Gojo watched as the remnants of Plagueis's essence moved, drifting toward another clone hidden somewhere in the galaxy. He chuckled, his four-pupiled eyes glinting with amusement. "You know, Exar Kun, your buddy just ditched you. Guess he's off to his fifth clone now—Darth Nihilus, huh? That's a fight I'd actually look forward to," Gojo taunted, his voice echoing with playful menace. "But before I get to enjoy that, tell me, Exar Kun, do you really think you can win against me?"
Exar Kun's grip tightened around his blue lightsaber. The glow of the blade cut through the smoky ruins as he faced Gojo, unflinching. His eyes blazed with determination, the fiery spirit of a Sith Lord who once defied the Jedi and countless other threats. With a voice filled with unyielding confidence, Exar Kun began his speech.
"I am Exar Kun, once a Jedi, now the Dark Lord who mastered the ancient arts of the Sith. I've transcended death, defied the Light, and ruled with the power that bends reality to my will. Today, I stand not just as a Sith, but as the savior of the dark side and the galaxy itself! The Force—dark, ancient, and unyielding—flows through me. I will not let it be snuffed out by some self-proclaimed Honored One who wields the power of chaos and dares to mock our legacy!"
He raised his lightsaber, the blue hue illuminating his face as he pointed it at Gojo. "The Sith have always thrived in the face of insurmountable odds. We are the ones who turn defeat into power, who rise from the ashes of our failures. Today, I will not fail. Today, I fight not just for myself, but for every Sith who has ever fallen and every future dark side acolyte who will carry our legacy. I will strike you down, Honored One, and prove that the Sith are the true masters of the galaxy!"
Exar Kun's speech echoed with the conviction of a hero, a twisted sense of duty that painted the Sith as the last bastion against Gojo's overwhelming might. Yet, even as his words rang out with strength, doubt crept into his mind.
Isn't this just… backwards? Exar Kun thought, a moment of self-awareness flickering amidst his determination. Since when did the Sith become the saviors of the galaxy, standing against some unstoppable maniac? It feels more like we're in a bad holo-novel than a grand battle for the dark side.
He spared a quick glance at Gojo, who stood relaxed and unbothered by his fiery declaration. A bead of sweat rolled down Exar Kun's temple as he considered the reality of his situation. Can I even land a single blow on him, even with his barrier down? That barrier was the easy part—this guy's on another level entirely!
Gojo, sensing the uncertainty behind Exar Kun's bravado, smirked knowingly. "You talk a big game, Exar Kun. But let's be real—you're just as lost in this fight as Plagueis is, hopping from clone to clone. Are you the savior, or just another Sith trying not to be snuffed out?"
Exar Kun, refocusing his resolve, tightened his grip and took a deep breath. This isn't just about survival; it's about proving that we, the Sith, can rise to any challenge—even if it's against an unpredictable, god-like maniac who throws reality around like a toy.
Exar Kun's declaration rang through the air like a war cry, the force of his resolve amplifying his voice. "The one who lands the blow on you will gain the immortality you promised and become the savior of the dark side itself!" With that, he lunged forward, his blue lightsaber blazing with fierce intensity. His movements were swift and fluid, honed by countless battles and fueled by the full might of the dark side.
Gojo, still wearing his signature smirk, responded by summoning a Reishi broadsword, its glowing edge a stark contrast to the blue of Exar Kun's lightsaber. Gojo's form remained relaxed, almost lazy, as if the very notion of exerting himself was beneath him. His eyes, however, were alight with anticipation—this was a duel that promised true excitement.
Exar Kun struck first, his lightsaber slashing in a flurry of precise, powerful arcs. Each movement was calculated to breach Gojo's defenses, to force him onto the back foot. Kun's technique was a blend of aggressive, acrobatic swings and seamless transitions, showcasing the prowess of a true Sith warrior. His strikes came from every angle, leaving little room for counterattacks.
Gojo, wielding the Reishi broadsword with a calm finesse, matched each of Exar Kun's strikes with effortless blocks and parries. His movements were deceptively smooth, as if the broadsword were merely an extension of his will. Gojo's eyes tracked Exar's every move, his four pupiled Rikugan gleaming as he analyzed the battle in real time, always a step ahead.
The two combatants clashed in a dazzling display of skill and power. Exar Kun's blue lightsaber crackled against Gojo's Reishi broadsword, sending sparks flying with each collision. Exar Kun channeled the dark side, infusing his strikes with Force energy to amplify their impact, hoping to overpower Gojo's calm defenses. He moved with the speed of a hurricane, swirling in a whirlwind of blades that sliced through the air with a deadly hum.
