EDITED 2/28/2017 I'll be coming back to this later, but keep in mind that I plan on changing the scene with Exar Kun to have it so that Luke and Toah are communicating with his holocron rather than his spirit, because otherwise that's... that's stupid. Like, even for me.
CHAPTER NINE
The first few zombies that lunged at Vorath were swiftly cut down by the Dark Lord's scarlet lightsaber. Two others tackled him from behind, latching onto his back. He managed to move his arm behind his back and eviscerate them, their remains dropping to the ground.
Vorath then focused his eyes on the ghost of Darth Vitus, who was observing the events from nearby, his visage and posture as calm as ever. How can a long-dead Sith Lord be controlling these zombies? Vorath asked himself. In fact, how could anyone control them? These creatures of the undead follow nothing but their own mindless will...
As the Sith Lord continued fighting his way through the endless hoards of zombies, he began to realize a possible way for Vitus' ghost to be controlling these creatures.
And it was what he was after.
His grip tightened on his lightsaber as he made his way towards Vitus, cutting down zombies along the way. When he reached the deceased Sith Lord, the ghost gave him a slightly surprised look.
"Figured it out, have you?" Vitus said. "Yes, the armor of Valtheran-or rather his staff-can put the undead under its user's command."
"So explain to me," Vorath growled, as he decapitated another zombie. "How is it that you, a ghost, an intangible entity, is able to wield a physical object, in this case, Valtheran's staff?"
A cruel smile tugged on Vitus' lips. "The relics of the ancient gods of the Sith have power beyond anyone's imagination. Crossing the realms of Life and Death is nothing compared to those powers."
Vorath's red eyes pierced the darkness of his hood. "Interesting," he muttered. "And, by the way, your creations...I have found them to be unworthy opponents."
Vitus gave a confused look. "What do you mean?"
"I expected them to be a challenge worth using a lightsaber against," Vorath said. "Unfortunately, I am not impressed."
Suddenly, before Vitus could reply, a strange breeze passed over Vorath and his adversaries. The Sith Lord began to slowly levitate up in the air as a violet orb of lightning began to envelope him. At the same time, the zombies were lifted up along with him, raving and groaning, confused by what was going on. Then, Vorath unleashed a blast of lightning, turning the undead creatures to nothing but dust once it touched them. The Sith Lord returned to the ground to see Vitus staring at him, mouth agape.
"So," Vorath said to the ghost. "Have I proven myself worthy of the armor of Valtheran?"
Vitus struggled to find his voice. "I...I suppose. Seeing that I have nothing else to use against you, I believe I have no choice."
The Sith ghost beckoned for Vorath to follow him. "Come. I shall give you the armor."
* * *
"Guess we're on Dromund whatever," Han murmured as he felt the Sith shuttle land. Turning to his wife, he added, "I sure hope this plan of yours works."
Leia did not answer him, instead waiting at the door to their cell, with Chewbacca at her side. "Someone's coming," she whispered to the Wookiee. "You know what to do."
Chewbacca gave a curt nod and readied himself at the door. Leia concentrated with the Force, hoping to cloud the mind of their visitor long enough so that she and her companions could escape. Once the door opened to reveal the Sith Lord Mordus, Chewbacca lashed out and knocked the Duros out cold.
The Zabrak Sith Ravage immediately came rushing down to the cell, lightsaber activated. Leia ignited her lightsaber as well and blocked an attack from Ravage.
"Go!" she shouted to Han, Chewie, and the droids. "I'll hold them off!"
"We're not leaving you!" Han protested.
Leia shot him a glare. "Dear, if you truly love me, you'll do what I tell you."
"Mistress Leia does have a point, Captain Solo!" C-3PO called as R2-D2 worked at a control panel to lower the ramp. "I suggest we get off this ship as soon as Artoo lowers the-"
"Zip it, Goldenboy!" Han snapped as he fired a shot at the Zabrak Sith, who had pushed Leia aside. At that moment, R2-D2 succeeded in activating the landing ramp and the two droids began to walk off the ship. Chewbacca lunged at Ravage, knocking the Sith Lord's lightsaber out of his hand. This gave Han enough time to rush to Leia's aide and get her back to her feet.
Once Han and Leia were off the ship safely, Chewie lifted Ravage up in the air and threw him at the oncoming Gammorean warrior. The Wookiee used this distraction to his advantage and ran off the ship, closing the ramp along the way. He was off the ship as soon as the ramp closed and rushed to catch up with his friends.
Once the five of them were far away from the Sith ship, Han stopped to catch his breath and observe their surroundings. Dromund Kaas was almost similar to Coruscant's upper levels, though it didn't seem to be as populated, and from afar, areas of swamp could be seen.
Han sighed. "So now what?" he asked Leia. "We're stuck here, no spaceport in sight..." He cringed. "And someone took the Falcon. I heard her engines roar just as we were leaving Bastion."
Suddenly, R2-D2 made a garbled beep. C-3PO turned to Han and Leia. "Um...Artoo says there is a...fortress of sorts just north of where we are. According to what he can pinpoint...it is Imperial-aligned."
Han and Leia exchanged uneasy glances. "How does Artoo know?" Han asked.
"Well, he says he is detecting large amounts of Imperial signatures, security codes, and-" C-3PO ceased speaking when Han gestured for him to.
The Corellian pilot sighed again. "Have another idea up your sleeve?" he asked Leia.
"Actually," she replied, "I just might..."
* * *
Toah was surprised that he and Luke came across no obstacles as they traveled through the long, descending hallway which they had entered. However, he knew there was trouble up ahead, for he felt the dark side of the Force surging through the walls of the ancient temple.
After what seemed like forever, the two Jedi Knights arrived at a vast, circular chamber, with only a lone sarcophagus occupying it, lying in the center of the room.
"So how do we give Exar Kun his wake-up call?" Toah asked his master.
Luke smiled. "Simple," he said as he got down to the stone floor, sitting in a meditative position.
For a while, nothing happened. Suddenly, the whole room began to shake. The sarcophagus' cover flew open and tendrils of shadow rose out of it. A dark voice spoke out, echoing throughout the chamber.
"Who is bold enough to break into the tomb of Exar Kun?"
Luke got to his feet. "I am Luke Skywalker, and this is my apprentice, Toah Jarsan. We wish to speak with your spirit in person, if you don't mind."
"I do not fulfill requests from Jedi," Kun's voice boomed. "Why are you here?"
Toah stepped forward. "I am here for answers," he said. "I've been told that I'm the descendant of a Sith Lord. I want to know if you are my ancestor."
"I have no descendants," Exar Kun declared. "If I did, I would've had an heir to claim my throne, and my empire would have lasted for years to come."
Toah sighed in defeat. Once again, another journey had proven to be a waste of time. As he and Luke turned to leave, Exar Kun suddenly spoke again.
"However," he said. "I have heard the name of Jarsan before. One time- I do not remember when- a man by the name of Aron Jarsan came to this very temple with questions of his own. I then directed him to a planet which may have the answers you seek."
"Which planet?" Toah asked.
"Dromund Kaas."
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