Chapter Thirteen
Aeacus knew he didn't have much time after Nero's arrival on the moon of Bogan so he was quick about bringing out the hammer to begin the final stage of the sword's creation. Already, he could sense the result of his sacrifice to the sword swelling within every molecule of the weapon. It's not even ready for combat and already, it feels like it's taking on a life of its own Aeacus thought proudly. Slamming the hammer down again and again, he felt the strength of the sword growing as though every slam of the hammer upon the hot metal brought with it strength to rejuvenate him as well.
It was this point, this feeling, that Seti taught him to strive for whenever he created a sword for use in combat. This feeling of power and control was the reason why all Je'daii were required to forge their own sword. After all, how could you feel your own power in the blade if it was forged by someone else? As the hammer continued to fall on the blade and Aeacus kept track of the strength he was giving, he could have sworn that he sensed a disturbance in the Force.
It felt as though Minos was on the move again, fighting someone that had dared to challenge him. Aeacus knew this because he had sensed all the duels Minos had had with Daegon Lok and was hit hard by the death of the latter warrior. Saddened by the reminder, Aeacus continued to slam the hammer and almost made the blade too stiff and rigid for him to use. However, he stopped just before that could happen and decided to cool the blade with the barrel of water he had while he could.
The steam that resulted hissed to life and beckoned him to pull the cooled product out of the barrel before the water boiled low enough. However, that was just what Aeacus wanted and he waited until he finally cooled it down so much as to cause the steam to die down completely. After he pulled it out, he smiled at the cooled product and sensed that it was just the right rigidity for use. He also saw that the green glow of the adagent crystals was appearing with no signs of his blood.
Nonetheless, he sensed the power that he had given it coursed within it all the same which made it of no consequence to him if there were no traces of his blood. My blood and my soul are imbued into the blade as much as the powdered crystals I sprinkled onto the liquid mold Aeacus thought. Smirking, he was glad to see that was the case and decided it was time to get out the cleaning kit so that it had the classic shine of all Je'daii katanas. First, the oil so that the metal appeared less gritty and more like a pristine blade to be wielded against the forces of darkness.
This would also brighten the glow until it had the classic gleam of green or blue, depending on the color of the crystals used to forge the swords. Once this was established, Aeacus proceeded to oil the blade until it also had the shine that any sword would have when oiled and cleaned. Pulling out the powder-drum that everyone used, he lightly tapped the full length of the blade until it was perfect. Then the finishing touches were made with the leather being first to go around the length of the hilt.
Once he ensured that it was tight and secured down to the metal round ball at the pommel, he began tying the silk that would soften the grip more than the leather could. Realizing what he needed to do in order to secure the silk, he removed the metal pommel and wrapped the silk around the bottom. After that, he used the pommel to tighten and seal the knots together which he reminded himself should have been done after the silk was applied and not before. Beholding the sight of the near-finished weapon, he was pleased to see that it also wouldn't need all that much sharpening.
Though the sharpening was the final step to completing the sword, Aeacus sensed that not much would be needed for this new weapon. Like his mind, it was always ready for combat, always ready to fight and defend the ideals of the Order in the name of all that he loved. Enthusiastic that the blade was already almost finished, he placed it on the wheel and began pedaling to sharpen it. Sliding the blade left and right, Aeacus felt as the blade became increasingly refined and ready for use in combat.
He felt every moment of the blade's awakening as he hastened its desire for the taste of Bogan-infected blood. After just two hours, he felt that it was just sharp enough to deliver a deathly blow to even the anvil that had helped forge it. Then it occurred to him that the anvil on which the sword was forged was often the one to be used for testing the sharpness of the blade. Carefully and with the finesse of a trained Je'daii warrior, he proportioned his sword so that the cutting edge was used.
Then quickly and with great precision, he rose up the blade then brought it back down to cut through the anvil like scissors through paper. The blade also continued to slice through the table with the same ease, a sure sign that the Sword of Ashla was now ready for combat. "A blade forged by a beacon of Ashla for the purpose of destroying all who use Bogan. This blade, this Sword of Ashla, shall now go to Tython with its Master," Aeacus thought aloud.
