Begeren. Once a prosperous Sith world, it has been the site of numerous battles throughout the millennia. Grand halls and monuments were torn down and re-purposed by looting Republic forces thousands of years ago, before they were driven from the planet. Isolated settlements still dot the planet's surface, but the inhospitable, craggy, and desert-like terrain, along with the beasts common to many desert and Sith worlds, have kept most humanoids from colonizing. Occasional skirmishes have left debris scattered throughout the desert, and battles were fought here as recently as the Galactic Civil War. The planet is now under the control of the One Sith and is rumored to be full of all manner of priceless, ancient Sith artifacts.

The Dark Council has pushed forth to Begeren and the Grand Master, on his quest for ever more powerful items, has decreed the Clans and Houses seize anything of value. The unity shown by the Brotherhood during the beginning of this Crusade is fracturing, with the Clans and Houses growing tired and frustrated with the seemingly endless succession of battles. Tempers are flaring between former allies, with outright aggression no longer uncommon. Despite this, you have responded to the Grand Master's call—though whether it's to actually seize the items for the Brotherhood, destroy them, or use them for your own purposes, only you know.

You have followed the call of the Force to a stretch of desert wasteland, seemingly unremarkable save for the various rock outcroppings that dot the landscape. These outcroppings, though, hide a subterranean cave network, known to be a den of wraids. Though the entrances to the caverns are typically narrow and dark, these tunnels quickly widen. Below the surface, bioluminescent plants and lichen provide limited light.

You know that, despite reaching this place first, you won’t be alone for long, as an ancient Sith tomb is located deep within the caves the wraids now call home. Exactly what you’ll find in that tomb, you’re not sure—but it is something of great power, that much you can sense. You know it is your duty to find it, whatever it is, before any others can locate it. What you do with it when you find it… that is up to you.

As you near one of the entrances to the caves, you think you hear the sounds of footsteps, or maybe skittering, down below—and above ground, you hear the distant crunch of rock underfoot as someone else has found a different rocky cave entrance as well.

The Ancient Sith tomb throbbed with Dark Side power. Its essence flirted with Shirai's consciousness as he waltzed slowly through the subterranean cave network. Besides the pressure from being so far underground, the power was intoxicating. He stepped over a large rock in the semi-dark narrow tunnel. It was lightly illuminated by the plants and lichen scattered around. He passed one of the plants and the light showed a powerfully built Sith. His silver hair was short except for the ponytail on top. He had on his red battle robes along with a Sith Mask that hid the madness on his face.

The Force led him here as it once did when the Brotherhood first found him. Through the desolate and hot desert wastelands of Begeren. He was not sure what lay ahead of him or what it was that called him but he did not have much time. For there was another presence he felt drawing towards him, he was sure it felt the same call of power from the caves.

Finally after what seemed like hours of wandering, the Sith Battlemaster stumbled upon a clearing in the cave. It was large and seemed to be created by hand. Large spikes crowned over him as the there plenty of plants and lichen to illuminate the entire cave. Truly a beautiful sight, lost upon the Sith as he saw his real prize in the center of cave. A small pillar of rock stood out in the middle, but was definitely made by hand.

On top of it lay a glass orb of the darkest colors. Inside the sphere its color changed from red to black to purple in a swirling cesspool of Dark Side energy. Its power gave him a craving call like no other feeling he had ever felt before. He drifted over the artifact seemingly unaware of his surroundings. As soon as he got his gloved hands over the sphere he heard voices. "RELEASE US!"

"FREE ME!"

"NO FREE ME!"

"THE PAIN!"

All manners of agonized voices pierced his mind. They cried out in pain he could never fathom, and he wanted desperately to free them. He couldn't understand the notion. But in that moment he felt it. An even greater presence threw his mind into a frenzy. It instantly made him pull his hands back from the sphere and turn around.

A tall man had entered the cave without his knowing. He had not been able to sense him for some reason until now. He wore battle-garments and was hooded as well, but that was not what had alerted Shirai. This man had no need to hid his power. For an insect lay before him. He was definitely one of the more powerful Elders.

He had come to collect the artifact probably for his own quest for power, and not for the Grand Master. Some light shined in on him as he took a gentle step forward, just enough for Shirai to notice who he was. "Dark Jedi Master Aidan of Taldyra."

Dragonsfang, Shirai's krayt dragon crafted lightsaber, flew into his hands from his belt and dark red blade erupted from the tip. Instantly his hand was on the grip of the weapon, in the dangerous form called Vaapad. "So I see death wishes too play today." The Dupar muttered trying to hide his apparent fear at noticing what he was up against. Surprisingly, he replied.

"A foolish move to come by yourself Quaestor. However I am not without mercy. Step aside or die." Aidan threatened in which the Battlemaster couldn't believe a single word. The moment he walked in here, spelled certain death for...unless.

Shirai opened his other hand and called upon the Force to move the sphere towards it. But it didn't budge. The sphere was unaffected by the Force. So there was no moving it that way. Quickly the only strategy popped in his head. There was no other way to deal with this foe. "Since I cannot defeat you. Maybe they can." Aidan was unaware of whom he spoke of, clearly questioning Shirai's words as a bluff.

The Sith Master was not a man that asked twice and moved his hands towards his lightsabers. In one fluid motion the Quaestor reached backwards and grabbed the orb with his hands. He was instantly bombarded with vicious rapid thoughts and ghostly screams edging him on to free them. The orb was impossibly heavy for its size.

He waved the orb in front of Aidan who realized what type of weapon lay in his hands. Instantly reached his hands out to call the orb towards his hand. But just as Shirai found out, the sphere of darkness was unperturbed.

With a battle-cry for the ages, he threw the glass orb down with all his might. Thinking that the glass would break on contact. It instead hit the ground with a loud boom, bounced up slightly, came down and it moved no more. A somewhat perplexed looked showed on both Dark Jedi's faces as nothing happened.

Shirai was about to comment when a crack was heard from the orb. It started out slowly then quickly spread to the middle. Suddenly an ethereal wisp burst from the crack into the air. The Echani noticed it with his silver eyes before it dashed into his mouth. He began choking horribly and clawed desperately at his throat. Three more black ethereal wisps flew from the orb and at Shirai.

They forced their way into his body and he began to scream. A blast of light burst from the orb and swallowed him whole. The Battlemaster felt his body being ripped apart by raw power, and then being reconstructed again.

The light slightly blinded the Dark Jedi Master as he put his hands up to shield his eyes. When the light began to die he lowered his hands. "There is great sorcery at work." Aidan muttered. He could feel the pressure from Shirai change exponentially in the Force as if he was an Elder himself. The Master was adept at sensing these subtle changes however this was different, it seemed as if there were many other Force signatures present.

The light disappeared and in Shirai's place he stood, but his physical body had been ravaged. All of his veins were pulsating as his body was pumping blood faster and faster. His eyes had gone from silver to red and they showed little remembrance of his older self. The power of the Dark Side was emanated from the Battlemaster like a living cesspool. Staring directly at Aidan, the possessed Shirai spoke, "We are many. You...are but one. Lord Vokun."

Shirai held his blade up towards his greatest enemy. He let the rage envelop him completely as he charged forward to lay an onslaught. The trapped One Sith souls would seek revenge for the mans past betrayal. They knew his true face.