Chapter 4

Sorry about the slow update. School was piled on in the recent two weeks.

Just a small warning, I've changing the style of the writing slightly. Let me know if it works.

Enjoy!

Chapter 4

Falcan looked out over the lush green meadows of the old Jedi sanctuary of Dantooine. He wondered why the Exile had brought them here, but came up with nothing. As he stood feeling the fresh morning breeze on his face, he remembered how the Exile had immediately left for Khoonda and then a few minutes after, blaster fire had sounded followed by a deathly silence. Falcan knew that Azkul, a former Sith had, with the Exile's help, gained control of Khoonda, but was now probably dead.

Falcan stood with his arms folded, as Bastila came beside him. She also looked out over the fields, a sense of pained sadness on her lovely face. "Everything all right?" he asked.

Bastila looked up at him and sighed. "I'm not sure. I know that Kazel claims to desire redemption, but again he shows just how violent he can be. He single-handily slaughtered Azkul and his mercenaries this morning." Bastila looked down. "I'm not sure I can truly believe he wants to be redeemed" Falcan nodded and turned his gaze over to the old Jedi academy.

"What does your heart tell you?"

Bastila thought for a moment. Revan had asked that same question many times and even now she found herself struggling to answer it. "Well…my heart tells me to believe in him and I did not sense any of the violent pleasure I have done in the past when he committed such acts." Bastila laughed bitterly. "But maybe my heart simply says that only so I get the chance to see Revan again" Bastila sighed shakily and once again thumbed the pendant around her neck.

Falcan smiled. "We all would like to see him again" he pointed out.

Bastila smiled back and she turned to him. "Falcan…you're a Deralian like Revan, you've known him since childhood and you know him almost as well as I do…"

"Almost" being the key word in that sentence" Falcan interrupted.

Bastila continued. "I have been trying to come up with reasons why Revan would leave alone but I cannot find any." She gazed at him pleadingly. "Do you have any idea why he would go without aid?"

Falcan took a deep breath. "I do not know Revan as well people like to think. The answer is no I don't know why he would go alone" Bastila looked down and Falcan put a hand on her shoulder. "If I had to guess: I'd say it was to protect the person he loves most." She raised her head as he spoke. "You" she sniffed, keeping back her tears.

"I miss him so much…" she whispered.

Falcan smiled understandingly. "I know…" she met his eyes with her own. "Let's just hope the Exile finishes what he wants to do here and then we can get back to finding him."

Kazel knelt inside the old Jedi enclave, his eyes closed as he focused his energy. The light swirled around him as he remained perfectly still, trying to rid himself of the darkness in his heart. He knew there could not have been any other way to deal with Azkul but he remembered feeling the thrill of taking human life when he killed the mercenary. Maybe he was not as far from the darkness he thought he had left behind, as he hoped he was. While he meditated, four of his five disciples entered the enclave and made their way to him. Mira: the former bounty hunter, Atton: former Assassin, Bao-Dur: technical genius and Visas: former Sith. They gathered behind him in a line while his eyes opened and a smile formed on his face.

"I'm sure you are wondering why I called you here…" he stated as he stood up.

Visas stepped forward. "Yes, surely we should be focusing on finding Revan." She answered while Kazel kept his back to them.

"Finding Revan is key at the moment, that is true" Kazel admitted. "But I've realised I should have done something before I got ready to search for Revan" he turned to them; he guided his gaze over each one individually.

"Kriea has been speaking to me…"

Atton immediately interrupted, "Kriea's dead, isn't she? The old witch hasn't learned how to cheat death right?"

Kazel smiled. "Oh yes…I made sure of that" he replied bitterly. "But in the process she became one with the Force and has been speaking to me in my dreams." The four looked at each other as he spoke. "She has told me that finding Revan is but one of the tasks I must undertake. The other is to rebuild the Republic I almost destroyed." He allowed the statement to sink in while he turned to walk towards one of the trees in the chamber. "I realise I cannot be in two places at once, so I've come to a decision…" he turned back to them and they held their breath.

"While I search for Revan, you four shall remain here and help rebuild the Republic" they all looked shocked and even hurt by this.

