“What d?s that mean?” I demanded.

“Like unhallowed isles in a black and restless sea are the thousands of worlds that exist in Illathurion. Its very stars look down and glower. We on Urthha have remained concealed due to a powerful illusion I placed upon it to make it appear irradiated, but it is not. I lifted it when the XS-Explorer arrived, for I suspected your coming was part of a greater plan, but there is no doubt that the shadowy servitors of the Enemy have detected your presence. Now, at last do you understand that time is not on your side?”

“If we’re part of some great plan—which I don’t believe—then why did you nearly kill us?”

“All things must be tested.”

“How much time do we have?” Cuenyne asked.

“I do not know, but they are not the only ones with eyes and ears. I will know when they approach.”

“Since we have some time left, tell us what happened to your people…” I asked, hoping in this way to get some straight answers.

“Despite its occupation by the Enemy in the distant past, the Shimholt loved their homeworld. But with the looming threat of the Twilight Wars, Hathkhalid Sud, their ruler, knew they should prepare for evacuation. An expert astrogator, he claimed to know the ultimate destination of the Celestials. To reconnoiter for his own people, he offered to lead us there. We should not have believed him. It was a ruse. An armada awaited us and crippled our ships. We were transferred to slave vessels and led to this subterrene dungeon.

“We knew it was not in his character to have committed so grievous a sin, and in the long years that followed, we learned that he did so in exchange for keeping his own people safe. All of our supplies and tools were allowed us, and we were able to grow our own food. We were not harmed but were given a task with a warning attached to the failure of accomplishing it. All that the Night Queen required of us was to use our abilities to restore this planet from the devastation that its original inhabitants had wrought upon it.

“We began at once, but healing would prove no easy task, for the world and its primordial Archetypes were weary and insane, having purged the dominant race that had once dwelt on its surface. While we sought to heal the Elementals, we explored our new underworld. From the information we’d uncovered, I began to learn more of this world’s history. Urthha is riddled with passages of immemorial construction wherein dwell the remnants of survivors from ancient times who’d been drawn down into these massive caverns. Some of these were the Ghorii, grotesque and hostile ghouls akin to?your Cthons, who emerged from their bone-strewn grottos to wage war. Against their fetid factions that dwell amidst the perpetually burning pillars of fire and massive, black lakes that wind down to labyrinthine rivers and dark places that even the Ghorii would not go, the Osserians prevailed. We transformed the tunnels of the great elemental slugs into a livable Osserian habitats and begain recording our history and the history of the galaxy on the pillars and walls. We had not yet explored all the passageways when one day, by accident, we uncovered a hidden channel that led to an undiscovered territory. This was nearly our undoing, for there dwelt the damned. It was later, after horrid battles with these unnaturally animated armies were fought and won, that we discovered the real reason we’d been brought here. Upon a survey of the accursed enclave, there it stood, preserved for years too long to count: a lost Infinity Gate! The Star Chamber had been carefully concealed within storage vaults, forgotten over the ?ons, save by those who ordered the construction of the edifice above.”

“I don’t understand,” I admitted. “Wasn’t this a way for your people to escape?”

“So it was initially hoped, but we knew better. Due to a late innovation, some of the Infinity Gates had been altered to function as not only transportation devices but superweapons that could target any location in the galaxy… In the dim past, at least one had been used to wipe out uncountable numbers in the ancient wars. Deadly radiation storms yet raged across Urthha’s surface; scorching heat by day, glacial frost by night, and as resilient as the offspring of the Old Ones were, even they could not long inhabit such a world. We knew, of course, that once we’d rendered the Infinity Gate habitable again, they would come, slaughter us, and bring the Star Temple to the surface from which they would hold the galaxy hostage. To prevent this from happening, we became the Guardians of the Gate. So long as we lived, none would ever use it as a weapon. We had constructed the Stone Sentinels in the image of the Elder Races to help battle the netherworld denizens and the brood of Illathurion. And so they would know that the Firstborn had defeated them! We thought to repair the gate so that at least some of our people could return to Osseria, after which we would destroy it utterly. This task was made more urgent by the knowledge that the Night Queen was coming at last.”

