Talonex Kain-Mandalore

Count Talonex

-The White Wolf

-Apprentice Vrox (dead)

-Apprentice Haldrong

-Darth Atroxis (severed relations)

New Jedi Order era

Legacy era

Post-Legacy era

*note - some sections may be ambiguously cannon*

## **Biography**

"*Through Pain comes Passion,*

*Through Pain comes Strength,*

*Only through Strength I rise to Power,*

*With that Power, I gain an Advantage,*

*Advantages exploited, will lead to my Victory*

*I am Pain, I am the Dark Side, I am Finally Free"*

-*Talonex Kain-Mandalore*

## Chapter 1: Pain

It was a cold winter on Alderaan, the air was fresh even in the darkest of places. A brutal war raged across the galaxy. The Jedi were fighting to the last against the Mandalorian Crusaders, the blood of warriors stained the battlefields. While on the other side of the galaxy, far from the war, a baby was born. A baby with beautiful blue eyes and white hair. It was dark and wet in the barn, no place for a child. one candle illuminated the room. A Person born in the darkness, who only knows darkness could only be molded into pure strength. Long yearning for the freedom from darkness that drowns them like the sea. Many can’t rise above, it is just too hard. This is the story of a man born into slavery and claws his way to freedom and finally realizes that only in the darkness we gain strength.

Her name was Nadva Kain, a servant of House Cortess. The Royal family forced her to give birth in the barn next to the animals. The smell made some vomit, others believed that the child would become ill and die in these conditions. After hours of pain, a small baby boy was laid into her arms. She loved her baby boy, but began to cry when she remembered the life that he would live. She did everything to keep him out of servitude with no success. The happiest time of her life was when he was born. Sadly, her happiness was cut short. The worries of infection were realized, shortly after her son's birth she developed an infection from giving birth in those horrible conditions. She died three days later. Only holding her baby boy for a few hours before she couldn't go near him.

Her husband Aenar hatred for the royals grew, he was a slave from the moment he was sold to House Cortess by the hutts. It wasn't until he had to bury the love of his life in an unmarked grave that he just gave up all hope. The royals treated their slaves like animals while they gorge their fat mouths, they would be lucky to get some bread let alone a steak. Nadva and Aenar never considered any names for her baby boy, knowing that children of slaves don't live long. Aenar didn’t name his son until he was three years old. Aenar named his son after his grandfather Talon. From that moment on, the slave with no name was named Talonex. . . after his grandfather.

When Talonex was barely able to walk he was put into service. If he fell he got up, he didn't like the feeling of the cold marble floor. Sometimes Talonex couldn't get back up and was beaten for his Defiance. Over time and a lot of abuse from his “masters”, he learned to work hard. Aenar noticed a particular change in his son. Talonex could tell when things were about to happen. Grabbing stuff inches from the ground when they fell. Knowing someone was going to enter a room before they entered it. Things would move around their quarters while he was asleep. Aenar knew that his son started to develop Force Abilities. When Aenar confronted Talonex about it, Aenar told Talonex to suppress it, to hide it from the galaxy or he would become the personal butcher of the lord. Killing opponents in an arena for the lord's amusement.

When Talonex was twelve, his father had died, Beaten to death by the lord of the House in a drunken rage. All because my father missed a spot on the carpet. Talonex always hated Cortess for the death of his mother, but it wasn't until his father died that he realized just how far Talonex was only 12 years old and with millions of planets in the galaxy and all the star systems, he felt truly alone.

Six months had passed, Talonex fell into a deep depression over the death of his father. When his masters beat him, Talonex showed no emotion. He was surprised that he could feel anything at. The Lady of House Cortess decided to adopt Talonex out of pity and regret for what her husband did to his family, but even with the adoption, Talonex was nothing to them. The Lord was still a blubbering drunk as he has always been and abused Talonex daily. With all the pain Talonex had endured over his life, Talonex never showed my powers, even to defend himself or his father. His hatred just built up like a pot ready to boil over.

 The Lady saw to his education, she didn’t want a stupid member of the family. Talonex started learning at fourteen, He was years behind the other boys and girls. Learning to read and write at 14 instead of 4. The other children made fun of him, bullied him, they called Talonex names like an idiot, retard, Bastard son and worst of all Slave. Years of abuse and he was done, At 16 Talonex requested to stay home and do chores instead of going to school. When the Lord asked why, Talonex stated “I don’t want to go, Everyone thinks I’m stupid and I haven't been able to learn anything”. Lord Cortess took this as an insult, he proceeded to beat Talonex until the floor was covered in his blood, then he ordered Talonex to clean it up. The Lady of the house watched as her husband beat Talonex into the floor. The Lord broke Talonex’s nose and dislocated his jaw.

