Battlefield of Broken Dreams

In the aftermath of the devastating battle on Ruusan, Darovit, a young Force-sensitive, navigates the desolate landscape littered with the bodies of fallen Jedi and Sith. Haunted by the loss of his cousins, Rain and Bug, he struggles with his identity and the senselessness of the war. The thought bomb, a catastrophic weapon unleashed by Lord Kaan, has obliterated all Force users except Darovit, leaving him in a state of confusion and despair. As he wanders, he encounters ordinary soldiers, immune to the bomb's effects, unlike him. Drawn to the cave where the thought bomb was detonated, Darovit seeks answers to the chaos surrounding him.

The Dark Lord's New Apprentice

Darth Bane, the sole surviving Sith Lord, traverses the war-torn landscape of Ruusan with a sense of purpose. He is accompanied by Zannah, a young girl with immense potential in the dark side of the Force. Bane sees in her the future of the Sith, a successor who will one day challenge him for the title of Dark Lord. As they journey together, Bane teaches Zannah the Sith Code, emphasizing the importance of strength, power, and victory. Zannah, driven by the death of her friend Laa, embraces the dark side, eager to learn and grow under Bane's tutelage.

Shadows of the Past

Bane is plagued by visions of the Sith he has destroyed, particularly Lord Kaan and Qordis. These hallucinations are a result of the thought bomb's lingering effects on his mind. Despite the torment, Bane remains resolute in his belief that the Brotherhood of Darkness was a perversion of the Sith Order. He is determined to rebuild the Sith in secret, adhering to the Rule of Two: one Master and one apprentice. Bane's journey is one of both physical and mental endurance as he seeks to rid himself of these haunting specters and focus on his ultimate goal.

The Path of the Sith

On Ambria, Bane begins Zannah's training in the ways of the Sith. He tasks her with capturing a neek, a small creature, to teach her patience and cunning. Zannah learns the importance of using the dark side to achieve her goals, even when it means sacrificing something she cares about. Her training is rigorous and demanding, pushing her to embrace the Sith philosophy fully. As she grows in power, Zannah becomes more aware of the complexities of the dark side and the path she has chosen.

A Test of Loyalty

Zannah infiltrates a group of separatists on Serenno, using her charm and cunning to manipulate them into attacking Chancellor Valorum. Her mission is to create a distraction, drawing the attention of the Republic and the Jedi away from the Sith. Zannah's relationship with Kel, a charismatic Twi'lek leader, is both a tool and a personal indulgence. Despite her feelings, she remains loyal to Bane, understanding that her true destiny lies in the power of the dark side. Her actions demonstrate her growing mastery of manipulation and deception.

The Price of Power

Bane's body is covered in orbalisks, parasitic creatures that enhance his power but cause constant pain. His attempts to create a Sith Holocron have repeatedly failed, leading to destructive outbursts fueled by frustration and the orbalisks' influence. Zannah, witnessing the aftermath of one such outburst, begins to question the cost of Bane's power. She plants seeds of doubt in his mind, hoping to convince him to rid himself of the orbalisks. Zannah's ambition grows as she contemplates the day she will challenge Bane for the title of Dark Lord, understanding that his armor may be both his greatest strength and his ultimate weakness.

Jedi's Relentless Pursuit of Bane

The Jedi, led by Master Tho'natu, follow a trail to Tython, where they believe the Sith Lord Bane has killed several Jedi. They arrive on the desolate planet, prepared for battle, and find Bane and his apprentice, Zannah, in a fortress. A fierce battle ensues, with Bane's orbalisk armor providing him with immense power and protection. Despite the Jedi's efforts, Bane's strength and Zannah's cunning allow them to fend off the attackers, leaving the Jedi defeated and unaware of the Sith's continued existence.

Zannah's Desperate Gamble

With Bane gravely injured from the battle, Zannah takes him to Ambria, seeking the aid of the healer Caleb. Despite Caleb's initial refusal, Zannah is forced to make a desperate decision to save her Master. She agrees to send a message to the Jedi, revealing Bane's location, in exchange for Caleb's healing. This gamble is a calculated risk to keep Bane alive, as Zannah knows the Jedi will soon arrive, threatening their survival.

Caleb's Reluctant Healing

Caleb, bound by his principles, reluctantly agrees to heal Bane after Zannah sends a message to the Jedi. He uses his knowledge of the Force and natural remedies to remove the deadly orbalisks from Bane's body, saving his life. Despite the healer's efforts, Bane remains weak and vulnerable, leaving Zannah to contemplate the future of the Sith Order and her role within it.

Darovit's Fatal Misjudgment

Darovit, Zannah's cousin, believes he can save her from the dark side by convincing her to betray Bane to the Jedi. He underestimates Zannah's commitment to the Sith and her willingness to do whatever it takes to preserve their legacy. In a tragic turn, Darovit becomes a pawn in Zannah's plan, ultimately leading to his demise at the hands of the Jedi, who mistake him for the Sith Lord.

Sith's Deceptive Victory

As the Jedi arrive on Ambria, they find the camp seemingly abandoned, with only the remains of Caleb and Darovit. Believing they have eliminated the last of the Sith, the Jedi depart, unaware that Zannah and a recovering Bane are hidden beneath the camp, masked by Sith sorcery. The Sith have once again evaded detection, allowing them to continue their plans for the future.

