Chapter Two

Darkness. Absolute overwhelming darkness was all Yuan could sense. There was no sound, no smell, nothing other than the oppressive nothingness in which she was somehow enveloped within. She felt no pain, no cold or warmth, nothing. No, nothing. She could feel something burning inside of her, like a smouldering spark reaching out for anything to cling on to, spreading and growing. At first she didn't recognize it. Not fully. Then, slowly, the realization dawned on her. Her body tensed as that sour sensation continued to grow, setting her mind and spirit aflame. It was an old feeling, one she had tried to conquer. One that could never fully be defeated.

It was fear.

She closed her eyes, not that it gave any true comfort, and breathed in as she tried to reach a meditative state.

There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no death, there is the Force.

'Isn't there?'

Her eyes snapped open. She wasn't alone, there was another in this abyss with her. The voice sounded familiar somehow, yet filled her not with comfort but a strange sense of dread. Then, through the infinite blackness there shone a pinpoint of light. Even at this distance she felt something radiate outward from it, calling to her. Almost instinctively she felt her body move towards it.

'What do you know of peace? Of serenity?' the voice called out again, 'You know nothing, and your ignorance will consume you. It will destroy you.'

Yuan could feel the voice around her, coming from everywhere and nowhere at once. She tried to call out, to argue, but to no avail; not even a whisper escaped her.

'Look at you.' the voice laughed, 'You are helpless as always. Like a child standing before her mother, begging for protection against the terrors of the night.'

Yuan struggled to maintain her focus. Get to the light! The light is safe!

Then the distinctive sound of a lightsaber being drawn from behind her sang out. She could sense the dull, red glow and felt the heat from the laser blade against her skin. Ahead, the light was closer but still so very far away.

'Face me and see the truth of what you are running from.' The voice was stern and full of hatred and power. Yuan felt herself turning despite her complete desire to do the opposite, to focus only on the light ahead.

Must resist… There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.

'Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength.'

There is no passion, there is serenity

'Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory.'

There is no death, there is the Force.

'Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me.'

Yuan forced her eyes closed as she felt herself turn to face whatever demon was tormenting her. She knew that voice, it was from her past. A childhood she had tried to flee and forget. Memories which seemed to want nothing more than to tear her apart.

'Awaken', the voice ordered.

Yuan's eyes snapped open and she saw her nightmare staring back at her with hatred and fury behind golden eyes. Eyes she recognized and knew well. Eyes she stared in to every day. Then everything was washed over in the bright, blinding white light.

"Yuan, wake up!"

Yuan heard the voice, it was different this time. Not the harsh, chilling sound of vile darkness but a much warmer tone. One of caring and compassion. Her eyes opened and she blinked from the harsh white light. A shadow hovered over her, slowly coming into focus. She heard herself scream and felt her arms pushing her away from the shadow, those cold, golden eyes burned into her mind's eye, but when her vision cleared it was Rouhan's face she saw and only concern in his eyes.

"It's alright," He said quietly, "You're safe."

"Where… what happened?" She asked. Her head suddenly felt like an overripe fruit about to burst.

"Safe, but not for long." He said cryptically. "We must leave this planet before they sense us."

He helped Yuan to her feet unsteadily and she found herself leaning heavily against his shoulder as he led her down an alleyway.

"Who, Master? Who will sense us?" She asked, quickly shaking the memory of those eyes from her head.

"They won't listen. No one will, but a storm's coming, and it will consume all."

Yuan heard it this time clearly, the strange tone in his voice. Somewhere between obsession and panic, not the calm, even tone she had come to expect from him. She pushed herself away and walked on her own, still unsteady but strong enough. "You mean the Council, don't you?"

"I tried to warn them." He nodded, "Tried to explain what was coming, but they wouldn't listen. They're blinded by their own righteousness." Rouhan pressed himself against the wall and scanned the adjoining street. "We have to get off of this planet and get to where it all began. We have to find the heart of the storm." He motioned for Yuan to follow him.

"Why are we hiding from the Council? Talk to them? Explain to them the visions you've been having." She offered, adding, "They are Jedi. They are sworn to help."

"They are Jedi, yes." He said, "But they have lost faith in the Force. They can't see what I see. Can't know what I know. If they did, they'd already be setting out for the Heart as well."

Ahead the spaceport loomed into view. It wasn't huge, barely large enough for a few orbital shuttles, but it was the only way of transport from here. He motioned for Yuan to stop, eyeing two robed figures nearby. Rouhan spat under his breath; this was going to be more difficult than he had expected. Approaching the forward entrance would only ensure their capture, but it was the only way into the building. There simply was no way to maneuverer around the Jedi stationed outside without being seen, and an open conflict between members of the order was out of the question. Suddenly he cocked his head to the side and offered a slight smile. "Follow me, Padawan, and keep low."

