Star Wars, Vol. 01: Darkness is the Path

Chapter 7

It had been three years since the disappearance of Jedi Knight Deborah Bindreyz. Many had felt a sadness and loss at her turning. When word had come to the Temple that yet another Knight had fallen, Jedi Padawan Lucas Horshin had begun to wonder about the power of the Dark Side.

He had wondered how it had been able to lure so many strong Knights and Masters. Then he had begun to think about each one of the others who had been there at the Battle of Ylesia many years ago. He finally had become fascinated with the other side of the Force and had searched the archives there at the Jedi Academy for any information he could get. Finding only tidbits of what he wanted, he finally turned to the forbidden section of the Temple.

This area was off limits to anyone except those of the High Council. It was a place where captured artifacts were hidden before they were destroyed.

Most of them were relics of Sith Masters and Apprentices.

Among the cobwebs and collected dust, Lucas had found one of the most forbidden objects ever in all of the Temple.

A Sith Holocron.

He remembered how a slight jubilation had risen within him as he held the small pyramidal relic in his hands.

Now, three years later, he sat in the center of his room on a red carpet in front of the small four-sided pyramid, listening intently to the hologram image hovering over the flashing artifact.

The dark cloaked brawny figure that stood with his large hood covering most of his face and his hands crossed across his chest and hidden in sleeves was a Dark Lord of the Sith of ancient times—nearly four-and-a-half millennia ago.

His name title was Darth Hyraim Knall.

In a deep growl, the sinister frame spoke of untold secrets and mysteries of the Dark Side. He taught his attentive pupil with such magnitude and authority that anyone but a Jedi Master would not have enough power to refrain from listening.

Jedi Padawan Lucas listened intently, holding on to every word.

That dark shadow had already descended over his eyes but through some of his deceased Master's teachings he had learned how to mask his true identity from those around him here at the Temple.

And now, three years later, he felt his Master was beginning to come to an end. With a silent groan, Lucas lowered his head and closed his eyes. He wanted to learn more, he craved and gleaned everything from the teachings that was fed to him. But he knew there was more. Slowly raising his head, he realized how he could learn more. Seconds later, he watched as the bluish image began to flicker. Then the Sith Master slowly bowed his head and closed with these words, "Well, my pupil, I have taught you all I know about the Dark Side. But there is more to learn and I hope you find it."

Lucas watched as the image vanished and the light of the small relic flickered then died until it was completely gone.

It had taught all it had and was of no more use to him.

So, he raised his hand and stretched out with the Force. Crushing the artifact into nothing but a small pile of dust, he slowly stood to his feet. He suddenly felt through the Force the approach of someone. With a quick swoosh of his knee-length cape, he disappeared into the shadows.

A moment later, Jedi Master Melody stepped into the dim interior of the room.

"My Padawan, we have located the refuge of the Sith. It is on Korriban..." Her voice trailed off as her eyes glanced around the room. She saw no one. But immediately she felt someone, or something.