My First Lightsaber

[LadyM]

I sat at the highest peak of a grassy hilltop that over looked the valley below with my eyes transfixed on the plains that were teeming with life. Several pack beasts were munching on the lush grass while the bulls of those animals stood on guard protecting both the herd and the calves from the numerous predators that swarmed around in these parts. Some would claim that it was dangerous for a young teenage girl to sit here alone but I was not just some teenage girl. I am Sith and it could be said with truth that we Sith here on Dantooine were the apex predator. But I was not sitting here wasting my time. No, I was waiting for my Master to appear.

I had learned, and not quite mastered it yet, the exotic weapon known as the lightwhip but I found that there were some drawbacks to using only that as my weapon. So after some serious thought, I decided that I wanted to wield a lightsaber now, giving me options in combat. Master Volitu told me that in order for me to wield the weapon I had to first construct one. Since we resided on Dantooine, I did not have the luxury to scour the land for the lightsaber parts but my Master already had those. But she would not build it for me, I had to do that myself.

Along with constructing my first lightsaber, Master Volitu was going to teach me about the numerous lightsaber forms and from there, I would choose one that best suited me for now.

I heard a series of howls from the west and saw a pack of Kath hounds charging toward the herd animals. The bulls of the species moved to intercept and I watched as the predator, the hounds, become the defeated. Yes, in our galaxy the predator can become the prey and I do not view myself as anyone's prey.

 

[Negative Blessing]

"Before we begin constructing your lightsaber and I install upon the knowledge of the lightsaber forms....we first must acquire the crystals or crystals for your future weapon," the Sith Master said as she walked past her Apprentice in the direction of the crystal cave.

They entered the cave, which was illuminated by the several different colours radiating off the crystals themselves. When she was a Acolyte and Apprenticed to her first Master, Grima was taken to this exact cave where she discovered her first set of crystals and was shown how to balance them so that they were attuned to her and her alone. Now with two newly crafted lightsabers, she too sought to find herself new crystals.

"You will see there are several options before you. Take your time and examine each crystal formation allowing the Force to not only guide you but assist you in choosing the proper crystal or crystals." Grima left her Apprentice to find what she needed as she moved through the cave looking for new crystals.

After a couple of hours of searching and discarding those she did not feel an attraction to, she at last found the two crystals that will now serve as the basis of her blades colour. Soon after the construction of her Apprentice's lightsaber, they would go off-world to find other crystals that would add advanced properties to their weapons.

"When you have found what you are looking for Apprentice...return to me and I will show you how to infuse the Dark Side into your crystal or crystals while aligning it with you and you alone," she said as she took a seat position on the cavern floor/

 

[LadyM]

I moved through the cave examining each and every crystal formation I came across. At each formation I would hover my hand over it and feel the energy pulsing from the crystals but none had called to me nor did any of them feel right for me. I was starting to get frustrated when I came across a cluster of crystals. As before, I hovered my hand of the formation and immediately felt a whisper in my mind. I knew the voice was not real but to me it felt as if the crystals were speaking directly into mind. I crouched down so I was face to face with the crystals.

Closing my eyes and opening up my mind to the crystals, I began to mentally scan them until at last I found the one and only crystal for me. There were a couple of others that wanted to serve me but I am not greedy and since I will only have the one lightsaber, I only needed the one crystal. Carefully I plucked out the precious crystal and held it tight in my hand.

I walked over to where Master Volitu was sitting and joined her on the cavern floor. "I have found my crystal Master," I said with pride in my voice.

 

[Negative Blessing]

"Very good Apprentice. Now, this crystal can take on the colour of whatever you choose...but to do so, you must first make a connection to the crystal by infusing it to you. Later, we will visit other planets to find other crystals that will give your blade and weapon special properties," the Sith Witch said. Holding one of her newly acquired crystals in her hand she added, "You must not only use the Force and the Dark Side to corrupt this crystal so that it is attuned to you, but you must concentrate your mind and focus on the crystal, inside and out. This can take hours...days...even weeks to do this. Take your time Apprentice and attune this crystal to you. When you are done, we will continue our journey."

Grima used her mind and floated the first of her two crystals out in front of her. Shutting her eyes she inhaled the energies of the Dark Side mingling that with the Force and all her darker emotions; hate, anger. Then she began to pour her malice into it while uttering a spell word from the power Force Weapon adding to the crystal a design to the gem enchanting it. Now, if anyone were to touch the gem, their mind would be ripped in two turning them into a babbling fool. As this process began to manifest, a eerie swirl of black and purple mist began to appear inside the crystal turning it from opaque to black and purple.

