Chapter 144

With the Vassals of the Terran Ascendency entering the war, the Imperial remnants and the CIS were being overwhelmed every where. Before the vassals joined they were still losing but it was slow enough so that they could at least put up a fight now.

But now they were just being overwhelmed by the new forces that entered the war front.

Count Dooku was currently on Teth leading the Droid army against the invading Arcadian Forces. The world of Teth is the third planet orbiting the star of the same name and had two moons that orbited the planet itself. It was located within the Teth system of the Baxel sector in the outer border of the Outer Rim region of the galaxy that crossed over into the Wild Space region.

On the surface was a mix of rocky ground and tangled jungle which allowed the CIS who were the defenders a greater chance at ambushing the invading forces.

But ambushes didn't work on the Terran Ascendency as they had Force Users leading the charge in the battle which allowed them to detect ambushes and prevent soldiers from dying without even seeing the enemy.

The sky was a shade of blood-red as the Arcadian Forces, led by the Force Users, advanced through the tangled jungle, their eyes and senses sharp. The jungle's ominous silence did nothing to deter them. Their footsteps left clear paths in the dewy undergrowth, their wills unwavering despite the foreboding atmosphere of their surroundings.

Count Dooku watched from a distance, cloaked in shadows, his calculating eyes studying each move made by the enemy. So far he has only been able to stall the enemy advances for a short amount of time.

But the more he retreats the more ground the enemy gains and the more Droids he loses. Count Dooku went up against one of the so called Guardian knights every battle. And every battle he was overwhelmed and forced to retreat.

Even with the support of the Droids a single Guardian Knight was just too powerful for him to take on by himself.

Despite his reluctance, Count Dooku couldn't deny his desire to possess the same power as these Guardian Knights. He had always been drawn to the Darkside of the Force, finding it more practical than the lightside. Yet, in the presence of the Guardian Knights, all of his skills and knowledge of the darkside proved ineffective.

It even got him wondering if these force users were from another Galaxy. He started to think about it in his head as the idea wasn't exactly un thinkable. From his knowledge he knew that there was another Galaxy and possibly more that existed out there. The only problem was getting to those galaxies since who knows were to even start developing the technology for that.

And considering that fact it was also possible for people from that other Galaxy to come here. As Count Dooku was lost in thought the Droid Commander had spotted the enemy approaching their position.

"Count Dooku, the Terran forces are heading straight for us" Reported the Droid Commander.

Count Dooku snapped out of his thoughts, his eyes narrowing as he refocused on the situation at hand. The Force Users leading the Terran forces were formidable adversaries, but he was a Sith Lord, well-versed in the Dark Side. He could not allow fear to direct his course of action.

"Prepare the defense line," Dooku ordered icily, his fingers drumming against the hilt of his lightsaber.

The droids moved to obey, their mechanical movements precise and efficient. Their blasters hummed with deadly intent as they turned their attention towards the encroaching enemy. Still, Dooku knew that mere firepower wouldn't be enough to hold back the Terran forces. If they were to stand any chance of survival, he'd need to use every trick in his repertoire.

Drawing on the Force, Dooku surrounded himself in a cloak of invisibility, melding into the shadows of the dense jungle. The dull hum of droid weapons filled the air as he silently moved to the forward lines. Silently, he watched as the Terran forces emerged from the undergrowth, their confident strides breaking through the misty veil that hung over the jungle.

The Guardian Knights led them, their eyes alight with a fierce determination. Recognizing one from their previous encounters, Dooku felt a shiver run down his spine. Their battles had always been intense, and Dooku had never left unscathed. Yet, he knew that if they were to have any chance at survival, he'd have to face this formidable opponent once more.

As the distance closed between the two armies, tension hung heavy in the air. Dooku could hear the low hum of countless lightsabers igniting, their spectral glow piercing the shadows. He gripped his own weapon tight in his hand, the familiar hilt a comforting presence.

The Guardian Knight leading the enemy forces was Elysia, a woman of indomitable will and unyielding strength. Even from afar, even under the cloak of invisibility, Dooku could feel her formidable presence resonating through the Force. As she stepped onto the battlefield, her fierce gaze swept over his hidden position, causing an involuntary shiver to run down his spine.

It was now or never. Dooku decided to act first. He sprang forth from his hiding place, his red lightsaber coming alive with a threatening hum. But Elysia was not taken by surprise; she was already moving to meet him.

Their blades clashed with an ear-shattering crash, crimson meeting silver in a dazzling display of power. A swirl of potent energy emanated from their crossed weapons as they tested each other's strength once more.

"Count Dooku," Elysia greeted coldly, her eyes locked onto his. "You cannot hope to win."

A defiant smirk twisted Dooku's lips as he met her gaze head on. "We shall see."

They broke apart for an instant only to lunge at each other again with renewed vigor. The sounds of their clashing blades and grunts of exertion drowned everything else out, creating a bubble around them amidst the ongoing battle.