Yuan did as she was instructed, following her master, low and quiet, as they circled long around the guards stationed at the entrance and around the side of the building. On more than one occasion she was certain one of the two men stationed outside would see or hear them, but somehow they managed to reach Rouhan's destination without raising suspicion. Yuan looked at the smooth wall in confusion.

"What now?" She asked.

"What do you do when there is no door?" He smiled, drawing his lightsaber. "You make a door."

He thrust the bright blue blade into the metal wall. It hissed and gave off sparks in protest, but the blade bit in deep. Still, it was slow work.

"Keep on your guard." He said through gritted teeth, "And be prepared to fight if need be."

'Fight?' she asked herself, 'Master, what is going on?'

Yuan watched the pair of Jedi near the entrance. If they had any suspicions they weren't showing it. A few moments later Rouhan sheathed his blade and, holding out a palm, fore-pushed the still red-hot steel forward, setting the chunk down lightly as to avoid sending any alarm to their would-be captors. "Go. Mind the edges."

Yuan did as instructed, being very wary of the molten metal. After she stepped through, Rouhan followed. He then they carefully concentrated on placing the chunk of metal back into place.

"There are three ships here." He said, turning to her, "All cargo transports. We shall choose one and slip on board. It would be best to remain hidden until we know where the ship is going."

"Master," Yuan said, her voice full of doubt, "why are we doing this? Surely the Council…"

"I've already told you," He hissed. His sudden sharp tone causing her to shrink somewhat, "the Council is blind to what is coming. No one else can stop it." He took a breath and calmed, adding, "No one but us, Padawan. We alone must find the key and stop the storm from consuming all."

"What key?" She asked, still anxious. "Where is it, this key?"

"All in time." He said, his eyes canning the closest transport ship. "I will tell you everything in time, but we must first get on that ship."

She had so many more questions, but knew if she wanted answers she'd have to follow his lead. She scanned the room before them until she saw a promising path. "There," she pointed, "if we move quickly and keep low we can remain hidden by the fuelling droids. We may be able to get close enough to then sneak aboard."

"Yes. Excellent." Rouhan said quickly, and without any further warning he was off.

Yuan leapt to remain at his side as they weaved their way behind various containers and equipment, closing in on the fuelling droids which were currently attached to the ship they wished to board. Suddenly her body froze as a power seized hold of her. She wanted to break free but couldn't. Her limbs refused to obey her mind's command.

Rouhan sensed this and turned, then straightened. "It doesn't have to be this way." He said.

Yuan was about to call out, to demand an explanation when a tall figure walked past her and towards Rouhan. One of the Jedi sentries posted outside.

"No, it doesn't." The Jedi said, his hands held up in a show of pacifistic calm. "Come with me peacefully and allow me to present you to the Council wilfully and no one need be harmed."

"Jarron. Your name is Jarron if my memory serves me." Rouhan said calmly. "And your partner is… Khris. Release my Padawan immediately and leave us in peace."

Jarron shook his head. "I'm sorry, I can't do that. Your Padawan isn't under arrest. She'll be free to go, but you, I am afraid, must come with us. It's for your own good, Master. You're not well."

Yuan watched as her Master stared Jarron down. She couldn't see the other, Khris, but knew he was there, concentrating on his force hold on her. As long as he was she would remain incapacitated.

"I am far from unwell." Rouhan said, his eyes locked with Jarron's. "I have seen what is coming, and it threatens us all. The Council is too cowardly to face it for fear of losing what grip they currently have over the order. But you, you can see reason. Join us in our quest. Help us to strike at the heart of the storm and end it before it becomes too strong to stop."

Jarron sighed. "I see. It has progressed that far already, has it?" He loosened his robe and exposed the lightsaber on his hip. "I will ask you only once more, Master. Come peacefully."

"And I will say only once more," Rouhan's voice lowered to a threatening tone, "release my Padawan, leave us in peace or join us. There is no other option."

The two men stared at one another. They were both Masters, both evenly matched. As long as Khris maintained his hold on Yuan he was unable to join in the battle. However, if he did, was yuan strong enough to fend off a Master on her own? She hoped she wouldn't have to find out.

In a flash Jarron leapt forward, his lightsaber flaring to life mid-leap. Rouhan was quick to counter, bringing his own blade up to block the incoming strike, causing the two blades to hiss and spark. A group of bystanders, attracted by the battle, gathered and stared as the two Jedi engaged in a fearsome battle. Rouhan reached out and force-lifted a nearby crate, tossing it at Jarron who, in turn, deflected the object easily.

