The sky above Jakku bled a deep crimson as Darth Apophion stood amidst the fleeing crowds, his presence a monolith of darkness. The panic, the chaos, the fear—it all fueled him. He watched the Jedi, those pitiful guardians of the light, as they attempted to shield the innocents with their feeble powers. His crimson saber ignited, casting an eerie glow against his dark visage.
Ran, the Jedi who had caught his eye, moved like a tempest, her green blade a blur as she protected the pilgrims. The Sith observed her movements, noting her skill and determination. As the last innocents fled, Ran turned her full attention to him. The Jedi at her side hesitated, their fear palpable. One stepped forward, but Ran halted him with a command. She dispatched two to follow the crowd, leaving her with Master Odo and Jedi Knight Imda Hoal. Apophion's eyes gleamed with dark anticipation.
Apophion's grip tightened on his vermillion lightsaber, his stance shifting into Makashi. The Jedi moved to flank him. He remained motionless, his focus absolute, his blade humming with malevolent energy.
Odo's strike came first. Apophion moved with the fluidity of a viper, his saber meeting Odo's in a resounding clash. He dodged, his wrist twisting in a precise, practiced motion, redirecting the blade harmlessly away. Imda's attack followed swiftly, but Apophion was ready. He pivoted to meet his foe, deflecting Imda's strike with effortless precision. In a seamless transition, Apophion thrust his saber forward, striking Imda's thigh with pinpoint accuracy. Imda staggered back, the Jedi leg wounded, and the attack thwarted.
"You will fall," he declared, his voice resonant with dark authority.
"All of you."
Odo came at Apophion again, his movements a desperate attempt to gain the upper hand. Apophion's blade was a blur, meeting Odo's strike with flawless precision. He stepped inside Odo's guard, his movements economical and deadly. With a sharp twist, disarmed Odo, the Jedi's saber flying from their grip.
Before Odo could react, Apophion's crimson blade slashed through the air, finding its mark with lethal efficiency. Odo fell, an expression of shock and pain written on their face. Imda, struggling to remain upright, made one last attempt to strike, but Apophion was already upon the fool. A swift, decisive thrust ended Imda's resistance, the Jedi Knight crumpling to the ground. He struck both down before Ran could intervene, both falling quickly to his merciless blade work.
Darth Apophion stood amidst the fallen bodies of Master Odo and Jedi Knight Imda Hoal, his vermillion saber casting an eerie glow in the twilight of Jakku. His gaze fell upon Ran and her green lightsaber. He stepped forward, his presence a suffocating shroud of darkness, and spoke, his voice resonant and cold, echoing through the desolate square.
"Look around you, Jedi. Your comrades lie defeated at my feet, their light extinguished by the darkness you so naively thought you could conquer. This pilgrimage, this futile quest for peace and salvation, ends here. You cannot protect them, nor can you protect yourself."
He began to circle her, his movements slow and deliberate, each step a reminder of his dominance. His eyes never left hers, piercing through her resolve like daggers.