedi Knight, had fallen to the dark side but was now considered a liability to Vader's plans. Kael had been chosen to deal with him.
As Kael and Vader made their way through the corridors, Kael's mind raced. He could sense the presence of the rogue Sith already, feel the dark energy radiating from him. The Force was alive with the vibrations of their impending confrontation. This would be the perfect opportunity to test his growing abilities, to show Vader just how far he had come.
When they reached the hangar bay, Kael's eyes fell on the ship awaiting them. It was a small transport, sleek and fast—designed for quick strikes. Without a word, Kael boarded the ship, his mind focused on the mission ahead. Vader followed behind, his imposing presence ever a reminder of the power that shaped Kael's own path.
The journey to the rogue Sith's location was brief, but it gave Kael enough time to reflect on his training. He had learned much in the past months: how to harness the Force to enhance his physical capabilities, how to manipulate the minds of others, how to channel the dark side into devastating attacks. He had even begun to experiment with techniques he'd read about in the ancient Sith texts.
But the most dangerous of all his newfound abilities was the Force Lightning.
Kael had learned to summon the searing, crackling bolts of energy in his training sessions, but he had not yet fully unleashed them in combat. Tonight, he would test his control over them. Tonight, he would prove that he was not just a mere apprentice anymore. He was something far greater.
The ship touched down on a remote moon, a barren place devoid of life or civilization. The rogue Sith's presence was strong here, and Kael could sense the tension in the air as the Force pulsed around him.
They exited the ship in silence, and Kael drew his lightsabers. The red blades hummed to life, casting a crimson glow on the desolate landscape. He could feel the rogue Sith's presence growing nearer. The time for talk was over.
Kael's grip tightened around the hilts of his sabers as he took his stance. He could feel the dark side surging within him, urging him to strike, to unleash his fury. He waited for the rogue Sith to appear, his senses heightened.
And then, there he was.
The rogue Sith stood before him, his lightsaber already ignited. The man was older than Kael, but his face showed the wear of years spent struggling against the darkness. His once noble features were now twisted by the corruption of the dark side. His robes were ragged, and his eyes burned with an intense, unyielding fury.
"I see the apprentice has grown into a warrior," the rogue Sith sneered. "But you're still just a child in the eyes of the true darkness."
Kael said nothing. He had no time for words. His hand shot out, the Force crackling around him as he used the dark side to pull the rogue Sith toward him. The other Sith grunted in surprise as his feet left the ground, dragged through the air by Kael's will. Kael swung his right lightsaber, the curved hilt slicing through the air with deadly precision. The rogue Sith managed to block, but Kael was already on him, using his second lightsaber to strike again.
The fight was fierce, each combatant matching the other's strength and skill. Kael's dual lightsabers moved with the fluidity of water, every strike purposeful and deliberate. He could feel the dark side empowering him, urging him to push further. His opponent fought back with equal intensity, but Kael was faster, more precise. Every move Kael made was guided by the Force—his strikes weren't just physical, they were an extension of his mastery over the dark side.
With a flick of his wrist, Kael threw the rogue Sith off balance, sending him stumbling backward. Kael's eyes narrowed, and he reached out with his hand. The Force crackled in the air as he unleashed a blast of Force Lightning. The rogue Sith cried out in pain as the crackling energy coursed through his body, sending him to the ground in a heap. The searing bolts were so intense, Kael could feel the energy ripple through the air around him, but he didn't stop. The rogue Sith's screams echoed through the silence of the barren moon as the lightning continued to strike him.
When Kael finally stopped, the rogue Sith was motionless, smoke rising from his body. Kael stood over him, breathing heavily but composed. The power he had just unleashed was intoxicating, but he pushed the feeling aside. There was no time for weakness, no time for hesitation.
Vader appeared beside him, his dark presence looming. "You did well, Kael," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "But remember, power is not a means to an end. It is the means to greater power."
Kael nodded, his expression cold. "I understand, Master."
Vader's gaze lingered on Kael for a moment longer, before he turned and began to walk away. Kael followed, his eyes still locked on the fallen Sith before him. The battle was over, but the war had only just begun.
As Kael stood there, alone in the silence, he reflected on the power he had just wielded. The Force was a weapon, but it was more than that. It was a part of him, something he could no longer separate from who he was. And as he ignited his two lightsabers, the red blades burning bright in the darkness, he knew that he was only beginning to scratch the surface of what he was capable of.
The dark side had chosen him, and it would see him rise to heights greater than any Sith before him. His journey had only just begun.