The Dragon Within

[Akhilleus]

There are people out there with power, the power to change history. Most of them sat on their lofty thrones lording above others or basking in the prestige their abilities gave them. Of course the first beings that came to mind for Akhilleus when such thoughts crossed his mind were the Sith. How they took pleasure in massacring thousands, destroying the worlds of the innocent. However, Akhilleus wasn’t a saint either. He was not a jedi, it wasn’t his duty to take care of the trillions that lived in the galaxy. The only true task Akhilleus had was to himself, and to the destruction of the Sith. It was what Nikias had wanted and the young Hellyni planned on carrying out his brothers wishes and revenge. Yet one being did not have the power to take on the Sith alone.

Akhilleus’ first thoughts had been to reach out to those that had once inhabited the Crimson Lotus or Dark jedi order as it went by in more recent times. However, on second thought they were just as dead as the Crimson Lotus or fallen back into the shadows. Even then those that had been a part of it, at least most of them had carried on with their lives and seemed to be somewhat happy. Plus, who would throw in their lot with the kid brother of Nikias? Scoffing to himself Akhilleus leaned back in the seat the soft squeak of leather emphasizing his motion. For once he had forgone the Doombringer armor for this mission. While it was fraught with danger he needed some freedom from the suit. Akhilleus had nearly spent all his time in the accursed suit since he had left Hora. It was the best way to cover his identity as Nikias’ younger brother, and his heritage as a Hellyni. Even after joining the Sanctum, Akhilleus still had no one he could trust on this job. If he told the members of the Sanctum what he was truly doing, they may even turn on him. Or exile the young Hellyni.

In Akhilleus’ lap sat a thick journal written in the Sith language open wide for all to see. Good thing there was no one else on the shuttle with him… At least no organic being. There were always the droids tasked with piloting the shuttle. The wickedly sharp and curved symbols being the alphabet of the sith were near impossible to understand luckily a decipher code on the left hand side. This book had been Nikias’ during his time of possessing the Syn talisman and in it were notes on how too ready and speak the Sith language. In the later days of his time spent with the Syn talisman, Nikias had been confined to his personal chambers for days at a time writing in the journal. With his premature death it was Akhilleus’ turn to pick up the studying. Inside of it were complex diagrams and pictures of beasts that would come out of a young ones’ nightmares. Giant serpents with rows of sharp teeth, beetles that could spit out fire… It was true the memories of the talisman had been getting to Nikias in his later days. There were even journal entries under names that were obviously not Hellyni. “I’m sorry I was too weak to help you.” Akhilleus whispered pulling out a few loose pieces of flimsi from within the folds of the book before shutting it.

 

[Akhilleus]

The pieces of flimsy were all incredibly worn and crinkled stains of yellow around the edges showing their age. These had been Akhilleus’ own doing, well at least the gathering part of them was. The notes were also written in the ancient sith language, age dulling the pages and causing some words to fade. The pages had the faint scent of musk and mold. Holding the first page up to the light Akhilleus began reading the inscription. “Some are brought to the darkside through deception, or force. However, there are those that fall willingly and accept the power it offers.” Akhilleus said squinting his eyes. Beneath the words were the navigation coordinates to the planet Yavin V. It was the fifth time Akhilleus had read the pages since he had left the Mandalorian Crusader’s territory heading for the Mandalorian clans. Guess it was good he had chosen to go it alone, one person sneaking across their planets would probably go unnoticed, but a group would easily draw the attention and wraith of the Mando’s. Considering their current disposition to attacking the Republic, Akhilleus didn’t feel like drawing their attention.

Without further information besides vague quotes Akhilleus decided to access the database of his ship. There was one good thing that came from joining the Silver Sanctum and it was their collective knowledge on the planet Yavin. It was actually their database that allowed Akhilleus to know what planet he was going to. Still being somewhat new to exploring the galaxy everything was new to the young Hellyni. Was this how Nikias felt? Akhilleus thought scrolling through the history on Yavin but there were far too many gaps in its history for him to piece together the quotes from the flimsi and the history of the planet. It didn’t seem like the being the quotes spoke of was from the current times so anything within the last century or two were useless to him. This fek is for the scholars. Akhilleus thought hands rising to his temples where he massaged them hoping he could at least stop the headache that was beginning to form. How many days have I spent doing this? Hands now in his hair and running through it the Hellyni heaved another sigh. One would think that spending all your time in the lower dungeons of your own castle and secluded away would’ve made him a scholar. But it was quite the opposite, now that he was free with an entire galaxy out there to explore Akhilleus didn’t see the point of staying in a library and studying.

