Myrkr is a dangerous world for nearly all sentients. Although once settled by the Neti, it has long since evolved from those days. The flora of Myrkr has a high metal-count, making it easy to hide from sensors and the perfect spot to set-up a pirate base or other criminal operation. What also made this world perfect for all manner of seedy individuals is the presence of ysalamiri—creatures with the ability to neutralize the Force.

The ysalamiri are located deep within the forests of Myrkr, where you have also found yourself. They have evolved the ability to make a bubble that excludes the Force to protect themselves from dangerous predators called vornskrs. These dangerous, canine-like predators hunt using the Force, and as such are highly attracted to anything that is Force-sensitive.

The forests of Myrkr are not for the faint-of-heart. It was used by the Yuuzhan Vong to create monstrosities, and continues to be utilized by the seedier elements of the galaxy. The dangers that lurk under the shadowy canopy cannot be underestimated. Not even the Force can protect you from the dangers of the forest.

You stand seemingly alone in a small clearing. Though you can feel the Force at the moment, you know that not far from this clearing, many of Myrkr’s horrors lie – including the Force-negating ysalamiri – can easily be found… You quickly realize this clearing won’t be safe for long as you sense you are not alone.

The sound of branches hitting gently cascaded through the wind as the trees that covered Myrkr struggled against one another, years of overgrowth creating cramped quarters for them. The scent of rotting earth and wet grass was kicked up by the breeze, freshly fallen leaves dancing to and fro as they became trapped in the swirls of air. Were one to have their feet bare, they could feel the comforting squish of mud between their toes and the cooling sensation it provided. It had recently rained, droplets of moisture rolling down leaves and bouncing to the ground with a carefree attitude.

Carefree. Just like the most recent notch on Samael's belt. His newest victim had brought him to Myrkr, a contact he had made years ago when he was still learning from Granny. The young man tried blackmailing Samael into working for him, underestimating how little the Krath cared about morals or law enforcement. The Umbaran had dug a knife so deep into the young man's neck that he felt the blade dig into the spinal column, the sensation evoking a giggle from the horned Krath. He watched as his new play thing gasped for air, preaching to him about the cautions of dealing with the seedy folk of the criminal underworld. It was a lesson that Samael believed the young man would not soon forget.

He dragged the corpse behind a tree and began to dig the grave that would house him. The dirt practically jumped at the chance to move, the shovel barely needing any effort to slice through the ground. Black, fertile soil was flung to the side with every motion, and the strain of the task at hand did not remove the immense grin the Krath had plastered on his face. The Umbaran would occasionally ask the corpse if it were comfortable and if it needed anything, even wiping away the drops of dried blood that still plastered his wounds. An incision on the throat, deep enough to fit an index finger in, was the wound he focused on the most.

"Not much of a talker." frowned Samael, who then giggled at his own joke.

When he deemed the hole deep enough, the Krath dragged the body into the hole. His frown returned when he realized it wasn't large enough to house the corpse. Thinking quickly, the Umbaran took out his bone dagger and made incisions in the knees of his victim and hastily removed the knee caps. With a sudden thrust, the victim's toes were now at his crotch and he fell comfortably into the hole. The Umbaran took his knife once more, quietly licking the little smears of blood that covered the blade, and began to carve into the chest of the former contact.

The skin split slowly, at first. Crimson bubbles burst forth as his blood mingled out of the wound, the sight causing Samael's lipless grin to grow. He arched the blade one way, then another, until a sloppy and crude version of the Krath's name was printed on the torso of his victim. He pressed the knife back down, spelling out "WAS" and then "HERE". He examined his art work, making a mental note to work on his penmanship later. The Umbaran took his shovel and began the process of covering the body with dirt, whistling as he did so. It wasn't long, however, until the Umbaran felt something stir inside him. The sensation caused him to back away from the tree, dropping his shovel and leaping into the branches.

He reached out with the Force, savoring the pain and terror from his recent kill to expand his mind. Dark tendrils of power scoured the forest floor, following the various beacons of interest that littered it. One, however, was like an inferno of rage kept tightly under wraps and buried beneath servitude to the Light. Samael groaned at the thought of a Jedi potentially looking for his victim, not wanting to deal with the discussion of morals and ethics that would ensue. The Krath decided it would be more fun to watch the Jedi and toy with him, potentially adding another body to his growing list of victims.

He quietly leaped from branch to branch, following the sensations that fluttered in his mind. The Jedi was coming closer, perhaps drawn by the darkness that spewed from the Umbaran wherever he went. It was something he loved about himself, his refusal to hide what he was and his embracing of his darker tendencies. He was a monster, vacant of remorse, ripe with anger and the know how to deal with it. Nothing else made sense to the Krath, no other way of life deemed necessary.

