The Dark Figure

by Kvothe the magnificent

Jembi was orphaned at six years old on New Alderaan. He stole, cheated and hunted for his living. Now, when a mysterious stranger whisks him away from his pristine yet harsh home, he is thrown into a conflict thousands of years old. Will he be able to face the Darkside of the Force and not fall in? (this story starts in 519 ABY)

1. Chapter 1

I

The dark figure sat meditating on the cliff side. Jembi peered cautiously from behind the bush. The young, pale white Zabrak had never seen anyone at his secret sanctuary let alone someone as mysterious as this robed stranger. It unnerved him.

"You think you've watched me long enough," the stranger said softly. Jembi jumped. How did she know I was here, he thought to himself, I was careful to be quiet and I know I wasn't seen. Jembi stepped out slowly and stood quietly. The stranger cocked his head quizzically, "I didn't know any Zabrak had found this quiet place. Tell me young one, what brings you here?" Jembi stood his ground and stared at this mysterious intruder.

The stranger sighed and rose slowly. Her dark robes flowed down to his ankles and her large hood obscured her face. As she turned, all Jembi could see was the stranger's sharp chin and nose and sculpted lips. She smiled and her brilliant white teeth flashed in the shadowed hood.

"A quiet one I see," the stranger reached up and pulled back her hood. Her sharp features and a black cloth headband bound her eyes. Long and brown, her hair cascaded down her shoulders interlaced with the slightest amount of gray. Jembi found it uncomfortable looking someone in the "eye" when he could not see their eyes.

"Do not bother with my lack of eyes, child. I can see as well as you if not better," the stran ger said suddenly. Jembi was perturbed by this strange woman's ability to know what he was doing without seeing him. "You mean you have no eyes," the young Zabrak asked. The stranger nodded and smiled kindly, "I am one of the Miraluka, a pround race. We have no eyes so we see through the force." She gestured with her hand and a nearby rock floated into her hand. "Do you know of the Force youngling," the stranger said with a kindness in her voice, much like a doting grandmother. Jembi thought, "It's what Jedi use right?" The stranger nodded and smiled, "but it's more than that. The Force flows through everything and everything uses it to live and exist," the Miraluka levitated the rock, "the Jedi simple tap into the unlimited energies of the Force and borrow its power to manipulate the world around them… Tell me, young one, why do you come here?"

Jembi looked around, "I feel comfortable here. It's where I go to be at peace." The woman smiled, "I can see why, youngling. The way I "see" you, I see you leaking force, connecting with the world, swaying with its motion." Jembi looked confused. "You are a part of the Force like anyone, my little Zabrak, but unlike others you have a strong connection with it," she explained, "and this place flows with the natural energies of the force more strongly than the rest of the planet. You feel the energies and are drawn to them, calmed by them," the woman grabbed his hand. Jembi furrowed his brow, "do you mean I could become a Jedi?" The Miraluka shrugged, "you could be anything you want, but you have the rare potential to be one with the Force like me."

Jembi thought about it. This stranger was more interesting than anyone he had ever met. Her mysterious manner and peaceful words showed wisdom and caring than his very own mother used to.

An orphan at age six, Jembi grew up on New Alderaan hunting in the woods and running from lawmen. He found the cave by accident when wandering the forest looking for game. He felt a mysterious connection to the place and made regular visits to find peace of mind.

The cave its self was in the side of a cliff with a water fall running off of the open side. In the back, a tunnel flanked by bushes ran upwards to the surface. The view from mouth of the cave was beautiful, overlooking a wide plain. In the evening, like it was then, the sun glistened off the droplets cascading off the cliff.

A chance to get away from this rough life was all he ever wanted and now that it was in front of him, he found himself hesitating. Did he really want to leave? The stranger smiled at him, "you don't have to decide now, even if you did say yes I'd still like to train you here," she gazed wistfully at the view, "the Force is strong here."

Jembi frowned, "you want to train me and neither of us knows the other's name." She looked at him wryly, "well then allow me to introduce myself. I am Shirra Morvana."