Sheathing the sword for the first time in its existence, Aeacus marched to the ship that he had used to get here. Beside it were the burned remains of the ship that Nero and the two other Followers of Bogan had used to pursue him. But something held him back, something that compelled him to stay and continue to contemplate Ashla when he knew he had to get going now that the weapon was made. Was it because he was the only source of light in this darkened moon and if he left, it would once again be shrouded in pitch-black darkness?
Could it have been because he was so used to being shrouded in darkness and seeing how bright he was that he was worried about looking dim when he arrived on Tython? Whatever the case, he knew only one thing for certain: that it was time to say goodbye to Bogan and its sheltering shadow. It was time to go back to Tython and serve the purpose for which the Sword of Ashla had been forged, to end the Force Wars being fought there forever. "Goodbye Bogan though it pains me to say it, I'm glad I had your shadows to protect me from my brother until Nero and his goons came," he said.
After that, he turned back into his ship and marched right up the ramp to prepare for takeoff. Aside from evicting the rats that had taken residence inside the ship, it wasn't much to ensure that the ship was travel-worthy after a decade of being sitting dust. Using the spare fuel he had stolen from Nero's ship, he made sure that it was enough to carry him home after dumping the old fuel. After all that was said and done, Aeacus ignited the engines and lifted the ship for takeoff back home to Tython, alas.
Minos was surprised by the sudden turn of events, shortly after Nero failed to return in time for the ninth anniversary of the war. When Nero failed, which served as confirmation of the truth of the rumors, the Followers of Ashla decided to head for the Rolling Hills and goad him to follow. "We cannot let those scumbags flee and cower in terror from us! They have to be made to pay for their cowardice and their dishonor against us!" Minos promised.
"But what about the refugees they've left wide open for us? Only a few Padawans and Initiates defend the local people of Tython when the Followers of Ashla are taken care of," Peleus asked. "Which is precisely why I demand that we go take care of the Followers of Ashla first then we'll return to deal with the Padawans and Initiates as well as the refugees when we return," Minos answered. "I see, we take care of the big fish first before dealing with the little ones afterward," Peleus stated.
"Precisely, the Followers of Ashla will be the grander feast than the little snacks they leave behind in the mountains," Minos said, nodding. "Very well then, I'll assemble the men. It'll take us four months to get down there and the letter is already another four months old as it is," Peleus warned. "Then another three months of fighting at most and they're finished; we'll take what remains and wipe out the people of Tython in time for the tenth anniversary of the War's start," Minos countered.
Suddenly, however, Minos and Peleus received a strong vision of the future that indicated a change of outcome. The vision was simple: Aeacus standing tall above the bodies of both Bogan and Ashla soldiers alike, holding a weapon that emitted a massive storm of emerald-colored electricity. How, how is this possible for my brother to return? Minos asked himself. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Peleus asked aloud.
"That if we take any more than three to three and a half months to eliminate the Followers of Ashla, my brother may arrive in time to deliver the coup de grace for us. We need to act and quickly!" Minos answered, nodding before he spoke. Peleus made his rounds, demanding that everyone in the camps began taking down their tents and packing what few possessions they had. "This is going to be the final blow to the Followers of Ashla or to us if we fuck things up on our end!" Peleus shouted.
Minos was on his way faster than the rest of the crew but his armies followed soon enough which was a good thing. Because as soon as the army prepared for their inevitable final clash with the Followers of Bogan, Minos had a strong feeling that Aeacus had returned. What's more, he had done so with the weapon of pure Ashla energy that would destroy the Followers of Bogan forever. Damn you brother, first you frighten me by stalling my forces now you have me retreating in terror.
Make up your damned mind as to what you want me to be going through, you little bastard! Minos thought angrily. "Peleus, tell me if the men are ready for a four month trip," he said aloud. "More likely a five month trip, sorry. I forgot to calculate the fact that were several miles from the Ashla camp and so they need less time to get to the Rolling Hills," Peleus said.
"You... forgot... to tell calculate that?" Minos hissed. "I'm sorry, lord, it won't happen again," Peleus confessed. "Now there you are right and here's why," Minos said before gutting Peleus with his sword like he'd gut a fish with a hook.