Scanning the gem for any flaws, Grima found none and opened her eyes and saw the crystal was complete; perfectly attuned to her. She reached out and grabbed it, moving the gem to a pocket on her utility belt. Taking the other crystal she did the same process but instead of enchanting the gem with mind ripping curses, she had to its property that any who touched this gem would immediately lose all their memories; rending them a husk of their former self.

With both complete and safely tucked away, she saw that her Apprentice was still working on her crystal. Grima had no idea how long they were at this but she could tell they had been in this cave for some time.

 

[LadyM]

I stood up and moved to another part of the cave to work with my crystal, away from any distractions. Again sitting cross-legged on the floor, I gazed into the crystal as I held it in the palm of my hand, visualizing in my mind the finished product. Slowly I began to close my eyes and meld my mind into that of the crystal, bringing the two together as one. Carefully and cautiously I began to transfer my dark side energy into the crystal as well as my emotions associated with the dark side.

I could feel the heat from the crystal in the palm of my hand and felt the pulsating throb as the crystal began to reshape, joining and bonding with me. I opened my eyes and saw that the crystal was no longer a bright colour but a dull looking red. I smiled to myself as I could feel the energy coursing through the crystal.

I looked over at Master Volitu and saw that she had just completed her ritual.

 

[Negative Blessing]

Grima rose to her feet and walked toward her Apprentice saying, "It appears you have shaped your first crystal. From this day forward, that crystal will only respond to you. Rise Apprentice, the time has come for us to continue our quest for the perfect crystals." Grima exited the cave and headed in the direction of her palace. Along the way, she spoke to her pilot, via the com link on her wrist, to make sure he had her ship ready for departure. After a brief conversation, Grima was satisfied that the ship was now indeed ready.

As the two Sith, Master and Apprentice, walked through the grassy plains on the way to the ship, the Sith Witch spoke about the different crystals. "There are countless numbers of crystals scattered across the galaxy. Some are easy to obtain while others will test your skills and fortitude to obtain them. Some crystals will change the width and temperature of your blade while others still can add special properties to them. Some crystals will only work with those of the Dark Side or the Light Side and others have no preference of a master. However, whatever crystals you seek to use for your lightsaber make sure they do not hamper you....your skills....or bring harm to you. In other words Apprentice, seek out those that are a compliment to you and your skill sets."

When they arrived at the ship, the two entered and Grima alerted her pilot, Grundez, to head to their first destination. Yes, this quest will test both their skills and their mindset.

 

[LadyM]

I walked in silence listening to my Master's words about the various crystals that were out there. I had studied up on the different crystals but I was shocked to hear that there were so much I had not learned about. As we walked back to Master Volitu's ship, I thought about what crystals I would like to infuse into my first lightsaber. My path, as far as a Sith, was already laid out before me but know I wanted to be a serious threat with a lightsaber.

Upon entering the ship, I immediately headed to my personal quarters aboard the craft and sat on my knees, leaning back, and began to meditate on what Master Volitu spoke. I could feel my crystal pulsating in my hand and now the time had come to find it a companion or two.

 

[Negative Blessing]

Master Volitu's ship landed on a platform surrounded by the massive wroshyr tress, high above the famed Shadowlands on the Wookie home world of Kashyyyk. It had been some years since the Sith Master had visited this planet but the echos and whispers of the Dark Side were just as strong now as they were when she was here as a Acolyte. Her last visit proved both eventful and knowledgeable, but this time it was all business. She had brought her Apprentice here to find some crystals, mainly the unique carmine crystal or better known to the Sith as Bane's Heart. Though her own lightsabers would be enchanted by her when she was done collecting her own crystals, these crystals will aid her Apprentice.

Stepping on to the wooden bridge, railed by ropes fabricated from the planet's own plantlife, the Sith Witch led her Apprentice past several checkpointes toward one of the old and ancient contraptions that would lower the duo down into the dangerous forest floor, known as the Shadowlands where only the brave and crazy dare to tread. "The forest floor below is more than just dangerous Apprentice...death lurks in the shadows...hides behind the foliage...and watches from the branches above. Be prepared for anything and everything," Grima said as the 'bucket' lowered them down to the floor.

