Crossed Lines: The Shadow In The Void

Chapter 6: The Secret Apprentice

Dessah's P.O.V.

My head was spinning. Where was I? My boot scuffed across black floors of stone. I tried grabbing my throbbing head but my arms were being held. I looked up to two troopers dragging me through a hall. I looked around to see where I have been taken, to get some kind of idea what I might be in for. From the looks of it, to the tall ebony pillars, to the lack of windows... I was in some kind of hall. It wasn't vast or expansive like a palace. I could sense that I was in a temple of some kind: large enough to be some place of importance.

The troopers stopped and dropped me to the floor at the feet of a throne and tossed my light saber and mask at my side. There was a figure sitting in the throne, but he was covered by a black cloak. I was still regaining my vision at this time. I was confused when the troopers turned and walked out. I shook my head trying to regain composure.

"So." The figure said, drawing out his word. His voice was rough and powerful. "You are the Jedi. This is truly not what I had expected." He spoke slowly and methodically. "Stand up."

I struggled to stand in front of the throne, but had quickly regained my balance. I felt better after standing and breathing a fresh kind of air.

"Who was your master, Jedi?"

"The late Galen Marek."

He broke into a laughter. I furrowed my brows. Was that funny? I didn't understand. He then rubbed his shadowed face.

"So. Darth Vader's apprentice really did survive those many years ago after the destruction of the Death Star! This is a pleasant surprise, indeed! And now, his apprentice is mine. Splendid, it is!" He stood from his throne. He was taller than I, but not as tall as the Lord Kylo Ren. He reached up and let his hood drop to reveal his face. His skin was a sickly grey with a disfigured face. He was horrendous to look at. "I am Snoke. Supreme Leader of The First Order. You will train under me as my apprentice to become my personal assassin."

"I don't have a choice do I." I mumbled.

Snoke stepped forward and picked up my lightsaber. He turned it over in his hands and it disappeared in the sleeve of his robe. He then circled around me, looking me up and down; studying my features. I drew in my cloak around my shoulders, wrapping it close. His movements and wondering eyes made me uneasy.

"You wish to preserve your name and your life. You have not chosen which path of the Force to take." He spoke, almost as if he were peering into my thoughts. "The Darkside of the Force is superior in every way. You will learn this in time after completing your training under me as my apprentice that the Darkside will ALWAYS prevail."

He stopped. My mask on the ground caught his attention. He picked up the mask and ran a finger over the engravings and the gem that was bound in the middle of the forehead. "Ah. Do you wish to be like Darth Nihilist. His mask was very similar."

"I found the mask when I was a younger on Felucia."

"It suits you." He reached out and placed the mask in my hands.

I pulled up my head wrap to hide my hair and secured the mask back on my face where it belonged. It felt right. It was like it was a part of me and I felt naked – exposed – without it.

"When do I start?" I inquired. He turned back to me, about to sit back on his throne. A crooked smile crawled across his face revealing yellow mangled teeth.

"Tomorrow."

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