The Multiverse Hunter

The planet of Coruscant, bathed in the soft glow of sunrise, was a world alive with contrasts: its skies brimming with bustling ships, its underbelly cloaked in shadows, and its iconic Jedi Temple standing tall as a beacon of light. Inside the ancient temple, serenity reigned.

Future Jedi meditated in the tranquil halls, their figures outlined by the gentle golden rays streaming through intricately designed windows. The hum of the Force pulsed through the space, calm yet potent, as each aspirant sought to deepen their connection with the mystical power.

Among those meditating were fresh initiates, many of whom had arrived only weeks prior. These were players, outsiders now motivated beyond measure to immerse themselves in the mysteries of the Force.

The possibility of wielding such incredible power was a lure they couldn't ignore, even for those who had been reluctant to engage in combat-heavy missions before.

From a distance, two soldiers watched the scene, their voices low but tinged with curiosity. One held his helmet in his lap and gestured toward a particular player seated among the group.

"I've never seen him try so hard," he remarked, shaking his head in amazement. "That coward usually wouldn't even look at the missions if it involved fighting."

His comrade, leaning casually against a nearby pillar, let out a dry chuckle. "The Force is worth it," he said, the insignia of the Water Guild glinting on his chest plate as the sunlight caught it.

"Even cowards might be willing to risk their necks for a chance at that kind of power."

"I don't know," the first soldier mused, still staring at the group.

"They've been offered magical abilities before, right? What makes this any different? Is it really that much better than what your guild offers?"

The second soldier turned his head to face his companion, his expression now more serious. "You clearly don't understand," he said, holding out his hand.

SPLASH.

Water flowed freely from his palm, shimmering in the sunlight as it formed a neat cupful of pure, drinkable liquid before dissipating. The display was unremarkable to the first soldier, who had seen his friend use the ability countless times.

"This is a spell," the Water Guild soldier explained. "It costs Spirit to activate. If I didn't have enough Spirit, it wouldn't work, no matter how desperately I needed it. Even if I wanted just half a cup instead of a full one, it would still demand the same price in Spirit. And no matter how much excess Spirit I have, the output won't increase unless I cast the spell multiple times."

He clenched his hand, dispelling the last of the water before turning his gaze back to the temple. "But the Force? That's something else entirely. It isn't a rigid spell. It's a living, growing energy. The stronger you are, the stronger the Force becomes. You're not limited by predetermined effects; it's all up to your will and mastery. And because of that, the Force doesn't lose its value over time. The more Spirit you have, the greater the possibilities."

His friend nodded slowly, now clearly understanding the allure. "That does make sense," he admitted. "It's no wonder they're pushing themselves so hard. Makes me wish I'd been accepted…"

"HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEWS?"

A panicked shout interrupted their conversation, startling both soldiers. Another trooper came sprinting toward them, out of breath and visibly shaken. His urgency was so overwhelming that even the meditating students inside the temple were distracted, their concentration broken.

The Jedi leading the session frowned deeply and stepped out onto the temple steps, his presence commanding immediate silence. "What is the meaning of this disturbance?" the Jedi asked, his voice stern and his expression filled with disapproval as he addressed the soldiers.

"Jedi Master Lunara Soln," the breathless soldier blurted out, struggling to recover.

"What about her?" asked the Water Guild soldier, his tone growing more serious. The name immediately brought to mind someone close to his guild-mate Natalya.

"You're disrupting a sacred space!" the Jedi reprimanded, descending the temple steps toward them. But his scolding came to an abrupt halt when the soldier pressed a button on his comms device, projecting a holo-image into the air between them.

The Jedi's face fell as his gaze landed on the projection. His composure shattered as he muttered in disbelief, "No… It can't be… Master Lunara…"

The soldiers shared grim looks as the holographic image fully loaded. The headline above the image read, "Jedi Killed in Tartek by the Sith."

The holo depicted the lifeless bodies of Master Lunara and jedi Kale. Their corpses were battered and bloodied, their injuries horrific. Between their bodies lay a haunting object: a red Sith mask, streaked with blood, positioned mockingly between the heads of the fallen Jedi.

The students inside the temple began to gather at the entrance, drawn by their teacher's visible distress. They watched silently as the Jedi lowered his head and covered his face, overwhelmed by grief.

"What's happening?" one whispered, but before anyone could answer, a loud, sharp scream echoed from deep within the temple halls.

The Water Guild soldier immediately tensed and sprinted toward the source of the sound, ignoring the Jedi next to him. He rushed past the bewildered trainees, weaving through the temple's sacred corridors until he reached the area where Jedi affiliated with his guild trained.

He burst through the double doors to find a group of Water Guild members huddled around a blonde Jedi, who was sobbing uncontrollably on the floor.

"She's grieving. Give her time," one of the guild members warned, stepping in front of the soldier.

The soldier stopped and peered over the guild member's shoulder, his heart sinking as he recognised Natalya. She was crumpled on the ground, her face buried in her hands. Her body shook with grief.

"She helped me so much," Natalya choked out between sobs, lifting her tear-streaked face to address her friends. "After everything that happened during the apocalypse, she put me back together. I was broken, and she gave me hope. Now she's gone…" Her voice broke again as she collapsed into the arms of a guild-mate offering comfort.

"Let it all out, baby," the female guild-mate murmured softly, stroking her hair.

Elsewhere, at the top of the Jedi Temple, the Jedi Council convened around a circular table. Their faces were grave, their grief palpable. Lunara Soln was not a member of the council, but her contributions to the Order were undeniable.

She had guided many Padawans and had been a beacon of wisdom and compassion. Her death was a heavy blow.

"What happened?" one of the council members demanded, breaking the silence.

Another Jedi, standing beside a holoprojector, answered solemnly. "She was sent to Tartek to investigate rumours of an ancient relic. There, she worked alongside Jedi Kale, who had been gathering intelligence for our campaign on Kaelthar. We received all of Kale's findings—transmitted by Lunara herself in her final moments."

"And the Sith?" another council member interjected, their voice sharp. "What about that mask?"

The standing Jedi hesitated, clearly struggling with what he was about to say. "Here is where the situation becomes… complicated."

"Speak plainly," demanded another, slamming their fist on the table.

"It wasn't a Sith Lord who killed them," the Jedi finally admitted. "It was a Sith apprentice. His name… is Ali."

The council fell silent, their disbelief hanging heavy in the air.

"Are you certain of this?" one Jedi asked cautiously.

"Unfortunately, yes," he confirmed. "I first heard whispers of his name from Tartek's capital. Later, my informant on Korriban verified it. Ali is rumoured to be the most gifted Sith to ever join their ranks. Even at the Sith Academy, his name is infamous."

The council exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of their new enemy settling upon them like a dark cloud.

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