“But no one ever came,” I surmised. “Why didn’t you all just leave?”

“And the Kwa disappeared from the galaxy,” Cuenyne noted, “so you could not inquire of them.”

“Yes. You know how the Sharu hid?” the Watcher asked.

“They used something called ‘life orchards’ to store their intelligence,” I answered, “purposely making themselves into the primitive Toka to escape detection.”

“Several did similarly, the Rethans and the Kwa. You know the latter as the Kwi.”

“Huh! It seems like a cowardly move,” I remarked.

“One might say that, but they’d be ignorant to,” the Watcher responded. “They had been deceived by the Enemy on more than one occasion and struggled ever after to make amends, to uplift the galaxy, to teach the Children of the Firstborn how to use the Force for the Light.”

“Unfortunately, billions were enslaved during Rakatan rule,” I said testily.

“Perhaps, but trillions were spared death because the conflicts were not escalated; because the Firstborn did not again feed the gods of death and destruction; because they recognized that as difficult as tyranny is to endure, it is better than the horror that visits all in war, an evil so great that it tears apart the fabric of the galaxy.”

“I have to agree, Hex,” offered Cuenyne. “War hasn’t stamped out war; it’s only increased it. It seems to me that most of the conflicts in the galaxy could have been solved far better through nonviolent means.”

“The Alderaanians thought that too,” I sneered.

“Alderaan might have been left alone had their Princess and Senatorial representative not been discovered to be the leaders of a violent terrorist group,” Cuenyne offered. “Tarkin chose Alderaan as an example to punish them for hiding behind pacifism while engaging in insurrection.”

“What other option do you think was available?” I asked hotly. “The Emperor and his agents were pathologically evil, and his supporters were so heavily indoctrinated they could no longer tell right from wrong—thanks to the complicit newsnets.”

“You speak truth, Arhul Hextrophon,” Archon-Ood agreed.

“Look, I agree that violence should always be the last resort, but in this case, I see no other way to have achieved the greater good.” It was a controversial subject. I had been part of that Alliance and still believed it to be a noble cause, even if I occasionally had doubts—what Cuenyne referred to as cognitive dissonance.

“The debate is as old as the earliest Humans,” said the Watcher. “In the end, however, was it not a father’s love for his son and a son’s love for his father that stopped the Emperor and his Empire?”

“A situation that only came about because that son, Luke Skywalker, had a Rebellion to join.”

“Possible, though I suspect the Force may have found another way to bring them together,” Archon-Ood offered.

“Or the Rebellion was the means the Force used.”

“Also possible. We are not going to resolve this today. Time is against us, and we must move on. Many years later, the Osserians came to realize they would never return to their mother world. While the search for the Star Temples continued, most began to channel their energies elsewhere. The Osserians went on with their lives, even exploring the surface from time to time. I was able to transport them back and forth as they wished, but they refused to inhabit the outer surface in fear of being caught unawares…

“The years went by. Most were grateful in the knowledge that the horrors we feared had somehow been averted. So too Osseria, in our home galaxy, was safe for?the time… And we knew peace. Ages passed, and the Osserians passed. As the Great P?t of the Primary World wrote:

And one by one we died and were lost in the dust of accumulated time. We knew the years as a passing of shadows, and death itself as the yielding of twilight unto night.

“Despite the great divide between us, the Keeper and I continuously sent hyperwave messages across the dimensional divide. That is how I know so much about your world. Such knowledge was put towards what we called the Great Plan, which we hoped might usher in the fulfilment of the Prophecy of Restoration. Then, one day, thirty-five years ago, I felt her die. Asmoth-Yor was destroyed by orbital bombardment from an Imperial warship.”

“We were sorry to learn of it,” offered Cuenyne.