After he was satisfied and stopped the Lady ran in to take me to a medical droid. The last thing Talonex saw that day was a group of droids surrounding him, at that moment he was scared of death. Death hung over Talonex like an animal about to leap in for the kill. Talonex awakened three days later with a pounding headache, it felt like someone was sticking a knife through his forehead. Talonex grabbed my forehead in pain. Suddenly a soft voice spoke out “please give him something for the pain” a droid came over to him and gave me a shot. I turned my head as far as I could, it was the Lady “I stayed by your side for three days while you recovered”. Surprised by the kindness  Talonex said “why?”. She looked at me puzzled “you are my son, not my blood but my son nonetheless”. I turned away from her “no one cares about me here; If I had died no one would have batted an eye.'' Lady Cortess put her hand on my shoulder “I care, your family's deaths should have never happened”.

The Tension in the room could be cut with a knife. Talonex just looked at the ceiling and began to tear up. “Leave,” Talonex yelled out, the sadness in his voice was covered by his anger “Just Leave”. Lady Cortess’s head dropped ever so slightly. With a sigh The lady got up and left the room. The door slammed shut with the sound of metal hitting metal, but by that point Talonex couldn't hold it in anymore and broke out into tears. Talonex missed his family and it was Cortess’s fault they're gone. “I wish you were still here, dad” Talonex whispered  He would have never let the lords treat me this way, even if it cost him his life. It took weeks for Talonex to recover, he could hear yelling outside the door. The lord wanted me back to work, but the lady always told him “no”.

 The pain began to subside slowly, over the weeks following the lord's attack. It wasn't until the fourth week that Talonex could get out of bed and walk around the palace. Talonex was still sore from his injuries. Trying to avoid the lord at all cost, he was still in a great deal of pain. Talonex just wanted to get somewhere to hide and rest where the lord couldn't find him. The avoidance would not last though, palace guards found me lurking around. Beating me because they believed him an intruder. They took Talonex before the Lord of the house. Talonex was put right back to servitude, the lord saying “If you can stand, you can work” The lord sent him to clean the animal pens.

After my chores in the animal pens, Talonex decided to take a walk out through the fields, he always liked the green pastures and the animals grazing in the distance it always calmed his rage. Talonex was walking through the fields dreaming of leaving the planet for good, leaving a life of servitude behind for one of freedom. when I heard screaming. It was a girl trying to ride one of the nerf’s, the animal was freaking out and she didn't know what to do.  I started to run through the tall grass to help her. Luckily it was one of the Lord’s domesticated animals. I calmed the animal and she jumped off falling to the ground. I extended my arm so he could help her up off the ground. Her skin was hard and of course she was a laborer. “You should be more careful,'' I said “the animal's fur roughed up your hands. She looked up at me, the bright blue eyes hid the sadness in her heart. “My name is Vex,” she said, “I’m a Servant for House Thul. I'm Sorry I was riding your animals my lord.” Talonex looked at her with confusion, my lord. Did she think I was actually royalty? “No, you’re fine, but i'm not a lord. I work in the stables for Lord Cotress”

Talonex was taken aback by the beauty he saw in her eyes. “Your eyes remind me of the river that runs along the palace. A beautiful, peaceful place. Her cheeks turned a light pink as she looked down and smiled. “Thank you, you're the first person in years that treated me like a person. She looked back up to Talonex. Their eyes meeting, they stared into each other's eyes as if they were staring into the void of space.  In her eyes Talonex finally felt emotional. Vex looked at the horizon “I, I need to get back to the palace before they notice I'm gone.” she said, turning her back to Talonex. Talonex reached out for her hand “Will I ever see you again?” he said. She turned back to him putting her hand on Talonex’s cheek. “Meet me by the river tonight” Her hand fell off his face as if a raindrop slid down a window. She slowly looked down and ran away, back to the royal palace of House Thul.

Later that night Talonex left the stables for the river. No one came out to the stables so they would not have noticed he left. The moon at its highest lit his way to the river. The moon reflects off its cool waters like glass. Talonex, waiting for Vex picked up a stone so he could skip rocks across the river. Talonex gripped it in his hand and threw the rock across the river. Instead of skipping however, the rock sank immediately “guess i'm not as good as I thought I was” In that moment The ripples in the water began to rest, as ve approached the river. The water reflecting her red hair and pale skin. Talone raised his hand and waved to her. On different sides of the river Talonex would have to walk miles to get to the other side. Vex smiled at Talonex “you actually came,” she said. “Of course I did,” Talonex responded. Talonex began to take off his tattered shirt showing his slave markings down his chest, “What are you doing?” Vex asked. Talonex through his shirt on the ground and dived into the river.

Talonex began to swim to Vex. The river's current was slow, unusually slow for the summer days. Talonex crawled up the river bank and stood before Vex. She was wearing a long cloak in order to hide herself. She took off her cloak and wrapped it around his shoulders. She Felt his scars across his back as she covered Talonex. “So many scars” she said with sadness in her voice. “How long have you been a slave” Talonex looked away, ashamed of himself. “I’ve been a slave since the day I was born, put to service when I was three years old. I was branded with the Alderaanian slave markings at eleven.” Talonex walked to the treeline, finding a fallen tree to sit on. Talonex turned to Vex “What is your story?” he asked.