 

[Akhilleus]

The sound of klaxons activating drew Akhilleus from his ponderings and drawing his attention up to the view screen and in an instant the streaks of stars faded and the shuttle entered real space. Before them sit the jungle moon, from a distance the planet looked almost calm reminding Akhillius of the moon Dxun. The two couldn’t have been more different however, while Yavin IV was a dangerous planet in its own right Dxun was a deathtrap. Everything in the jungles of Dxun was out to kill whoever was unfortunate enough to find themselves on the moon. At least on Yavin there were some peaceful species. There were no signs of Mandalorian ships or even a station to have to check in. That was good, less of a chance that he’d have to run into one of them when on the surface. Even then with most of the surface being jungle it would be near impossible for them to track Akhilleus. “Take us down Dee-five.” Akhilleus said to the protocol droid piloting the vessel.

“Are you sure sir? My records show that Yavin is-“ The chrome plated droid started.

Rolling his eyes Akhilleus rested his head in the palm of his hands. Dee-five was a droid he had purchased along with the vessel. Looking back the Hellyni began to understand why the man had been so eager to get rid of the droid. Over the weeks Akhilleus had spent traveling from planet to planet gathering clues on ancient Sith and deciphering their works the droid had chastised or cautioned him. He had to disable Dee-five and pilot the ship himself to Dxun just to get some peace and quiet. “I know the risks Dee-five, I’ve already come to terms with them. I’ll be fine.”

“How do you know sir?” Turning away from its flight path to look at its new owner Akhilleus could’ve sworn that the droid seemed worried. “I’d hate to see harm come to you my lord.”

It was always a curious thing how most droids felt an attachment to their master. Dee-five had only been with Akhilleus for a few months and was already calling him lord and master. Those words were not fitting in Akhilleus’ mind. While a king, he’d rather spend his time meditating and away from the public. While a knight, he was not yet a master. Those titles should’ve been Nikias’ not his. A rule that had been cut too short by the ambitions of one Sith Lord. Hand tightening into a fist Akhilleus remembered the name all too clearly. “Haytham.” He growled out golden eyes looking at Yavin but not focusing on it. No, Akhilleus was focusing on the face that had been described to him. The name that had been given, along with his Sith name which had been provided by Joza Perl.

Now this Sith was a lord, or at least considered himself one. Akhilleus would show him the error of that thinking. He would be the one to bend and break Haytham. Make him beg for mercy and even then Akhilleus would give no quarter.

 

[Akhilleus]

“Master?” Dee-Five asked his voice carrying a tone of worry.

“I’m fine Dee-Five. Was just thinking about something.” Plugging his datapad into the terminal Akhilleus uploaded the coordinates that led to the rendezvous where him and a local treasure hunter were supposed to convene. His services came highly recommended among smugglers and other such less than savory individuals. That either spoke magnitudes about his skill, or people were pulling Akhilleus leg. If they were he’d be sure to pay them a second visit.

“Are you sure about meeting with this Jeeno character? I have never in all my years heard of such a treasure hunter. I bet he doesn’t even know what true treasure is. The Alderaan Refugees piece, now that is real treasure. Bet he deals in nothing but petty artifacts instead of the higher things in life.”

“Those petty artifacts are what I care about. If I want paintings I have artists on my world. If I want a monument built, we have architects. So on and so forth. No one on my world can do what this Jeeno can. They cannot offer me enough power to take on a Sith Lord and all his minions. Only these petty artifacts can.”

“I meant no offense by my statement sir.” Head tilting to the floor Dee-five turned back to piloting the shuttle.