The older man slumped down to the dirt and was dead almost upon hitting the ground. "Fail once and it shall be the last time that you ever do so. Someone collect this failure's body and burn him along with his possessions before we really move on," Minos ordered. When all that was said and done, Minos relaxed a little though he now lost a little bit of the element of surprise.
"Wow, that guy Minos was a real jerk," Jaina said. "Yes, yes he was. But then, so were most of those who followed the Dark Side's path," Cassandra agreed. "But your mother, didn't she follow its path?" Jaina asked.
"Not by original intention, no but that's how history has marked her for the rest of time," Cassandra answered glumly. "Well, this story is very interesting even if I missed all the suspenseful stuff," Jaina admitted. "Yes it is, isn't it? This is exactly why I love the histories, especially if my mother is telling the stories," Cassandra agreed.
Jaina inhaled and exhaled a more massive yawn than most of the ones that Cassandra had ever recalled her doing. "And you wonder why you're never allowed to stay up late," Cassandra stated. "It's true, I do wonder though!" Jaina exclaimed through another big yawn. "I think when you're older, you'll be looking back and wondering how naive you are being now," Cassandra promised.
When Jaina looked like she couldn't keep her head up anymore, Cassandra slumped her friend over her shoulder and carried her back to her room even using the Force to pull the doors open. Quietly and with neat efficiency, Cassandra tucked in Jaina right next to her brother Jacen with a big smile. After that was done, she kissed both their foreheads and said goodnight to them before checking on Anakin. The silence of the baby in his sleep confirmed that there was nothing wrong even after she used her telepathy to see if he was having any nightmares.
"You keep doing nursing duties for my children and you're going to end up making Winter and Threepio look sloppy," Leia warned. "I just want to help them look out for the children. You remember how close you were to losing Anakin to Palpatine and how I lost my mother to him," Cassandra said. Leia looked like that stung her a little bit and Cassandra quickly apologized, having not meant to offend her.
"No you didn't offend me, little sweetie. I just keep forgetting that you've had more to worry about in your short little life than I ever did in the entirety of my children's'," Leia replied. "That's not entirely true but I think I get your point," Cassandra said. "If you were my daughter, I'd say that you inherited Han's honesty and decisive nature," Leia admitted.
"Maybe that's why he and I are able to throw so much crap at each other and ask for seconds without a problem," Cassandra said with a smile. Leia chuckled and ruffled with Cassandra's hair a little bit. "C'mon Leia, you know that I hate it when you do that!" Cassandra teased. "All the more reason why you do it," Leia replied with a wink.
"I still got a lot of information left on the hologram of my mother but I promise to write down everything that she's said. You might find it very fascinating and maybe even a pint entertaining," Cassandra said. "How about you take a break from that for a little bit and go see Ken downstairs?" Leia asked. "Ken's here and you didn't tell me?" Cassandra replied.
"You were up in your room before he even arrived," Leia admitted. "Hm, I got a better idea though: I'll invite him up and let him in on what I've been watching. At least he won't fall asleep at this late hour as easily as Jaina did," Cassandra suggested. "Then what are you waiting for, go on!" Leia exclaimed.
Cassandra rushed down the stairs immediately after saying goodnight to Leia and kissing her cheek in return for a kiss of her own. Literally flying down the stairs, she was nearly out of breath as she saw Ken slouching on the couch and watching the holoscreen. "Ken, how good is it to see you!" Cassandra screamed as she leapt into his arms. Though she had only met him a couple times, she already trusted Ken as a compatriot that she could in which she could reside her secrets.
"Good to see you too, Cassandra. I overheard you saying that you had something interesting to show me?" Ken asked. "Yes, c'mon up. I'm just reaching the best part of the story of the true events of the Force Wars!" Cassandra answered. "I've been dying to know the truth behind the story of the Force Wars and if anyone knows then it's definitely your mother," he admitted.
Quickly, they ascended up the stairs while Cassandra pulled Ken by his arm and led her up to her room. Initially taken aback by the life-sized hologram of Arden Lyn, Ken realized that it was an artificial record that Arden had made of all her knowledge that just lacked a soul. Otherwise, your mother would have engineered the first holocron in the records he added silently. "So we're getting to the conclusion, eh?
