3957 BBY

The Krayt Dragon set down on Dromund Kaas' surface, right next to Revan's personal shuttle, the Dark Force. The Sith triumvirate exited the ship, and saw Revan waiting for them outside his shuttle.

"So, what's here that's so important?" Darth Volcanus said, as he walked down the loading ramp.

Darth Entropi immediately answered the question before Revan was able to answer. "This is where you met your 'master', isn't it?" She said. "Are we here to meet him?"

Revan nodded. "Follow me through the swamp to the temple. He's usually meditating in the main chamber." He said, and them did an about face. "Oh, and watch out for the dart flowers. They can shoot poisonous thorns relatively far, and are nominally sapient, so they know when you are close."

The walk to the temple was treacherous. The swampy terrain, the deadly dart flowers, the predators such as the mailocs and swamp wampas made sure the journey weeded out the weak, ensuring the only the strongest survived to enter the Sith temple.

Upon reaching the temple, Revan stopped. "This is the Dark Force temple, the last stronghold of the ancient Sith. This is where I 'fell' to the Dark Side." Revan said. "You will find the Dark Side very powerful here, but you must not let it control you. Remember the control techniques I taught you, and you will be fine."

Upon entering the temple, the Sith triumvirate noticed strange statues with glowing eyes. The statues were wearing long cloaks, and holding a sword. The Sith triumvirate was taken aback, however, Revan reassured them. "These watcher statues will not harm us, because our Dark Side aura means we technically belong here. There are more dangerous statues ahead," Revan said. "Though I do not think my 'master' will test me like that again."

As the group got closer to the inner sanctum, the Sith triumvirate noticed a change in the statues. Instead of cloaked figures with swords, these statues wore no cloak, and held a lightsaber. As they got close, the lightsabers activated, and the statues came to life.

"I guess he wants to test you three." Revan said, stepping to the side. "Destroy them, and show my 'master' you are worthy of meeting him."

The Sith triumvirate pulled their lightsabers off their belts, and activated them. "Four of them. Hardly a challenge." Volcanus said. And then he charged at the closest two.

"What a colossal waste of Sith Alchemy." Darth Entropi said, raising her lightsaber into a defensive position. "Ghasta, why don't you see if these things are as susceptible to your cloaking abilities as living things are?"

"It would be my pleasure." Ghasta said, and turned on his stealth belt.

Volcanus' charge was met by a lightning fast strike by both statues. However, Volcanus was faster, and leapt into the air and over the statues. Upon landing, Volcanus pivoted, and sliced the heads off the statues. The statues were unfazed, and immediately struck downward with their lightsabers at Volcanus. Volcanus stepped back, and blocked both sabers.

Entropi, who was fighting defensively, was taking note of Volcanus' battle in addition to her own. "It seems we must destroy these things completely." She said, and using the Force, picked the statue up and began crushing it. It took a monumental effort to maintain her concentration and fight the alchemical energies used to create the construct, but Darth Entropi was finally able to crush the construct into dust. Revan grinned slightly inside his mask, pleased that his agent had enough mental fortitude to do that. He also realized that, should she ever turn against him, he would have to concentrate on resisting her command of the Force.

Noting how Entropi's opponent was defeated, but not having that much mental strength, Darth Ghasta did what he did best; fast, efficient strikes with his lightsaber. Still cloaked, and thus far undetected by his opponent, Ghasta used his lightsaber to slice off the saber arm of the construct at the shoulder. The construct spun around and swung his remaining arm at Ghasta, but Ghasta was able to dodge, and take that arm off at the shoulder. Now, having no more avenues for attack, Ghasta efficiently sliced off the legs and head of the construct. Ghasta deactivated his stealth belt, after making sure that the construct was no longer moving.

Volcanus, having been on the defensive until this point, saw how Ghasta destroyed his opponent, and grinned slightly. Using the Force to push the constructs back, Volcanus let his rage fuel his strength and speed, and charged at the constructs. With fast, powerful and violent strikes, the constructs laid in pieces on the ground.