"What!?" Mira exclaimed stepping forward. "Why are we staying? Can't we help at all with this?"

Kazel shook his head. "By staying here you are helping me." She stopped looking confused.

"If they are able to get past me and Revan, then this is the second front"

Mira shook her head. "Don't say that! We can help you more if we're with you" Kazel sighed, he knew one of them would not go down without a fight, but in truth he expected it to be Visas.

"Mira…listen to me" Mira calmed down and looked at him painfully. "Dantooine has been cleansed of the mercenaries but the rest of the planets we visited need to be saved as well" Kazel smiled calmly. "You four are the ones who can do this"

Bao-Dur stepped forward along with Atton. "Then General tell me what to do…" the Iridonian Jedi Guardian said.

"Yeah." Atton added on. "As much as I hate to admit it, I can see you won't have it any other way" Kazel smiled and looked at Mira who sighed angrily.

"Fine. But you're still my bounty…which means I can cash you in at anytime" Kazel laughed and turned to Visas who nodded but looked upset all the same.

"Very well then. First you must head to Onderon: Talia was imprisoned by Vaklu, not executed like he claimed." The four nodded as he spoke. "First, free Talia and then ally yourselves with the Mandalorians once again. Then oust Vaklu from his dictatorship" they all nodded. "Go to Telos after that, and aid with the running of Citadel and keep Czerka in check" Once again they gave their affirmatives. But, Visas had one last question.

"What of the Handmaiden?" she asked somewhat coldly. Kazel tensed, it was true he had not mentioned Brianna but he had hoped that none of them would notice. "What is she going to do?" Visas gazed at him expectantly.

"Brianna will travel with me, along with Mandalore and the droids". He answered; he felt Visas's hurt through the force and regretted answering. "The reason being she and I have a bond that gives us both strength. We cannot be forced apart for long."

Atton scoffed, "Is that just an excuse or is it the truth?" he demanded.

"The truth" Kazel replied in a tight tone, which immediately told Atton to back off which he did so.

Bao-Dur stepped forward again. "General." Bao-Dur held out his hand and his trademark peace-loving smile was on his face. "It was an honour" Kazel smiled and took his hand, shaking it.

"No the honour was mine old friend" Bao-Dur smiled and stepped back.

Mira approached and silent tears fell from her eyes. "Hey…hey what's this?" Kazel said laughing. "Has the great Mira all of sudden grown attached to an old man?" Mira laughed and pulled him to a hug.

"I'll miss you," she whispered. "Thanks for everything you've shown me" she stepped back. "Come back soon".

Atton approached and clasped the Exile on the shoulder. "I knew you were bad news from the first time we met," he stated in his usual cocky manner. "But you've shown me a great deal and forgiven more than you should've done" Atton patted his shoulder. "And for the record: I forgive you too: you underwear wearing comedian" Kazel chuckled as Atton finished. With that the three exited the enclave, leaving Visas and Kazel.

Visas fidgeted a little before finally approaching. "I…I'm not really sure what to say" she muttered. Kazel smiled and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"What do you want to say Visas?" he asked gently. Visas looked at him through the veil she wore and smiled.

"I know your heart belongs to the Handmaiden but…" she leant up and kissed him on the lips. Kazel froze for a second and then Visas pulled back. "I love you…more than anything" Kazel licked his lips for a second.

"I'm sorry I can't return how you feel Visas…" Visas shook her head.

"Do not be. As long as you will let me love you…that's all I need" Kazel nodded and Visas smiled before she too left the enclave. Kazel sighed already feeling the hole their leaving had made. Kazel took a deep breath and exited the enclave.

Bastila looked up seeing the Exile approach. She felt a small amount of pain inside him as he neared her and she frowned. "Is something wrong?" Kazel shook his head and the two began to board the Ebon Hawk.

"I never really knew how much I valued them until just now" Kazel replied "With them gone…it's almost like a part of me is missing" Bastila nodded.

"Well…you and I have something in common it seems" he nodded regretfully. "But Brianna is still here with us…cherish her Kazel…love only truly happens once" Bastila turned and entered the main hold. Kazel noted it was the first time she had truly addressed him with his name and followed her.