'What is he doing?!' Yuan's thoughts screamed, 'He knows that such a tactic won't work against…' Her mind suddenly went clear and she could see clearly what Rouhan was doing. Each time Jarron launched an attack Rouhan countered, and each time he countered he shifted his position slightly. It would only be a matter of time before he was facing his true target. She readied herself. It wouldn't be long now.

"You were right!" Jarron yelled as he dodged another incoming object, "It doesn't have to be like this!" He brought his blade down hard and again it was countered by Rouhan's. "The Council wants to see that you are made well again!"

"Enough!" Rouhan barked, backing off for another attack. "My Padawan and I have to be going. Now!"

With that Rouhan unleashed a surge of force, not at Jarron, but at Khris, who was still focused on holding Yuan. The blow hit him hard, sending him reeling. His concentration broken, Yuan was free. She drew her own double-bladed lightsaber and readied herself.

Jarron glanced over his shoulder and spat a curse, but seeing that Yuan wasn't approaching his flank, refocused on defending against Rouhan.

Yuan turned to face Khris, seeing the young man for the first time. He was human, or appeared so, and wasn't much older than Yuan herself. He was still sitting on the floor where he had landed, his hand pressed against a gushing gash in his forehead. Yuan sheathed her weapon and raced to attend to him.

Seeing her running towards him, he tensed and reached out for his weapon.

"You're hurt." She said calmly. "Allow me to tend to your wound."

"Why?" He growled, "Your Master has the sickness. He's gone crazy and you're helping him?"

She closed her eyes and focused. One of her special talents lay in her ability to shape the fore to restore health and heal wounds. "You've a serious concussion, but this won't take long."

"No." He slapped her hands away. "I have to save my Master from yours before it's too late." He tried to stand but immediately fell back on to his haunches.

Yuan reached out and concentrated again. "My Master isn't sick. He has visions. The Force shows him what is coming. He's not going to harm your Master. We just want to leave."

Khris gritted his teeth as the wound began to knit itself closed. Behind them the fight between the two Masters was reaching a fevered pitch. "It certainly looks like your Master is taking this fight seriously enough." He looked to her, "Are you certain your know your Master as well as you think?"

She paused, staring back at Khris, then focused on his healing.

"Ow!" He yelped. "Rough."

"The wound is healed," She said, l standing, "but you're still going to be somewhat woozy on your feet for a few hours." She reached out a hand and pulled him to his feet. The color had returned to his cheeks but he wobbled a little on unsteady legs. "Told you." She chirped.

"What are you doing? Get away from him!" Rouhan shouted, making Yuan jump somewhat.

"He was injured. I had to heal him." She said, approaching the two. "He's not a threat. He can't fight."

"Please, Rouhan," Jarron begged, "sheathe your weapon and return with us. No more injuries." He backed off and sheathed his own lightsaber, opening his arms in a gesture of peace. "On my honor I swear to you, your Padawan will not be charged."

Rouhan lowered his blade, his eyes still locked on Jarron's.

"Master, no!" Khris shouted, reaching forward on shaky legs.

Jarron motioned for Khris to remain calm. "We need to trust one another. We are far too scattered and too fractured to allow infighting to risk dividing us further."

"Will you allow my Padawan and I to leave?" Rouhan asked flatly.

"I am sorry, I truly am." Jarron offered.

Rouhan nodded and released a breath. "As am I."

The world around Yuan froze, every instant a seeming eternity. She watched as Rouhan moved quickly, far too quickly for Jarron to react, and with a smooth, quick stroke the battle was over. Jarron fell to his knees, his eyes wide in astonished horror. She could hear an odd, high-pitched sound or alarm. She thought it was her own screaming at first, but quickly realized it was coming from Khris.

"Come!" Rouhan called out for her, but she didn't react. All she could see was the look on Jarron's lifeless corpse. All she could hear was Khris's anguished cries. Rouhan closed the gap between them in a few steps and grabbed Yuan by the wrist, wrenching her towards the ship.

Khris stared at his Master's body. He felt rage boiling in his blood despite his teachings as a Jedi as he watched Yuan and his Master's murderer walk way. Without realizing it he drew his weapon and charged, screaming. Before he could come within striking range Rouhan spun and raised a hand, catching Khris in a force grip.

"You do not need to die." Rouhan said, his voice eerily flat and calm.

Yuan watched in stunned silence as Khris's eyes moved to hers and pleaded, begged for her to do something. Anything!

"Tell the Council not to seek us, not to follow us. We have to strike at the heart of the storm before it is too late. Tell them when you awaken." Rouhan said. On command, Khris's eyes grew heavy and he succumbed to unconsciousness. Rouhan dropped him beside the body of his Master and turned back to the craft. "Come, Yuan." He said.

And she did.