Anderous stood on the balcony of the Jedi Temple, gazing out at the endless sprawl of Coruscant. His reflection in the glass was that of a young Jedi Padawan, calm, disciplined, and focused. Yet, beneath the surface, his heart churned with doubt.
From the moment he joined the Jedi Order, Anderous excelled in his training. Masters praised his skill with a lightsaber and his ability to connect with the Force. Yet, their teachings on detachment always unsettled him. How could one protect the galaxy without forming bonds? Without caring deeply for those in need?
His master, Rynn Dalar, often spoke of the necessity of the Jedi Code. "The Code is what keeps us from falling into chaos, Anderous," she would say. "It guides us, even when our emotions try to lead us astray."
Anderous respected her, loved her even, as one would love a parent. But he could not silence the questions that haunted him, especially after their mission to Andar Prime.
The war on Andar Prime was brutal. Villages burned, innocent lives were lost, and the Jedi were stretched thin. During one operation, Rynn and Anderous led an evacuation convoy under heavy fire. In a desperate moment, Rynn stayed behind to cover their retreat. Anderous begged her to come, but she refused, telling him it was her duty.
The evacuation succeeded, but Rynn never returned. Her sacrifice had been noble, but Anderous couldn't shake the feeling that it had been unnecessary. He later learned that the Council had refused to send reinforcements, deeming the risk too great. Their decision saved thousands of lives, but it cost Anderous his master.
Anger festered within him. He replayed the moment in his mind, wondering why the Jedi valued the "greater good" over individuals. The grief was overwhelming, but worse was the sense of betrayal.
In the weeks that followed, the Dark Side whispered to him. At first, it was subtle, an intrusive thought here, a surge of anger there. Then, one night, as he meditated in solitude, a shadowed figure appeared in his vision.
"Anderous," the voice called, deep and resonant. "Your pain is a gift. The Jedi have blinded you to the truth. They ask for sacrifice, yet give nothing in return. You deserve power, not servitude."
He tried to resist, but the voice struck a chord deep within. It promised justice, strength, and the ability to protect those he cared about. When the figure revealed itself as a Dark Lord of the Sith, Anderous hesitated, torn between his loyalty to the Jedi and the temptation of a new path.
Then came the mission to Yavin IV. Anderous was assigned to assist another Jedi Knight in securing an ancient temple from raiders. It was meant to be a straightforward operation, but everything went wrong. The raiders turned out to be a Sith cult, armed and ruthless. During the skirmish, Anderous's companion fell, leaving him surrounded.
In that moment of desperation, he reached into the Force, pulling from a wellspring of anger and grief. A surge of power erupted from him, scattering his enemies like leaves in a storm. The cultists fled, but Anderous stood amidst the ruins, trembling with the realization of what he had done.
The Jedi Council reprimanded him for his use of the Dark Side, warning him of its dangers. Yet, they offered no solace for his pain, no acknowledgment of his loss.
"You've strayed too far, Anderous," Master Fis Taron said. "The Dark Side is a path of destruction. You must let go of your attachments and trust the Force."
But Anderous had lost faith in their teachings. He left the Jedi Temple that night, disappearing into the shadows of Coruscant.
The Sith Lord who had appeared in his vision awaited him. "You have taken your first step toward true freedom," the Sith said, extending a hand. "Join me, and I will show you the power to reshape the galaxy."
Anderous took the hand.