Chapter 9

-"Ezra, I think you've been poisoned..."

Amara was trying to stay calm, to not show her distress, but Ezra still heard the panic hidden in the voice of the little Twi'lek. He couldn't believe his ears. This had to be wrong... Even so, his legs flinched and, still leaning on the wall, he let himself slide to the floor, weakly. His body was confirming Amara's diagnostic.

-"But... How... Why..." He had difficulties to focus his thoughts, his vision blurring.

-"I think I know." She kneeled beside him, posing a hand on his shoulder. "My room isn't far from where you fought earlier. When I returned as the Master ordered, I heard them speaking. The Master threatened Kendrick, menacing him if he was to lose again..."

-"What?!" Jolted Ezra, the sudden movement making his head spin. He grunted before continuing. "Do you think he could really..."

-"You heard him earlier." She took a big voice to imitate the blond. "Do whatever you have and use any method necessary to get it done!"

That wasn't exactly that, but Ezra remembered Kendrick saying something similar...

He sighed, repliying still in denial. -"Even so, how... how could he?" This was so dirty, he could not imagine someone could lower himself to do something like that.

-"He is desperate, and he is very dangerous when he becomes desperate. Last time, he even killed the other student!" She was shivering, looking away like she wanted to evade the awful memory. "Many times, he have threatened me too. Every time, I could make him change his mind at the last second thanks to my healing abilities. But, I fear the day he would grow tired of me..."

She raised her head and looked directly into Ezra's eyes. The normally electric blue irises were now somewhat whitish. He could barely see the tears rolling on her cheeks with his poor sight, but he heard her sobs.

-"I'm afraid. I can't protect myself against him" She muttered, pained. Then, her tone rose in panic! "Don't go fight with him now. He'll kill you! I don't want to lose you. You're the only one in this mansion I can trust." Her voice was trembling. "Without you, I'd be alone again with the Master and his murderous puppet."

-"I don't want to die either, but..." He hesitated to continue, realizing the Master could be hearing him right now...

-"Then, don't go!" she pleaded ardently.

He blinked many times, attempting to clear his sight, frowning when he saw it wasn't working. -"I can't even think clearly. If only the Master wasn't able to peek in my thoughts..."

-"Think of a box." Replied instantly Amara.

-"What?"

-"Like when you concealed. But, this time, hide your thoughts inside. And, when you wish to think, always picture yourself inside the box. And, if you feel something that make you think of him, expel it out of the box!"

It was hardly the time to learn a new trick, but he had to try it. Thinking the old man could see whatever he wants in his head was mortifying and having to always watch what he was thinking was exhausting. More than the poison running through his veins right now.

-"You seem to do it well. Concentrate, I'll try to read your mind." She posed her other hand on his sweating forehead.

He sensed her intrusion in his head, but the light touch soothed him a little. It wasn't as painful as when the Master or even Seventh had tried it, but it still felt odd.

-"Concentrate more on the box. Make it sturdier... there. I think you've got this. If I can't read it while I'm beside you, he can't intrude while he is away. Although, he might be able if he was nearer."

He felt relieved. That was one thing off of his shoulders. -"Great. I didn't want him to hear that. I don't believe that sadistic old man will get soft and accept to postpone the fight. I'm even certain he'd find it really amusing to see me struggling right now..."

He was adapting to his body's condition, focusing on concealing his Force and his thoughts strangely helped to make the dizziness easier to endure. He stopped thinking about his spinning head and inquired;

-"Can't you heal my body? Make the poison go away?"

-"If I knew what poison it was, I could slow the effect but not remove it totally. It's harder to remove an intrusive menace than mending the pieces that are still there, just not at the right place."

He nodded once, making his head spin a little more and decided not to do it again.

-"At least, the effect seems to dissipate while we speak." Noticed Amara. "It also doesn't seem life threatening. Maybe your body can clear it by itself with enough time..."

-"That's the problem. We don't have time on our side right now..." Replied Ezra, grimacing.

-"At least, we can try to buy some..." She tried to suggest...

-"No, I think I can manage. And he deserves to get a taste of his own medicine." He got back on his feet with Amara's help, taking a deep breath. "He's supposed to get angry if he waits too long and, anyway, he couldn't do anything against me this morning. Let's not give him reasons to fuel his strength with his anger."