With her hood over her top part of her head and her cloak wrapped around her, Grima began to move through the forest using the Force as a radar scanning for any and all signs of danger. She knew the caves would be difficult to reach but she was confident in her own skills and abilities; it was her young Apprentice that needed to be over cautious.

Grima sensed them before she saw them. From the overgrowth of a formation of orga plants came not one but two Kashyyyk Banthas, angry and full of hate; and corrupted by the Dark Side. Their hair was matted and extremely filthy while their horns seemed to be stained with the blood from smaller creatures. Grima quickly brought her two lightsabers to life and moving into the Makashi form, she readied herself to repel the attackers.

Moving like a dancer and just as graceful, she fell on the first of the two banthas and with a series of slashes and one plunge of her twin sabers, she killed the first beast. However, the second bantha seemed to have no interest in the Togruta Sith and charged for her Apprentice instead.

 

[LadyM]

Once on the planet of the famed warriors, the Wookies, I could immediately feel the calling of the dark side and I welcomed it. As we passed by several checkpointes where Imperial Stormtroopers stood guard, I sensed the tension growing on the planet. The Wookies had suffered greatly over the centuries and now once again they found themselves dominated by the Empire. I did not feel for their plight. When we came to some old looking means of transportation that was to take us below, I looked at the rickety thing with suspicion, but stepped onto it none the less.

On our way down, I listened as Master Volitu speak to me about the dangers that lurked below. I had dealt with dangers before but it is always the unknown that catches you off guard. Once in the Shadowlands, I walked behind my Master keeping my eyes peeled for danger. I tried to scan the area with the Force but there was to much happening at once was that I concluded that I would not be able to pinpointe any one danger.

As I was looking to my right, I noticed Master Volitu abruptly stop and produce her two lightsabers; and I followed suit by unclasping my lightwhip's hilt. I was not able to sense them but I saw them crash through the foliage, charging toward us with purpose. That purpose was to kill us! I watched one of the creatures head toward my Master and the other charged headstrong toward me.

I ignited my weapon and quickly flicked the whip at the feet of the creature, slicing its two front and massive legs off. The beast fell face first into the forest floor but it would not give up. As it struggled to rise up, I extended my right hand, fingers spread apart and unleashed lighting from my fingertips. As the lightning hit and engulfed the beast, I could feel the burning pain in my fingertips but it did not deter me. I used the pain to increase the voltage of the lightning until I could no longer hold the power.

I halted my lightning and smelled my fingers burning, saw them smoking. The beast also was smoking but it no longer was moving. I had killed it with my lightning.

 

[Negative Blessing]

Grima stood, her lightsabers in each hand pointing down to the mossy covered forest floor, watching her young Apprentice handle the rampaging beast how a Sith should. The Apprentice struck swiftly and ended the beast even quicker without exerting to much energy, physical or Force. Detecting no immediate danger, the Sith Witch powered down her two weapons and replaced them back to her belt. "You are learning Apprentice," the Sith Master said, then turned around and headed deeper into the Shadowlands in pursuit of the crystal cave.

As she walked through the Shadowlands, Grima took the opportunity to discuss with her Apprentice the nature and history of the crystals they sought. "The rare crystals we seek are called carmine crystals but to us Sith, we refer to them as Bane's Heart. Darth Bane had given this crystal to his apprentice Darth Zannah, a girl he raised as a child and molded into a very powerful Dark Lady. The legend, or merely its just a rumour, was that he loved his apprentice...not love in sense of a relationship but as a Father and Daughter relationship. So when he gave this crystal to her, it was as if he was giving her his heart...hence the name Bane's Heart."

Grima fell silent for a moment as she felt several small presences in the Force up ahead. After some time she concluded they were no threat to her and perhaps they were only Tachs frolicking about.

"The crystal, when it is infused to you and set into a lightsaber, gives off small electrical shocks or charges that are harmless to you....but it will give whomever is ignorant to touch your weapon and nasty little surprise. As you grow more powerful in the Force, I will instruct you on the ability known as Force Weapon where you can enchant your weapon rather than relying on the crystal, hence giving you an opportunity to seek out a different crystal."

At last they arrived at the entrance of a great cave. Before entering the cave, Grima said, "We will be in this cave for a few days....for it takes time to bring these crystals in balance with yourself. So before we enter, do you have any questions?"