He jumped from one sturdy branch to another, a small croak coming from the wood as the Krath landed. He scanned the base of the trees, spotting his target. It was a Kel Dor dressed in dark robes, causing Samael to question whether it really was a Jedi. Perhaps some darkness lingered in his prey, or perhaps his new specimen just liked the color. The Umbaran focused on his Kel Dor, wiggling his way into the protected mind of the Guardian that walked the forest floor. A chink in the mental armor of the one called Sa Ool was found, and it caused the Krath to cackle quietly to himself.

The Guardian's life was practically an open book to the mentally gifted Umbaran, seeing the usual tragic events that everybody has but no one pays attention to. The loss of family members that people push aside and try to forget each day even though the memories are always at the surface. The Krath drank in the pain of the death of a mother and father, the murder of an uncle and aunt, and the poor little boy that centered around it all. He ripped at the memories, causing the Kel Dor to grasp his head in pain.

The Guardian instanteously knew something was wrong, thinking the presence was one of the vornskr or ysalamiri at first. He knew now that something darker was here. Samael smiled at the realization, and continued to pull at the mental strings inside Sa's mind. The Kel Dor, not wanting to be ambushed, began working on finding his invader. A pale skinned creature knelt at the top of one of the trees, and when the goggled eyes of the Kel Dor met the Umbaran's, the Krath leaped backwards and continued to jump from branch to branch. The Guardian gave chase, speedily running through the forest and trying to remain calm. It wasn't long, however, until the Odanite fell into a small trench that housed a partially exposed corpse. The message "Samael Was Here" was clearly carved onto its chest, a message that only caused confusion for the Kel Dor.

The Jedi went to touch the corpse, tried to make sure it was not some trick or illusion, but ceased this when he felt the landing of the Umbaran behind him.

"Don't touch him. He doesn't like being touched. It makes him cry." said Samael, "Or maybe that was the sight of my knife entering his throat."

The Krath bowed his head and smiled, a pleasantry the Kel Dor did not return. Samael noted that the Guardian was rude, and also noted that he would need to teach him manners.

"Who are you?" said the Kel Dor with a shaky voice, Samael's intrusion into his mind leaving him upset.

"Can't you read?" said Samael as he gestured towards the corpse's chest, "I'm Samael, and that thing you were about to touch is my play thing. Well, it was, but he's dead tired now."

The Kel Dor didn't laugh at Samael's joke, another thing that Samael noted he would have to teach the Guardian. How to have a sense of humor.

"Maybe we got off on the wrong foot. I'm Samael Ozriel, I was having a picnic with my friend over there. And what might your name be, friend?" Again, the Kel Dor said nothing and merely stared at Samael. The Guardian did not trust this Umbaran, and Samael could taste the contempt in the air that exuded from the Kel Dor.

"You enjoy rooting around other people's heads?" said Sa, fear completely absent from him.

"When there's nothing better to do, yes." said Samael with a wink, "Especially when someone has such an interesting tale. Death of Parents, Pirates, Jedi, it's like the stories my uncle used to tell me when I was young."

The pain of his parent's death flared in Sa's mind again, his hands clenching into fists. Samael's eyebrows perked up, smelling the anger in the air that wafted from the Guardian.
"Don't. Mention. Them." said the Kel Dor.

"Or what?" sneered Samael, "You'll hurt me?"

With those last words, Samael removed his black shirt that clung tightly to his chest and revealed the large brand on his pectoral muscles as well as the countless scars that covered him.

"Please, by all means, hurt away."

Fully knowing that he was being bated by the insane man in front of him to attack, Sa knew he could not give in. Yes, Sa was angry at the man for getting into his head and finding out one of his secrets. Now he wants to get back at the Umbaran, but he did not need or want to fall for the taunts. Taking a good look at the now shirtless man in front of him, Sa saw what looked a guy who has been through more hell than even him. All the scars over his chest, his mouth looks like it has no more lips and even his eyes are unnatural. the Guardian's thoughts in all was this guy is a Sith or a Krath and he needs to go down. Not only for what it seemed like this Samael guy has done but Sa also wants to make him pay for what a Krath had done to his master.

“I know of a better choice than hurting you. You either die or come in quietly and pay for the crimes you had to of committed.” Sa said while glaring as best as he can.

“Oh I am soooo scared what is Mr. Masked face going to do to little old me if I do not comply to his commands?” was the mocking response Sa had gotten.

