The galaxy was aflame. Anderous had launched a full-scale campaign across the Mid Rim, bringing system after system under his rule. His forces, a combination of battle-hardened warriors and civilians seeking protection, swept across worlds like a tidal wave. Despite his ruthless efficiency, Anderous maintained his principle: no innocents were to be harmed. Those who surrendered were spared, given a chance to thrive under his strict yet fair governance.
In the ruins of an ancient fortress on Dathomir, Anderous stood at the center of his war council. Maps flickered on holographic displays, showing the next set of targets. Generals and advisors debated strategies, but Anderous's mind wandered.
It wasn't the upcoming battles that preoccupied him; it was Eva.
Since their clash on Lothal, she had appeared at the fringes of his campaigns, a persistent shadow. Their encounters were fleeting yet impactful, moments of combat, conversation, and a tension neither could deny.
Eva's First Ambush
The next battle brought them face to face once more. Anderous led his forces to reclaim the industrial world of Sevrin Prime, a key production hub for the Galactic Republic. As his troops secured the factories, a small Jedi strike team infiltrated his base.
Anderous sensed her presence the moment she arrived.
"You could've chosen another day," Anderous said as Eva emerged from the shadows of the command center. His dual sabers ignited, their hum filling the room.
Eva's golden blade glowed in response. "You didn't leave much choice. Conquering Sevrin Prime only tightens your grip on the galaxy."
Their blades clashed once again, but this time the duel felt different. There was less hostility and more… familiarity. As their sabers collided, their movements became a dialogue, a dance that spoke of conflict and curiosity.
"You've become predictable," Eva said, dodging a powerful strike.
"And yet, you keep following me," Anderous retorted, blocking her counterattack.
As they fought, Anderous cornered her near the observation deck overlooking the city. For a moment, their blades paused, and they stared at each other, their breathing heavy.
"Why do you keep coming back, Eva?" Anderous asked, his voice softer than she expected.
Eva hesitated. "Because I see something in you, a chance to turn back. You're not like the others."
A smirk tugged at Anderous's lips. "And what if I don't want to turn back?"
Eva didn't respond, but her gaze lingered, searching his crimson eyes for answers. Before either could speak again, the sound of reinforcements echoed through the chamber.
Eva turned to leave, but Anderous grabbed her wrist gently. "You don't need to run," he said, surprising even himself.
"I'm not running," she replied, her voice steady yet tinged with something more. "I'm giving you time to think."
She pulled away, disappearing into the chaos below.
A Night Under the Stars
Later that night, Anderous stood on the rooftop of the command center, gazing at the stars above. The battle was over, and Sevrin Prime was his, yet his thoughts lingered on Eva.
To his surprise, she appeared again, her presence subtle yet undeniable. This time, she didn't ignite her saber.
"Brave, aren't you?" Anderous said without turning.
"Or foolish," Eva replied, stepping closer. "I wanted to talk."
"Talk? Or try to convince me to abandon everything I've built?" he asked, a teasing edge to his tone.
"Maybe both," Eva admitted. She stepped beside him, her gaze matching his as they looked out at the stars.
For a moment, there was silence. Then, Eva spoke again. "Why do you fight like this, Anderous? You don't kill innocents, yet you conquer their homes. You're a contradiction."
Anderous sighed. "I fight because I was betrayed, Eva. The Jedi left my master to die. They called it a necessary sacrifice for peace. I vowed never to let that happen again."
Eva's expression softened. "And yet, you've become what you hate. You've turned to the Dark Side, embraced conquest, and left behind the man you were."
"Have I?" Anderous countered, turning to face her. "Or am I forging a new path, one that brings order without blind allegiance to a flawed Code?"
Their eyes met, and for the first time, neither looked away. Eva reached out, her hand brushing against his. "I see the man you were, Anderous. And I see the man you could be."
The words hung between them, charged with unspoken emotions. Before Eva could say more, the distant sounds of patrols broke the moment. She stepped back, her golden saber hilt glinting in the moonlight.
"I'll be watching you," she said, disappearing into the shadows once more.
The Campaign Continues
The battles raged on. Anderous secured key systems, dismantling Republic supply lines and outmaneuvering Jedi-led forces. Each victory bolstered his reputation as a brilliant tactician and a paradoxical Sith, ruthless yet compassionate.
But Eva was never far. She appeared during skirmishes, sometimes as an opponent, other times simply watching from afar. Their encounters grew more complex, blending combat with conversations that blurred the lines between enemy and ally.
A Shared Moment in the Chaos
On the icy world of Illunara, Anderous and Eva found themselves trapped in a cave during a sudden blizzard. The cold forced them into a temporary truce, and for hours, they sat in silence, the glow of their deactivated sabers casting faint shadows on the icy walls.
"You know this can't last," Eva said, breaking the silence. "The Jedi will never stop hunting you."
"And you?" Anderous asked, his tone softer than usual. "Will you stop hunting me?"
Eva hesitated. "I don't know anymore. You're not what I expected."
Anderous chuckled. "I'll take that as a compliment."
As the storm raged outside, Eva leaned against the wall, her exhaustion evident. Anderous watched her, the flicker of vulnerability in her eyes stirring something within him.
"You don't have to stay with them, Eva," he said quietly. "The Jedi. Their Code will never let you be who you truly are."
"And what would I be if I left?" she asked, meeting his gaze.
"Free," Anderous replied simply.
Eva's lips curved into a faint smile. "You're more persuasive than I expected."
The storm subsided by dawn, and as they parted ways once more, Eva's heart felt heavier than before.