Awakening of the Dragon

[Viru Lentus]

Standing in his personal chambers of his lab on Taris, Viru paced back and forth before a pedestal. IT was late on Taris a time where most sane people would be asleep. Viru was dressed in a pair of loose pants and that was it his body covered in sweat. He had just awoken from his latest bout with nightmares. Upon the pedestal a holocron he had collected from the deserts of Tatooine sat glowing its magnificent orange. Since bringing it to the lab Rakghoul attacks had been more frequent on the base, they had become more rowdy. So had the few organic scientists he let live there. They seemed to almost skirt around his personal chambers not even willing to step a foot into it anymore. Now they outright refused to deliver the data to him in person. He couldn’t much blame them as even he could feel the dark energy that the holocron radiated. How when he slept it caused his nightmares to seem almost real. Though why am I not effected like them? Viru wondered as he came to a stop and reached out to touch the holocron again his hand freezing a few inches from it. Every fiber of his being was telling him to grasp it, to hold it once again. To let its energy course through his body.

Viru’s hand began to shake as he struggled against his emotions. Though he did not know what was holding him back. Some fear of what would happen? Of what he would see? He wasn’t sure, but if he didn’t confront it his quest to attain the holocron would’ve been for naught. It would’ve been a simple waste of time, something Viru hated. “Kark it!” He yelled as he snatched up the holocron. The moment his fingers wrapped around the pyramid Viru’s back arched his mouth hanging open. Pure darkside energy flowed into him as he held and soon enough he began laughing, not like one would when told a joke or saw something funny. No this was the laugh of a maniac, his laughs echoed off the walls. This was the part that frightened Viru most. It was like he was watching the scene unable to control his body. This is my body… My mind! Viru thought as he fought against the oppressive Dark side energy. It was like an uphill battle however he could feel it giving way. I control my own destiny! Viru was far from weak-minded and had no plans on letting himself fall into madness. Though it may have been more due to his epicanthix immunity to mental attacks that allowed him to regain control.

 

[Viru Lentus]

Now that he was back in control of his body Viru realized just how dangerous the holocron was. In all his spare research of them he had never heard of such a corrupting power. This was why everyone avoided it, why the Krayt Dragon had been attracted to it, and why the Rakghouls were going crazy. They could all sense the dark energy and it was effecting them. It had nearly taken Viru. He wanted to go and through the thing into the deepest oceans of Dac, but yet again it would’ve all been a waste of his time. He needed to know what power and knowledge this holocron held. He craved it. With the dark energy and chaos, it radiated something special had to await Viru. But how do I open it? He wondered as he began examining all sides of the luminescent pyramid.

Being a scientist Viru tried to refrain from the barbarian approach of throwing it against the wall. Instead he looked for any buttons or activation studs, with none seen he figured it had to be activated by command. “Open!” Viru said at first to be answered back with silence. “Enhance?” He asked a bit more confused.

If this is a Sith holocron maybe I have to make myself seem more powerful. Viru thought as he mustered up his deepest voice his violet eyes growing intense. “I Viru Lentus bid you to open! Obey my commands!” Viru said looking down upon the holocron his right hand arched over it like he was some sort of wizard. When nothing happened yet again he felt his rage building. “Kark it then! Stay closed!” He said slamming the holocron back onto the pedestal.

Turning away Viru intended on going back to bed, but suddenly a chill descended upon the room. The lights seemed to dim, and turning around Viru saw the holocron shimmering and sparkling. It’s happening! He thought as the light particles began to scatter and diffuse before coming back together in the form of a heavily armored man. Dawning a suit of Vong crab armor the male cut an imposing figure. One eye glowed an orangish red almost like a sun while the other was a blue, almost seeming artificial. Tattoos could be seen on the man’s chin and wrinkles were visible though the man was heavily muscled. “I am Darth Krayt, Dark Lord of the Sith.” The image said its voice clear and powerful.

