Death Masque

"Death Masque" was an original comic story by Steve Moore that was published in The Empire Strikes Back Monthly 149. "Death Masque" was one of the few original stories published in the UK series. Unlike the other original stories, it was not reprinted in the Classic Star Wars: Devilworlds series. For over 30 years, it and the 1988 Ewoks Annual were among the only licensed Star Wars stories in any medium to never be officially released in the United States. It was finally collected in Star Wars Omnibus: Wild Space Volume 1 in 2013.

Plot summary

Imperial Forces, led by Captain Dirk Balor attempt to capture Luke Skywalker in the Lapez system. TIE fighters are unable to catch the elusive rebel, and Balor is forced to turn to a specialist, Altin Wuho, and his pet nightmare demon, Reist. Reist is sent in a small pod which lands on Skywalker's ship. Reist's ability causes Luke to experience severe hallucinations, eventually causing him to crash on Lapez 3. Luke's hallucinations continue, and he witnesses his friends, Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Chewbacca, die before his very eyes.

Luke tries to fight the visions with the Force, but he is unable to stop the hallucinations. Eventually, the ghost of Ben Kenobi appears to Luke and tells him to turn the Force on himself. Luke obeys, and the hallucinations disintegrate to show Reist perched on Luke's chest. Skywalker activates his lightsaber and cuts the demon off his chest. At the same time, Altin Wuho arrives on the planet to retrieve his pet. He shoots Luke's blaster out of his hand, and Luke dives for cover. Just then, Reist reveals himself to be sentient and with his dying breath, he reveals to Luke that Wuho is a droid as a final revenge on his cruel master. Luke throws his lightsaber into the droid's chest, deactivating him. Luke uses parts from the destroyed droid to repair his crashed X-wing and departs from Lapez 3.