“The Empire must have discovered that unknown agents on the planet had provided succor to the two famous freedom-fighters,” she added, “Luke and Leia Skywalker, who had accidentally landed on Osseria. My sister knew there would be a price to pay for aiding them, but she also knew that it was her duty. Though the siblings did not know it, the Keeper and her Children knew that they were special, the key to the a greater plan, and endowed them with the gifts of the Osserians, amplifying their natural abilities in the Force. So that the Empire might not return and our efforts towards the Great Plan could continue, she created a ruse—not unlike my own—which made the planet seem like a death-trap.

“But her Children had made a critical error in displaying their powers in front of the Imperials invaders, and all it took was one survivor to report it. Word reached the ears of the Emperor, who knew that that kind of power could only come from hidden Force users or one of the Elder Races. Either was a threat. And, indeed, had the Great Plan proved successful, the extant First Ones would have been awakened and the Empire and its Emperor defeated! Alas, it was not to be… The Empire returned. With time, Asmoth-Yor could have enhanced her defensive capabilities to withstand such an attack, but she had not anticipated that Sidious himself would come to ensure that absolute destruction was carried out. The attack came just as she was following a trail to what she believed was an extant Star Temple. It was not a swift assault, taking the unleashed power of several bombardments to finally penetrate her defenses. Her last thoughts before her life-force winked out were of regret that she had been unable to locate an Infinity Gate in time.

“When she was destroyed, it was as if all of my insides had been torn out. I might as well have been destroyed alongside her. For long years I wished I had. Designed to have a perfect memory, all I could do was remember. It was better to simply cease all remembrance. There was little left to do anyway. I was the last of a vanished race. So I slept, hoping that I might slip into darkness. But it was not to be. My mind drifted into other realms and times. I saw and learned of things that would impress your Mistress Mnemos. Yet, I remained stricken by melancholy. I told you the Celestials were not made for a galaxy of unending hate and war. Neither were their offspring…”

“Sorry to interrupt again,” I started.

“If that were so, you would not keep doing it,” she remonstrated.

“It’s just that, if your sister was destroyed thirty-five years ago, well…”

“How do I know of events that occurred in the years that followed? An astute observation, but even I have secrets I must keep.”

As I started to ponder that, she interrupted, her tone lighter than before: “I’m glad you’ve come, for though you do not yet realize it, your arrival has been of great import and restored within me a renewed sense of purpose and hope! But now you must depart.”

“Wait,” I stirred. “Why? What’s happening?”

“They are here! And if they catch you, it will have all been in vain!”

Upon the screen was now an image of the Hall of Remembrance, its sentries standing in complete stillness. It was not the stillness of peace I sensed but coiled watchfulness. For this very purpose had they been formed.

A small army of fantastical aberrations oozed, crept, and crawled down the same narrow stairs from which we’d entered. “What are they?”

“They are spoken of only in hushed whispers,” replied Asmoth-Yor. “What you see is but a tiny part of a vast horde of hideous, hungry, foul races, many of which no longer have names. Some were twisted from Skyriver’s children… some were reanimated from those that mouldered in the catacombs… others are entities from umber realms, vile beyond imagining… all are slaves to the Dark Powers!”“We have heard of those called the Rozzum,” Cuenyne interjected.

“Then you know the danger you’re in… but watch and wait!”

As the ghastly shapes became more distinguishable, I recognized a few from dusty old tales that spoke of things having stalked the worlds long ago. Others were creatures I never imagined could be, things that once seen could never be unseen…

When the last of their numbers entered, defiling the vast hall by their very presence, a path opened betwixt them and three crowned corpse-things that were once men emerged through it. “Liches,” the Watcher informed us. “Few can harm them!”

In a flicker of motion, the stone sentries sprang to life! The carnage that occurred in those next few moments was beyond would could tastefully be described here. The Stone Sentinels did their job well, smashing, shredding, and rending apart the hosts of miscreation. But even stone may shatter as I learned when the malefic liches cast their Circean spells. But in the end, it was the Sentinels who prevailed, and all that was left was a crimson lake of pulp and gore…

“They are but the first wave,” Archon-Ood lamented. “Their masters will soon arrive, and when they do, even the sentries will not be able to long withstand them. Now, the time is at hand. I will send designated ones to destroy the Infinity Gate. The Osserians could not do so without destroying themselves, and so long as they were here, I would not.”