This is a sensitive one. Akhilleus thought so to cheer the droid up he patted its curved cranium. “Don’t worry I’m not upset, I simply informed you to why I need this treasure hunter… How about after this trip we go to Alderaan and take a look at that painting? Even if it’s a holo its better than nothing.”

“Do you mean it my lord?”

“Of course! If nothing else I am a man of my word.” Voice filled with false cheer Akhilleus offered the droid a smile. In his heart he felt anything but happy, when was the last time the Hellyni had truly laughed? Enjoyed a drink? When was the last time his mind wasn’t focused on revenge or hunting Sith artifacts?

Akhilleus remembered the days before his light had died. He remembered his innocence and joy. That was when his father had died and Nikias ascended to the throne. Only then was Akhilleus accepted into the family. Even trained in the ways of the force. Akhilleus was the only true friend he had and was everything Akhilleus had wished for. Even now he felt as though Nikias was watching him, still teaching him. From the corner of his eye a tear traced itself down the Hellyni’s tan cheek.

Turning before the droid noticed it Akhilleus wiped at his eye furiously trying to stop the tears from welling up. Those emotions were pushed back from whence they came. His emotions didn’t control him, he was the one who controlled them. They were his to call upon when he needed more power, when simply letting the force flow through him wasn’t enough.

 

[Akhilleus]

The shuttle jerked and began rattling as it entered Yavin IV’s atmosphere. They had finally arrived and it coasted over the vast tree canopies. One misstep and the ship could be destroyed by hitting one of the thick branches. They were flying over the landscape so fast the trees blurred by. “Scan the rendezvous, I want to ensure there’s no trap waiting and that Jeeno is there." In all honesty Akhilleus was running an hour late for the meeting. But if Jeeno wanted his credits he would wait. Akhilleus had offered over a hundred thousand credits if Jeeno was successful. If he wasn’t, well he wouldn’t even get a quarter of it. His retainers fee was already ludicrous anywhere except in the outer rim.

“Scans come back showing half a dozen lifeforms in the area Master.” Do you still wish to proceed as planned?”

“Of course I do, it’s probably just his crew. These type of jobs often require more than one person. Besides just hunting the artifacts you’ll need someone there just in case things go south. I imagine they often do, if he procures Sith artifacts as occasionally as he proclaims. Even then you need people familiar with the environment and history of the planet you’re raiding, a translator, ect…”

“Aw.” Finally understanding Dee-five brought the ship above the clearing before lowering to the ground. Akhilleus didn’t wait in the cockpit to see the process, instead he moved to the cargo bay where he had already opened the hatchway. Wind whipped up and into his face pushing back his black and crimson hair. Eyes squinting against it Akhilleus got the perfect view of the campsite. Down below six figured milled about doing their jobs. Tents were already set and gear was being moved about and activated. Seemed that Jeeno and his crew were professional. They were even creating defensive encampments. Turrets placed on the very fringes of the camp. The ship was still ten meters in the sky when Akhilleus took the step off the ramp. Plunging down to the surface wind whistled in the Hellyni’s ears. The treasure hunters looked up at the falling figure shock apparent in their eyes and faces.

The fall would’ve been dangerous for many but before he met the ground Akhilleus latched onto his own being with the force and slowed his progress till his feet lightly tapped against the grass. Getting over their shock the crew moved out the way as a large and overweight man made his way to the front. His belly stuck out a bit from beneath the tan button up. His pants matched the outfit and upon his head was a wide-brimmed hat. He’s been watching too many of those holodrama’s. That was the simplest way to explain the hunters’ appearance. Cheeks rosy red and sweat upon his brow and collar the treasure hunter extended a meaty hand.

 

[Akhilleus]

“Aw you must be Myrn! I’ve heard so much about you and your abilities. I guess sometimes the rumors do live up to the actual figure. Jeeno at your service.”

Taking the hand Akhilleus pumped it twice before releasing it. Myrn was simply an alias he used when searching for Sith artifacts or conducting business outside his homeworld. The Hellyni’s world had been deleted from the database and there was no reason to draw more attention to them than Akhilleus’ brother already had. “Pleasure.” Jeeno’s employees had already returned to their tasks leaving the two alone. “Your services came highly recommended. I assume you have someone in your employ that can read the Sith language and is familiar with this planet and its history?” Akhilleus asked holding up the journal.