"Well done. While I am sure you have impressed my 'master', you've also given greater insight into your fighting styles." Revan said. "Insight that I can use in case you ever turn against me."

"You don't trust us, then?" Ghasta asked, as he deactivated his lightsaber.

"Treachery is the way of the Sith, my friend. More Sith fall to each other than to anything else." Revan said. "The remaining trip will be easy, now that you have proved your strength."

The Sith triumvirate stared at Revan as he walked toward the entrance to the main chamber, each filled with anger. Being tested by Revan's "master" was one thing, but being used by Revan to study their combat techniques was another thing. Volcanus, who still had his lightsabers activated, stepped forcefully toward Revan when Entropi grabbed his arm. "When creating a weapon, one must make sure that it cannot be turned against them, Volcanus." She said. "That's why our lightsabers are keyed to our DNA, and that's why Revan studied our combat techniques."

Darth Volcanus grumbled, but turned off his lightsabers. "You have a point, Entropi. I still don't like being used, though."

"Just remember that Revan always has a reason for what he does, no matter callous or strange it may be." Darth Ghasta said. "Now come on, we've got to catch up."

Once the Sith triumvirate got to the large doors, Revan pushed them open. They entered the room, and saw a figure sitting on a throne at the rear of the room. As they got closer to the throne, they saw that the figure was humanoid, was clad in a black cloak, his face hidden inside the hood. Once they got to the throne, Revan knelt before it, and the Sith triumvirate followed suite.

"Revan, you've returned. Are you seeking more knowledge of the Sith?" the black cloaked figure said in the Sith language.

"I am always seeking knowledge, 'master'. Though today, I wish to introduce my agents to you." Revan said, also in Sith.

"You bring me three that are not your apprentice?" the black cloaked figure said. "Excellent. You've taken my advice, and will dispose of him once you find someone better."

"I have already found someone better, 'master', and it is only a matter of time before her Jedi training is complete enough for her to be useful." Revan said.

"Good. Never forget that you are my son's true successor, no matter what those fools Naga Sadow or Exar Kun said." the black cloaked figure said. "Now, to business. You said you were going to introduce me to your agents?"

"I am, though they do not speak the Sith language. They will not understand us if we continue speaking this way." Revan said.

"Very well, then I shall speak your language." the black cloaked figure said, pointing to Darth Volcanus. "You, in the tuk'ata skull helmet. State your name and justify your existence."

Volcanus raised his head so he was looking at the black cloaked figure, and spoke. "I am Darth Volcanus, my lord. I am Lord Revan's enforcer and combat trainer."

"You've given them Sith names already? Good. You've confirmed their allegiance to you." the black cloaked figure said. He pointed at Ghasta. "You, in the black and blue mask. State your name and justify your existence."

Ghasta did the same thing as Volcanus. "I am Darth Ghasta, my lord. I am Lord Revan's assassin and infiltrator."

The black cloaked figure simply nodded, and turned his attention to Entropi. "You, human female. State your name and justify your existence."

Entropi did as Ghasta and Volcanus did before her. "I am Darth Entropi, my lord. I am the keeper of knowledge for Lord Revan's New Sith Empire."

"You must have other talents to be given the name 'Entropi'." The black cloaked figure said.

"During the Mandalorian Wars, I demonstrated the ability cause discord and sorrow in enemy troops during any battle I was part of, though I have not had the chance to use this power since the Mandalorian Wars ended." Entropi said.

"Ah, a variant of Battle Meditation, except you do not inspire your allies with confidence." the black cloaked figure said. He turned his attention to Revan. "You've chosen your servants well."

"Thank you, my 'lord.'" Revan said.

"I suppose I should introduce myself, then." The black cloaked figure said, removing his hood. And that is when the Sith triumvirate saw just why Revan feared him; he was full blooded, pure Sith. "I am Vlad Ragnos, last of the ancient Sith council, appointer of the Dark Lord of the Sith, and the last remaining true Sith in the galaxy."

