Mustafar is a planet steeped in a dark history, acting as a point of interest as far back as the Clone Wars themselves. At one point, the Black Sun constructed their headquarters upon its surface and later on even Darth Vader took up residence within his dark castle. The traces of this history are still found in the form of the remains left behind. Mining facilities are scattered across the lava-surface of the scorching planet, help up with gravity supports that keep them safe from the superheated material below.

Perhaps its most notable history came via a single uttered phrase: Mustafar is where Jedi go to die. The hidden interrogation facility built into the scorched stone is steeped in the dark side, providing a clue to its wicked purpose in a time not so long past. A large, single landing pad acts as the focal point of the structure from the outside. It is connected by a causeway that leads to a security door that has fallen into disuse. The facility itself is still functional, drawing power from the thermal energy of the planet itself.

Once within, one is confronted by the labyrinthine maze of corridors and offices that were clearly designed for a singular purpose. The holding cells are as spartan as any other Imperial construct, providing only a slab protruding from the wall as a bed and nothing more. Barracks can be found near the main control rooms with its shelving in various states of disarray. It is clear with only a glance that scavengers have already picked the inanimate corpse clean of its contents.

However, it is deeper still where the miasma of the dark side truly reaches its zenith. There one will find the interrogation chambers. Wickedly cruel in their singular purpose, stains can still be found caked into the durasteel panels themselves alongside various tools and instruments of the trade plied within.

To walk within Mustafar's Interrogation Facility is to tread through the ghosts of the planet's darkest past. It is a symphony for the wicked and a requiem for the pious.

The first thing he felt when the cockpit of the “Resolute Night” opened was the intense heat all around him. Mustafar, a planet stained by the dark side. Since his awakening, Aiden Lee Deshra has dreamed about the volcanic planet. Something wanted him here, and he knew he shouldn’t be alone.

I hope she got the message, the Balance Adherent thought to himself.

“I do hope you’re not planning to wait here.”

Aiden looked to his partner. The droid was busy looking through a datapad, undoubtedly looking for a new target for them to eliminate.

“Don’t you worry your fried wired mind, I plan on staying as far away from you as I can.”

“But master!” Vizierian spoke with an upward inflection. “I am assigned to protect you from harm! It would be tragic if you were to slip and fall down into the lava river and I wasn’t there to save you!”

“Aww, Viz. Your concern for me is far too kind. Sarcasm suits you ill, my cacophonous friend.” Aiden walked away from the ship. “Besides, we both know you’d be happy to be rid of me.”

“First, my voice has been synchronized to be mellifluous and lyrical. Second, go jump in for a swim.”

Aiden merely laughed at the droid’s antics. Truthfully, he was glad that Vizierian’s CPU had been altered to protect him at all costs. The droid had once been assigned to assassinate him but had failed. Now it survived knowing it was meant to guard its target, a thought that caused the droid much dissatisfaction.

Walking along a soot-covered path, Aiden saw his destination. The derelict interrogation facility of the Sith of old. The many halls and corridors had filled his dreams, or rather nightmares, with dread. He could feel the vile aura emanating from it.

The intense heat of Mustafar had its effect on him. His shirt beneath his robes was soaked with sweat. He hadn’t expected comfort, but this was just ridiculous. Reaching the main entrance to the facility, the Gray Jedi walked in and found the inside quite cool in comparison to its location. Journeying to the center of the main hall, Aiden knelt the floor. While he waited for her, meditation would fill his time, and hopefully, bring him peace. He was not so lucky.

Voices filled his head. His connection to the Dark Side of the Force opened the way for the spirits that haunted these maze-like halls to fill his mind with thought. Dark thoughts. Thoughts of revenge, of corruption and power. A lusting hunger for constant battle and endless destruction. Freedom from the sanctity of the Light.

As he fought for control of his mind, the sudden appearance of another presence surprised the Arconan. His eyes shot open as he leaped to his feet and activated “Midnight’s Calling.” A silvery blade bathed the darker hall with white light. The now illuminated half-Ryn gazed in concern for her friend. Aiden’s eyes softened at the sight of his savior.

“Zujenia...I apologize for that. There’s just something about this place…” his voice trailed off as his lightsaber retracted.

The half-Ryn stepped forward till she was within proximity to her ally. She wrapped her arms around him and spoke softly, feeling his minds unease.

