ETERNAL LIFE
--Korriban, 6410 BBY--
"Transfer essence," the Dark Lord of the Sith Empire muttered to his young apprentice, as he sat upon his sand-colored throne. "A technique discovered by the Sith Lord Karness Muur, which allowed him to transfer his spirit into the fabled Muur Talisman."
His eyes narrowed. "At least, that's what the legends say."
His apprentice looked up at his master. "Has anyone else managed to use transfer essence after Muur?"
The Dark Lord shook his head. "Many have attempted it, but to no avail. I highly doubt such a technique is even possible. It's simply a wild dream in every ambitious Sith Lord's mind."
"It sounds plausible to me," the apprentice said, receiving a cold glare from his master.
"Whether it is or not to you, I do not want you to waste your time just to find out for yourself." The Dark Lord raised up and headed out of the dimly-lit chamber. "If you are to be my successor, Andeddu, your mind must be focused on reality, rather than some crazy myth."
He briefly turned back to his apprentice. "Do I make myself clear?"
The apprentice bowed. "Yes, my master."
--Ten years later--
"No..." Darth Trayus staggered back, clutching his left rib. His crimson eyes stared coldly into his apprentice's black ones. "My reign...it was never supposed to end like this!"
The apprentice smiled wickedly. "On the contrary, master..." A scarlet blade of flames appeared in his hands. "I would never have it end any other way."
For a while, Trayus simply stared at his apprentice, filled with contempt. Finally, he let out a sigh. "I should have foreseen this day. This is how the Dark Lords Ajunta Pall and Molar-Am fell...at the hands of their allies. I should have know it would be how I fell."
As his apprentice slowly approached him, Trayus went on. "Tell me, Andeddu...have you found out the answer?"
The apprentice stopped in his tracks, eying his master carefully. "What are you talking about?"
Trayus laughed, causing the pain in his side to worsen. "Don't fool with me, apprentice. I know you've been searching for the key to transfer essence, despite my forbidding of you."
Andeddu's smile returned. "Ah yes, I have. After years of searching through the writings of Karness Muur and XoXaan, I have discovered on how to cheat death by taking over another's body. At last, I shall be the greatest Dark Lord to have lived, by being the only Sith left living."
Trayus chuckled. "I don't think so. Essence transfer is an inferior technique compared to certain others..."
The apprentice rose an eyebrow. "Such as...?"
"It was discovered by the Rakata and the knowledge was passed on to the ancient Sith king Adas." Trayus fell to one knee onto the stone floor, the agony in his side growing. "It is said that the act of recreating the entire galaxy into one of mindless, loyal, and obedient slaves can let one rule forever..."
The apprentice let out a harsh laugh. "Now how can a Dark Lord of the Sith rule a dead empire?" He walked up to Trayus, his fiery blade raised high over his head. "And now, the reign of Darth Trayus comes to an end."
"Indeed," Trayus said quietly. "And let the rise of Darth Andeddu herald his eventual downfall."
The lightsaber was brought down and Darth Trayus' last laugh was cut short.
VALORUM
--Coruscant, 25 ABY--
From Tarsus to Tullius. From Laeca to Eixes. From Finis to Espaa.
The House of Valorum had been a notorious family ever since the end of the New Sith Wars. Nearly all of its patriarchs had served the Old Republic as Supreme Chancellor.
And now it was coming to an end.
Finis Valorum knew what was going to happen to his son. He knew Espaa's usefulness to Darth Vorath had come to an end. But it was not his son that Finis would mourn.
It would be his legacy.
--Dromund Kaas--
Espaa Valorum watched impatiently as Darth Vorath walked down the halls of his throne room, monologuing to his prisoners. What was he playing at, Espaa thought. And what was he doing on Dromund Kaas? Hadn't Vorath refrained from coming here in order to trick the Imperials into thinking that they were no longer serving a Sith Lord?
Espaa eyed the Dark Lord of the Sith suspiciously. Vorath certainly had something planned...
"And for that," Vorath was saying as he walked up to Espaa, "I thank him."
Espaa tilted his head, giving the Sith Lord a weary look. "Thank you," he said dryly, "for that fascinating tale. Now, may I ask why you're here? Or, better yet, what in the galaxy is going on?"
From beneath the strange helmet Vorath wore, Espaa could tell that the Sith Lord was smiling through his eyes. He's certainly up to something, Espaa thought.
"That is a good question, I must admit," Vorath said with a quiet laugh. He brought out a spear-like staff. 'To put it simply, Espaa Valorum..."
The Dark Lord raised his bladed staff at Espaa. Then, the Crimson Emperor realized the reason for all of this. He was nothing but a ploy. A tool to set the stage for Darth Vorath's ultimate plan in taking over the galaxy. He had been used by both the Dark Lord of the Sith...and his father.
Espaa Valorum did not need to hear Vorath's next words. He had already figured it out...
--Coruscant--
They say that if someone close to a Jedi were to die, the said Jedi would be able to feel their friend's death from across the galaxy.
And although Finis Valorum was no Jedi, he still could not help but feel as if something inside of him had died. And had left nothing but an empty void....
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