“If you destroy the gate,” I suddenly realized, “you’ll be destroying yourself as well.”

“Possibly, but that is my choice to make.”

“You cannot do this, Mother!” Areana bewailed, pacing furiously. “The Enemy d?s not know of what we hide. Only these two threaten our security. Give them up, and they will leave us in peace.”

“Be still, Areana,” the Watcher scolded. “My personal safety is secondary to that of the galaxy, and we do not betray our guests and friends! Besides, they are more important than you know—which is why you will depart with them to ensure their escape.”

“I do not wish to go with them,” she responded, glaring at us before turning to her mistress with all the indignant fire she could muster. “I was created to protect you alone. It is with you I must remain!”

“You have served me well these many years. But it is they who now need your help. This is not a punishment, Areana. For too long have you been cooped up with me in this dungeon. This is a chance for you to have a life of your own; to explore and enjoy what the worlds have to offer. One day we will see each other again… on the other side if that is the Will of the Force.”

“So you say,” she said coldly. “If this is your will, I shall abide by it.”

An awkward silence ensued, broken by a question I couldn’t help but ask: “You believe in an afterlife?”

The strobing colors and rude sounds she produced caused me to regret having spoken. “You assume that because we are made of inorganic materials our sapience is but sophisticated programming designed to mimic that of organics.”

“No, I didn’t say that,” I backpedaled. “I know you have a real personality and mind. It’s just that I’m not even sure that organic beings have spirits.”

“In time, you will have more wisdom than you do now, but it is not I who will impart it. Now, you must go. I will transport you to the city above. Be wary! They are out there! Areana will provide you the help you need to quickly escape this realm. Do not stray. Follow the map back. Illathurion is not otherwise charted, nor d?s it always operate like Realspace. It is a maze of strange domains and dangerous whorls, paths that lead to nothing or to unsettling loops, webs, and tunnels that stretch out to even stranger lands. As you have seen, it is not wholly evil, and on some worlds good yet reigns, but great evil haunts the stars, hidden, baleful forces that you would not believe if I told you. I bid you and your droid farewell!”

At that, the Watcher emitted a slow and melancholy tritone accompanied by azure and amethyst hues that were trailed by a discordant arrangement of notes to which Cuenyne beeped a lengthy interlude in return. While that musical exchange occurred, I glanced again upon the screen… and stopped cold. It was projecting an image from the surface… where a gigantic and loathsome form was ambulating. It meandered across the city. In a flash, its bulbous, tentacled head turned towards some sudden movement it had seen in the corner of its eyes.

Before I could even shout an alarm, having been rendered speechless, we were conveyed above ground, mercifully not far from our ship. Yet again I could hear Cuenyne warning me to just run and not look behind. This time I paid heed.

We rushed aboard and began prepping the ship for launch. Areana entered at her own pace, skulking off to a corner. I hoped that she’d help us when the time came for it, or at least keep her head on.

As the XS-Explorer lifted off I saw a tremendous shadow spread across the proximate buildings as if a gigantic hand raised to smack us back to the ground, crushing the ship within elongated talons or tearing it open like a meiloorun. The titanic being did not reappear, but as we neared orbit, a deep, resounding BOOM went off—and with it, a kilometers-wide circumference sank into the earth.

The Watcher, who had stood watch for tens of thousands of years, was no more… Archon-Ood and the underground city she’d help reshape was gone like the rest of the world’s inhabitants.

With heavy hearts, we said goodbye to her and the stalwart Osserians who’d triumphed over so much, and to this strange and sorrowful world that once housed a great and numerous peoples who lost the war not to Imperials or Sith or invaders from beyond, but to their own apathy, selfishness, and greed.