The two combatants started to stare at each other waiting for the other to make a move. Samael stood there and smiled with a what a look of glee in eyes could have looked like if he had normal eyes. It felt like minutes or even hours have gone by when all the sudden a twig was snapped and both people launched at each other Sa went to punch the other male only for it to be have been caught and Sa was thrown in the opposite direction into a tree.

Looking up the Kel Dor saw that the Krath was standing above him brandishing a bone knife that is still dripping blood from its most recent victim. With a gleeful look on the Umbaran’s face Sa knew he would be in for a good fight. Pivoting before Samael could move Sa attempted to sweep with his legs to knock over his opponent.

The Guardian swept his leg in an attempt to off balance the Umbaran, but the kick missed its mark when the Krath jumped quick enough to dodge the blow. Samael made a sneering face at the Kel Dor when he landed, shaking his head as he did so.

“You’ll have to do better than that.” said Samael, pulling out his knife.

The Umbaran extended his hand and thrusted a wave of telekinetic energy towards Sa, causing the Kel Dor to stumble backward. His foot hit a root, which caused him to fall down and hit his head, a small lump forming from the impact. When Sa looked up, Samael was nowhere to be seen, and the Jedi cursed under his breath. The Guardian could still feel the inky taint that the Krath exuded, but it was hard to pinpoint his location from it.

Sa’s head was throbbing, unsure if it was from the head wound or from the sadist he had encountered in the forest. His senses seemed clogged, his concentration hard to control, and he felt as though he were being watched. Laughter slithered in his ears, and his answer was given. Samael was toying with him. He did his best to steel himself against the assault, but the Umbaran was ruthless.

Out of the corner of his eye, the Kel Dor sensed movement. He whipped around, lightsaber at the ready, violet light bathing his surroundings. His vision rested on the former plaything of the Krath, the pale skin and stained wounds glaring at the Guardian. The carved message stared at him, almost mockingly, as the corpse lifted itself out of the grave. The Kel Dor tried to shake the illusion, but the corpse had begun its advance regardless. Sa readied his saber in defense, but made no move to attack.

“I know it’s not real.” said Sa, over and over again.

Still, the corpse moved towards him. Slowly, the features of the body seemed to change. It’s human shape became blurred, skin shifting shades, mouth twisting and contorting until finally there was no mouth at all. It’s eyes grew cold. Dead. Sa blinked and shook his head, trying his best to dispel whatever hold Samael had.

“Son…” said the corpse as it became the visage of his father extending a hand and caressing the Kel Dor’s cheek.

“No. No, this isn’t happening.” said Sa, sadness biting his words.

“It is, son. I’m sorry, I’m sorry for everything. I never should have left you.” said the corpse, going in for an embrace, only to be rejected by the Guardian, “Son, forgive me. If I could change it, I would.”

“D-dad...I lo-” said Sa, only to watch the knife of Samael slice through the throat of Kan Ool, who disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Samael cackled as he watched the Guardian stare at him, his goggled eyes not betraying the maelstrom of emotions that lie underneath. The Umbaran inhaled deeply, savoring every sweet sensation that twitched out of the Kel Dor. His empty hand clenched into a fist, and the air around him seemed to grow warmer, seemed to be covered in darkness.

The Kel Dor burst forth and swung at the Umbaran, who anticipated the attack and dodged it. Sa swung at his head, which Samael ducked. The Guardian slashed at the Krath’s mid section, which grazed his stomach and caused a burn scar. The former Tarenti giggled at the sensation, smiling widely at the Kel Dor.

“I can feel your anger.” cooed Samael, “Let’s see if we can get you to use it.”

Samael kicked at the Guardian, who moved out of the way of the blow and counter attacked with a lunging jab with his saber. The Krath swirled out of the way, his blood red sash being burned as it whipped around from his momentum and entered the path of the lightsaber. The Umbaran grinned wickedly as the Kel Dor struck again and again, his emotions guiding his actions.

“That’s it, come on.” said Samael, throwing a punch that hit Sa in his rebreather mask, causing the Guardian to back away. The Kel Dor raised a hand to it, adjusting it slightly and shaking his head to try and rid himself of the disorientation the blow brought. Samael took his own saber out and lunged at the Kel Dor, who brought his saber up just in time. The Krath smiled wickedly, bringing all his strength down on Sa. The Kel Dor slightly arched his blade, using Samael’s strength to his advantage and giving the Guardian an opening to land a punch to his midsection.

Samael laughed at the pain, an audible thwack belching into the air on the impact. The laughter unnerved the Kel Dor, not expecting it from his enemy. The Krath was full of surprises, and the Guardian was only just scratching the surface. The former Tarenti delivered an elbow to the Kel Dor’s face, the blow causing the Odanite to stumble backward. It was enough of an opening for Samael to flee into the trees, his cackle seeming to surround the Kel Dor. Sa cursed again at his elusive opponent, wishing to end the fight once and for all.

