The harsh and scorching winds bolstered against the Zelosian’s back as he raced towards the Valley from his shuttle. He preciously covered his eyes from the glaring sun and the beating down sandstorm he was in. His heavy and plated boots scrapped and dragged across the sandy floors, his robes were shredded and whipped by the sands, and his dignity was slowly dissipating. Sjl peered above a treasured piece of cloth that he held near his face, to notice the spire of the academy close to him. He must press on, to make it to the academy is an imperative for the Krath. The vast collection of mysterious, darkened and forbidden knowledge that lay between the walls was like a drug for the Krath Priest. His body was met by the soft whipping inside of an alcove he accidentally walked into, it was dimmer on his eyes, and the warm breeze welcomed by his skin. However, as the Zelosian pressed further onwards, his boots crunched at the sound of numerous inaccessible Sith Scrolls under the sand. Looking further ahead, Sjl could noticed piles of datapads, holocrons and even a random Lavonrak.
Curiously, Sjl delved deeper into the alcove as it turned into a tunnel with torches and floodlights propped across the edges for guidance.His mind wandered to questionings about the occupant of the treasure cove that he just entered. The logic behind entering this place was farfetched, yet Sjl did not agree with the idea of stepping back outside to die in the hands of the weather. Sjl grew more intrigued about the of all the lost secrets inside this cave, he rushed into action and jogged deeper into the cave.
His eyes were blinded by the sun’s glare from the pillar of the vast room that Sjl entered, and as he turned his eyes towards the lower levels he saw a settlement pitched into the ground. New boots sat outside the entrance and a backpack was left beside the crackling fire and sandstone used for a stool. East of the settlement, he could see an old and rusted cruiser, it’s appearance was lost to time however Sjl could sense it meant more than looks for the owner. Sjl dared himself to enter and decided to follow a ramp that was attached to the south-western wall, slowly walking down with his hand near his lightsaber. It wasn’t the preferred weapon of choice for the Zelosian right now, but the prospect of finding a man-eating beast out here were slim. Then Sjl froze, his head remained still as the cold metal of something circular was softly placed onto the temple of his head, a hand slowly crept across his shoulder and neck to secure him in place, and the heavy breathing of a man slithered against his ear.
“Move and you die, stranger.”
Nervous and panting slightly, Sjl slowly removed his hands from his sides and raised them into clear view for the unknown to see. They were then quickly taken behind Sjl’s back and linked together by restrainers. Sjl wanted to reassure the man he was not here to steal, however a doubt in the back of his mind warned him that this might be a Taldryan, Odanite or a Plagueis member.
“I take nothing but answers; I leave nothing but questions.” Sjl whispered, keeping his head forward in fear of losing it.
The unknown man slowly pushed Sjl to edge him forward and forced him to move down the ramp. His boots felt heavier by the second as he was led towards the campfire, still crackling and burning. With a heavy hand, the Zelosian was pushed onto his rear and onto the ground infront of his captor. The Priest now began to recognise the person from his Quaestor’s report; bleach blonde hair, dark brown and droopy eyes, and the signature cigarette from his weathered lips. The smoke of such device flooded the chambers and forced Sjl to gain a chesty cough.
“Connor Grey?” Sjl questioned the Sith.
“How do you know me, wimp?” He furiously stood and stormed towards the Krath, grabbing his neck and yanking him onto his feet.
“We--we were looking for you. My superiors spoke of you highly--said that you knew this place better than the dead Sith Lords. You have a treasure worth buying too.”
“Did he now?” The Sith gritted his cigarette and his teeth, thinking of ideas as the precipice of darkness crept over the Kuati’s face. He patted Sjl’s pants down and prodded around, then yanked the Priest’s lightsaber away and smirked at the design.
“Ah, a brotherhood weapon. This will go nicely in my collection, I’m sorry bud. The war isn’t for you.”
Sjl’s expression fell pale, he tried to wriggle from the restrainers as Grey reached for his pistol once more. His firm grip on the Krath’s neck slipped, causing the Zelosian to slam onto his back and whack his head against a sharp rock. His blurred vision struggled to focus as Grey aimed his pistol at the Zelosian’s face, then fired twice. The cold blackness greeted Sjl for the last time.