 

[LadyM]

I walked in step with Master Volitu as she explained both the properties of the carmine crystal and the history of it. Back in my Master's personal library, I had studied up on the Dark Lords of the Sith Order from the beginning to the current time. I knew Darth Bane had culled the Order and reinvented it by installing the Rule of Two to ensure the survival of both the Order and its teachings. From that, I learned about his apprentice, Darth Zannah, who had defeated him and took the title Dark Lord of the Sith.

While I continued to listen, I kept shifting my eyes looking for signs of danger. Unlike my Master, my powers in the Force were not strong to decipher between danger and harmless creatures. But in time my own powers would soon grow stronger and I to will be a threat to any that crosses me or seeks to betray me or foolish enough to challenge me openly.

When we arrived at the caves, I peered into the darkness at the opening and could feel the dark side swarming about. It was refreshing and calling. I felt my self grow eager with anticipation knowing that I was close to acquiring my first lightsaber crystal. No Master, I currently have no questions before we enter. Your teachings have prepared me for this. I am ready," I said still looking into the blackness of the cave.

 

[Negative Blessing]

Grima led the young girl through several twists and turns, using the illumination from one of her lisghtsabers. As they walked, she could feel a very large presence through the Force and the Sith Master knew that it could be one of the most dangerous predators on Kashyyyk; the dreaded Anakkona. These giant serpents were both fierce and fearless. Even the mighty Wookies feared these monsters, treading carefully when they moved through the Shadowlands. Unfortunately, these serpents have been known to inhabit caves and it was apparent to the Sith Witch that one had done just that with the crystal cave.

Slowly retrieving her other lightsaber, she spoke to her Apprentice through their mental link. "Stay here Apprentice....what lies up ahead is more than you can handle." With one ignited lightsaber in her hand and the other still powered down in the other, she moved through the tunnel letting the Force guide her to the Anakkona.

Stepping into the main chamber of the cave, which housed all the crystal formations, she saw the giant serpent coiled around one of the massive formations of crystals, the one where the carmine crystal could be found. The serpent slowly raised its head and let out a loud hiss that reverberated off the cavern walls. Grima knew she would have to act quickly to defeat the serpent. First, she called on the Force and from her left hand, where her lightsaber was still not ignited, she unleashed the blue and white energy of Force Shock that immediately engulfed the serpent and began to burn and boil the snake's flesh.

The serpent uncoiled itself as it slithered toward the Sith Master while shaking off the pain of the Dark Side energy. Watching her foe growing closer, she uttered the spell word, "Itsu Hyal Hask" and from her fingers shot out a green energy web from the Sith Spell Odojinya that smacked into the serpent, the green energy web encasing around it. The serpent crashed to the floor and that's when Grima ignited her other lightsaber and attacked with ferocity as she moved into the Juyo form, adding her dark emotions to the form.

With several powerful and emotionally charged strikes and slashes, she killed the Anakkona. Powering down her lightsabers and returning them to her utility belt, she linked her mind back to her Apprentices telling her to join her at the chamber.

 

[LadyM]

I could feel a strong presence inside the cave but with so much of the dark side energy swirling about, I could not place where it was coming from. I did know it was not a dark side creature or entity but it was definitely radiating something very dangerous. I was just about to open my mouth to say something to my Master when I heard her words in my head. She was right, whatever was lurking deeper in the caves was more powerful than I could deal with at this stage of my career as a Sith. So when Master Volitu moved to address the issue, I allowed my curiosity to get the best of me.

Using the skill Force Cloak, I bent the sounds and light waves around me, rendering me nearly invisible. Once I was sure I could not be seen by natural eyes, I began to creep slowly through the caves. Following the light being cast from Master Volitu's lightsaber, I came to an opening where she entered. I took up position near the entrance, hiding behind some fallen stones. When I peaked into the cave, my heart literally skipped a beat. Coiled around some of the crystals was a snake so big, I had to take a double look to make sure my eyes had not betrayed me.

What happened next fascinated me. I watched my Master not only engage the serpent, but in no time slayed the giant snake quickly. When the beast was dead, I uncloaked myself and noticed that my hand had wrapped around the hilt of my lightwhip. I may not have been ready to fight such a monster, but mentally I was near upping my game.

 

[Negative Blessing]

Grima turned around and saw her Apprentice standing there quicker than she should have arrived. She already felt her Apprentice at the entrance when she fought and killed the serpent. "You should learn to restrain your curiosity Apprentice. Had this monster gotten past me or even killed me....it would have done the same to you. Remember this and remember it forever....you, like all other Apprentices, are the legacy of the Master that has taught them. Though one day I will be dead but my teachings and my knowledge live through those I instruct. One day you will take on your own Apprentices and you will teach them what you have learned from me, possibly even adding more to it. They will become your legacy and so on and so on. So when I tell you to stay put...you do well to listen to me!"

