The Force trembled.
Far beyond the reach of star charts, in the dead silence between galaxies, something stirred. It was ancient older than any civilization, predating even the Rakatan Infinite Empire. Buried in obscurity for millennia, a black shape turned in the void.
The Star Forge awakened.
The Rise of the Zereth Planetary Forge
Serion stood atop a storm-scarred plateau, his cloak billowing as the wind howled like a wounded beast. His eyes were closed, but his presence expanded outward into the stars, into the currents of the Force, beyond time and space.
His voice echoed, not from his mouth, but through the Force itself.
"Come to me."
The Seed embedded within his chest pulsed with power, resonating with something distant. It twisted reality, reaching beyond the galactic rim, through the forgotten spaces of the Force, and found the ancient construct.
The Star Forge responded.
From the darkness, the immense machine tore free of the void, tearing its way across hyperspace like a comet of fire and metal. Stars recoiled as it passed, space itself groaning at the weight of what was being pulled.
When it arrived, Serion raised his hands, the Seed flaring with divine brilliance.
The Star Forge descended from orbit like a falling god. But it did not crash. It merged grafting itself into the living crust of the hidden world beneath Serion's feet. Tendrils of molten metal pierced the mountains. Engines buried into the planet's core. The world screamed, and then… accepted it.
From the fusion of planet and Forge, a new entity was born a living machine-world of creation and power:
The Planetary Forge.
This was no longer just a weapon. It was a crucible. A beginning.
Duel in the Shadows
In the shattered ruins of the Senate chamber, Yoda stood before Darth Sidious, the Sith Lord once known as Palpatine. Their duel raged like a hurricane raw Force colliding with ancient mastery.
Lightning crackled across the darkened chamber. Senate pods fell like meteors. The galaxy watched in silence as its two titans warred for its soul.
Yoda's strength waned, but his purpose held fast.
"Lost, the Republic is. Consumed by the Dark Side."
Sidious snarled. "Then let it be reborn in flame!"
With one last surge of power, Yoda leapt clear of the collapsing platform. A Republic gunship swooped in from the smoke, piloted by Bail Organa. Yoda climbed aboard, weary but alive.
"I must go. Survive, the Jedi must," he said.
And then he was gone—into the stars, to join what few Jedi remained, planting the fragile seeds of a new hope.
The Emperor's Speech
On the steps of the devastated Senate, Palpatine stood draped in flowing black robes. His face was ravaged from the battle with Windu, twisted and pale, but he wore his scars like a crown. Before him, the Senate gathered scarred by war, desperate for peace.
"The attempt on my life has left me scarred and deformed… but I assure you, my resolve has never been stronger."
Cheers erupted.
"The Jedi have betrayed the Republic. They have plotted against our great democracy. But we have triumphed. From the ashes of their treason, we shall rise stronger than ever!"
Thunderous applause.
"And so, in order to ensure our continued security and stability… the Republic will be reorganized into the First Galactic Empire!"
Pandemonium. Relief and fervor danced in the senators' eyes. They did not see the chains being placed around their necks.
A Birth Amid the End
In a quiet, high-level medical suite on Coruscant, Padmé Amidala cried out as pain surged through her. Her body, weakened by grief and stress, struggled but she was not alone.
Anakin Skywalker held her hand tightly, his once-proud features drawn with fear and love.
"I'm here, Padmé. I won't leave you."
She smiled faintly through tears. "I know, Anakin. I know."
Outside, the city burned beneath a new Empire. But in that room, life defied darkness.
Two cries pierced the sterile silence: a boy, strong and vibrant — Luke. A girl, quiet but watchful — Leia.
Padmé looked at them once, her strength failing.
"Promise me," she whispered. "Promise me… they'll have a future…"
Anakin's heart fractured. He couldn't speak. He nodded.
And then she was still.
Anakin cradled their children, his armor discarded, his dark path paused—just for a moment—as the father eclipsed the monster.
Outside, the Empire rose. But inside, something brighter flickered. Fragile. New.