She nodded and took his arm in her hands, leading the way to the interior court.

...

Hera sat down on here chair, looking pensive. -"So, that's why you were so worked up about needing to find Ezra quickly."

-"You see! There's not a minute to waste!" Exclaimed Kanan, rising from his seat.

-"Are you really sure it's what you saw?" She inquired, suspicious, motioning him to sit back.

-"Almost certain." He muttered, sitting again.

-"What did you say?" Replied Hera.

-"I can't describe it otherwise." He said, pleadingly. "But yeah, it would be hard to interpret it in another way."

-"But, we have no way to confirm it will really happen..." She dropped her head.

-"Let's just pray we'll find him before it's too late..." Answered the Jedi, gazing at the infinity of the sky.

In his chest, his heart twinged again. He clenched his hand on his clothing, hoping deeply that it wasn't what he thought...

...

Ezra told Amara he was alright to continue on his own. His sight was still blurry, but he could perceive silhouettes and outlines. Plus, he was adapting to his body and could walk and move suddenly if he continued to breathe deeply. She took a tissue to wipe his sweat from his face and opened the door to the interior court.

Kendrick was waiting for him, arms crossed. He spoke when he saw them approaching, his tone as annoyed as always.

-"Took your time... You don't seem fine. You sure you can fight like that?"

Was he still mocking him with was he had done?!

-"Like you care." Hissed Ezra, igniting his lightsaber.

-"Fine." Grunted the blond, igniting his own weapon before rushing to Ezra.

He struck down, his red blade easily blocked by the blue one. Pushing on it to close the distance between them, he looked at Ezra who couldn't focus on his face and sneered. -"What, afraid you'll lose this time? You can't bear to look at me, now?"

Ezra turned his sight to the voice's sound, incapable to define his adversary's facial expression.

-"What's with your eyes?" Inquired Kendrick.

-"Oh, please, don't faint surprise." Frowned Ezra. "It's disgusting."

-"You little..." Growled the blond.

He pushed, making his opponent back off, before spinning to kick low. Ezra tried to jump to evade it, but his feet got caught in the fabric of Kendrick's pants, making him fall hard on the ground. The blond quickly struck down again. Ezra rolled to dodge it, throwing a handful of soil in Kendrick's face.

Blinded, he recoiled, covering his eyes while shouting. -"You dirty cheater!"

-"Look who's talking!" Retorted Ezra, attacking while his opponent couldn't see.

...

Zeb was laid on his bed, trying to get some rest while, anyway, Hera was piloting and Kanan scanning to find Ezra. If only there was something more he could do to help...

-"Zeb, do you hear me?" Hera's voice was suddenly heard out of the Ghost's internal com.

-"Yeah. What's happening?" He answered back, sitting on the side on his bunk and ready to jump to help them.

-"There's an incoming transmission saying he has Intel on Ezra's whereabouts." Was her answer.

Surprised at first, he rose on his feet in a heartbeat. -"Awesome. What did he say!"

-"Nothing."

-"What?"

-"He said he will only talk with you. Alone." Clarified Hera. Her irritation could be feeled through the speakers.

-"Well, that's strange..." Muttered Zeb, taking his chin in a hand, pensive.

-"I know. But we can't lose this chance to get information." She urged him. "Come to take it quickly, he said he doesn't have that much time."

-"Alright, alright."

Zeb rushed to the cockpit. Passing in front of Kanan and Hera in the corridor, he nodded to them and entered the room without stopping. When the door closed behind him, a modified voice came from the Ghost's speaker.

-"You're alone?" Asked the voice. Zeb grunted in agreement. "Good. I know where they're keeping Ezra Bridger."

-"Wait a minute." Said Zeb, frowning. "Even modified, I recognize that tone. Kallus? Is that you?!"

-"What the... No! I'm an anonymous informant with the Intel you're looking for!" Retorted the voice, taken aback.

-"Kallus, Lasat's warriors never forget a foe's voice." Snapped Zeb proudly. "You can't deceive me with your cheap voice modulator!"

-"Fine! But stop interrupting me. I can't afford to get caught sending transmissions to rebels." Pleaded the changing voice, taking back the tone of Kallus.

-"I don't understand. Why you would do that? And why should I trust you?" Grunted Zeb, growing impatient.

