The sequal to Redemption, when she's learning the light side again.
XX
The young trainee who scampered away down the corridor chasing after her friend stopped mid-step as Zia Toran walked past. She emitted one squeak and froze in place, watching the older Jedi pass. Zia Toran noticed this, and that her friend, a male Twi'lek, copied this instinctively. She sighed. They still don't trust me. She had lived, worked and trained with the Jedi for three months now, labouring to atone for her crimes she had committed as a Sith.
His eyes still bore into her at night, still haunted her dreams, still made her flinch. She had nightmares about his pitiful screams as she stabbed him, his sister's sobs. She still remembered the sheer terror in his eyes as he faced the Sith threatening his only family, but he still faced her. She remembered with shame her laughter, how she drew her strength from his fear.
Zia shook her head to clear it of the visions. It was bad enough at night, when she slept, without reliving it during the day too. She didn't need the distraction. It was enough work resisting the darkness that hovered over her head, over her heart.
She passed the room that had once belonged to Sarah, her best friend. Her best friend who had died by her blade, she thought bitterly. The blade that even now was in the council chambers, in a small, non-descript black box in a hole in the wall. She's seen it, even though no ones actually said it's there. But she feels it. Its black malice stares out at her.
Quick footsteps passed beside her, and she looks up. It's Luke. "Zia" He acknowledges her presence before continuing on his way. He must be a busy man, she thinks. Too busy to check up on each of his Jedi. Yet somehow he does, the brief acknowledgement encourages her to keep going, not to give up. It's the encouragement she needs.
She passes the sparring rooms and pauses, hearing the clash of lightsabre on lightsabre. It brings back painful memories, and she lingers in the doorway, watching the Padawans fight, yet seeing two different people.
A young Zia Toran holds her pure blue blade in her hands, facing the Twi'lek called Sarah. She knows her only by reputation, but that precedes her. It's rumoured she's the best lightsabre fighter in the Enclave, equalled only by Zia herself. It's a fight that is the source of many bets from watching students. As they thrust and parry, thrust and parry, neither gaining ground, yet neither tiring, the crowd grows. But they don't even notice its there, lost in their own fight. When the fight finally concedes to Sarah, both Padawans are covered in sweat and leave the room friends.
She wonders what the relationship between these two is. Are they friends or rivalsor neither? Will they leave the room friends, as she and Sarah had? Or will they leave bitter enemies? She continues on her way.
There's a crowd in the dining hall, seemingly been shown something by a fellow student. A collective gasp and a hissing noise. Zia smiles slightly as her consciousness brushes that of the snake. She's always liked snakes.
She exits, watching the sun set over the tree line. It's a beautiful planet, strong with the Living Force. It makes her feel at peace. Not much did these days.
She feels a presence at her side, and turns to face a small girl, a Zabrak initiate. She smiles slightly, but its without feeling. She stopped feeling long ago. "Master Skywalker would like you to join him in the meditation chamber" she stutters over the words, and again she is reminded of Sarah. She has seen this particular Initiate before.
"Thank you" she says in a flat tone, the tone she has used since she arrived here. "I will be there shortly" she hears the pattering of small feet as the Initiate joins her friends.
Friends. I wish I could claim to have some, but not now. Not since that day. She heaved a long sigh, and stood as the sun vanished behind the leafy tops. She might as well not keep Luke waiting.
As she enters the meditation chamber, she sees Luke hovering above the ground, facing the opposite direction. Without turning or dropping, he speaks. "Ah Zia. Come here, I have something to show you" She walks towards him, and sees his hands cupped around something.
He opens them, to reveal a jewel bright snake curled in his palms. It raised its tiny head, and hissed at her. She stared in open wonder at the creature.
"Master…" she reaches forwards and brushes its consciousness with hers. A sharp pang of longing for its mate, hunger, the need to sleep. He handed it to her.
"It's yours. Do with it as you like" she took it from his hands, and placed it outside the open window, explaining simply.
"It was the best thing for it" she was rewarded with his smile.
"Indeed you have learned well. You have an affinity for animals, Zia. Let that be your link to the Living Force" she smiled slightly, a rare occurrence. Maybe I do have a friend. "Now go to bed and be rested for tomorrow. You're ready to use a weapon again" She stared again, but didn't say anything, only bowed and exited the chamber.
I'm not sure I'm ready for this, but if Master Skywalker thinks I am, I'll give it my best shot.
XX
pleaz R&R!