Vex looked to the river, and with a sigh, she began to speak. “I was Best friends with the Princess of House Thul, Childhood friends in fact. I was staying at the Thul Palaceone night when I got terrible news. That night there was a fire in the countryside. Raiders had set fire to my childhood home. My parents didn't make it out. I've been a servant of house Thul ever since. The Princess doesn't even look at me anymore. I'm stuck in servitude because of a debt I can never pay off.” Vex began to cry as memories of her past came flooding back to her. Talonex wrapped his arms around her “I’m sorry” he said. “I lost my family to, A long time ago” they sat there for over an hour until Talonex Knew he had to get back to the stables. Talonex stood up and wrapped Vex’s cloak back around her. “I need to get back. Can I see you again?” Vex looked up at him, with a happy tone she said. “Of Course, Meet me at the fields tomorrow night” Vex put her hood back on and Faded into the darkness.

Talonex and Vex would sneak out in the dead of night and meet in the fields or down by the river.  We would Stare up at the stars and dream of leaving this place, Finally being free. even the danger of the kilicks never kept them apart. We were in love and we loved each other as such. One night when the moon was at its highest I went out to the field like usual. Talonex was going to propose his love to her and ask for her hand in marriage.

Many hours had passed, the sun had started to rise. I was worried about what had happened to her. Why did she not show up? Talonex thought. With a sigh Talonex pulled himself to his feet and began to walk home. Throwing dirt onto his face to make it look as if he had worked all night. Grabbing a shovel Talonex began to clean the pens. In no time Talonex had worked the day. Suddenly he heard something coming out of the throne room. There was yelling and things breaking. I ran to the throne room to see what was the commotion. It was the Lord of House Thul, he was yelling at cortess about one of his children getting a Thul servant pregnant.  I ran out of the hallway into the throne room. Please tell me it’s not Vex Talonex though. His presence was sensed by Lord Thul, the Lord turned to Talonex  just by the sight of him, the Lord knew that Talonex was the slave that he was speaking of. The Look of fear and concern was plastered against Talonex’s face.

 “You’re right,” the Lord said “The Bitch was pregnant.” Talonex had a breif moment of happiness, He was going to be a father after all. Talonex dared not show his happiness to the lords. A silence fell over the room, a slight breathing sound from Lord thul is all talonex could hear. Lord Cortess looked down puzzled. Finally cortess broke the silence: “Wait, What do you mean was pregnant?” Thul turned to cortess with a smirk on his face “ I had her killed”. I fell to my knees. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, Talonex fell to his knees. this is all my fault. Cortess yelled at Thul how could you do this to two people who love each other. I’ve done many bad things in my life but that's not one of them. Lord Thul just laughed and walked out of the room. Cortess looked over to me with fury in his eyes. He said, “ you’re the reason she's dead. Now get up and get back to work. This total lack of empathy made the hatred in my soul boil over.  I knew that they had to die, all of them, and Thul would pay for what he did to Vex. But first, I’m going to kill cortess for all the pain he’s caused me.

One day while I was making the families supper I discovered the perfect way to get rid of them. I got some poisonous flowers out of the garden, like a woman they were beautiful but deadly. I ground it up in there food. As they ate I thought that they would finally pay for what they have done to my family. The children ate it without hesitation and so did the lady of the house. But the lord of the house did not he was to busy talking. His family began to die one by one. The lord freaked, he stomped over to me screaming “what did you do”  he yelled. I’m done being your servant I exclaimed. The lord looked in terror as he saw the wall crack behind me. He had found out I was force sensitive. He started to run for help, that was a mistake. My mother always told me to hide my abilities from the galaxy, that it wasn't safe for me. Not anymore I was finally taking control of my life. I pushed out my hand and threw the lord against the wall. The bang against the wall knocked him out. I dragged him to his thrown and dropped him at the foot of it. I sat on his throne and waited. When he came to he saw me sitting there he didn't notice I held a boulder 15 feet above his head. He was terrified, suddenly I robed man walked in. “what do you want,” I asked.

“Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you?” the figure said, “You're father hid you well.”  The Lord used the robed man as a distraction and tried to run away. He didn't get far before I noticed and threw the boulder on the ground. I reached out in a rage and threw him towards the wall snapping his neck on impact. The crack of his vertebrae echoed through the halls of house cortess. The robed man began to walk towards me, he stood taller than me but not by much. He leaned toward me and asked did that feel good, when you killed him. His presence was cold as soon as he walked in but it was as cold as hoth being this close. I muttered out “Yes, my parents always told me to hide my abilities”.

“They were right to do so,” the man said. “ A Mandalorian with force abilities are almost impossible”. The figure said calmly and with assurance. “Wait,” Talonex thought. I’m not a Mandalorian, I was born here on Alderaan. The figure stepped back and laughed “Ha,ha,ha!” he stopped laughing abruptly and looked at me, I could feel his eyes under his mask piercing my soul like a knife to the heart. “You were born here on Alderaan, but your family is part of the rarest Mandalorian bloodline in history”. I started to think. “Maybe this is why my parents wanted me to hide.” The man uttered “you are the last surviving blood descendant of Mandalore The First.