“I feel it too Aiden. Now please tell me why we are here?” Zujenia had not hesitated to agree when he requested her assistance in his endeavor, even though she wasn’t told what the purpose of this visit was.

“Zujenia, I owe a debt to you I could never repay. You found me and nursed me to health in my weakened state. You and your master healed me and gave me this arm,” he ran his right fingers down his cybernetic ligament. “My loyalty to you is unshakable, and you are the only one I’d trust for this.”

“Aiden, enough with the cryptics. What’s going on?”

“I have been dreaming of this place. Dreaming of losing myself to the darkness. My life has been dedicated to upholding the will of the Balance, and for some reason, the call of the Dark Side has grown in me. But my dreams also give me hope. I want to embrace the darkness in this place. I want to allow the Dark Side to take hold of me, and then fight my way back!”

Aiden’s eyes burned with a newfound desire. Zujenia hadn’t seen this in him since he first realized the betrayal of his old Clan. She couldn’t help but feel a strong sense of worry, but after careful study of her friend, she knew he wouldn’t turn back.

“What do you need me for?”

“I need a tether. Something to hold onto. A strong sense of Light, like what I feel within you. Atyiru would have been another option for this, but, rest her spirit, she is no longer among us.”

“And what will I be doing as you fight for control?”

“My hope is you will do nothing but be here. If I am uncontrollable in my Dark state, you may have to fight me. It will not be easy. I am sorry to ask this of you, but there is no one else. I need to face this darkness within me.” Aiden’s resolve held strong.

Zujenia carefully considered this request. Her life would be at risk. Her hopes, her dreams. She had someone waiting for her return. But she couldn’t deny him this. Something told her she could do it.

Master be with me, she thought to herself before nodding.

Aiden knelt once more, meditating and preparing himself for his ordeal. Zujenia took out her staff, just in case it was needed. She didn’t want to risk hurting him, but she knew she would need to defend herself if it came to that. As if in a trance, Aiden’s eyes opened, and the irises altered color. Gone were his blue-green optics, and in their place remained a set of yellow-orange globes. He slowly stood up before facing the half-Ryn.

“Aiden? Are you still with me?”

The Balance Adherent gave a slight grin as he once again activated “Midnight’s Calling.” The shimmering silver blade screeched to life. In the silent halls of Mustafar’s Interrogation Facility, the lightsaber’s scream resounded against the solid walls. Zuji pressed a button on her staff, triggering the purple electrical current of the bo-rifle to ignite. The static hum joined the lightsabers tone.

“Don’t make me do this Aiden. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“As if you could, Zuji,” gone was the calm, embracing voice of her close friend, and in its place was a cruel knockoff. “Time to see which half of you is the Ryn half.”

Allowing him to make the first move, Zujenia channeled the Force into her body. She knew Aiden’s attacks were fast and precise, she would need to be as well if she wanted to survive this. The darkened Arconan made his move. Approaching his adversary, he held his curved hit with the light but firm grip of a Makashi master. With fluid precision, he swung his blade with guided accuracy. Each strike was well aimed at a vulnerable location. Zuji reacted in kind, tracking his movements and countering his silver blade with her staffs' emitters.

With elegant ease, the Human deflected each jab of the bo-rifle, a hissing screech occurring with each connection. The two Arconan’s mirrored each other when we swung right, she blocked right, when she thrust left, he parried left. With help from the Force, she was able to match his movements.

“Aiden, I know you can hear me. Snap out of it!”

“This is me now, Zuji. The power of the Dark Side. It isn’t what we thought it was. Atty was wrong! This is unbelievable.”

With fiery eyes, Aiden began his relentless assault. Swift slashes and focused control allowed for superior movements over the half-Ryn. As she focused on her defense, Aiden channeled the Force himself, focusing it into a coil in his palm. Breaking through her defense, he slammed his fist into the stone floor of the facility, allowing a pulse of Force energy to expand out in a wave, knocking Zujenia off her feet.

Landing hard, the half-Ryn let out a pained gasp before reacting. She pressed a button on her bo-rifle and the staff retracted back into its firearm state. Pointing the barrel at her friend she pulled the trigger. Aiden deflected the first several blasts, but his cybernetic arm was grazed by another. The nerve receptors built into the arm sent pain shooting down his arm, and the Arconan turned quickly before sprinting down a nearby corridor.

For a split moment, Zujenia considered leaving her ally to his fate. But she could feel him still, deep within his mind. Aiden could be reached, and she would do it.