Orchid Blaze - A STAR WARS Story

Chapter 7

The man in the black robes took heavy steps as he walked through the remains of the Temple. Memories flooded into his mind, as he stopped abruptly within the upper halls of the renovated temple.

The first time he arrived....the training he received...reuniting with her ...His master's betrayal...

Saving the Chancellor... the future Emperor...

The man felt a surge within his chest, but he could feel it; a rising surge of unfamiliar energy, foreign, followed by the fluttering of heavy robes and then...nothing.

With his gloved hand outstretched, a black chrome tube flew off from his belt and into his hand. Next followed was the breaking of exploding light, followed by a steady hum. The hot glow illuminated from his sabre, his face and the hall covered in a red hew.

"Impressive. Where did you learn this technique?" His deep voice resonated within the chambers; though there was no response.

The clicks and whirs of the gassy inhalation filled the hall, then a drawn-out exhale. "Spare me the deception. I know you are here."

"You are blind!" a voice cried out from the darkness. The Enforcer noted the commanding resonance within his voice, a magnetised shrill. He was wearing a helmet. "In your pursuit of the Empire, you have paid little attention to the Force." The voice continued.

"The Jedi are traitors to the Empire. Order will be brought to the galaxy."

"I care little for your wars, but when did servants of Dark Side twist doctrines to the Dark Side serving the servants?"

"The Jedi have been prohibited to understand the full secrets of the Force. What do you know of the Dark Side?"

Quick sharp scuffles arose from the shadows within the eastern hall. "Enough."

A familiar crack filled the air, followed by the whooshing of a chambered release. Another hum filled the air, the blacked robe man had reached into the darkness; a clawed grappling hook caught in mid-air. A swipe of his sabre severed the taut cable; next, there was movement in the darkness; the power spiking once more and then...nothing.

"Intriguing." The low hum of the cloaked man's voice reverberated within the hall. Raising his hand once more; the ceiling blew open, revealing pillars of light along the side walls which illuminated the temple. A shadowy finger darted from the shadows; silver light flashed partially lighting the darkness...and his location.

Beskar.

The cloaked figure growled from his skeletal mask as he walked towards the shadows; streams of green rays poured from the darkness; the figure deflected the beams with fierce hums and surges as he waved the red light-blade. "I will find out your secret. You will not elude me again!"

The whine of jets began to sound, the darkness illuminating once more with an orange hew which revealed his likeness; the flash of silver Beskar, that adorned both shoulders; with matching chest plate, vanguards and JT-12 jetpack against the familiar earth-toned robe with accompanying tabard, with a sleeveless robe, and deep hood that covered his face. As he flew over the man in the dark robes, he took notice of the loose white trousers and brown boots, the shins and thighs covered with Beskar plating, the long boots coated with armouring with sleek giro stabilizers under the feet...as he flew into the darkness; his presence disappearing once more.

"You speak of the Dark Side, wear the robes of a Jedi and protect yourself with Beskar. You are indeed lost."

Streams of flames erupted from the corner of the room as the man stood to the side, raising his hand, the fires parted in two in mid-air.

"My focus is clear. That is why I am more powerful than you."

All it took was a flicker of this gloved hand, the screech of concrete slabs shifting; the pillars that held the walkways of the hall began to shake. The hooded warrior had already felt the sudden shift in the air, before the ground rumbled and shifted, and realised the weight behind his words.

With a push of the button; the jetpack ignited from his back as he leapt upwards, narrowing escaping through the hole until he was held in mid-air; an invisible rope...or a hand around his neck.

Good.

The hooded warrior raised his hands out, sweat pouring from his brow as he fought the sensation, slowly, towards the black-cloaked man and raised his hand...

...and felt it.

The sharp fracture around the enforcer's form.

The weakest was at the head.

All it took was one push.