"Ragnos?" Ghasta spat out, before realizing what he had done. "Like Marka Ragnos, Ragnos?"

Vlad grinned slightly, feeding off the fear of the four in the room. "Marka Ragnos was my son; the product of myself and a human woman. Before Revan, he was the last one strong enough to be truly be called 'Dark Lord of the Sith.'"

"But what about Naga Sadow? Or Exar Kun?" Entropi said. She knew Revan's answer, and the answer they had given to Jorak Uln, but she wanted to hear this true Sith's answer.

"The unfortunate consequence of my son's immense power and natural death was that none were worthy to succeed him. Weaklings like Naga Sadow and Ludo Kressh were forced fight for succession, though neither were worthy. Centuries later, my son's spirit was force to bless two others that were unworthy, Exar Kun and Ulic Qel-Droma, in order to ensure that Revan would be brought up in an era where the existence of the Sith was still fresh in the collective mind of the Jedi Order and Republic." Vlad Ragnos said.

"Well, what's so special about Lord Revan?" Darth Volcanus asked.

"I see you allow them to speak freely." Vlad said.

"Better they are over informed about their duties then to not have enough information to complete them." Revan said.

Vlad nodded. "Very well." He said, and then turned his attention back to Volcanus. "Revan shares many of the qualities that my son had. He is strong in the Force, fierce in battle, has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and, like all true Sith, Revan is left handed. He is also in far better control of himself than Sadow, Kressh, Freedon Nadd, Exar Kun or Ulic Qel-Droma ever were. Revan is the Sith Lord I have been waiting millennia for."

"I see." Entropi said, as a shiver went down her spine. "Why do the Sith hate the Jedi so much? I mean, so many of us were Jedi long before we became Sith."

Vlad grinned slightly. "Ever since Ajunta Pall and his Jedi dissidents landed on Ziost 2943 years ago, we have conditioned to hate the Jedi. But, I have my own reasons to why I hate the Jedi." Vlad said, and took in a breath. "I have lived for over 2000 years, and I have done much for the Sith in that time. You see, before my son was born, I foresaw only weaklings as candidates as Dark Lord; no one on the Empire was worthy to rule the Sith. So, I had a human woman brought to me, and I mated with her, siring the last true Dark Lord before Revan. I trained Marka myself, ensuring he had both the power and wisdom to rule the Sith. But, my son died too soon, and once again, the Empire was full of weaklings again. And unfortunately, I was no longer as virile as I was then, so I could not sire another Dark Lord myself. Given time, I could have influenced events to strengthen another potential candidates, but two hyperspace explorers ruined everything. And through Naga Sadow's foolish actions, he brought the Jedi down upon us, and destroyed my empire in one fell swoop!"

It was then that the Sith triumvirate felt the true power of Vlad Ragnos, and a wave of fear came over them. Ragnos was stronger than any being they had ever encountered. And they finally, truly understood why Revan feared him, and it wasn't because Vlad was true Sith. It was because he had let his hate fester for eons.

Thankfully for the group, they heard a beeping coming from Revan's belt. Revan looked down at his communicator, and noticed he had received a message at his ship. "My 'lord', forgive me, but I just received a message from my ship that I have a message waiting for me there." Revan said.

Vlad grinned slightly. "Of course, Revan. You have an empire to forge, after all. You and your agents may leave."

Revan bowed before Vlad. "Thank you, my 'lord'." He said, before turning around and leaving the temple.

As soon the group was outside the temple grounds, the Sith triumvirate breathed a sigh of relief. "That was terrifying." Entropi said. "Do you think he suspects what you have planned?"

"As I said earlier, treachery is the way of the Sith. I figure he knows that I wish to get rid of him for my own purposes. We're playing a dangerous game of chess against each other right now." Revan said. "If I win, he dies, and the galaxy is safe, for a time. If he wins, he gets me, mind, body and soul."