“Mandalore The First” I asked, the robed man said “Yes. You are technically royalty, the last heir to Mandalore. I’m going to train you to take that right and become who you are destined to be. But first you must claim House cortess as your own, he looked down at the dead lord, blood dripping down the wall. You will make all the other houses on this planet fear you and you we will start your training to defeat the current Mandalore and take the title for the royal bloodline.”

 “ Where do we start i asked”. I Asked stupidly, Then it came to me, GET RID OF THE DEAD BODY. No I got a better idea, I will Invite all the house leaders here to house Cortess and show them i'm taking over. “I need some rope,” with a smirk on my face I went out to the barn. (the halo channel went out, inviting all leaders of the houses over to house cortess for a banquet) the front doors locked. All the lords waited outside, squawking at each other like a pack of birds fighting over some food. The doors opened and revealed a dark room, the lords all entered cautiously.

“What is this” one of the lords exclaimed. The doors quickly shut leaving the lords in pitch black darkness. “You are here to witness my ascension,” I said calmly. The lights turned on and the lords watched in terror as Lord Cortess's blood dripped from his lifeless body. I Began to yell “ THIS WILL HAPPEN TO ANYBODY WHO DEFIES MY RIGHT TO THIS HOUSE, I AM THE LAST SURVIVING MEMBER OF THE HOUSE CORTESS!”. Talonex smirked at the lords before him “Last surviving,” one of the lords muttered “ What happened to the children of the house”. A silence fell over the room awaiting Talonex’s response “They all thought I was nothing, so I killed them all”. I said in a calm voice. One of the lords began to run at me yelling “YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!’ suddenly he stopped in his tracks, a black figure emerged from behind Talonex

“I made a new friend,” I said. “Now you can choose to obey and see me as rightful heir or you can die your choice”. The figures red catlike eyes pierced the darkness. “ will you all OBEY”. His voice echoed through the room. One by one the lords fell to their knees, one stood tall in defiance. “What is your name?“ I asked

 “Trell of House Organa,” He stated proudly. “We are protected by the republic and won’t bend the knee to an overzealous bo--”. Suddenly The dark figure reached out pulling the man’s neck into his hand.”the dark figure then spoke in a deep growl “You will...OBEY!” His hand squeezing around his neck crushing his windpipe killing him, Trell’s eyes become bloodshot from affixation. “ DO I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION NOW? ” I yelled. “ You answer to me now”. Then I thought to myself if this gets out I could become a target, “ You will answer me in the shadows and you all will look like you're in control of your houses, when in truth you all answer only to me. Rebellion will lead to your homes annihilation, don’t test my patience”. “Return to your homes and hope i don't wish you ill will.'' The lords got up stumbling over one another as they all fled out of the room.

I turned to the shadow figured “ what now?” I asked. The Shadow figure stated “Now that you have the other houses in fear, you must train. Your anger is a weapon, use it”. I thought to myself “ I'm ready, I've been using my anger this whole time” The shadow figure must've read my thoughts. The shadow figure reached out and slapped me across the room. “you're not ready, just there when you were talking to the other lords, you lost control. Your anger should fuel you but it should never explode”. Getting up after being pounded in a wall “what of it”. The shadows eyes pierced my soul. “The jedi wont think twice to use your anger against you and lead you into a trap, you are an arrogant and thoughtless boy, you must become more”.

I knelt in pain, “I pledge myself, to your teachings”. The shadow laughed “I will teach you a little but I will not be your master, I sense that job is for another”. I stand up and try to keep my bearings “ I… I don't recommend we stay here, we could get interrupted or besieged. What we need is a secret location to train and operate from the shadows”. There was a place that reminded me of Vex. We use to hide from our masters there in the night, no one ever found us. I spoke out “ I know a big place we can operate in the shadows and train. It is in the alderaanian mountains. '' The shadow figure seemed pleased, although I couldn't tell under the darkness of his face. “I will gather supplies from the manor and load them onto Cortess's ship” I cut myself off “No.. My ship”

A few hours went by and I had picked out the perfect ship a X-70b Phantom-class prototype the lord bought. The stealth capabilities will allow me to come and go as I please with no interruptions. I left most of the house where it is, besides the blood. I cleaned the home and instructed all the guards and servants to proceed as normal. I wouldn't want the other houses to think that the fear has gone. “I will holocall any and all servants, guards and droids with orders”.

