I hope this chapter turned out well, I kept messing with it and finally just decided to post it. Love to know what you guys think of it, so please leave a review if you have the time! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed or added an alert! It all means a lot! : )
Less than four inches in height, the stone platform was surprisingly thin. It made it easier to find a good grip and, for that, Obi-Wan was grateful. They could hear distant movement above, but he did not dare look just yet. The youngling tried to take in as much of his surroundings as he could. Obi-Wan thought they were dangling in open space and a few exploratory kicks confirmed his suspicion.
Moments later, they could hear the muffled footfalls of whoever was on the dais echoing through the spire. Obi-Wan looked around. He hoped to at least be able to see where the spire wall was, but the platform blocked all the light, leaving everything below it in darkness. He glanced at Amber, who was gazing down into void. Already feeling the burn in his shoulders and the growing fatigue throughout his body, Obi-Wan could only imagine how she was fairing.
/How are you doing over there?/ Obi-Wan sent though their bond, not wanting to make any noise.
/Oh, just enjoying the view./
Amber shot him a quick grin, then turned her eyes upward. The footsteps were closer now. They could hear short, gasping whimpers and snatches of mumbled pleading. The voice was weak, but it was undoubtably that of the girl's. The other presence did not answer her. Obi-Wan could tell that the being was Force-sensitive, but the individual was surrounded by the dark side, completely devoid of any light.
Both initiates decided to chance a peek over the side of the platform. They saw Senator Berilen's daughter sprawled on the ground a few meters away, turned towards them. Her unkept reddish-blonde hair fell around the girl, covering her face. Its color was so much like her father's. Between them and the youngster sat her captor, a broad-shouldered individual, shrouded in a black robe. Obi-Wan could not see a face, but he was able to make out large, male human hands.
He stretched his arms back out, dropping below once again. Amber did the same. The man appeared to be waiting for something and there was no way of knowing what that was. Obi-Wan could think of only two possibilities. The Senator had been adamant about the seriousness of his daughter's situation, telling the Councilors she would be dead by morning.
It was likely that Senator Berilen had had some communication with her kidnapper. All this led Obi-Wan to believe either the child's current condition was so severe, that she would not last through the night or that the man planned to kill the child before the sun rose. Obviously, Amber had come to the same conclusion. He could feel the strong desire to help and her need to act.
/We have to do something, Obi-Wan./
The memory of his vision flashed before his eyes, filling him with dread. Amber had only seen part of it and did not know how he had seen the vision end. Immediately, Obi-Wan stamped down his feelings, remembering Yoda's warnings about the future. He did not know for sure what would happen.
/Do you have a plan?/ he sent, one eyebrow raised.
She smiled, /Plan? Who needs a plan. I thought we'd just hop up there and charge him./
Obi-Wan knew that this was indeed her plan, but it was said in an attempt to lighten the mood. It worked to some extent.
/And, you thought I was reckless earlier when I jumped down that hole?/
Amber nodded sagely, a glint of mischief in her eyes /I did and it was. This bit of impulsiveness serves a purpose. We're going to save someone. You just threw yourself into, what very well could have been a bottomless pit./
/I'll try to remember that difference next time, oh Wise One./ Obi-Wan sent dryly.
They basked a the brief mirthful moment, as it dissolved the tension away. He felt better about what they were going to do and what might happen. Because, regardless of the outcome, Obi-Wan was glad he was here with her.
The initiates vaulted over the ledge simultaneously, neglecting to use the Force in an attempt to keep their existence concealed for as long as possible. They were not three steps in when the dark figure whipped around, coming to his feet in one fluid motion. Amber and Obi-Wan activated their lightsabers as they ran at him. The man's face remained hidden as a ruby saber ignited.
Obi-Wan connected first, his blue blade mingling with the red. A second later, Amber struck at the man's left side, trying to use Obi-Wan's frontal attack as a distraction. Their opponent pushed him away, bringing his saber around in time to block Amber.
They circled the man, blue lightsabers moving in a blur. His red blade met every one of their strikes, always there a split second early. Obi-Wan fought to let go of his emotions, but the anxiety he had felt about this fight the last few days kept creeping in, hindering his connection. Amber was struggling as well, though not with the same problem, her fatigue weighing on her more than any else.
She faltered once, providing the man with an opening. He used to to full effect, kicking her in the stomach. Amber went down hard, rolling away from the battle. The fury behind the blows intensified, each hit jarring Obi-Wan's entire body. Amber was back within moments, attacking the dark figure from behind, forcing him to turn and fight her. But, the damage was already done. Obi-Wan was noticeably wearier and could barely catch his breath.
The man's main objective was to separate them. Their only real advantage was the fact that they outnumbered their adversary. If he were to take one youngling out of the fight, it would effectively doom the other. Doggedly, the initiates kept fighting, trying to fill in the spaces the other left open to attack. They pushed through, both finding a tentative balance in the Force. The two moved in unison, using both their bond and years of training side by side.
It was not enough. While together they were more of a challenge to the man, the two younglings were out matched. The Council had been right, this individual had been trained in the Jedi Arts. And, his training was far more complete than either young Jedi.
They had fought closer to another edge of the platform, leaving the girl on the opposite side. At least she was safe from the fight. Obi-Wan knew they needed to do something. He brushed against the bond, hoping to form some kind of plan. They made a quick decision. He felt a surge from Amber as she stepped up her attack, unleashing a furious assault on their opponent, each hit more powerful than the last. His attention turned completely towards her, Obi-Wan moved in. He lunged with his lightsaber, connecting with the man's leg.
He did not cause enough damage. A howl of rage answered his jab, then Obi-Wan was sent flying. Crashing to the ground, the breath left his lungs as his lightsaber clattered away. He turned his head just in time to watch as it bounced over one of the platform's four ledges. Obi-Wan was unable to see Amber, but he knew something was wrong. An incapacitating amount of fear rolled over their bond.
Forcing his body to respond quicker than it wanted to, Obi-Wan drew himself up to his knees. Amber was on the ground some meters away from him, near a corner pillar. The man, whose hood had fallen, loomed over her. Obi-Wan could only see his profile, shaggy blonde hair partially obscuring his face. The red blade raised in the air slowly. Through their bond, Obi-Wan screamed at Amber to move. She remained frozen, her expression a mixture of terror and pain. Her eyes seemed fixed on something else, as though she did not see the man in front of her.
Obi-Wan would never been able to make it to her side in time, the blade already making it's away towards the fallen youngling. He released his emotions to the Force in that moment, knowing it was the only chance Amber had. The light seemed to over run every cell in his body, leaving him calm and centered. Drawing on that power, he pushed out at the man. Obi-Wan watched as their assailant flew backwards, away from Amber and over the edge of the platform. He stood and ran towards the Berilen girl.
"Amber! Come on, we need to go!" he yelled, knowing all to well that this was not over.
He ran towards the Senator's daughter, kneeling down next to her. Obi-Wan had been right, she was weak and very thin. But, she was conscious and had apparently witnessed everything that had happened. She shied away from Obi-Wan, understandably leery of new people. He smiled kindly at her. She appeared to only be three or four years younger than him.
"It's alright, we're here to help."
She studied him and nodded slowly, trying to sit. He helped her, but she collapsed against him, too tired to stay upright on her own. Obi-Wan was preparing to lift the girl, when he felt that same debilitating alarm from Amber. He turned, pushing the young girl behind him. A red lightsaber was held high above their heads. Knowing he had no way to protect them, Obi-Wan closed his eyes and waited for the blow to come.