Behind him the shuttle finally touched down with a whoosh and powered down. “Aw yes right this way, I’ll show you to our historian. He really gets into it, once we had to practically drag him from a temple on Drommund Kaas.” Jeeno said with a chuckle. Walking to Akhilleus he’d drape an arm over the hellyni’s shoulders and steer him to a tent in the center of the camp.

“Wait for me master!” Dee-five wailed. He came wadding out the ship a bottle of oil in his hands and a wide brimmed hat of his own. Was the droid thinking they were on the beach and it was sunbathing. When was the last time its memory had been deleted? It was something Akhilleus would have to look into before it got out of hand.

“So where did you acquire that journal?” Jeeno asked eyeing it a glint in those beady eyes.

“The journal was from my brother as a way to teach me the Sith language, but I have not yet fully learned it. The flimsy and other information I gathered was from numerous other sources. Perhaps we can discuss them after the job is completed.”

“Yes we should, I’ll even offer you a discount for such information. It’s a relief to know someone actually does the gathering of information on their own. Many that hire me expect me and my men to not only find the sources but also fact check it, then hunt for their artifacts. But eh it’s a living a good one at that.”

“Indeed.” Ducking into the tent Akhilleus saw a Draethos sitting in a chair three different terminal screens in front of him. All written in a language that the Hellyni couldn’t even begin to comprehend.

“This is Teron, he is the one that will tell you whatever you need to know about those pages you acquired. He’s a savant when it comes to other languages and historical facts. I’d say he’s better than a protocol droid.”

“I resent that statement!” Dee-five said as he waddled into the room photoreceptors switching between the Draethos and Jeeno.
“He meanz no harmz behindz itz.” The Draethos said every word coming out as a lisp. It was to be expected, the Draethos lacked a bottom jaw which would of course make speaking difficult. In truth it was slightly off putting to the Hellyni.

 

[Akhilleus]

“I hope not! My master will not stand for the mistreating of me. We will cancel this dealing now if such insults continue.” Dee-five said its vocolator sounding as though it was a hundred percent positive that Akhilleus would take its side in this matter.

Head tilting slightly to the side Akhilleus simply looked at the droid completely baffled. He had been suckered into purchasing the accursed thing. The droid was crazier than a hawk bat. “Dee-five go to the ship and run a sensor scan on the entire area and see what lifeforms you pick up. You spoke of the danger this place posed, I want you to be the one to watch out for it.” This was simply a lie. Akhilleus wasn’t worried about whatever wildlife deemed to attack the camp, they would all meet a swift end and still have to make their way past the turrets.

“Bu-“ Jeeno said but with a glance from Akhilleus he understood and shook his head. “Aw yes I’m sure your ship’s sensors are better than ours and we didn’t do such scans.”

“How could you be so careless?” Dee-five asked Jeeno the same way a mother would talk down to a child. “You endanger not only my own but my master’s life with such mistakes. I will do as you say master.” With a slight bow Dee-five waddled off mumbling to itself about careless treasure hunters and about canceling the meeting. For the second time within an hour Akhilleus had to rest his head in his palm.

“Seems like you have quite the handful on you.” Releasing a big laugh he waved his hand. Everything was ok. It was obvious that Akhilleus didn’t agree with the droids’ sentiments. “Some of them are just that way, don’t worry about it.” Jeeno said.

“Ifz you don’tz mindz can I seez the pagez.” Teron asked its hand reaching out to Akhilleus.

Instead of handing over the entire journal Akhilleus simply handed over the pages that specifically mentioned Yavin and had to do with their current mission. He didn’t need them prying into the journal and who had been its creator or why Akhilleus had it.

Looking at it Teron turned to the terminals sitting the flimsi in a clamp that held it up before him. “Some are brought to the darkside through deception, or force. However, there are those that fall willingly and accept the power it offers.” Teron said reading the opening line of the pages. “There was one that was always drawn to the dark his own ego the driving force behind his descent. The apprentice of an apprentice to a great Sith Lord. One so powerful he could destroy a star.” Stopping Teron looked back to Akhileus. “Where didz youz findz thesez pagez?”