"Care to bring me up to speed on everything your mother has said, so far?" he asked when they arrived. "Love to but it might be best to wait until some time when Jaina and Jacen aren't snoring next door if you know my meaning," Cassandra said, pointing a thumb to her right. "Good point, now let's get on with the grand finale of this brilliant tale your mother is telling," he said excitedly. With that said, Cassandra resumed playing the hologram and the story of the Force Wars continued once again.
After crash-landing on Tython on the last of the fuel of the ship, Aeacus spent nine months traveling on foot to the mountains. When he arrived, he was immediately greeted by the sight of several Initiates and Padawans as well as Belle and her son. "So this is the big strong man named Raphael, huh? Last time I saw you, you were an itty bitty little baby that I could hold in a single hand!" Aeacus stated.
"I'm not so little now, I'm taking care of Mommy and Grandpa while you are away!" Raphael replied proudly. "And you couldn't have done a finer job but I'm afraid that I'm going to have to leave again, real soon," Aeacus said grimly. "Is it the Followers of Bogan?" Belle asked. "I've seen their camps: they're deserted and I want to know why," Aeacus answered.
"The Masters' Council took all the Followers of Ashla and goaded Minos into following them to the Rolling Hills in the hope of finishing this forever," Belle explained. "Then that's where I gotta go next, get me your fastest Horranth steed," Aeacus said. "Won't you even take a little time to relax?" Belle asked. "I've already wasted a lot of time trying to get to these mountains already, I need to track him down now!" Aeacus replied firmly.
"Very well then, Father, get him the fastest steed. He's got the Sword of Ashla ready to destroy the Followers of Bogan," Belle asked her father. The steed was brought in a matter of a minutes and Aeacus thanked Belle for her help, apologizing for his firmness while he was at it. "You will come back, won't you?" Belle asked.
He paused, not knowing how to answer her because he did love her but he was not unwilling to let Minos continue committing the murders he was getting away with. It was a conflict of ideals that he had hoped to settle when he contemplated Ashla on the Tythan moon of Bogan. Reluctantly, he heaved a heavy breath and decided there was no other way to tell to her except straight. "Tell me Belle, would you rather have me not come back having save your life and your son's?
"Or would you rather have me come back to you in chains, having failed the task given me by the Order that protects you?" Aeacus asked. Belle took it hard and almost couldn't answer the question posed on her. Then she surprised Aeacus by jumping up on the steed and kissing him passionately like she was supposed to have done for her husband when he was alive but never did. "Just for good luck and my way of saying 'May the Force be with you'," she added with a wink.
"Thank you... my love. I will either fail and be humiliated or die victorious over the Followers of Bogan. But long live Ashla, long live the Sword that bears its name!" he exclaimed. He unsheathed the Sword of Ashla for emphasis and the crowd cheered as a means of encouraging him onward. Then he ordered his steed to head for the Rolling Hills and show him the meaning of haste.
In the meantime, Belle decided it was best to face a reprimand from her father although she was surprised by the fierce reaction. "You never did love Rhadamanthus like you love Aeacus, did you?" he asked. "I tried to but I just simply couldn't do it but luckily I had a very understanding husband. Not some ignoramus cow who forced his past three wives to suicide, my mother amongst them!" she said.
"How dare you blame your mother's dishonorable death on me!" he said. "Why not, fatass! You were the only one who hit her for no reason in the universe even in front of guests! She had more honor in her death than you will ever have in your life!" she screamed.
He made to slap her but she dodged and slugged a good, solid punch to his cheek which shattered a three teeth and chipped two more. "Rhadamanthus taught you well when you were his wife. At least he did something right," her father said. Then he spat blood on her face and retreated to his den in the mountains, humiliated that he had been defeated by his daughter in a fight.
Everyone else looked on at Belle and her son, impressed by their defiance of the standard designed for women and children. Some of the elders grumbled that Rhadamanthus had not given her proper discipline in moments of defiance. But the younger crowd secretly encouraged her onward and even began practicing her courage amongst themselves. A couple of the boys even went as far as to use pillows to make themselves look fat and have their sisters pretend to slug them.
By the time the camp had settled down, Aeacus was already several miles across the other side and headed for his final destiny. At last, after nearly ten years of divisive fighting, the conflict that would be known as the Force Wars would end by his hand. His only regret was that he couldn't love Belle.