The Fading Light

INTRODUCTION


Is this my destiny?

We all wonder that sometimes in our lives, or even right now, and we ask the questions to answer the question above. Is there a higher power in control of everything? Has my life, and the lives of others for that matter, already been determined by such a power? Do we have a say in it, or are we stuck in the circumstances in which we cannot prevent it; especially a terrible ending.

Our lives are a book: the prologue is our parents, by it's end we are born. Chapter One is the beginning of the rest of our lives, and the end of the book is of course our death. In between is the pages of our lives. If say Fate and Destiny are the writers, and if we leave it up to them to write our life story, then the questions become what is the story is about, how are we protrayed in such story, how others will interpet us by reading us....

And of course HOW LONG IS OUR STORY! Because we know there is no real sequel to our lives; our children are their own stories.

Why bring this up? Think about it: If Fate and Destiny are the authors, or the controllers and the ones that predetermine your life, they can be a pretty sick duo. They make your life story 'interesting' by causing pain, and emotional distress, and interjecting drama so damaging you can never seem to escape it.

So the question becomes: do we let Fate and Destiny write our life story? Should we let them decide the length of our lives? Do we allow them to characterize us as bad people?

With that in mind, would you like Fate and Destiny to write you in such a way that others preceive you in a negative way? Immediately your life story to others stinks because before your entire story is written they SPOIL the readers, the people that look at you, with a glimspe of the future, with cryptic explanation and before you know it people think they have you figured out. Even the people you think you can rely on betray their feelings of uncertainty about you because they begin to wonder is it true.

Well it has to be, don't it: after all, Fate and Destiny have written your life story. It has to be true.

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Good evening, and welcome to the novel The Fading Light, the sequel to The Dark Hope and part two of the Gessa Saga. This story continues the story of Juna Rapier, the ordained Dark Hope of the Sith and her struggles to maintain her control over the tremendous power she has within her. Once again they are tested by the Vhinech Order and their leader Magus Prophet, who would just love to have her fall and be by his side in his bid to control the Republic. Vhinphyc Jedi Master Enothchild Sarch and Juna's mother, a powerful Sithian entity named Naressa Rapier, will have a say in the struggle, as well as a host of others.

This time, Juna is older. A woman now; gone is the girl of TDH and in place is a lovely picture of splendor. But one cannot erase the past, and Juna's demons are all still alive. Will she let them consume her?

Many other questions will be answered, and many characters involved will be tested to the limits.
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First before I forget, you may want to read the other stories in the saga. One way is to go to my website, The Dark Hope Museum. Not only will you find the links there, but also artwork from sketches to computerized color drawings, behind the scenes information, reviews of other author's works, links to other author's websites and works, and anything else I might add.

OR, you can skip the website, I don't know why, and start here. Here are the stories so far in the TDH Universe, in chronological order (Note: all subject matter in the stories below may not be suitable for all posters):

Nothing Else Matters(Mid Length)

The Legacy Left Behin

 

It has begun! Or will soon

<waits eagerly for posting to comence>

 

THE FADING LIGHT

Time Period: 10 years after THE DARK HOPE, and 12 years before THE PHANTOM MENACE.
_______________________________________

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...


ACT ONE - ...GETS ME THROUGH


CHAPTER 1.0 (NOTE: Musically, play the piano intro to 'Gets Me Through' by Ozzy Osbourne)


Time.

After a decade of hiding among the various outback worlds, trying to find new ways in dealing with the Republic and keeping the unity within the ranks of the Vhinech Order, Magus Prophet could feel in his soul that it was indeed time for him to claim what belongs to him by matter of birth right and by matter of destiny; for the Vhinech Order has been in hiding, waiting for the perfect opportunity to rise up and become victorious once again and for Prophet to solidify his legacy as the true Savior of his people. But more importantly for Prophet to unite himself with the only unconquered land that he feels is the only proof of having true power over all.

For the longest of days and nights on various worlds and dank ships he had thought of all the mistakes he had made and that his people made in handling the plans of controlling the known universe. The loss of Evramora and so many Vhinech still pained the double minds of hundreds that escaped the death of the Nubian Colony; so much so they began to doubt if they were truly the perfect beings to represent the Force.

