CHAPTER XXX: FALSE VICTORY

The rebuilding of the Sacred Temple and Royal Palace of Light had been achieved in just three months of round the clock labor. Millions of peoples from the Inner Rim worlds had come to Elysia to celebrate the victory of light over darkness and they were all eager to restore the capital Jeranu to its former glory. Even the High Hills Royal Estate was reconstructed and improved upon. But the huge Crystal Towers were barely started and the final death count of 1.3 million dead Whills was staggering. Search and recovery crews labored intensely to find and bury the dead in mass graves outside the city. And yet a miracle was spotted in the city after the death of the Black Army. The Crystalline Cathedral in the heart of the city was the only landmark not hit by any attack. It stood gleaming in the golden sun, an inspiration for all to behold.

Today, after nearly six months, Boman Braggs and Lady Kaliah Askana were being married in the Crystalline Cathedral in a sacred ceremony called “Life Bonding“. Ligris was Boman’s Bond Server and Kailen was Lady Kaliah’s Bond Maiden. Seers rarely married, but Boman and Kali were considered “Heros of Light” for their valiant defense of the Sacred Temple. Forever would their names be inscribed in the Holy Journal of Hope which recorded the defeat of the Sith in the largest battle between Darkness and Light since recorded time.

Although Jeranu was still under massive reconstruction, the Queen had ordered a global victory celebration. All the remaining Royals and Lady Divinia Anwar were present at the wedding ceremony along with Queen Serapha and military leaders of the Red and Gold Armies plus decorated Amber Commandos. The Crystalline Cathedral was filled with lightn the golden rays of the Elysian sun streaking down upon the Sacred Altar as Boman took Lady Kaliah’s hand in Holy Matrimony. As Boman kissed her they both were filled with joy unspeakable. Boman even smiled as he thought to himself, “I KNOW that you KNOW… after all, you ARE a Seer!“ Kali smiled back as the guests rose in joyous celebration as Boman and Lady Kaliah walked the Royal Red and Gold carpet under the radiant light of forty light sabers raised above their heads in splendid military honor. Ligris and Kailen smiled at the happy couple and then back at each other. Perhaps their time would come soon as well.

Outside was waiting Dark Beauty, surrounded by the Ceremonial Royal Mounted on their chromium-plated Mechquin escorts. They were there to lead the married couple back to their own Royal Estate constructed at Golden Grove, near the High Hills. Masses of peoples of all races from the Inner Rim planets hailed them and rejoiced at such a glorious event.

It was a day of remembrance.

In the Sacred Temple, the Holochron glowed with intensity inside the newly rebuilt Inner Sanctuary which was secretly shielded with Viktalen construction covered over in layers of gilded whitestone and pure white lanium. The Holy Journal had recorded the epic battle and the lives lost that day in defense of the light. Lady Kaliah’s vision was now openly recorded in the Holy Book and the knowledge of the life force as well.

The Queen had decreed that the future of Elysia now belonged to the “Children of Light” and that a dedicated Institute be established for the exclusive training of a future generation of “Guardians of Light”. These guardians would learn the way of the living life force from the earliest age and use its power selflessly to serve all peoples. They would also exclusively carry the life force’s precious gift- the heralded light saber in defense of the light. It had become the symbol of justice in the galaxy.

The training facility became secretly known as the Jeranu Eugenic Development Institute, or J.E.D.I. to hide its purpose from the Sith. Each future graduate would be knighted personally by the Queen and then would become known as a “Jedi” Knight. For now, until the “Children of Light” could be trained select Amber Commandos became honorary Jedi Knights, sworn to develop and use this incredible life force to protect all peoples in the galaxy. They would be trained at the Sacred Temple by Lady Kaliah herself along with Lady Divinia Anwar and a future new Gathering of Twelve. Boman Braggs was the first to be knighted a Jedi at the Royal Palace of Light in a secret ceremony while Lady Kaliah became an official Sula Battle Maiden. Females would also be taught the ways of the force and were to be named as Jedis also; but for now, the Queen thought it wise to use the ancient Sula name in honor of their first Seer and Battle Maiden, Isarah.

Light had triumphed over darkness, even in the Outer Rim worlds where news of the Whill victory led to open rebellion against the Sith garrisons, forcing Dark Master Lord Rexor to re-call them back to Tirahnna.
With the loss of his Death Fleet and Black Army new troops had to be trained and new starships constructed. War production facilities labored on producing replacement armaments for Sith troops. But another invasion of Elysia was out of the question. These new preparations for war were being made to retake the Outer Rim worlds by force and re-launch a new and deadlier fleet of warships and star fighters while the Dark Master‘s “secret weapon“ was quietly being finished beyond the Outer Rim.

Dark Lord Kalore was still being hunted and the Dark Seer Tirahn was also missing, both suspected of high treason. Someone even had the daring to steal the Sacred Black Stone out of the Sacred Seer Stone, which was discovered missing after Tirahn vanished. Lord Rexor suspected a conspiracy to de-throne him.

With all the rebellions and victory celebrations going on in the Rims the Varmins had failed to locate the traitors. Lord Rexor had turned back to his Seers again, but without Tirahn the others could not image the future reliably. Some predicted an ultimate victory for the Sith, yet others dared not predict another victory of the Whills. Lord Rexor was therefore kept deceived. Nevertheless, it did not matter- the Dark Master put all his faith in his Superweapon of Mass Destruction. Staring into the darkness of space from his Great Room balcony Lord Rexor considered the future of the Sith.

The Dark Master and the Sith were NOT yet done fighting. The war had NOT ended. Let the Whills think they have won… for now. The Slayer was nearing completion. The Dark Master had promised the Sith a miracle weapon of their own that would destroy the Whills once and for all and the people believed him. Patience, he urged the Sith. Time was still on their side…