The shadow figure entered my ship “All good ships have a nickname, What's yours?”. I thought to myself “The Phantom Stride”. The shadow figures head fell “ How original” he exclaimed. “I know where to go but I don't have any flight experience, I was practically a slave to Cortess”. The shadow figure flipped a few switches and the ship roared to life. “no time like the present, take the controls”. Hesitant I said “are… are you sure, i wouldn't want to crash this ship with us in it”. The shadow figure turned to me “Take the controls, Boy”. The shadow figure turned a knob and the ship’s stealth generator activated. The ship was invisible from every angle. It took me a few minutes to get ahold of the controls, after smashing the left side of the ship into the concrete walls we finally took off. The ship soared into the sky, it was like I imagined the sky began to dim black. Alderaan was beautiful from above, I finally felt free.

## Chapter 5 : Home

Alderaan was beautiful from the Stars, The green Reminded me of Vex. I’ve begun to hate this place. My ship entered the Atmosphere  A red light began to flash on the console, looks like someone is trying to reach me on the comm channel. “T8 are the stealth generators still working”. The droid turned his head” yes master, I will circle the planet until you’re done”.  The droid turned his head back to the controls, “I'll be back T8” I turned the chair around got up and headed for my private quarters. The room was dark and the door slammed closed behind me. The red glow from the holoterminal seemed so far away, a cold feel over the room like a blanket. I immediately knew who it was “Atroxis” I whispered, The blue hue appeared out of nowhere “Talonex” he said under his robes “I was beginning to think You had died at the hands of a Jedi”.

I fell to the floor immediately, “Atroxis, the mission was a success the Jedi known as Drac is dead”. Atroxis’s eyes squinted i could feel him questioning my abilities, “I collected his lightsaber as a trophy my lord, I have taken it for myself and shall use it from here on”. Atroxis began to laugh “good, good, your abilities are improving”. I looked up at him, I felt something was off “Atroxis, what is the real reason you’re contacting me’. His eyes widened “i have moved your inheritance and all tributes from other houses off world”. I stood up immediately “what, why, What have you done with my money”. I smacked the floor Atroxis was having none of this. “Calm down now, what have i told you about losing control”. He held me against the floor “ I sensed a plot to overthrow you, so i moved your assets off world to a safe location”. He released me “I believe it's time for you to make a public appearance”. I got up to a knee “then I will continue to cement my hold over the other houses”. I stood up all the way “ I recommend seeing the other lords in their own home”. Atroxis nodded “ then I take my leave, I will contact you when you’re done”. I nodded back “ Yes my lord”.

The transmision ended and the cold was gone. “Time to make a spectacle” the door opened, it was T8 “Master, shall we go to House Cortess or would you like something more Private”. I thought for a moment, the best approach. “Privacy, but warm up my speeder on arrival”. The droid nodded and said “yes my lord” the droid walked away and the door closed. It was just me and my thoughts, something atroxis said was starting to bother me “I sense a plot to overthrow you”. I walked over to the comm station “I must contact House Cortess” I pressed a few buttons so i could get on the House’s Frequency “Security….. This is Talonex……. Anyone, pick up Damn it”. I started to get worried while i was away my House was Besieged. “ House Cortess this is Talonex respond” suddenly a blue hue arose “sorry my lord, House Thul has been sending mercenaries to try and break our defenses” Now i’m concerned “How far have they gotten” with a stern voice. “Not far any time they advanced we held them off, although the gardens have become a killing field” My head fell, trying to think of what to do. After moments had past “sir what would you like us to do” reluctantly i said “have all our men fall back to the palace and fortify it, behind the throne is a secret exit if your over run escape through there and meet me at these coordinates” I put in the coordinates to my private sanctuary. “I received your transmission, but sir…. What are you going to do?”.

 I sighed under my breath i’m going to go deal with a nuisance”. The transmission cut out, i knew what i had to do. The Phantom stride landed in the mountains, the sanctuary was still intact. It seems no one had been there since I had left. Knowing what was occurring at my home, I walked through with caution. The halls were dark and cold no guards were in sight i slipped a little in what i thought was water. I grabbed my lightsaber and ignited it to see what i slipped in, the white glow of the blade illuminated the room. I bent down and held my blade above the liquid, it was blood. I sensed movement behind me, I sprung up and attempted to slash through whatever or whoever was behind me. When I turned I found myself about to kill T8, I stopped the blade an inch from his head. “Good form Master”. I pulled the blade away from his head “T8 what are you doing here”. The droid seemed confused “Master, you requested me to warm up your speeder” I had forgotten I had asked him to do that. “T8 run a thermal scan of the Base”.  The droid went over to a console on the left side of the corridor “anyone we are looking for master?”. I looked around to check for burn marks from blasters or slash marks from lightsabers. “I don’t know T8”.

Checking the walls I found no markings, this lead me to believe blasters and lightsabers weren’t used. The droid spoke out “Master” I turned to T8 “Did you find anything?”. The droid pointed to the screen, it showed nothing “Master, your servers have been wiped and the Sanctuary has been abandoned, no life signs”. I deactivated my lightsaber but held it in my hands just in case. “Then I want you to go back to the ship, wait in orbit for my call. I am going to go deal with House Thul”. The droid stepped away from the console “Yes, My Master”. The droid walked away down the corridor. I was about 50 feet away from my speeder when I heard my ships engine activate, that's when I found Them. All my guards dead outside my hanger. I pressed my personal communicator on my wrist “House Cortess this is Talonex, Do you read me?” took a few minutes but they responded “I read you Talonex, we pushed back the Thul Mercenaries”. I had different plans “rally all the fighters and fire power you can and meet me at these coordinates, Today we kill the head of House Thul”.