 

[Akhilleus]

“The ones I hired said they had acquired it from a local merchant.” Of course acquired meant stole, and merchant meant they had robbed a wealthy individual for the pages. It was of no consequence, the pages were now in Akhilleus’ hands and belonged to him. They would’ve simply been put to waste in the home of some overly rich beuracrat that only toyed with the force instead of mastering it.

“Hmmz.” Hands flying over the keyboard it sounded more like Teron was hitting the keyboard as he typed. His fingers moving dexterously across the entire keyboard and hard to follow. Looking down at the pages constantly and back up to the terminals he began cross referencing history from the local holonet and a secure harddrive that sit on the desk next to him.

“Teron comes from before the great purge.” Jeeno whispered to not break his associates concentration. “That’s why I love him so much, he has information that has become a windfall for us in many situations.”

“Amazing.” Akhilleus said, he would’ve thought it a lie as he looked at Terron.

“Yea, force willing he’ll end up living longer than even my grandkids.”

“Finishedz!” Terron said with three final taps he hit a large key and all three terminals flashed with long pages of text. Cross examining the information all three of them examined the terminals.

“Who’s Exar Kun?” Akhilleus asked looking down at the Terron.

“How the feth do you not know of Exar Kun?!” Jeeno shouted a look of disbelief on his face. “Even I know about him. One of the greatest jedi and Sith of all time and powerful. He was said to have even survived the destruction of his body.”

“My associatez is rightz. A greatz Sithz Lord he waz. A gauntletz he obtained. Grantz power it does.” Terron said looking through the information. “This moon was where he died, after draining the lifeforce of an ancient species.”

“So its this gauntlet we’re looking for?”

Nodding his head Terron continued. “He did have a temple built in his honor, but that was not the true place of his death. If I’m correct he will be in one of the ancient temples once owned by the Master who destroyed stars.” Typing once more Terron delved into the information stream of the holonet, underground sources and his own harddrive from long before. “Nagaz Sadowz waz hiz namez, an ancient Sithz even older thanz Kun. Thiz waz the moonz he retreated to after hiz defeatz at Emprezz Tetaz. I’ll push the coordinatez to your datapadz so you can get movingz.”

“Wow.” There was a new glint in Jeeno’s eyes. It worried Akhilleus as he knew it all too well. It was the glint of greed, he’d seen it in the eyes of many politicians on his homeworld and in his own father’s eyes. Terron on the other hand was just happy with the information provided before him. “Do youz mindz if I’z keepz these?”

“No you gave me the information I needed, you’re more than welcome to keep them. They’re useless to me now. So Jeeno, can you muster your people and get ready to move out? Or am I going it alone.

Shaking his head wildly. “No we’ll be ready in less than ten.”

 

[Akhilleus]

Jeeno must’ve been more excited for the artifact hunt than even Akhilleus. He had said everything would be ready to go in ten minutes but in five minutes they were already walking out the camp. Three of the men under Jeeno’s employ accompanied the group, one of them being Terron who said he’d like a chance to see the Massassi temples for himself. The other two were mercenaries one carrying a rotary gun and the other a slugthrower. Even Jeeno had come armed, though it was with only two blaster pistols. “Is this amount of weaponry common for you on such assignments?” Akhilleus asked Jeeno and looking over at the mercenary carrying the rotary gun.

“Hmm? Oh no, on more civilized planets we wouldn’t bring such things with us. But this is the kriffing jungle and as I’m sure you know humans aren’t at the top of the food chain in places like here. Hell I’d say we’re dang near at the bottom.” Hand waving Jeeno batted at the numerous small bugs that swarmed at his face thirty for the large man’s blood. The same could be said for the other mercenaries. Terron was carefree as he had the sense to use bug spray before they had left the camp. Akhilleus simply used the force to keep them away. Formed around the dark jedi was a field of telekinetic energy that whenever a bug tried to touch simply rebounded away.