Still, he was relieved for the chance to catch his breath. He sat down and tried his best to center himself, removing the negative emotions from his mind and focusing on positive things. He tried to reach out and pinpoint where the Umbaran was, but the inky stain of the Dark Side seemed to be everywhere. Sa, himself, was oozing it as the image of his father lingered in his memory. Watching Samael kill Kan, watching his blade tear flesh open and hearing the struggling gasps of air escape before the phantom completely vanished, it shuffled loose the darkness inside the Guardian.

He could hear movement in the bushes behind him, slowly but surely approaching his position. An ambush, an attempt at stabbing him in the back while he tried to meditate. It was an obvious choice, and it almost insulted the Guardian. Closer, the footsteps came, and the Kel Dor almost laughed at the pitiful attempt. When he could practically smell the stench of death that clung to the Umbaran, the Odanite whipped around and stabbed at his attacker.

Though Samael was nowhere to be seen. Instead, his saber sank into the heart of another. She stared at the Guardian, eyes brimming with tears shimmering with sadness as a loving mother gazed upon her son. Her mouth motioned his name, but only a cough came forward. Her hand touched his cheek, warmth rippling out from the touch.

“Sa, I’m proud of you.” was the last words Val Ool said, her image fizzling away into nothingness.

“N-no! Please! Come back!” cried Sa.

But only laughter burst forth from the trees as Samael came back into view. The Umbaran was smiling, clapping his hands at the display. The Krath wiped away a tear, brought forth by the joy the sadist was feeling. The Kel Dor began his approach towards him, hand clenched around his saber. Samael readied himself, preparing for an attack.

“You.” Sa said, lunging at his enemy.

Blow after blow, the two moved back and forth. An overhead swing was blocked, a thrust from Samael was parried by Sa, followed by a riposte that Samael lurched away from. Samael’s expression was no longer smiling, instead an amused look danced in his eyes as the two exchanged blows. He could taste the Kel Dor’s emotions, and they were wondrous.

More and more blows were exchanged, but neither foe seemed to be waning. Darkness oozed from Sa as he allowed his anger to grow at the illusions he experienced at the hands of Samael. The Krath, as well, bathed in the terror and sadness that the Kel Dor felt, drinking it like a fine wine. It strengthened him, made him feel alive.

The Umbaran upper cutted the Kel Dor, the rebreather cutting into his knuckles and bursting the skin open. The Kel Dor practically sailed through the air, his head slamming down against the earth. His brain jostled against his skull, and darkness washed over him.

The Guardian didn’t stay down for long, however, and when he got up his opponent had disappeared. Sa was getting tired of this, and swore loudly at Samael.

“I hate you!” shouted Sa into the woods.

“Hate isn’t very Jedi like, Sa.” said the voice of Samael, echoing against the trees, “And just when I thought we both were having fun.”

“Come down here and finish this!” snapped the Kel Dor.

“It’ll be finished when I taste your blood and feed on your flesh, friend.” replied Samael.

From the trees came two shadows, their features unidentifiable from where Sa stood. He shouted into the forest that he didn’t care who Samael conjured, that no amount of skeletons in his closet being dragged in front of him could change the fact that he would kill Samael. That he would enjoy it. And then, when he was done shouting, the shadows began to change.

“Still so full of anger.” said Paet, the Kel Dor’s old friend.

“Everything will be ok, Sa. Just calm down.” said T’la.

Calm washed over Sa as his old friends embraced him and patted him on the back. They even smelled the same, almost made Sa believe they were real. Almost.

Samael appeared from the shadows and attacked before the Kel Dor could react. His hands dug into the back of Paet, the flesh being torn with an audible squish. Samael seemed to enjoy ripping his spinal column out, skull still attached, and beating T’la senseless with it. Sa, despite his best efforts, remained motionless as he witnessed the Umbaran murder his friends in front of him. Tears formed in his eyes and he wept openly as he held the remains of Paet in his arms. When Sa opened his eyes, however, he was on the ground. Samael was standing over him, knife at the ready. The illusions of his friends weren’t real, he had been knocked out by the upper cut and his brain had conjured the hallucinations.

“Oh, you are awake.” said Samael, “That will make this more fun.”

He tackled his opponent, who lay on the ground. Sa’s lightsaber was a few feet from him, unable to reach it for the moment. Samael dug his knife into the Kel Dor’s arm, blood bubbling to the surface as the blade went downward.