 

[Viru Lentus]

Stunned Viru stared at the large image that now towered over him. The gatekeeper of the holocron stared down at Viru with eyes seeming to evaluate him. Almost like Viru was nothing but a bug that wasn’t worth his time. “Who dares awaken me?” Darth Krayt asked his voice booming off the walls causing Viru to flinch back a step. Even if this thing was just an imitation it was still incredibly intimidating and the air had grown thick while the dark energy became more intense.

Gulping Viru found his mouth dry, at a loss for words. Far dryer than it had been on even Tatooine, and that was saying something. He was not only in awe of the gatekeeper, but also fearful of it. Though he steeled himself, the holocron had made it abundantly clear that it was a Sith, and if there was one thing Viru knew about the Sith is that they hated the weak. Standing straight and rising to his full height Viru spoke. “I am Viru Lentus. I am the one who retrieved your holocron.”

“How did you come to attain my holocron… Boy?” Darth Krayt said a tone of condenscension in his throne. “Do you even know what you have found? Understand the powers of the Dark side?!” Krayt asked his voice becoming louder. Viru thought he could even feel the walls vibrating from the power and strength behind the baritone voice.

“The holocron called out to me in my dreams. It urged me to claim it. I followed its call first to Korriban, birthplace of the Sith. I journeyed through the Wastes of Korriban, survived the hordes of Tukata and explored XoXaan’s tomb where I came upon a scroll. A scroll written about you.” Viru said as he began to explain and dramatize his journeys to get the holocron in an attempt to impress the ancient Sith Lord. “Upon attaining the scroll a vision showed me a cave. One built high into a mountain of Tatooine, guarded by a Krayt Dragon. I braved and survived the Tusken Raiders that dare oppose me, then I defeated the Dragon that guarded your holocron.” Viru said bowing his head. “I do not know the awesome power of the dark side and I ask your forgiveness, please teach me.” Getting on to one knee Viru bowed his head low.

 

[Viru Lentus]

With a sound between something of a hum and a scoff Darth Krayt eyed Viru intently. There almost seemed to be a glint in the holocrons eyes. “What happened to my order? What happened to the One Sith which I ruled?” Darth Krayt asked as he examined Viru’s private abode. The Sith Lord gave nothing away his face as still as stone, emotionless. Viru was given no clues on what to do or just exactly what the Sith Lord was thinking.

“Um The One Sith? The One Sith has fallen apart my Lord.” Viru said looking up for just a bit to answer before returning to his role of subservience. Playing the role made him want to puke, he was the one who had found the holocron, the one who had faced death to attain it. Now he had been demoted to a mere footnote.

“WHAT?! Impossible! What happened to my followers? To Cade Skywalker?!” Krayt bellowed his eyes flashing with malice. The room before had been cold and now the temperature changed to where the heat was unbearable. Sweat instantly beaded upon Viru’s brow as he slowly slid away just in case. He had heard something about Sith being skilled with lightning, not something he wished to be on the receiving end of. He had no clue of the abilities these Gatekeepers held.

“Cade Skywalker? I know no one of that name master.” Viru said his head bowing once again before he mentally kicked himself. He had no clue just how ancient the Sith Lord was, for all he knew this Darth Krayt could’ve been before the events of the Gulag Plague.

Stopping the gatekeeper looked up to the ceiling its body flickering for a bit before returning. “You’re right, it has been a great deal of time since my rule. Since my institution of the Sith. How did I fail?” The holocron asked obviously not aware of the original’s death.

“I do not know my Lord, records of most things that happened before have been lost. I was hoping you could tell me about those times.”

“Indeed…” Now the look that Krayt gave Viru was one of vested interest. “As no other’s have managed to attain my holocron I shall take you under my wing Viru Lentus. I shall grace you with the knowledge I have stored in this holocron, and with it you shall ensure the rule of the Sith. You will be my apprentice. Heir to the legacy of Darth Krayt. Do you accept my gift Viru Lentus?” Darth Krayt asked as his figure hovered over Viru.

“I do.” Viru said with finality and as the accordance was struck he felt a shiver retreat down his spine.

“Then your training shall begin!”