The rest of the trek to the ships was quiet, as the Sith triumvirate contemplated the implications of Revan's words. They finally understood what would become of them if they let their anger and hate control them. And they understood completely now why Malak could not remain Revan's apprentice for too much longer.

The Sith triumvirate stood outside their ship as Revan entered his to receive his message. When Revan exited his ship, he was fuming.

"That brutish idiot!" Revan said. "He's ruining my plans!"

"What's wrong?" Entropi asked.

"Malak. He had the fleet glass Telos!" Revan shouted, trying to bleed off his rage.

"Why would he do that?" Volcanus asked.

"Why else? He's an idiot who only thinks of the short term. But while that may win HIM battles, it will cost ME the war!" Revan said, still fuming from Malak's actions. The Sith triumvirate looked at Revan with concern and horror; they had never seen him this angry before. Revan took this as an indication that he needed to calm down. Looks like I will need to replace Malak sooner than expected. I was hoping that I could at least begin training a new apprentice before I had to get rid of him, but it seems like fate had dealt me a different hand.

As soon as he was calmer, Revan spoke up. "Head to Telos, and prepare Malak's flagship for my arrival. I will be there shortly."

The Krayt Dragon arrived at Telos a few hours later, and saw that the Sith fleet was preparing to jump to hyperspace. Darth Volcanus quickly hailed what appeared to be a Star Destroyer, and got Malak on the screen, who was clearly displeased at seeing them.

"What do you three want?" Malak growled at the Sith triumvirate.

"Lord Revan sent us ahead, to ensure that you stay put and await his arrival." Volcanus spat back.

"And if I refuse?" Malak said. He had not liked how much attention the Sith triumvirate got from Revan. Malak was Revan's apprentice, after all, and he felt that he should be at Revan's side, learning as much as he could, all so he could become the Dark Lord himself.

"You mean to disobey your master, Malak?" Entropi said. "Do you even think of the consequences of your actions? He will not hesitate to punish even you if you displease him."

Malak just chuckled. "I've known Revan a lot longer than you three have, and I know that he will not kill someone he finds useful. I, however, do not share that sentiment. Remember that for when I become the Dark Lord."

"You're not Dark Lord yet, Malak. And there are fates far worse than death, as I'm sure you are well aware of." Volcanus said. "Now, shut down the hyperdrives, and wait for Revan's arrival!"

Malak grumbled under his breath, knowing that to push Volcanus was to invite trouble. While Malak was sure he could defeat Volcanus, he wouldn't come away unscathed. "Fine." Malak said. "Come aboard the Leviathan. I will be waiting on the bridge."

A few hours later, Revan landed the Dark Force in the Leviathan's hanger, and was met by his agents, and they hurriedly brought him to the bridge. Once on the bridge, he saw his apprentice, and his anger immediately fumed.

"What is your problem, Malak?" Revan shouted.

Malak grinned smugly. "Whatever do you mean, master?"

"Don't play games with me, Malak!" Revan said, his anger burning hotter than before. "You KNEW Telos was a strategically important world, and you glassed the damn planet anyway! Why?"

"It was a test for a defector to our side, master." Malak said, still grinning. "Saul Karath showed his loyalty to the Sith by destroying a planet he worked so hard to defend during the Mandalorian Wars."

"Wipe that smug look off your face, my apprentice!" Revan fumed, forcefully stepping toward Malak. "I have NO qualms about punishing you the same way I would punish ANYONE who disobeys my orders!"

"I have just as much right to make command decisions as you do, Revan!" Malak said, having finally been pushed to the breaking point. "I have led us to MANY victories, in BOTH wars!"

"You are NOT the Dark Lord, Malak!" Revan said, turning his back to Malak. "And if you insist on continuing to do things this way, you NEVER WILL BE!"

And finally, Malak snapped. Drawing his lightsaber, he charged at Revan.