Now, after years of hit and fade missions and much research towards their origins as a race, Prophet does not care for one non-Vhinech life whatsoever. The Republic was going to die, all of it; the quicker, the more destructive, the better off the Vhinech were.

More importantly, it was about reuniting with the only being he could truly say he loves the most. If anything all was planned around her and if embracing her was all that was achieved, then Prophet considered it all to be a success.

He sat in his frozen cave on Hoth, letting himself be enlightened and toughed up by the frigid evening cold that swept into the dwelling from outside The frosty arctic cold tried very hard to burn his dense, exposed flesh on his face, neck, and arms, but was failing as Prophet viewed it as no consequence to him. The chill did pain him, but it was not as painful as the scar that ran from where his right eye socket was and along the right side of his skull, ending where his right ear use to be. There was no pain that will ever match it; although the wound was inflicted upon his head, it was truly meant for his heart.

And it produced sadness.

Sadness.

Prophet saw sorrow as a blessing for him, for with he it fueled him to become better in every regard. It fueled the Dark Side of the Force, the guiding Force in which he believes in and preaches to others within the Vhinech Order. He focused on healing and the results were very positive; his eye did regenerate and his severed horn, courtesy of Jedi Master Enothchild Sarch?s lightsaber hacking off a massive part of the front tip of it, grew to form. His eye?s set back was that the irises color was all wrong; the iris was yellow, while his unharmed eye was a dark blood red. He did not complain, though; it was proof that the Force was with him and that it never truly left him on Naboo. And every time he meditated, he could feel the healing process still continuing; in time, the scar will be gone. And so will all the pain.

Sorrow also put many things back into focus for him personally, and Magus Prophet took all this time to find that focus; those things that once mattered the most he discovered were one and the same, and therefore both should be sought and be brought under his ownership. He found that in order to do that, he had to find his pride. It was no secret among the many in the ranks below him. Prophet had victory in his grasp, and for one moment in time he lost it very qu

 

It's here.


The Sequel!

 

Thanks Sara! Yes....several years.....I mean months later!

UP! We are having a post party. I'll be supplying ways to communicate to me soon.

 

Woah..Magus Prophet in the first chap....

I'm awful with replies...I can never think of anything to say........I know I have comment...but...<kicks brain>

Well....Great Post!

 

No more Select Images, but visit The Dark Hope Museum to view all the Select Images that have been posted, as well as new art and reviews.

 

CHAPTER 1.1

With a shove from behind from a Gotal-Vhinech, Nubian fishing industrialist and wanted man on the run Pirus Krendel practically stumbled out of the Vhinech modified Sullustan Moonhauler and onto the hard pack ice below. Hitting the hard surface banged him up good, making his hands get that scratchy, imbedded feeling he once use to feel as kid after falling off his hover bike. Of course the circumstances now were everything but childish. He was on a frozen world of unknown name, and he was outside freezing his ass off in the clothing he had on, this freezing even with the bright sun out overhead.

Unsure what this was about, he asked again, ?Are you bounty hunters? Please just tell me that? Please?? The just shoved him ahead, towards a large cave area. Hugging his own body for warmth, he yelled, ?At least give me a fricking coat. I?m freezing!?

The being just sneered in contempt; never had they heard a being sound so weak and worthless in their entire existence was the impression they gave. Krendel got the hint and marched as fast as he could for the large cave. Once there his business shoes were ruined and his feet were wet from melting snow and ice.

Chattering and shaking, he looked around and noted the hordes of different space ships all around; Z-95 Headhunters, Moonhaulers, Trade Federation Scout Ship, Corellian Action II, and a Jedi transport of all things, it?s shape and red hull too distinct to be anything else. If this were a bounty hunter transition point it had it all. Given the Jedi transport, we began to suspect that Her Royal Highness, Queen Angelleia, had used her connections with the Jedi to have them track him down, and perhaps this was a secret station point for operating in the Outer Rim; good place because who in their right mind would want to live here.