I started the speeder and left towards House Thul, I stopped about a mile outside the walls and waited for my reinforcements. I grabbed my Holocommunicator and threw it on the ground. “Darth Atroxis do you read me?” The blue hue arrose “What is it Talonex?” I heard with my head down low. I stood up with my eyes locked with Atroxis’s “I’m going to take my remaining forces and kill Lord Thul I will put his son in charge of the house but to keep ahold of the house for the Empire i’m requesting a sith lord to come here and observe him after i’m done”. Atroxis seemed pleased but I couldn’t tell under his cloak “House Thul and House Cortess will only serve the Empire and then the Empire will reign over this world”. After some time Atroxis finally spoke “It seems you are going to finally have your revenge. I will grant your request, a Lord by the name of Marr. He will cement our hold over that world”. I bowed my head and said “Thank you Atroxis, I will contact you when the Palace is ours”. Atroxis Nodded and the communication ended.

I sat back down on my speeder, soon thereafter the ground started to rumble. My reinforcements have arrived. I got up and walked towards the incoming tanks and cannons, they all halted right in front of me. “My Lord” Dardyl yelled out, I have brought all the fire power we had at the palace. Suddenly from the west I heard ships, A LOT of ships coming our way. Before I could yell out the order to shoot them down, Dardyl yelled out “ our reinforcements have arrived”. Apparently Dardyl has family in House Alde, they had come to help us. Why they would lend their forces to me i would never know.

## Chapter 6 : Left to die

Talonex looked upon his forces as they landed before him, a formidable force that can lead him through this hardship and back to his rightful place. Light fighters were coming straight at Talonex. With confidence he stood tall, awaiting the pilots to stand before him so he could strategize a plan.

## Chapter 7 : Suffering

Cold, cold is all Talonex could feel before he was pushed into his subconscious. Lonely, with no tell of time Talonex began to dream. At first his dream conceived of lush green fields, forests with trees as high as the sky. It felt like a month before the dreams began to show their meaning. The forest, the fields and the lakes  as blue as her eyes. That was it, all these places are where Talonex took Vex. Cold, alone with nothing but his sadness to accompany him. The only thing that brought him happiness was seeing her. Her blues eyes bringing up fond memories.

Sometimes Talonex would dream he was on Alderaan. Running through the lush green fields of Alderaan, catching her in his arms as they both tumbled to the ground laughing. Other times he dreamed he was aboard a ship, Vex by his side holding their son. they were finally free from servitude. They could go anywhere and do anything they well pleased.they left their past behind them and could see the light of the future. In the back of his though,in the back of his mind he knew none of this could be true. A good thought but never true. The dreams always ended the same, with her death. Leaving Talonex alone once again. Fueling his hatred and leaving him a broken man.

Hours turned into days and when it was all said and done, days in a comatose state was actually thousands of years in the real world. Wars had been raged, civilizations slaughtered but Talonex was not there to see any of it. A ripple through the force changed his dreams. From Vex To that of Mass genocide. Walking through fields of corpses. Faces he couldn't recognize, all the bodies had one thing in common, Lightabers. Talonex knelt down and picked one up, a gold and silver lightsaber off a darker skinned male. Talonex examined the lightsaber a beautiful hilt. Talonex ignited the saber, producing a(n) Amethyst blade. The body to his right also had a lightsaber, the body was of a younger female Togruta. Talonex grabbed her saber and it ignited with a(n) emerald green blade.

Talonex immediately could tell these were all jedi. Blaster marks and lightsaber slashes through them all. “What happened?” is all that ran through his mind. “How long has it been?”

## Chapter 14 : The Master Mando

Talonex meditated aboard The Phantom Stride, fading, waiting. Was he unworthy, was he not strong enough? It had been so long since anyone had contacted me. Talonex began to think no one knew he still lived. The sound of his comm, broke his concentration. An unfamiliar voice began to speak. “Talonex, your time in limbo is at an end. Meet me aboard my ship, training deck 2, hall 5. I will be waiting, I will test you, and I will continue with your training. Knight Vek, out” The voice rang throughout The Phantom Stride. “Is this it, did someone finally come for me?” Talonex spoke under his breath. There were no words that He could say before the comm went silent.

“Finally” is all Talonex could say as he ran to his ships controls

Approaching the super star destroyer, he could tell this was no dream, This was all to real. Talonex removed his helmet and just awed at the power of this ship.The word “beautiful” came across his mind as Talonex landed in the hangar bay. Extending the landing platform and getting ready to meet this mysterious man.Talonex left his helmet There and instead forced pulled his lightsaber staff from the corner. Talonex remembered where to meet The mysterious voice.