Letting her anger at her Apprentice to subside before continuing, she gathers herself and motions for the girl to come over to her. "In that cluster of crystals you will find the crystal you seek. Take one...only one! Unlike the crystals you took from the cave back on Dantooine, these crystals hold the power of the Dark Side within. Many will call out to you but only one you shall answer. Go now and take your crystal so we may leave this planet and head to another."

Grima stands at the entrance that has now turned into the exit of the cave waiting for her Apprentice to select the crystal.

 

[LadyM]

I felt both ashamed and disrespectable when Master Volitu spoke to me about disobeying her command for me to remain where I was. It never occurred to me about legacies and such and when I thought about her words. she was correct. One day I would have my own Apprentice and what they learn from me would reflect on both my teachings and how I teach. The cycle would be endless, knowledge passed on from Master to Apprentice. "Forgive me for my disobedience, Master. I allowed my curiosity to trump my common sense and it shall never occur again."

I moved to the clusters and closed my eyes allowing my mind to push away all distractions and only taking in what the force was showing me in terms of the carmine crystals. As Master Volitu had said, several were indeed calling out to me but I only needed one. And after what seemed like countless hours, I at last found it.

Using my mind, i slowly and carefully plucked the crystal from its neighbourhood and gently placed it into the palms of my hands. I could feel the heat coming off the crystal while feeling the dark side energy pulsating throughout the carmine crystal. I eventually placed the crystal inside my cloak where it would remain until i could transfer it to better accommodations aboard Master Volitu's ship.

"I am ready to depart now, Master," I said stopping next to her.

 

[Negative Blessing]

"Indeed you are child." Master and Apprentice returned to her ship and left the Wookie homeworld behind. Their next destination was the remote world of Kesh to acquire the legendary lignan crystal for both her and her Apprentice's crystal. This would be the final crystal for her Apprentice but Grima herself would require two more crystals for her new lightsabers.

As they sat upon her ship on their way to the planet, Grima began to speak about the next crystal. "The lignan crystal is very powerful indeed Apprentice. Constructed from lignan ore, a type of ore that is powerful in the Dark Side of the Force. When these crystals are added to a lightsaber....it will enable your blade to burn hotter and last longer than most normal crystals. With the blade hotter, it will allow your lightsaber to cut through objects more quickly. These crystals can only be found on the planet of Kesh."

Grima had long yearned for this particular crystal herself but now the time had presented her with the opportunity to obtain what her heart desired. She had met a Sith once when she was only an Acolyte, yet not Apprenticed to anyone, who had these crystals in her lightsaber and Grima had been awed ever since.

"Luckily for us Apprentice, we do not need to mine the ore nor have it turned into the crystals. I know a person on Kesh that has been holding some crystals for me...well, us. Once we gather these crystals for ourselves, we have just a couple of more stops to make. However, during our journey to the other worlds we will begin construction of your first lightsaber in the mean time. Inside your quarters you will discover a data pad with a list of the several different lightsaber forms. I want you to study them and see what you think fits best with you. Once your lightsaber is completed, we shall immediately move to lightsaber forms and combat. You are now dismissed."

 

[LadyM]

I was at once eager to begin constructing my lightsaber soon. I rushed to my quarters and found the data pad waiting for me. I turned it on and began to read about the different forms and techniques associated with lightsaber combat. The one form that stuck to me was the form known as Makashi. I knew this was the form I wanted to learn from my Master and in time, master that form for myself. Also, I began to study the technique known as Trakata. I was unsure if I was powerful enough to learn it but if not, I would wait patiently until I was and then seek to learn it.

After spending several hours thinking about the Makashi form and reading how several of the best swordsman in the Sith adopted this as their form, I was hooked. I yearned to be a expert duelist at some pointe.

I stood up and heard my Master call for me through the Force. It seemed our we had arrived at our next stop. I gathered myself and headed to the ramp to meet my Master and obtain the next crystal for my future lightsaber.

 

[Negative Blessing]

The ship landed in a small clearing that had been cleared away in the middle of a jungle far away from prying eyes. The Sith Master Grima Volitu was not concerned about others knowing she came to Kesh, she just didn't want others to know about her secret contact. Grima had paid a human male an undisclosed amount of credits for him to transform the ore into the crystals they were here to obtain. After several months she was finally contacted by a in-between associate to let her know her order was now complete and ready for pick up.