Gojo, in response, wielded the Reishi broadsword like a conductor directing a symphony of destruction. He switched seamlessly between defensive and offensive postures, utilizing precise slashes and stabs. Gojo's style mimicked Yhwach's swordsmanship—methodical yet overwhelming, each move designed to dominate the battlefield. With a flick of his wrist, Gojo unleashed volleys of Heilig Pfeil arrows, glowing projectiles of reishi energy that streaked through the air like meteors.
Exar Kun deflected the arrows with his lightsaber, the blade spinning in a defensive flourish. Yet even as he repelled the onslaught, Gojo's relentless barrage pushed him further back, the sheer pressure of the attacks straining his defenses. Gritting his teeth, Exar Kun extended his free hand and unleashed a burst of Force lightning, the crackling energy arcing toward Gojo in a vicious assault.
Gojo countered with a grin, his Reishi broadsword absorbing the lightning's impact before dispersing it harmlessly into the air. He swung the sword in a wide arc, sending a wave of reishi energy crashing toward Exar Kun, forcing him to leap back to avoid the deadly sweep. Exar Kun's eyes narrowed; he was facing a being whose power seemed limitless, and every technique he employed was met with an answer.
Refusing to relent, Exar Kun channeled more of his ancient Sith techniques, summoning a forceful wave of dark energy that distorted the air around them. He surged forward, his lightsaber trailing a blaze of blue light as he aimed a powerful downward strike at Gojo's head. Gojo, unfazed, raised his broadsword to meet the attack, and the impact sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield.
"Impressive!" Gojo mocked, his voice carrying over the clashing of blades. "But you'll need more than flashy moves to land that blow!"
Exar Kun snarled, spinning on his heel and sending another blast of Force lightning at Gojo. This time, the lightning coiled like a serpent, striking with enough force to carve through rock. Gojo countered by summoning a flurry of Heilig Pfeil, the holy arrows intercepting the lightning and neutralizing it mid-air. The sky above them lit up with the explosive interplay of energy, painting the ruins of the temple in bursts of blue and white.
Exar Kun darted through the chaos, using his mastery of the Force to enhance his speed. He closed the distance in an instant, striking with a flurry of blows meant to overwhelm Gojo's defenses. Gojo, still grinning, deflected each strike with surgical precision, his broadsword humming as it moved to counter every angle of Exar's attack.
The ground beneath them shook as their weapons collided, the ancient stones cracking under the sheer force of their duel. Exar Kun, in a last-ditch effort, summoned a massive wave of dark energy, amplifying it with all his fury. The wave surged toward Gojo like a tidal force, ready to engulf him in its destructive power.
Gojo didn't flinch. His eyes flared with an intense blue light, his four pupiled Rikugan fully activated. With a simple gesture, he redirected the wave, splitting it apart with his broadsword and sending it careening into the sky. Exar Kun, momentarily stunned by the effortless counter, struggled to regain his footing.
"Equal ground, huh?" Gojo taunted, his voice dripping with playful mockery. "You're not even close, Exar Kun."
Exar Kun, panting and pushing through his growing doubts, rallied his strength. This isn't just about winning; it's about proving that we, the Sith, are worthy of the dark side's legacy. But in the back of his mind, the doubt persisted. Why does this feel so wrong? Why does it feel like we're the ones who need saving from this maniac?
Exar Kun ignited both ends of his lightsaber, the twin blue blades humming with fierce energy as he transitioned to a more aggressive double-bladed fighting style. His movements became a blur of rapid strikes, each swing unpredictable and relentless, calculated to corner Gojo and overwhelm him with sheer speed and precision.
Gojo, grinning wider, switched from the Reishi broadsword to the Arm of Darkness—Odin's legendary sword from FFXVI. The sword exuded a dark, malevolent aura, and as Gojo wielded it, his demeanor shifted, adopting a more sinister and dominating presence. Exar Kun watched with a mix of awe and unease, thoughts racing. This man… He's darker than I am. That sword—it's like he's the true lord of darkness.
The duel intensified as Gojo activated Dancing Steel, Odin's ultimate Eikonic ability. Another sword materialized in his hand, and Gojo began a relentless flurry of attacks. The blades moved with terrifying speed, slashing from all angles in a coordinated assault that left little room for Exar Kun to maneuver. Exar Kun defended with all his might, spinning his double-bladed lightsaber to parry the onslaught. Each clash of blades sent sparks flying, the air around them vibrating with the intensity of their battle.
