The light of the moon outlined his form, giving him an almost godlike quality. Not even the darkness could swallow his breathtaking beauty from the eyes of all beings. The warmth of his golden gaze stretched far into the night, looking past the open stretch of scenery that lay before him.
Closing those startling eyes, he inhaled sharply, a shadow of a smile playing on his lips. This was the calm before the storm, the silence of the threat to come, and he savored in the last few moments of peace.
The cooling sand slipped between his toes as he strolled barefooted down the length of the beach. The hum of crickets and crashing waves filled his mind, sending him into an almost daze. He was alone on this beach, with only his thoughts and the wind for comfort.
The night winds kissed his cheek and ruffled his dark hair, and a sense of peril stirred within his blood. The moon shone like a beacon of hope in the night sky, but in its light he only saw truth. And truth is not always promising…
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Jaina startled awake, her chest heaving as her lungs ached for air. Perspiration clung to her cool skin, soaking through her gown. Untangling herself from the sheets on her bunk, she slowly rose to her feet, her breathing regulating.
She reached for her pants, quickly stepping into the threadbare clothing. She could make out Zekk's sleeping form out of the corner of her eye. Jaina shook her head wearily, old memories of a thriving Jedi praxeum filling her mind.
When they were children, every student bunked in their own private quarters. But they were long from childhood's reach, and the remnants of the praxeum could only hold so many now, so they were all bunked together in the same cramped quarters. She was not complaining, though. Shelter was covering her head and she was bunked with an actual bed. Luxury at its finest.
Slipping on her boots, she eased her way through the bunks, careful not to wake any of the others.
The thick humidity enveloped her as she stepped into the openness of night. She could feel the moisture clinging to her hair, and she suddenly felt smothered. Smothered by the moisture in the air, smothered by war and alliance, smothered by truth…
Her knees buckled beneath her and soon the ground came swimming into view. Shaking her head as though to clear her mind, she slowly recovered her footing.
" Funny how we've all been force fed a bunch of crap all of these years."
Jaina sighed patiently, waiting for him to continue. Stepping closer, he met her eyes before responding.
" Everything we have ever been taught as children has disappeared with war. It made me realize that our elders didn't truly believe a word they told us, only told us to feel as though they've done something noble for the future."
His words were bitter as they left his mouth, and Jaina cringed inwardly, understanding that the boy she once knew was fading away, just as fate had done to her over the years.
" Valin, you have no idea how much I agree with you at this moment. But don't tell anyone that I agreed with you on anything. They'll think I'm getting soft."
Minutes passed by as they sat together in comfortable silence, thoughts a scattered mess.
" You're thinking about Jacen right now, aren't you?" he whispered hesitantly. Squeezing her eyes shut, she nodded, a tear slipping from beneath her lashes.
" There was nothing you could do for him, Jaina. It was his decision to become a Sith Lord. As a Master, he knew all about temptation of the dark side."
" Yes, believe you me I understand that. But the facts don't make the consequences any easier to face. My brother is now my enemy, as are my own parents. I'm losing friends faster than I'm gaining them, Valin, and I'm not real sure what to do about it. Our world is unraveling, and it will soon come down to one thing: who is friend, and who is foe."
From the look in his eyes, she wished she had not spoken words of truth. But she knew, as did he, that the truth was inevitable, and sooner or later, would be discovered.
" I'm shipping out tomorrow morning."
Valin looked up, meeting her gaze head on. Her words had apparently surprised him.
" Just you? Where are you going?"
" Tenel Ka has requested my presence, and only my presence. She has explained the matter to be urgent, and I have never doubted her word. So I will meet her, alone, whether Zekk likes it or not."
" Wow, that was kind of harsh. I take it you and he are not on the best of terms."
Jaina sighed, her breath a cloud of mist on the muggy night air. She shook her head, confused, her eyes never leaving the sky above her.
" No, I honestly don't know what's going on between us. I know he wants something more, and I…I don't know what I want."
Valin placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, throwing her a lopsided half-smile.
" Well, you'll figure it out, or you'll die in battle before you ever have to worry about it."
Jaina snorted loudly, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter. She should not have found something so horrifyingly true to be funny, but these days, even the grimmest of things could be amusing. Wiping tears from her eyes she turned to him, a strange expression in her eyes.
" Oh, how I wish I had your optimism, Valin."
A/N: ok, Im trying to write this as much as possible to follow possible outcomings of the legacy series. I have been researching it as well as reading the Legacy Comics. It strangely helps peice some things together. I promise the next chapter will be longer. I just kind of threw this one together at a spur of the moment idea rush. so I hope you like it. Please review.
XOXOXO
Syal