Hey Star Wars fans! In the aftermath of Order 66, as the galaxy reeled from the near-extermination of the Jedi Order, Darth Vader, under Emperor Palpatine’s command, embarked on a dark mission to hunt down the surviving Jedi.
His journey led him to Kirak Infil’a, a Jedi Master who had isolated himself after taking the Barash Vow, a pledge of penance that cut him off from the rest of the Jedi.
Infil’a’s retreat on the river moon of Al’doleem became the stage for one of Vader’s most challenging duels.
This battle wasn’t by chance; it was a calculated move by Vader to fulfill his grim task of eradicating the Jedi and to secure a kyber crystal for his Sith lightsaber.
This intense duel is vividly captured in the “Darth Vader (2017)” comic series, where Vader’s relentless drive to extinguish the Jedi’s light is on full display.
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About Kirak Infil’a
Kirak Infil’a, a Jedi whose combat skills were so sharp they could give a lightsaber a run for its money, lived through the High Republic Era and into the twilight of the Galactic Republic.
His journey took a quirky turn when he decided to go full hermit and take the Barash Vow. This vow was like hitting the “Do Not Disturb” mode on his Jedi life, cutting him off from all the drama and keeping him out of the Order’s soap opera.
In his self-imposed isolation, Infil’a sought to become one with the Force and cleanse his mind, staying away from the chaos that would eventually lead to the Jedi’s downfall.
He wasn’t just chilling, though. With his trusty Jedi droid Arex at a monastery on Al’doleem, he trained like a Jedi ninja, becoming a formidable foe whose skills were honed in the quiet, far from the galaxy’s mess.
The Early Days of Darth Vader: Challenges of Body and Spirit
Darth Vader’s search for Kirak Infil’a happened when he was still getting used to being more machine than man, thanks to his dramatic fashion makeover into the iconic suit after his less-than-stellar performance on Mustafar against Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Adapting to his new look meant relearning how to move and fight, which was probably harder than assembling IKEA furniture without the instructions.
Vader’s mental and emotional state was like a wild roller coaster ride. The pain from his injuries was nothing compared to the heartache of losing Padmé Amidala, the Jedi Order, and his former self, Anakin Skywalker.
Hunting down Jedi, including loners like Infil’a who hit the “mute” button on their Jedi duties, wasn’t just a job from Emperor Palpatine—it was Vader’s way of erasing his past and proving he was all in with the dark side.
The showdown with Infil’a was as much about Vader proving he could rock the new suit as it was about fulfilling his sinister mission.
The Clash on Al’doleem
Darth Vader’s mission to confront and defeat Kirak Infil’a led him to the remote river moon of Al’doleem. Upon locating Infil’a, their battle quickly escalated, showcasing both participants’ mastery of the Force and lightsaber combat.
Early in their confrontation, Infil’a demonstrated his strategic prowess by utilizing environmental traps to challenge Vader, including bringing down Vader’s ship and erecting barriers. Despite these obstacles, Vader pressed on, engaging Infil’a in direct combat.
When the combatants finally clashed in a lightsaber battle, Infil’a’s skills were immediately apparent. He was a master of lightsaber combat, honed through years of dedicated training in isolation.
Vader, on the other hand, was still adjusting to his new body. The mechanical limbs and life-support system that kept him alive also constrained his movements and dulled his instincts.
These limitations became evident as the duel progressed; Vader’s responses were slower, and his movements lacked the fluidity he once possessed as Anakin Skywalker.
Infil’a seized on these weaknesses, pressing Vader aggressively and eventually gaining the upper hand. His mastery over lightsaber combat allowed him to exploit Vader’s momentary vulnerabilities, culminating in a powerful Force push that sent Vader off a cliff.
This moment marked a significant victory for Infil’a in the lightsaber duel, showcasing his superior combat skills and Vader’s struggle to adapt to his new physical form.
Despite the fall and significant damage to his suit, Vader’s resolve did not wane. He repaired himself using parts from Infil’a’s droid, Arex, and returned to the battle.
The fight took a decisive turn when Vader recognized Infil’a’s commitment to protecting innocent lives.
The final stage of their battle brought the nearby city into play. Vader, recognizing Infil’a’s commitment to protecting innocent lives, manipulated the situation by threatening the city’s inhabitants.
In a critical moment, Infil’a chose to divert his efforts to save the city from flooding, caused by Vader’s actions. This diversion allowed Vader an opportunity to disarm Infil’a.
Employing the Force with lethal precision, Vader ended the duel abruptly by snapping Infil’a’s neck.
In the relentless saga of Darth Vader’s battles, it’s the clash with Kirak Infil’a that emerges as his most formidable challenge.
Nearly meeting his end at Infil’a’s hands, Vader’s victory was hard-won, cementing this duel as the pinnacle of his encounters.