Characters

Darovit

Darovit, once known as Tomcat, is a young Force-sensitive caught between the light and dark sides. Traumatized by the deaths of his cousins and the devastation of the thought bomb, he wanders the battlefield in search of meaning. His survival is a mystery, and he is haunted by the chaos and destruction around him. Darovit's journey is one of self-discovery as he grapples with his identity and the senselessness of war.

Darth Bane

Darth Bane is the last surviving Sith Lord after the thought bomb's detonation. He is determined to rebuild the Sith Order in secret, adhering to the Rule of Two. Bane is a formidable figure, both physically and in the Force, but he is haunted by visions of the Sith he has destroyed. His body is covered in orbalisks, which enhance his power but cause constant pain. Bane's relationship with his apprentice, Zannah, is one of mentorship and manipulation, as he prepares her to one day challenge him for the title of Dark Lord.

Zannah

Zannah is a young girl with immense potential in the dark side of the Force. Chosen by Bane as his apprentice, she is driven by the death of her friend Laa and her desire for power. Zannah's training is rigorous, and she learns to embrace the Sith philosophy fully. Her relationship with Bane is complex, as she both admires and fears him. Zannah's ambition grows as she contemplates the day she will challenge Bane, understanding that her destiny lies in the power of the dark side.

Kelad'den

Kel is a Twi'lek revolutionary and leader of a small separatist group on Serenno. He is drawn to Zannah, unaware of her true identity and intentions. Kel is passionate and idealistic, believing in the cause of independence from the Republic. His relationship with Zannah is both a personal indulgence and a tool for her mission. Kel's fate is sealed as he becomes a pawn in Zannah's manipulation, ultimately serving the Sith's greater plan.

Paak

Paak is a human member of Kel's separatist group, marked by his green and purple tattoos. He is suspicious of Zannah and questions Kel's leadership. Paak's loyalty to the group's original leader, Hetton, creates tension within the group. Despite his skepticism, he is ultimately swayed by Kel's impassioned rhetoric and becomes part of the plan to attack Chancellor Valorum.

Cyndra

Cyndra is a blue-skinned, red-eyed Chiss female and a member of Kel's separatist group. She is cautious and hesitant about the group's plans, preferring to wait for the original timeline. Cyndra's concerns are overridden by Kel's persuasive arguments, and she reluctantly agrees to participate in the attack on Chancellor Valorum.

Caleb

Caleb is a healer on Ambria, known for his neutrality and refusal to aid either Jedi or Sith. Despite his reluctance, he is coerced into saving Bane's life, driven by a sense of duty and the promise of Zannah's cooperation with the Jedi. His death at the hands of Zannah marks the end of his quiet resistance against the dark side.

Master Tho'natu

Master Tho'natu leads the Jedi mission to Ambria, driven by a desire to eliminate the Sith threat. His misinterpretation of the situation leads to the Jedi's false belief that the Sith have been eradicated, allowing Bane and Zannah to continue their plans in secrecy.

Plot Devices

Thought Bomb

The thought bomb is a catastrophic weapon unleashed by Lord Kaan, obliterating all Force users on Ruusan except for Darovit. It serves as a pivotal plot device, setting the stage for Bane's rise as the sole surviving Sith Lord. The thought bomb's aftermath leaves Darovit in a state of confusion and despair, while Bane uses it as a catalyst to rebuild the Sith Order in secret.

Rule of Two

The Rule of Two is a central tenet of the Sith Order, established by Bane to ensure the survival and strength of the Sith. It dictates that there can only be one Sith Master and one apprentice, with the apprentice eventually challenging the Master for supremacy. This philosophy drives the relationship between Bane and Zannah, as she is groomed to one day take his place as Dark Lord.

Orbalisks

Orbalisks are parasitic organisms that cover Bane's body, enhancing his strength and healing abilities but causing constant pain. They serve as both a source of power and a potential weakness, as their influence can drive Bane into uncontrollable rages. The orbalisks symbolize the cost of power and the physical and mental toll it takes on Bane, influencing his relationship with Zannah and his ability to control his own destiny.

Sith Sorcery

Zannah's mastery of Sith sorcery allows her to mask their presence from the Jedi, ensuring their survival. This plot device highlights the Sith's reliance on cunning and subterfuge to outmaneuver their enemies and maintain their secrecy.

Jedi Misinterpretation

The Jedi's belief that they have defeated the Sith is a critical plot device, allowing Bane and Zannah to continue their plans undetected. This misinterpretation underscores the theme of deception and the ongoing struggle between light and dark.

Analysis

"Rule of Two" by Drew Karpyshyn delves into the complexities of power, legacy, and the eternal struggle between light and dark. Through the lens of the Sith, the narrative explores the cost of ambition and the sacrifices required to achieve greatness. Bane's adherence to the Rule of Two underscores the importance of strength and cunning in the Sith philosophy, while Zannah's journey highlights the personal and moral challenges faced by those who seek power. The novel also examines the theme of deception, as the Sith use cunning and manipulation to outmaneuver their enemies. Ultimately, "Rule of Two" offers a compelling exploration of the dark side of the Force, challenging readers to consider the nature of power and the lengths one will go to achieve it.

Last updated: March 17, 2025