“Training deck 2, hall 5” Talonex repeated in his head as he walked through the ship.arriving there within moments. Talonex clipped his staff to his back and walked into the training hall, cautiously. “Is anybody here”

Vek watched the prospective Apprentice enter the hall. His caution and trepidation apparent in his demeanor, Vek wagered Talonex was still questioning the reality of this meeting. Vek smiled, and walked forward, into sight."Welcome Apprentice Talonex. My name is Danatar Vek, Sith Knight and founder and Head of House Halcyon, I invited you here to offer you a continuation of your training, to pluck you out of your limbo state" He appraised the man in front of him, he looked strong, but looks could be deceiving. "Now, I know nothing of you. So, tell me of your history, your experience, why do you think I should take you on as my Apprentice" He awaited his answer, curious about the person in front of him, he could sense his potential, the need to prove his worth after a period of inactivity.

Talonex looked upon this man with interest, intrigued Talonex spoke “Well for starters my name is Talonex Kain Mandalore, I grew up on the planet of Alderaan. Where I was a slave/ house servant. It wasn’t until my masters killed the love of my life that I unleashed my force powers. My powers were wild and out of control, I killed everyone in that house. Soon thereafter Darth Atroxis found me, he told me of my Mandalorian lineage and trained me only a little. I was never fully his apprentice.” Talonex looked into this man's eyes to see if he was still intrigued.“Soon thereafter, Darth Atroxis sent me on a mission to retrieve a lightsaber from a Jedi, after that I constructed my staff you see before you.” Talonex grabbed his lightsaber staff and presented it to Vek.

Curiosity overtook Vek “When I returned to Alderaan, Atroxis was gone. I was ambushed by the other alderaanian houses forces, I fought as hard as I could, but there were just to many. Instead of killing me they took me prisoner, froze me In carbonite and left me to die.” Talonex clipped the staff back onto his back. “I woke up a thousand years later. Where I met Lady Preator. She informed me Alderaan had been destroyed, and the Sith were ruling the galaxy. Praetor took me under her tutelage. I fought alongside her on the empresses behalf during the Sith civil war. But that didn’t last long either, and now I’m here before you”All Talonex could think was is this 3 for 3 or did he just find a new master

Vek took in everything Talonex said. This was a man lost in time, thrown a thousand years from his home, abandoned by his past, then abandoned by his master."Sounds like you have lived an interesting life, I too am of Mandalorian blood, now, tell me, what drives you? Where do you go when you tap into the Dark Side" Vek draws his lightsaber, it activates with a SNAP-HISS, it's brilliant blue blade casting both men in its hue. "My life, whilst not quite as extensive as yours, has been filled with trials. I have had many labels... Orphan, Jedi, Criminal, Mercenary, Sith. I have come from nothing, clawing my way to where I stand. A Sith Knight, Head of a Sith House. All paid for in blood, of myself and my enemies" He raised the saber, its tip aimed at Talonex's heart. "Become my Apprentice and I will push you to your breaking point, and shove you over the edge. I will test your mind and your body, I will throw you to the forge, and hammer you into a Knight. Do you want this? This opportunity?"

The dark side, a fountain turned to an ocean. “Before the love of my life died, I was a slave before that I was nothing. I’ve been abandoned by my master and left for dead. Where do I go you ask, I tapped into the pain I have endured. The sadness I’ve experienced.” Talonex saw the saber inches from his chest. He grabbed his staff, kneeling to the ground. “I pledge myself to your teachings, I will not fail you.” Vek nodded. "Good. But first? A test" Vek steps back, holding his saber loose at his side, the blue blade angled away from himself. "Attack me, show me how you fight"

Talonex stood up strong. Stabbing the pommel of his staff into the ground, a white blade ignited. Illuminating Talonex’s face. Grabbing his staff with both hands spun his staff pointing its white blade towards Vek.attempting a sweeping slash for the legs. Talonex was quick to act, igniting his saber, its unfamiliar white blade catching Veks eye. Vek leapt straight up and back from the sweeping blow, bringing his saber up in a defensive stance, taking several steps back, opening up the space between them. "Use every trick you have my Apprentice, powers, skills with the saber... impress me"

Talonex turned off his saber and looked at Vek with a smirk. Talonex began to laugh slightly as he used Force cloak to mask his presence. Vek returned the smirk as Talonex disappeared from sight. Cocky bastard, thought the Sith Knight, as he heard his slight laugh. Force cloak, a must for a good assassin. Though he doubted Talonex knew just how familiar he was with the power, having faced it in battle several times. So, Vek stood, eyes closed, defensive posture not changing. He opened himself to the force, locking onto Talonex's force aura, full of confidence, pride. He waited for the strike.