The forest of Yavin was incredibly dark in comparison to the ones Akhilleus had seen. The canopy was so thick very few thin beams were able to break through lighting the area before them. “What was your biggest job?” Akhilleus asked Jeeno hoping that the talking would make the entire process of walking go faster. They should’ve taken a speeder or at least one of the ships but they had shot down those suggestions. They were too fearful that there would be no other place to land and they hadn’t brought a speeder.

“Hmm… The last big job I remember was hunting some thick tome. Of course I won’t say for who. That’s between me and them. The tome was being kept in a local museum so we had to break in and take it. The payment was worth it of course. Two hundred big ones. We didn’t have to take a job for about three months after that.”

“So you even resort to theft if the job calls for it?”

“Listen we all have to work and make our credits. What I did was simply procuring an object for a client. Not like the museum knows the difference from the replica we placed in there. So no one was hurt in the end and both sides win.”

A Hutt would love his thinking. Akhilleus thought. He wouldn’t say anything more to Jeeno about the more illegal activities of his job. Mainly because he didn’t care and because they still had a job before them. He doubted he’d need Jeeno for anything else after this so the two wouldn’t be meeting again.

 

[Akhilleus]

“There it iz!” Terron shouted a long digit pointing through the tree line where above it the tip of a pyramid could be seen.

“How do you know it’s not one of the other blasted three we passed?! They all look alike.” Jeeno chastised the heat obviously getting to him. The sweat that had been around his collar had now extended to his back leaving large wet marks. Akhilleus was also sweating but nowhere near the amount of the treasure hunter.

“I knowz from the crestz on the pyramidz.”

“You better be right about this. I’m half tempted to go back to the ship. What I wouldn’t do for a glass of blue milk.” Pulling out his canteen he took three long gulps water leaking from the sides of his mouth and down his neck. “Lets move boys! If we can get this done by the end of the day Nerf steaks on me!”

Once again moving out the mercenaries took up positions to both the left and right their weapons at the ready and Akhilleus at the end keeping an eye out for anything that tried to come from behind. “Did those notes mention anything about traps or anything we should be look out for?”

“Noz.” The tone in Terron’s voice said it all. He didn’t know what to expect either but at least he wasn’t cowering like some infochants in the galaxy. Terron was perfectly fine being in the frontlines. Probably a trait of his people.

“Aw poodoo! Traps don’t matter, we brought enough detonite to level a skyscraper if we felt like it. You know what they say, why go through when you can blow your way around!?” The closer they got to the more the forest began to thin out. The trees began to look sickly no longer having brown bark but sickly gray. No longer did they carry leaves and their branches hung limp. Even the ground appeared to have been drawn of its life. The ground was simply gray dirt that the group marched over.

“What happened here?” Akhilleus asked as they finally exited the last remnants of the jungle and came to the base of the temple. It was at least ten stories tall and that was only going by appearances from the outside. But the grounds around the temple were devoid of life, even the bugs didn’t dare come that close to the temple.

“Ancient Sith ritualz.” Kneeling Terron rubbed his hand against portions of the wall.

“What are you looking for?” Jeeno asked moving closer to the wall and leaning against it.

“Foz the entrancez. Not apparentz are theyz.” Joining in on the search Jeeno behind rubbing his hand up and down the walls looking for any hidden panels and such. Hand rubbing across a rune with three distinct letters. Pressing it the temple wall began to shake, dust fell free and the smell of mold became even stronger. Opening up a door revealed the inner chambers of the temple.

 

[Akhilleus]

The temple door welcomed them all in and inside what they were graced with was the site of yet another pyramid inside the temple. But this one was more of a monument and from it hung thick manacles. The thing about the inner sanctum was that everything seemed dead. Not dead in the sense of no one being there or how you consider an event to be dead. No like actually dead, the color even seemed to be drained. The air had no stench, there was no sign of mold. Akhilleus instantly felt sick to his stomach the color draining from his face. His knees grew weak and he couldn’t breathe. Mouth gaping like a fish he fell to his knees a hand clutching his chest. This place was also dead to the force and walking into it Akhilleus felt like he himself was dying. The others had to have felt it as Terron fell to his knees coughing along with the mercenaries.

They were visibly growing thin and their faces drawn. “What the kriff is this?” Jeeno coughed out his head literally rolling around.