-"Look," Continued the Imperial Agent, impatient. "I've witnessed something and couldn't take it. Briger is a troublesome but proud individual and the methods they're using to break him are just... disgusting!"

-"What!? What are they doing to him?!" Yelled the Lasat, hands on the computer board.

-"You don't have time for that." Answered back Kallus, calmly. "Go to Pyleiad to find him."

-"Eh, well tried to got us nowhere." Growled Zeb. "The planet doesn't exist!"

-"It's not a planet." Retorted the Agent, exasperated. "It's a moon! Orbiting around a deserted planet named Balastrel. The little moon was built by the Emperor's order and never recorded in any map."

-"Kallus, with what happened after the crash of the escape pod, I really wish I could trust you. But should I?" Still questionned the Lasat, indecisive. "If I follow your lead and it ends up being a trap..."

-"I thought that what happened between us would give you at least a little faith in me... But, I understand the reserve you can have. I mean, an Imperial Agent helping rebels? Even I would fine that gullible..." He sighed. "I can't force you to believe me, but I can assure you something. I enlisted in the Imperial army to make the galaxy a safer place. To catch meddlesome rebels so they couldn't disturb the order and laws. Not to witness child physical and mental abused."

Zeb sighed. -"Alright. I believe you."

-"Good. Now go and find him... before he is no more the boy you expect him to be..."

The conversation cut, leaving the Lasat deeply worried. He opened the door again. Hera and Kanan where there, waiting to hear what happened.

-"Try looking for Balastrel." Was Zeb simple answer.

Hera rushed to the computer board. -"You sure? I don't remember seeing this name on the list..."

-"The planet isn't habitable. He is on its moon. A man-made moon..."

Kanan's eyes widened. "That's why! It wasn't important to tell him where he was if he couldn't be found with that information!"

-"It's on the other side of the system. It'll take us hours to get there." Explained Hera.

-"Then, let's move now!" Ordered Kanan abruptly.

Hera saw him clenching his hand on his chest's cloth and she frowned. She made the Ghost jump in hyperspace and turned to him, worried.

-"Kanan, what's happening?"

-"I felt it weakening again." His hand clenched more, making his knuckles turn white.

-"What's weakening?" Ask Zeb, now worried too.

-"The Bond I share with Ezra..."

...

Blocking just in time, Kendrick Force pushed to protect himself against another strike. Ezra landed farther on his feet, getting his balance back to rush again.

-"Dust is too much for you, but not poison!" Snapped Ezra.

He missed a strike, but landed a kick on his foe's stomach! Kendrick backed again, his breath taken away. He turned his head to the little Twi'lek, finishing to clean his eyes with a hand.

-"Amara, what did you tell him?" He inquired, growling.

-"Only the truth!" Retorted the little girl, hiding behind a tree.

-"Leave her alone." Shouted Ezra. "You're fighting with me!"

They spared again, until a sunray hit Kendrick's eyes. It was reflected from the earring.

He smirked. -"You want to see something dirty, look at this!"

The blond jumped back and raised a hand. Ezra felt the device shake and begin to open! Faster, he pushed on it with his palm, keeping it closed! His ear started to bleed again from the struggling piece of metal.

-"What are you trying to do, you jerk!" He yelled, scared.

-"Manners Ezra. You don't wish the Master to hear you speaking like that." Mocked Kendrick, exalting to finally have the upper hand.

The old man was the least of Ezra's troubles right now. He had to shut down his lightsaber and kept struggling with two hands to keep the explosive device in place.

-"Kendrick, don't do that! You'll kill him!" Pleaded the Twi'lek.

The teen felt something faint pulling on his hand and turned again his gaze to Amara, furious. She had her little trembling hand raised toward him, weakly trying to break his hold on Ezra's earing.

-"I've had enough of you. It's the last time you get in my way!" Kendrick released Ezra, turning his hand toward Amara and mentally choking her. Her knees flinched. She dropped on them, making a gagging sound as her hands gripped at her throat, suffocating.

-"DON'T TOUCH HER!" Anger blinding what was left of his sight, Ezra clenched his fingers, Force choking Kendrick off the ground! He vaguely heard Amara, soundly breathing again, hiding behind the tree terrified, and he shouted again, raging. "I WON'T LET YOU HARM HER, OR ANYONE, ANYMORE!"