The Sith Lord who had taken Anderous as his apprentice was named Darth Malrik, a shadowy figure whose mere presence sent shivers through even the most battle-hardened warriors. Malrik wasted no time immersing Anderous in the teachings of the Sith.
"The Jedi suppress their emotions," Malrik explained during one of their lessons in the cold, dimly lit chambers of his fortress. "They shackle themselves to a code that denies them their true potential. But we, the Sith, embrace our passions. Rage, grief, love, all are tools to fuel our power."
Anderous listened intently, his mind conflicted but eager to learn. Malrik's words resonated with the part of him that had always felt stifled by the Jedi's teachings. The Dark Side of the Force was intoxicating, offering a raw and unfiltered connection to emotions he had long suppressed.
Training under Malrik was brutal. Days turned into weeks of relentless combat drills, deep meditation, and mental trials that pushed Anderous to the brink. Yet, he excelled, his connection to the Force growing stronger with each passing day.
"You are unlike any apprentice I've had," Malrik admitted during a sparring session. "You hold onto compassion even as you wield the Dark Side. It is a weakness you must discard."
Anderous remained silent, unwilling to explain that his compassion was not weakness but a core part of who he was. He saw the Dark Side as a means to an end, a tool to bring order and justice to the galaxy.
Months later, Anderous led his first mission as a Sith. A separatist faction on the planet Veltrix had defied Sith control, raiding nearby trade routes and spreading chaos. Anderous was sent to quell the rebellion.
He arrived in the capital city with a fleet of Sith troopers at his command. The separatist leader, a grizzled veteran named Karven Tull, refused to surrender. A battle erupted, with Anderous leading the charge.
The crimson blade of his lightsaber was a beacon of destruction as he cut through enemy ranks. His mastery of the Force was unparalleled, deflecting blaster bolts and hurling his opponents aside with powerful waves of energy.
By the end of the day, the separatists had fallen. Tull stood before Anderous, defiant even in defeat. "You may kill me, but you'll never break our spirit," he spat.
Anderous stared at him, conflicted. He could feel the Dark Side urging him to strike Tull down, to make an example of him. Yet, a voice inside whispered something different.
"No," Anderous said, deactivating his lightsaber. "You're right. Killing you will achieve nothing."
He ordered his troops to detain Tull and the remaining separatists, ensuring they were treated fairly. The decision baffled his men and infuriated Malrik.
"You showed weakness," Malrik said when Anderous returned to the fortress. "Mercy has no place in the Sith Code. Do not forget that."
Anderous bowed his head, feigning obedience. But deep down, he knew he would not abandon his principles. He believed that power did not have to come at the cost of innocence.
Anderous's reputation began to grow. Word spread of the Sith Lord who conquered planets yet spared the innocent. Some called him a paradox, a Sith who defied the very code he swore to follow.
His victories continued, each one cementing his place in the galaxy. On the industrial world of Farrad, he dismantled a crime syndicate that exploited the local population. On the frozen plains of Hothren, he brokered a fragile peace between warring tribes, using his presence to intimidate both sides into compliance.
Though ruthless, Anderous became known as a Sith who ruled with a sense of justice, however twisted it appeared to others. The galaxy was taking notice, and so was the Jedi Order.
One fateful day, as Anderous stood on the bridge of his flagship overlooking the newly subdued planet of Quaria, his lieutenant approached him. "My Lord, we've intercepted a transmission," the officer said, handing Anderous a data pad.
The message was brief:
"Anderous, former Padawan of the Jedi Order, your actions cannot be ignored. I will find you. I will stop you. - Jedi Knight Eva Taen"
Anderous smirked, his curiosity piqued. He had heard of Eva, a Jedi prodigy with a reputation for fearlessness and unwavering resolve. The thought of crossing paths with her intrigued him.
"Let her come," he said, handing the data pad back to the officer.
Unbeknownst to him, this encounter would mark the beginning of a journey that would change not only his destiny but the fate of the entire galaxy.