Talonex saw as Vek closed his eyes. sensing that plan would work, Talonex got low to the floor. Slowly moving around Vek looking for the perfect place to strike.Talonex moves behind Vek and saw a perfect place to strike. Talonex threw force lightning from one hand while running at Vek. Talonex stopped shooting force lightning and jumped into the air igniting his staff. Bringing the full weight of his strike on top of Vek.

Vek could sense Talonex's force signature circle around him, to attack from the flank. Vek didn't move, didn't react. He felt the sudden draw on the force behind him, danger sense spiking in the force. Vek turned, saw the lightning. Smiled. He threw up a Hassat-Dur field around himself, allowing the lightning to streak towards him. He caught it in the field, letting it crackle over him like a lightning god. Talonex jumped, saber lit. Vek thrust forward has left arm, and a bolt of pure captured lightning shot from it, aimed directly at Talonex's chest. Talonex could see this bolt come for him, sensing the power Talonex tried to block it with his blade. But his lunge for Vek was stopped short. Talonex wasn’t able to block all the lightning, forcing him to remain still for a brief moment in time.

Hassat-Dur was a exotic power, strange, unknown. When used to absorb and redirect lightning, it gained a rather unique feature...The second the bolt hits the brilliant white of Talonex's saber, the Hassat-Dur effect shuts it down for several minutes at least. Defenceless, open, still. Vek clenched his fist, focused the rage inside himself into a ball, and unleashed it as a force blast, aimed at Talonex, still in the air.

Seeing this bolt come at Talonex, he tried to block it. Talonex looked in shock as his staff’s blade suddenly shut off. Talonex took the hit and hit the ground. His saber useless for the time being. Talonex began using his staff as a defensive weapon. The staffs outer shell being made of cortosis steel, this and the force was his only option. Talonex changed forms to a more defensive stance. Awaiting for his saber to reactivate, Talonex stared into his opponent before him, awaiting what he might do next. Talonex’s blaster sparked on his side, shocking Talonex as he tried to focus.

Vek rushes Talonex in a burst of speed, saber up, unleashing a Juyo strike at his right arm, sidestepping, and delivering another strike at his right leg. Vek was impressed so far, he had a good feeling about Talonex, he could sense his drive, his determination. He was already formulating tasks and trials, trusting the Force on this one, taking another Apprentice. Talonex lost focus for but a moment, his blaster shocking him. Suddenly Talonex noticed Vek rushing him. Talonex raised his staff to block the strike coming for his arm, but couldn’t block the leg. Forcing Talonex to drop to one knee. Talonex pulled his blaster attempting to fire it.

Vek stepped forward again, always keeping close, keeping the pressure on. To give an assassin space was to give them an advantage in combat, Vek had learned this lesson many times. Talonex's hand went to his sparking blaster, drawing it, preparing to fire. Brave, and foolish, the thing was likely useless and liable to overload and detonate in his hand. Vek swung his blade up, aiming it so the length of plasma would halve the blaster, but not take any fingers, Vek spun on his heels, the blade swinging for Talonex's neck, aiming to stop just before contact, he had no intention of killing him. Talonex dropped his blaster, being cut in half served him no good. Finding a new one was gonna be hard. Before he knew it there was a blade at his throat.“Nice trick, making my staff deactivate”

Vek smiled, deactivates his saber, clipping it to his belt. He extends a hand to Talonex, pulling him to his feet."That, my Apprentice, was Hassat-Dur, a rare power that has many uses, I can teach it to you if you wish, it is incredibly versatile" Once on his feet, Vek took a step back, appraising Talonex. "And don't worry, the saber will be fine. And you have impressed me. I can see some room for improvement, but that's the point of an apprenticeship" He glances down at the severed blaster pistol and chuckles "We will see about getting you a more suitable sidearm as well... but from this point on, you are my Apprentice, I will hold you to a high standard, and I trust you won't disappoint".

“Thanks you, My master” Talonex said with conviction in his voice. Talonex reached down and grabbed his blaster off the floor, scorch marks and sparks flying from it.“That was my fathers blaster, an M-13 manta. Hard to come across in my experience” memories of Talonex’s father flooded his mind. Fixing the blaster would be very hard, if not impossible. Talonex grabbed both pieces of the blaster and wrapped it in a piece of his cloak that fell off during the fight. Talonex then clipped his staff onto his back and stood at attention.

Talonex was taken aback when vek said Talonex was now his apprentice. Talonex bowed his head ever so slightly and thanked Vek for the Opportunity to show what I can do. “I will not fail you” Talonex said. I won't fail, not again. I've come so close and have fallen so far. Talonex knew he had finally made it.

Vek chuckled as he looked at Talonex, barely able to stand on his injured leg. "My Apprentice, a blaster is not a good choice of weapon when facing Sith, or Jedi, i'm sure you know why, and I will open your eyes to some alternatives, but for now... get that leg seen too and expect your next task soon" Talonex looked down at his scared leg armor, then looked back up at Vek, nodded saying “thank you, My Master”  then began to walk out of the room. Talonex had finally found his start. His place in the galaxy. Talonex could feel his revenge coming to a head.