“Ancient ritualz! ITz killingz us!” Terron said turning to crawl out of the temple. However, at the base of the monument Akhilleus saw something glinting gold and red. The only thing of color within the entire chamber. He had to literally squint his eyes to get a better look at it. The gauntlet and shoulder pauldron both looked as though they were brand new. How long had they been here?

“Get out! Now!” Akhilleus screamed as he began crawling to the item. He couldn’t even use his knees, the Hellyni lay prone dragging himself with his arms. Each pull made his muscles scream their disapproval but he couldn’t stop now. Feeling his chest heave Akhilleus coughed spittle and blood flying from between his lips. The temple was actually killing him.

“He’s insane!” Jeeno coughed as him and his people made their way for the exit. “Come on! Before its too late!”

“You will not doubt me!” Akhilleus tried to scream but found that now not even his voice worked. After what felt like hours but had only been seconds his hand latched around the chain connecting the gauntlet and pauldron. Just from merely touching the amulet Akhilleus felt something well up in him. It was a pain and rage like he had never felt before and with it an overwhelming dark aura. The amulet was probably the only thing that kept Akhilleus from flopping over dead where he was. It had even given him enough strength to stand to his feet.

His body protested but the new dark power fed him. The rage it brought to his heart pushed him further, he felt… Unstoppable. Walking through the entrance Akhilleus felt the force finally surge back into his body completely and with it came a newfound surge of power offered by the gauntlet. It felt, unreal, like the best high anyone could ask for. But along with it came the rage stronger than ever. Memories of his mistreatment as a child, the death of his brother. His hatred of the Sith it all came flooding into Akhilleus. Head rising to his head Akhilleus fought the dragon within himself. Nikias had prepared him for this day, their mental immunity aided them in such endeavors but even that wasn’t enough to fight off the talisman completely. I control the rage, it does not control me. Akhilleus told himself. He imagined the dragon being trapped in a cage deep within himself behind numerous barriers.

 

[Akhilleus]

“Um… You alright?” Jeeno said getting closer to akhilleus but stopping when the Hellyni opened his eyes. The golden glow was brighter than ever almost pupiless.

“Better than I’ve ever been, this… This is what we came for.” Akhilleus said holding up the gauntlet for them all to see.

“Its magnificent.” Jeeno said reaching out for it as though he had some claim to what Akhilleus had acquired.

Snatching it back the dark jedi eyed Jeeno. “You helped me acquire it and you shall be paid the moment we reach camp. But the amulet stays with me.” With a hint of finality Akhilleus latched it on and placed the gauntlet on.

“No kid… What you’re paying us isn’t worth that gauntlet! I want the gauntlet.” There was a brand new greed in Jeeno’s eyes as he looked at the artifact as though it was calling to him. The mercenaries did the same leveling their weapons at Akhilleus.

Torren was the only one who didn’t look at Akhilleus with the greed of the common men that stood before him. They were nothing. They were scum, they didn’t even deserve to be killed by his hand but Akhilleus would indulge them. “So its betrayal then?” He asked. In an instant Akhilleus lashed out with his right hand and from within his cloak his saber flew sprouting an orange blade. Not grabbing it he controlled the weapon as it hummed through the air to slice the front half off the rotary gun before it could even fire. Then with his left he lashed out with a force push that carried enough force to lift the mercenary up and into the temple wall. There was a sickening crunch as all his bones were shattered and his organs destroyed. The Hellyni still wasn’t done as the lightsaber returned to his waiting palm.

With an assurance he had never felt before Akhilleus altered the blades plane, angling it downwards he deflected Jeeno’s first blaster bolt off and into the chest of the remaining mercenary. The next two back at his own pistols and the last through the center of his head. In an instant what could’ve been a peaceful exchange had led to the deaths of three others. Him next! The dragon screamed from within. It had just had its first taste of blood in millennia. It wanted more.

Terron looked up as though knowing what was coming and began scooting away. Akhilleus only a step behind till he stood over the shivering Draethos. Saber still activated and singing its lethal song the Hellyni looked down at Terron before deactivating it and holding out his hand.