“Just a few more memories to pluck at, and I’ll give you the sweet release I’ve been building towards.” said Samael, kneeing the Kel Dor in the groin.

The Umbaran focused on the Guardian, who rolled around as the pain rolled over his body. He plucked at the memory of Sa’s aunt and uncle, the memory of their death at his hands when he was so young. The Kel Dor moaned, seeing his relatives stand over him and weep. Begging him to give them a reason for why he killed them. Why, when all they wanted to do was love him.

It was the breaking point Samael wanted. The Kel Dor roared in anger, the childhood memories he had buried for so long ripping to the forefront of his mind. There was no dark, there was no light. Just the sweet need for vengeance.

“I’m really getting to you, aren’t I?” giggled the Umbaran, who brought an overhead strike down on Sa.

Before the blow could hit it’s target, the Kel Dor rolled out of the way and grabbed his saber. He lunged for Samael, quickened by the Force and strengthened by his anger, and swung his saber at the Umbaran. Sa meant to strike at the stomach of his enemy, bursting open his guts and letting him die slowly. Instead, the saber cut a chunk off of the Umbaran’s hand, the flesh of it landing a few feet from him.

The Kel Dor attacked like a rabid dog. He lacked finesse in his frenzied state, and Samael used it to his advantage. The Guardian had overextended himself on one of his strikes, allowing the Krath to strike at the Kel Dor and knock him off balance. The Jedi fell, and the Krath was soon on him, kicking him repeatedly in the stomach. Samael smashed his boot on the saber hand of his enemy, who released his weapon which rolled away from his grasp.

“It’s over. You failed.” said Samael, delivering another kick to his enemy’s stomach.

He fell on his enemy, dropping his knees into the Kel Dor’s side and turning him over. With a swift motion, the Umbaran dug his blade into the stomach of the Jedi. He twisted it to the left and right, and finally pulled it out.

“You’re no use to me dead, however. I think we could be friends.” said Samael.

“I’d rather die…” said Sa.

“Really? Would you? Would you like me to skin you alive and make you eat it? Would you rather I go through every memory of every loved one you’ve ever had and make you relive the terrifying pain of loss that accompanies it? I’ve been inside your head, redeemed Jedi. You don’t want to die.” replied Samael, “You want to be my friend.”

“No.” spat Sa.

“Yes” said Samael, digging his knife into the Kel Dor’s leg and twisting it. He yanked it out and shoved it back in, smashing bone and rendering the leg useless. The Umbaran attacked every mental block the Kel Dor still had, using the pain he felt as a catalyst and dominating the Guardian’s will, “Be my friend.”

“Why?” said Sa.

“Because I’ve never met anyone who could take an emotional beating like you. Maybe if I can understand you better, I’ll learn why I am the way I am.”

Before Sa could say anymore, the Kel Dor passed out. Samael couldn’t help but laugh at the Guardian.

“Or maybe I’ll just let you die.” said the Umbaran, leaving the Kel Dor for the forest.

At first the Adult Kel Dor thought that Samael let him sweep his legs out from underneath him. A quick look showed him otherwise that the Krath did not expect him to go through with it. Using the quick few second he knew he had Sa pushed off the ground and away from his opponent and the one who he has decided to nickname the crazy one.

Landing on his feet Sa was quickly to use his telekinesis to sending debris from the trees and what ever else was on the ground. Being able to put up a small barrier the Krath Shielded himself long enough from some of the larger items that was flung at him. Putting his bone knife in it’s sheif the Umbaran male started to take his hands and wipe himself off of the rest of the debri. Looking upset that his opponent, no his new toy would do something like that to him. With a psychotic like smile slowly forming on his face Sa knew the real fight was about to begin.

“Now now toys are not to be mean like that.”

Not being able to feel it fast enough, the bone knife was shot out of it’s sheif and was now sticking out of the tree right next to the Guardian's head. With only a split second Sa had his saber back in hands with his purple blade connecting and sending sparks with Samael’s own blade. Vaapad was used against Djem So, if there was any inexperienced people there they would have thought that it was just a beat down with laser swords.

After a while of either people trying to gain an upper hand from the other, Samael Back handed Sa with his off hand to stun the Kel Dor long enough to send Sa flying through the air with the Krath using his own telekinesis. Sa landed with a decently sounded thud especially where his head hit a rock effectively knocking him out. While waiting for the Jedi to wake up, Samael decided to use his bone knife and draw on the kel dors shoulders. After a while SA came to, with the Crazy one sitting on Sa’s stomach. Only thing Sa heard before being dragged away by his feet was that Samael was happy that his toy decided to be good and let the Krath have his fun.