But Revan was one step ahead of Malak. Spinning around, Revan used the Force to wrap Malak in telekinetic energy, and immobilize him. Revan walked slowly to Malak, careful to maintain the concentration needed to keep Malak immobilized.

"I see that mere words are not enough to teach you a lesson, my foolish apprentice. But a lesson must be taught, and the only way you will understand it is through pain!" Revan said, and with that, he used the Force to enhance his strength, and rammed his hand into Malak's mouth. And with one swift yank, Revan snapped Malak's jaw off its hinges, and then tore it completely from Malak's face.

Malak screamed from the excruciating pain. Everyone else just stood in awe at the power of the Dark Lord of the Sith, and knew not to test him the way Malak had been. They watched on as Revan used the Force to crush the flesh and bone of what used to be Malak's jaw into dust. He then bent down toward Malak. "If you ever do something like this again, you will suffer far more than you are now. Let that be your lesson, my apprentice."

The Sith Triumvirate also stood there in horror, having never seen Revan act like this. Revan had always been a more cerebral Sith, rarely showing anger, or any emotion, for that matter. Sure, the mask made it so one couldn't tell, but anyone near to Revan would say that he was cold. This blatant display of anger and hate showed something they had never seen; Revan's dark side. And it terrified them, for this was not the man that led them to war; this was the monster that Revan could become, if he allowed it. This was why Revan constantly preached emotional control, because if they allowed their anger to influence them too much, they would become as cruel and sadistic as Revan was at that moment.

Revan looked around, and noticed one of the guards at the entrance to the bridge. "You," Revan said, pointing at the guard. "Go to the medical bay, and have them come and retrieve my apprentice. Have them affix a vocalizer to his throat, and them place a covering over the place where his lower jaw was." The guard nodded, and rushed off toward the medical bay.

Revan then turned his attention to Saul Karath, the man that Malak had implicated in his decision to glass Telos. "Come here, Saul. I have a few questions for you."

Saul slowly moved toward Revan, afraid of what he might do. "Yes, my lord?" Saul said sheepishly.

"I want to know whose idea it was to glass Telos; yours, or Malak's? Answer truthfully." Revan said.

"It was Lord Malak's idea, my lord." Saul said.

Revan nodded. "All right. Did you disagree with his decision?"

Saul stood there for a moment, afraid to answer. He wanted to show Revan that he would be a loyal Sith, but he could not abide by Malak's brutish "tactical" decision.

Sensing this, Revan spoke up. "Despite what you just saw, I have not changed that much since you were last under my command. I did that to Malak because he has been testing me ever since I made him my apprentice. Now, I ask you again; did you object to Malak's order, whether they were vocal objections or not?"

Saul sighed with relief. "Yes, my lord, I did object, though not vocally, for fear out of what Lord Malak would to do me if I did. Glassing a planet is an obscene and unnecessary waste of manpower and resources."

Revan nodded again, and smiled behind his mask. "And I agree, which is why I told him to capture the planet in the first place. Though next time, do not hesitate to voice your objections. You have spent most of your adult life in the military, and you know far more of strategy than most of our Force users. And I assure you that, if any of my Force users lashes out at any of my officers, they are punished severely. Do you understand, Admiral Karath?"

Saul was taken aback by Revan's words. "Admiral, my lord?"

Revan chuckled. "Of course. After a brief indoctrination into our protocols and introduction to the rest of my fleet commanders, I fully intend to bestow you the rank of Admiral. Now come with me; we have much to discuss." Revan said. Upon reaching the door, Revan looked at the Sith triumvirate. "Darth Volcanus, you are in command. Get my fleet out of here. Darth Entropi, go check on Malak. And Darth Ghasta, ensure that my altercation with Malak, as well as my conversation with Saul are broadcasted around the fleet."

The Sith triumvirate nodded, finally seeing the Revan they had followed since the Mandalorian Wars had started return. Darth Volcanus and took his place on the bridge while the other members of the group headed off toward their tasks, as Revan walked with Admiral-in-waiting Saul Karath to his quarters.