Gojo's swords danced like whirlwinds, the relentless barrage forcing Exar Kun to constantly shift his stance and adapt. The Sith Lord's defense held, but just barely, and Gojo could sense the strain. After a particularly forceful clash, Gojo stepped back, allowing some distance between them. He clapped his hands mockingly, the sound echoing in the ruined temple. "Does the relic need some rest? Lost your home, didn't you? The degraded temple doesn't look as grand now, huh?"
Exar Kun's face remained stoic, but Gojo's taunts struck a nerve. Refusing to be outdone, Exar Kun summoned his dark side sorcery to create an army of clones—giant versions of himself towering over the battlefield, and thousands of smaller Exar Kuns poised to strike. The swarm of doppelgangers filled the landscape, a chaotic legion ready to overwhelm Gojo.
Gojo's four-pupiled Rikugan eyes calmly scanned the scene, instantly picking out the real Exar Kun, who had turned invisible and was sneaking up right in front of him. As Exar Kun readied his strike, confident in his impending victory, he swung his lightsaber toward Gojo's neck, declaring his success and claim to immortality.
Gojo, unfazed, caught the lightsaber's energy blade in his bare hand. The lightsaber's hum was silenced as Gojo tightened his grip, and with a swift motion, he shattered the blade like glass. Exar Kun's eyes widened in shock, his mind struggling to comprehend the impossible. Can someone catch a lightsaber like that? And… break it so easily? It defied everything he knew.
Gojo smirked, still holding the broken hilt. "Be proud of yourself, Exar Kun," he mocked, his voice dripping with disdain. "You've officially earned the title of the most comedic Sith Lord I've ever faced."
In an instant, Gojo's left hand shot forward, grabbing Exar Kun by the neck with unyielding force. Gojo's four-pupiled Rikugan eyes flared brilliantly, shining intensely. As Gojo activated Compulsory, an eye on the palm of his left hand opened, revealing a yellow eye with two pupils. Tendrils of energy burst from Gojo's palm, burrowing into Exar Kun's body. Exar Kun's muscles spasmed, his limbs moving uncontrollably as the invasive energy took over, seizing command of his very essence. This ability, already part of Gojo as the Soul King, would serve him for as long as he lived.
The energy spread rapidly, evolving and adapting within Exar Kun's body, overriding his will and forcibly assimilating his powers. Exar Kun's form convulsed under Gojo's control, his own abilities now twisted and absorbed by Gojo's mastery. The Sith Lord's resistance crumbled as his consciousness faded, his formidable powers now part of Gojo's growing arsenal.
Exar Kun's last thoughts flickered, a mixture of awe and despair. Is this what true power looks like? To be undone so completely?
In a final act of defiance, Exar Kun summoned the last vestiges of his strength, wrenching himself free from Gojo's grasp. He staggered back, his body flickering like a dying flame. Desperation etched on his face, Exar Kun reached down and placed his palm on the ground, initiating a massive Force Drain. The dark energy surged outward, consuming the very life force of the land around him. The range extended across a continent on Yavin 4, draining everything in its path—the forests, the wildlife, the ancient stones—all to fuel his own power. The ground itself seemed to blacken and wither under his touch, as a visible wave of energy rippled across the landscape.
The surge of stolen power amplified Exar Kun's abilities to a staggering degree, his presence swelling with dark energy. But it was unstable, wild—he had mere moments, one minute at most, to wield this newfound might. His eyes burned with intensity as he faced Gojo, who stood calmly, grinning in silent respect.
Exar Kun raised his hands, dark sorcery crackling around him like a storm. His voice boomed with the authority of a Sith Lord who had once commanded legions. "I am Exar Kun! Dark Lord of the Sith, master of the ancient arts, and the savior of the dark side itself! I will not let our legacy be extinguished by the whims of a madman! I stand here, not just for myself, but for every Sith who fought and fell before me. The dark side will not be snuffed out! It will rise again, stronger, unbreakable! Today, I fight as the champion of the Sith, the protector of our creed, and the savior of the galaxy's true power!"
As Exar Kun's proclamation echoed, he could feel the raw, chaotic energy of his newfound power coursing through him. Did I just become a hero? Huh… Never thought I'd be saving anyone, let alone the dark side. This is crazy!