The sound of an elevator lift door opening brought all their attentions towards it, and out stepped a group of Humans all lead out by Cade Hooley. The man smiled and said with an extending hand, ?Pirus Krendel, it?s been a while. I hope you enjoyed your trip.?

Pirus Krendel slowly extended his hand and shook hands with Hooley, who was the Mersader Conglomerate?s business Chief Executive Officer only a decade earlier. The one time Republic Naval Admiral had returned to the battlefield since, but in the old days they were acquaintances. The old days when Krendel was not a wanted man on the run from Her Royal Highness Queen Angelleia of Naboo; curse her heart. ?Too long under the circumstances, Cade. But you don?t mind me saying, it is smecking cold!?

?Easily remedied.? Hooley waved his hand, and one of the aliens in his group took off his heavy survival coat and his gloves and handed it to Krendel. Krendel threw it all on as quickly as he could. Hooley looked at his feet and turned back to now freezing Vhinech. ?Get yourself another coat from stores, and get Mister Krendel pack boots. Size 12, right?? Krendel nodded and the Vhinech left. ?Forgive the treatment, but you understand that we are in the middle of a war and discretion is the better part of valor at this time.?

Krendel snorted in contempt. ?Your war, Cade, not mine. And where does it say that common courtesy should go on the way side of valor? Your fricking brutes could have treated me better. At first I thought they were bounty hunters taking me back to Naboo. They grabbed me by force, I fell unconscious and now here I am being shoved across a frozen ice ball.?

Hooley stepped close to Krendel and began to escort him away from the others, which he waved a hand to them to stay per his order. They did and he and Krendel got close to a starship. Hooley said, ?Watch what you say here, Pirus. These Vhinech will split you in two even if you were my guest.?

?Your guest-!?

Hooley waved him silent. ?Like it or not you are, but you are their leader?s guest. And face it your financial resources that you were able to liquidate from your accounts before Queen Angelleia had them froze have been gone for quite some time. That?s why you have been stuck on Sernpidal

 

FORWARD! UP! And I should finish up Chapter One tomorrow.

 

DeLight reporting in. Ho Ho Ho. It begins!

Puppets on a string...

 

Tugging away. (joking)

LOL!

Here is the latest update. Hope you are not eating.......

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CHAPTER 1.2

After nearly an hour of walking, the harsh elements were taking their toll on Krendel. As surmised the snow began to fell, and with it came a stiff wind that zapped the warmth from his body regardless of any clothing he had. His face had grown numb first, followed by his neck and his ears in spite of the wool hood drawn over his head; probably the only thing protecting his brain, for the moment, from failing.

The flags, although naturally bright thanks to their coloring, were steadily vanishing with each passing moment of the light fading from the sky and from Krendel?s view. They continued to be space meters apart, and the darkness was shortening the range of his vision. Remembering what Hooley told him about a straight line, Krendel continued to trek straight ahead, finding every flag after noting he was just to the right or left of it by 10 meters or so.

As he continued onward for a long time, he realized that he had went too far since the last marker. Looking around and see nothing but the veil of darkness, Krendel began to let frost panic finally get to him. He was nearly frozen, he was lost, and there was no one out here to save him. With desperation, Krendel began to run to his right and yelled loudly in the hopes that this Magus Prophet could hear him and perhaps tell him where to go. Or come get him. If anything just to keep him alive. He couldn?t die out here. He was Pirus Krendel, one of the wealthiest men in the galaxy. This was not his destiny?

He fell down through the snow, sucked down by a hidden sinkhole, and fell a considerable, bump filled distance down. Landing and looking around, he found himself in a cave. Krendel noted loudly in sarcasm, ?Well isn?t this just perfect. Why not here? It?s like a tomb. Out there, I would have been just a frozen monument of stupidity. If I die here, no one will know how much of a stupid jackass I am for being out here.?