Upon entering he saw T3 tinkering with the main hologram and looked at Mandalore. "What's he doing?" Mandalore didn't turn to look at him.

"Preparing the holodisc Revan left us for show…Whatever it is, Revan really wanted it to be kept secret from someone" as he finished speaking T3 chirped happily and the screen flickered and began to show the contents of the holodisc.

At first it was the same information T3 had shown them, the various planets Revan had visited, but then it changed to something else. The gathered party looked at the hologram in what could only be described as horror filled curiosity.

The image in front of them must have been one of the True Sith. It was tall and muscular standing around 6 feet 8 and was incredibly well built. It had dark grey skin and looked almost human were it not for the long reptilian like tail, dark red eyes and pointed ears. The party suddenly heard Revan's voice as they gazed at the image.

"This is one of the True Sith. The harsh environments of the planets they rule has honed and strengthened their bodies incredibly. The reflexes of the Sith are amazing, some I have seen dodging blaster bolts with ease. They are five times as strong as any normal human being; I have had the fair share of beatings at the hands of them". The party listened intently as Revan continued to describe the True Sith.

"They are very cunning and deadly, they have nearly caught me numerous times and have almost killed me a more than one occasion. One thing in particular you must be wary of is the needle like stinger that emerges from their wrists". As Revan spoke a close up of the underside of the wrist is shown. As it focused on the wrist, a thin long needle emerged from the wrist of the Sith.

"They use this to drain the life force out of others, it's the source of their power, and it increases their physical attributes for a time". Kazel cringed at the thought of one of them piercing his flesh and shuddered involuntarily.

"And naturally they are strong in the dark side of the force. Even the weakest of them could take on three above average Jedi on its own, so be careful when facing. The most powerful of them is their chieftain who is known as the Grand Sire. His power far surpasses anything I have ever seen before. Even I am but a mere child compared to his power". The party exchanged glances. To hear such a thing from Revan, who was quite possibly the most powerful Jedi of his age, was terrifying to say the least.

"However, should you deprive them of sustenance long enough, they will become weak, allowing you to kill them. But those in their service give their life force willing to their masters at the cost of their own if need be". The image changed to a hooded figure dressed in borderline black robes, with a thick wide hood covering their face.

"Watch out for the Sith worshipers, they are not to be underestimated. While not as deadly as the Sith, their loyalty to them is absolute and they will do their bidding without question or hesitation. Do not show mercy to these creatures or their followers, for they will show you none in return". Revan's voice became soft near the end.

"To any who are listening to this, be careful in the Unknown Regions. It is a region filled with enemies and allies are hard to find. Those you do find always have a price that needs to paid for their assistance choose your friends wisely. May the Force be with you". With that image flickered and died, leaving the party in silence.

"Well that isn't good…" Falcan broke the silence as the party digest the information Revan just shared.

"If these Sith are as powerful as he says why haven't they attacked?" Mandalore said. The party shook their heads.

"Revan's gonna need our help that's for sure" Kazel replied.

"But were do we look?" Bastila answered. "There are many planets in the unknown regions…and the Sith control each one" she looked down somewhat disheartened.

"Is doesn't matter" Kazel replied and they all looked at him. "Revan's been captured, someone will know where he is…this planet might be a good place to start…" he called up a small almost desert planet, save a few spots of green and blue. "A small town is located here and T3 states Revan visited this one not long after arriving in the Unknown Regions…so someone might know something there…"

Brianna looked at him. "But he also said that people have a price for their aid…so we can't trust anyone…" they all nodded and Kazel looked at Bastila.

"It's your call…" Bastila looked around at all of them, one by one. Falcan: her loyal protector, Mandalore: Revan's soldier and friend, Hk-47 the deadly and shrewd assassin, Brianna: Echani handmaiden, T3-M4: the dedicated companion and finally Kazel: the Exile in search of redemption.

"Very well then…let's go…" they all nodded and moved to their separate locations as they prepared, each in their own way, for the struggle that lies ahead.

There's chapter 4 people. Ok then, your reviews please!!