Stepping onto the grassy surface of Kesh with her Apprentice next to her, the Sith Witch took in both the sights and the feeling of the Dark Side. Years upon years ago, a lost tribe of the Sith had lived here on Kesh. Though she knew the history, her Apprentice did not.

So as the two Sith walked through the jungle, Grima explained the history behind the lost tribe. "History, like everything else, can be perceived in many different ways. However, history of the Order and everything associated with the Sith is very important to know and understand. This planet Kesh is rich in such a history," Grima said getting the attention of her Apprentice.

With her Apprentice giving Grima her full attention, she began the history lesson. "In 5000 BBY a Sith warship called Omen, carrying members of the Sith Lord Naga Sadow was ambushed and settled upon this planet. Like all Sith, they quickly dominated the native species who thought the Sith were Gods. The Sith Yaru Korsin, Captain of the Omen formed the tribe and became their Grand Lord., ruling over the Sith here. They had built a temple here and after his death, his daughter Nida took the role of Grand Lord."

Grima pointed to a make-shift hut in the distance and told her that was their destination. They headed for the hut and she continued the lesson. "They eventually moved their headquarters to the city of Tahv. Around the time of 4958, they found an old transmission with the Dark Lord Naga Sadow's image on it. Fear had took hold of the human Sith making them believe they were being ruled by a demon or monster. It was at this time that Grand Lord Korsin ordered a purge of the Sith species on Kesh. Now remember this Apprentice, any Sith regardless of species is no better than another. Discrimination against another race will not be tolerated. Now back to the lesson. The Grand Lord formed a Circle of Lords that was made up of Lords and High Lords and they were ruled over by the Grand Lord. They survived like this for a millennia until 41 ABY when a Sith Mediation Sphere ship found them and brought them news that the Jedi now controlled the galaxy."

Grima stopped a few yards from the hut so she could finish the lesson before heading inside. "The ship assisted the lost tribe in getting off the planet and roughly two years later they felt the presence of the Jedi Grand Master Luke Skywalker and it was decided they would kill him. Unfortunately, they failed in their attempts. But this lesson has concluded for now. I will explain later why they failed but first, it is time for us to get what we came here for."

As the duo moved to the door, a old looking human male opened the door and when he saw Grima, a smile emerged on his face. "Master Volitu! Please come inside," the old man said gesturing with his left hand. The two Sith entered the hut.

 

[LadyM]

I walked in step with Master Volitu as she began to teach me the history of Kesh, in regards to the lost tribe of the Sith. I briefly glanced through some material on this but I was young and not mature to focus on it. Now, I was. I found that Master Volitu was correct when she said our history is important to know and learn.

I was spellbound by the words and when we finally arrived at the Hut I said, "When we have time Master, I wish to know the rest of the story." I found the story fascinating and now I felt as if I was standing on a ledge of anticipation with more to come, but had to wait patiently for it.

The door to the hut opened where an old hermit was waiting for us. He greeted my Master but made no greeting to me. When I entered the hermit's hut I could smell mold and mildew and saw some of what i was smelling in the corners of the walls.

I leaned up against one of the only clean walls in the hut and listened to Master Volitu and this old hermit conduct their business. I was one step closer to building my first lightsaber.

 

[Negative Blessing]

The old man was eager to see the Sith Master return to claim her crystals. He gestured to an old, wooden table where food was placed on it. Grima took the gesture meaning that he wanted the two Sith to dine with him. So she took a seat at one of the empty chairs and motioned for her Apprentice to join them just as the old man began to fill the cracked plates with food. The old man went into a long winded account of how he constructed the crystals from the ore and when they were finished eating and his story complete, he rose up from his chair and left the room.

When he returned he was carrying a black and red box that he placed on the table in front of the Sith Witch. The old man opened the lid to the box and inside were the three crystals. Grima examined each one and was satisfied. She thanked the old man and the two Sith left the hut and returned to her ship. Once inside the ship, Grima took her Apprentice to the training room.

On the table in the room was the various parts of her future lightsaber and a datapad. "The datapad contains detail instructions on how to build your lightsaber. However, the Force will be better used than the datapad. Allow the Force to guide you into constructing your first lightsaber. Whatever way you decide to use is up to you."

Pointing to the table she added, "It is time Apprentice. Go and construct your first lightsaber."