But something caught his eye, a flicker of light radiating off the walls smoothed by frozen water. Heading towards the source he found it growing brighter in intensity, and upon rounding the corner he found a large thermoilluminator, a special survival device that provides both heat, fire for cooking, and bright light. With remaining strength Krendel rushed towards it and nearly threw his body upon it. The heat immediately turned the sheen of frost on his face into dampening water, and he could feel his fingers and toes again after a minute or so.

His shaking ceased now, Krendel surmised that he stumbled upon the meeting site. It had to be because who would be stupid enough to want to live on this planet.

Looking around, he said, ?Hello? Hello, Mister Prophet??

When there was no answer he strode around, but not too far from the only heat source within his sight line. He came across a few items of curiosity; a holoimager, a rather large cylinder with an opening at the end with a jewel emitter that could barely fit in his hands upon inspecting it, a leather bound, loose in dexterity book with writing on the cover and on the inside symbolic writing that made no sense to him, ancient papers judging by the yellowing and brittleness enwrapped in protective plastic to ensure their longevity filled with the alien writing, but some of the images appeared biological in nature which included several hand drawn images of a DNA helix, and various other knickknacks of interest.

?I come out here,? noted Krendel with loud disgust, ?and I get shafted.? He didn?t like to wait for anyone, and was growing tired of it. Hearing the wind howl outside though made him think twice about leaving. So he kept looking around to get more of a hint of who this Prophet was. He only knows what Cade Hooley told him, a leader of the Vhinech. The same Vhinech that did take over Evramora and caused its destruction, and the same Vhinech that had stormed the Palace of Theed during Queen Landana?s reign. Both points en

 

<Takes a seat in the Heckler's gallery, and whips out a bag of movie popcorn.>

Hooah! Yeah! Great to see that this has finally started!

Loved how Prophet manipulated Krendel into helping him. One predator to another.

Can't wait to read some more! Looks like you're off to a great start!

 

LOL! Heckler's Gallery: where the shots are as stale as the popcorn. .

Oh he is a manipulator. When evil is motivated by obsession new ideas spring forth once thought alien and mundane. One looks to themselves, as Prophet has, and has found the answers to his questions to date so he stays on the thought track. It will make him even more dangerous; goes back to the arguement in Siren's Trial on who is more evil, the insane psychopathic lunatic who kills, or the cold, calculating type.

You might or might not agree, but Prophet is bridging both now. So ask yourself: how dangerous can he be?

FORWARD! I'll pick it up on Tuesday probably, so folks can get caught up.

OH, have any of you read the Episode Two news lately here in regards to Jedi and marriage? If not, and if you can't find it, PM me and I will give you the scoop.

EDIT ONE: My partner Djuva is unleashing her darkness in the form of a sequel as well. The Storm is the long awaited follow up to the Art of War. Both stories are thought provoking affairs and are must reads.

 

Evening FORWARD!

 

*Joins Rok in the heckling gallery and starts whipping Reese's Pieces at Casper...

 

OW! Darn yas! OWW! OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCHHHHHH!!! HEY, E.T.'S OVER IN THE NEXT THREAD!!!!!!!!!! OUT!



FORWARD!

 

<catches some of the reeses pieces as they fall>

Hey, trhat's good candy, man. Here, start tossing these things. <Hands Ty-gon a box of shock tarts.>

Bring on some more posting please! Or next we'll start tossing the stale popcorn.

 

Up!


Great posts Casper!

 

Those shock tart hurt.

Well, enlight of the Hooligans.......I mean Loyal Fans (cough, had a frog in my throat, cough), I'm going to post a section a head of schedule.

Now here we met an X-Factor of the story. You may not see it now, but later on you will. So here's Chapter 2.0 .

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CHAPTER 2.0

For many that have known of its existence in the ages past, the planet Korriban was the home of a great native and magical society that flourished within the darkness of the Force. They were a primitive race, easily overlooked by the hustle of hyperspace travelers that didn?t gave the poor, out of the way world a seconds worth of thought. The world was so named by the native people, meaning ?the Lavished Land? in their ancient language. The magical people in question were called the E?sithropa, or soon afterward upon be discovered by the banished Dark Knights of the Jedi Order they were called the Sith.

