Location: Jedi Temple, Coruscant
The dim glow of Serina's quarters illuminated her face, her blue eyes reflecting the faint shimmer of the makeshift holoprojector in her hands. She sat cross-legged on the floor, her tools scattered around her, the device she'd spent weeks painstakingly constructing finally complete. The broken Sith holocron rested on the floor in front of her, a faint aura emanating from it, as though it knew its purpose was about to be fulfilled.
For weeks, the holocron had haunted her dreams, its fragmented presence tugging at her consciousness. Whispers of knowledge, of power, had teased her from the edges of sleep, driving her to this moment. It wasn't functioning in its current state, but with the holoprojector, she hoped to coax it into revealing its secrets. Serina's breath steadied as she placed the holocron into the cradle of the device and activated it.
At first, nothing happened. The holocron remained still, its intricate lines and runes faintly pulsing with red light. Then, the projector hummed to life, and a figure emerged—a towering hologram of a man clad in dark armor, his face scarred and his jaw a gleaming metal prosthesis. His presence was palpable, even in projection, and his piercing gaze swept the room before settling on her.
Darth Malak.
Serina straightened, her hands resting on her knees as she met his gaze. There was no fear in her expression, only curiosity and a guarded intensity. She inclined her head slightly, a gesture of respect, though her voice carried the faint edge of confidence.
"Darth Malak," she said evenly. "I've gone to great lengths to repair your holocron. You have knowledge I seek."
The hologram tilted its head, the flickering red glow of his form casting faint shadows across the room. For a moment, he said nothing, studying her as if weighing her worth. Then, his voice filled the space, deep and resonant, laced with an authority that demanded attention.
"You are bold, Padawan," Malak said, his tone a mix of curiosity and approval. "Few would dare to seek out a relic of the Sith, let alone restore it. Fewer still would possess the skill to succeed. Tell me, child, what drives you to disturb the echoes of the past?"
Serina's gaze didn't waver. "The Jedi teach us to seek balance, to avoid the extremes of passion and power. But I believe the Force is more than that. It's boundless, untamed, and I intend to understand it fully. The Jedi limit what we're allowed to know. You… you offer a different perspective."
A flicker of amusement crossed Malak's holographic visage, the ghost of a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. "You speak of limits and perspectives, but do you truly understand what you are asking? The knowledge I possess is not a tool for curiosity. It is a weapon, forged in war, sharpened by betrayal. You seek to understand the Force? Then understand this: power demands sacrifice. Control demands conviction. Do you have the strength to pay the price?"
Serina's fingers curled slightly, her nails pressing into her palms as she absorbed his words. Her voice, when she replied, was steady but laced with quiet defiance. "Strength comes from understanding. Knowledge is not inherently good or evil—it's what you do with it that defines you."
Malak laughed, a low, rumbling sound that filled the room. "Spoken like one who has yet to taste true power. But there is wisdom in your words, Padawan. Perhaps more than you realize. Tell me… why me? Of all the echoes of the Sith, why do you seek the guidance of Darth Malak?"
She hesitated, the question catching her off guard. It wasn't something she'd consciously decided—it was as though the holocron had chosen her as much as she had chosen it. But as she searched for an answer, she found the truth slipping free, unbidden.
Malak's gaze sharpened, his holographic form leaning slightly closer. "And if the truth you seek leads you down the same path? If the knowledge you crave burns away the light within you and leaves only darkness?"
Serina's jaw tightened, but she didn't look away. "Then it's my path to walk. My choice to make."
For a moment, there was silence, the air between them heavy with unspoken tension. Then Malak inclined his head slightly, his expression one of rare respect. "You are bold, Padawan. Bold and gifted. But remember this: knowledge is a blade that cuts both ways. If you seek my wisdom, you must be prepared to wield it… and to face what it reveals."
The hologram flickered, the red glow dimming for a moment before stabilizing. "Ask your questions, Serina Calis. The time for games is over. You have my attention."