Gojo, still maintaining his composure, nodded slightly as he summoned the Arm of Darkness once more. This time, he activated his Gungnir ability, manifesting a legendary double-bladed spear reminiscent of Exar Kun's lightsaber. Exar Kun, recognizing the weapon's significance, knew this was the final clash. With 55 seconds remaining before his borrowed power faded, he used the Force to pull and repair his damaged lightsaber. When Exar Kun reignited it, one blade shone blue, the other red—a reflection of the eternal conflict between the Sith and Jedi within him.
Exar Kun summoned a thousand real clones, combining his illusion creation with amplified Sith sorcery. They charged at Gojo, an overwhelming force of dark side energy. Gojo, unimpressed, moved with lethal efficiency, wielding Gungnir with a fluid grace that belied its lethal power.
Gojo's Gungnir became a blur of motion, each thrust and swing creating rapid, piercing strikes that stretched far beyond a normal weapon's reach. The double-bladed spear glowed with a radiant energy, and every movement was a calculated ballet of destruction. As the clones closed in, Gojo spun Gungnir with a flick of his wrist, unleashing a volley of piercing strikes that skewered multiple clones in a single instant, their forms dissipating into dark mist.
Exar Kun's clones swarmed Gojo from all sides, attempting to overwhelm him with sheer numbers and ferocity. But Gojo, his four-pupiled Rikugan eyes glowing brilliantly, seemed to be everywhere at once. He extended Gungnir, the spear elongating to stab through a line of advancing clones. In the same motion, Gojo retracted the spear and twirled it above his head, releasing a circular wave of energy that cleaved through the doppelgangers like a scythe through wheat.
Every movement of Gojo's spear was precise and devastating. He thrust forward, Gungnir's blades slicing through the air, reaching distant targets with ease. The clones tried to retaliate with synchronized strikes, wielding their own lightsabers in complex, coordinated patterns, but Gojo was a step ahead of every attack. He spun around, deflecting blows and countering with swift jabs that cut down his foes with relentless efficiency.
The battlefield was a whirlwind of chaos as Gojo's Gungnir speared through the clones, sending shockwaves that shattered the earth beneath them. Exar Kun's creations surged forward, but Gojo met them head-on, his movements a deadly dance of speed and power. Gungnir's piercing strikes extended to reach distant enemies, making it impossible for any clone to approach without being torn apart.
Exar Kun watched as his army was decimated, his clones fading under the relentless assault. With 15 seconds left, he summoned the remaining energy to launch an all-out attack. The clones converged on Gojo, their lightsabers slashing in unison, dark energy crackling around them. Gojo, unfazed, drove Gungnir into the ground, releasing a shockwave that obliterated the advancing force in a single, explosive burst.
As the final clones fell, the last seconds ticked away. Exar Kun, with just one second left, used his telepathy to freeze Gojo for 0.1 seconds. Gojo has the strongest barrier mind, but I can still freeze his nerves, just for a very little moment, Exar Kun thought. Seizing the opportunity, he made a desperate dash, his speed amplified to its peak by the unstable energy coursing through him. His double-bladed lightsaber whirled like a tempest, the red and blue blades a blur as he aimed for Gojo's neck, intent on landing the decisive blow.
But it was too late.
In the instant before his blade could connect, Exar Kun's stolen power burned out, leaving him standing still, his energy spent. He remained frozen, his lightsaber poised mere inches from Gojo's throat. The dark side's unstable surge had finally taken its toll, and Exar Kun's form began to fade.
Gojo, watching with a mix of amusement and respect, stood firm. He didn't move, didn't strike back—he simply observed as Exar Kun's borrowed strength extinguished. Exar Kun's body trembled, and then, as if all the life had been snuffed out at once, he collapsed to his knees, his lightsaber clattering to the ground.
Gojo lowered his spear, the moment of silence heavy with the weight of the battle's conclusion. He looked down at Exar Kun, a faint smile on his lips. "You fought well, Exar Kun. Even at the end, you showed what it means to be a true Sith ."
Exar Kun's eyes, dimming, gazed up at Gojo. In his final moments, there was no hatred, no regret—only the acceptance of a warrior who had given everything. With a faint, almost imperceptible nod, Exar Kun closed his eyes, his body slumping forward as the last vestiges of his life slipped away.
Gojo turned, his four pupiled Rikugan eyes glowing softly in the aftermath of the battle. "Rest now, Exar Kun. You've earned it."
The battlefield was silent, the echoes of their epic clash fading into the distance. The once-grand Massassi temple lay in ruins around them, a testament to the ferocity of the fight and the indomitable spirit of the fallen Sith Lord.