The Dark Knights of Cantaspher, the Knights banished for their wicked tongues, were the first to embrace the Dark Side of the Force; the very energy opposite of the ever-embraced Light Side that their brotherhood of origin, the Jedi Order, had used and governed their actions by. The Cantaspherians happened upon Korriban by chance, and with their arrival and the display of their dark powers the Sith society embraced them all as gods. The Dark Knights, without being persecuted by the Jedi Order or the Galactic Republic, were able to explore their dark selves without reprisal or reprimand, and in the process through Sith magic discovered far stronger Force powers that could be used by their very own hands.

As the years stretched from decades to millennia, the Dark Knights and the Sith integrated themselves through marriage and reproduction, finding that such physical unions bore them offspring very strong in the Force. The process continued for ages, soon all were Sith.

During a time after the Sith rose to prominence and formed the Sith Order religion and proceeded to seek out revenge against those who had chased them away eons ago, the many Sith warriors, wizards, witches and the like began to let the very power they wanted to use to dictate their actions and fulfill their need to be greatest of all the Sith get to them. In a horrific clan war, magician Amu Caru was destroyed by his own magic when he was unable to complete a spell incantation fast enough as required to vaporize his greatest enemy Lord Darth Tudan. The energies erupted, taking Caru, Tudan, and thousands upon thousands of others in a death sweep. Ever since that day of death many a final outcome came from it, one of which was for many years Korriban being an almost dead, unable to grow anything world.

With a careful snip of her ancient gardener sheers, Nebula Ryder pruned to perfection a Fawni Genius variety black rose bush and mused to herself, ?Now that is true beauty and maturity. The best plants that I have ever grown ever since I started my garden so long ago.?

She let her hands stroke the petals to lively them and mused to herself again out loud, ?My precious baby, how you have grown.?

It meant a lot to her to say that, for the black rose hybrid?s name, originally from the Luna Mystery rose variety family, was used to name one of her daughters; in fact both her twin daughters were named after the two most beautiful of the hybrids. It normally grew in pots because the soil was so dead, but Nebula managed to make it work.

She stood up, OOOHHHHHHHING when her elder bones did not agree with the way she held her self for so long. Time was always a cruel taskmaster, and more so to the ones that age; beating her it seemed with a very heavy club to the joints.

Nebula welcomed the pain, though. It was worth it to her to come out here, during the time when the moon was at its peak of optimum efficiency of brightness, and do some much needed maintenance on the night blooming flowers; a rare flower to act in such a way. But that was when Korriban black roses where at their best, when

 

Interesting theories on the early Sith, Casper. I'm sure that could become a storyline unto itself one day.

Can't wait to find out more about Nebula, and the rest of the Sith for that matter.

 

Whew...

*sits in the balcony to watch, throws stuff at the hecklers*

HEY, BE QUIET!! Casper said NO CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM, which means no fun, no stale popcorn, no candy, and most important of all, SILENCE!

Great start, Casper... wonder when we meet our familiar good guys... ?

In any event, eagerly anticipating next post!

 

<catches some thrown candy in his mouth>

I'm not critizing, I'm commenting and complimenting, and there's nothing said about that.

Also eagerly waiting for the next post.

 

LOL! you guys.

Everything is in good fun here. No harm or foul.

The familiar good guys don't begin to make an appearence until Chapter Four, but as in TDH the bad guys, and the suspicious characters like Nebula here, get some air time. But don't worry, the good guys, and most importantly the Main Characters, hog the pages. These first few chapters here introduce the players involved more or less.

And they make things interesting in the long run. Especially in dealing with plot lines. Believe me, Nebula will have her purpose. So will newbie Pirus Krendel. And so will a few others.

The first action chapter is being written as I write this. I hope to have more action elements at least two chapters from there, and a bunch of crazy, insane stuff to wrap up the Act.

Until tomorrow.......FORWARD!

 

Yet another fantastic post Casper. All the character's sound so interesting. Looking forward to tomorrow!














Up!

 

Good post, Casper. An intriguing character.