Chapter 25 My Soul can Fly
(Fanfir Hydra: hehehehe… to all the wonderful peoples out there who take time out of their day to read my fanfic, thanks…hehehehehehe… O.O)
LUKE POV
You've got to be kidding me.
Dread filled his gut.
He watched Dooku straiten, perfectly fine, and proceed to brush 'invisible dirt' off the black garbs and dark brown cape.
His lightsaber had done minimal damage. It appeared to have only slashed through a layer of the Sith's clothing on the chest area but besides that not do much else, not even break the skin. As at the last moment when he slashed up, Dooku had quickly sprung out of the way, only getting nicked.
A part of him inside felt like screaming in frustration, but he was too drained to even do that but kneel there, shivering and shaking from the cold liquid that surrounded him and saturated deep into his clothing.
He was so tired.
Really really tired.
And very very cold.
The next second he found Dooku's crimson saber at his neck.
He couldn't even lift his arms to bat it away as one hung limply at his side, gently holding Sidious's now deactivated black lightsaber, while he cradled what was left of the prosthetic close to him. The pain he felt from it was dulling. This type of pain would soon fade from a hand in which no blood came out.
The force was something that was far away now, unable to be reached in such a state.
It felt like it abandoned him.
But he was just so worn out.
He couldn't move, not even if he wanted to, he was just so drained.
Just tired.
He looked up at Dooku, wondering and waiting, when the crimson lightsaber would be brought down on him.
Being one to not give up easily he would never give up but he couldn't deny, right now, I just ruined one of the last shots I got to defeat him and that may have cost me, though for some reason the thought of killing the Sith just upset him.
He gazed at Dooku for what seemed like the two of them were lost in a void of perpetuity, legs throbbing, heart aching, cuts stinging, body weary.
The blow never came.
Finally the Count spoke, "My master never specified if he needed you alive. It would be a small mercy to end your existence if you are this opposed to using the dark side, rather than force some unspecified fate upon you that would forever change who you are," the Sith's gaze bore into him, "Wouldn't you agree little Jedi?"
If he could he would have shook his head but the crimson saber moved a tad closer to the exposed flesh of his neck so much so that he could feel the heat radiating off it.
Any moment now I won't feel anything anymore, it seems.
The crimson saber moved back some, then sped forward but to him it appeared much much slower as these were going to be the last moments of his life, weren't they? But there were no flashbacks of all his friends and family, or any white light at the end of the tunnel that he had heard that one would see when being so close to death.
How strange.
His eyes fell closed.
And he did the only thing he could do. He waited for a miracle.
Out of the darkness a strong voice sounded out in his head.
"The force is with you Luke, you cannot die."
Talon?! He thought, eyes opening and head turning.
Right before his eyes the Terror Bird himself came soaring toward them, and with him that warm and comforting presence that Talon carried enfolded around him like a blanket. Talon came forth out of that one massive hallway, flapping wildly, creating waves of water that plowed forward, droplets clinging to white feathers shining. But the same moment as his head snapped to the side it caused the crimson blade to singe the skin right above his throat rather than beheading him completely.
A strangled cry escaped his lips as he clutched the burning wound that shot hot needle raging aches through him.
Body slumping backward he fell into the water till he lay there on his back, still, as a wave of cold water that Talon's wings blew up came crashing down upon him, drenching him. Gasping, he gaped like a fish, coughing violently up blood and water alike. Though hazy vision he was able to make out Talon fiercely attacking Dooku, flapping madly and shrieking.
Creamy white feathers fluttered about, landing gently on the water's surface ever so delicately.
His throat burned and he quietly moaned out in agony, eyelids fluttering.
"Talon…" he rasped out, reaching for the creature.
With one razor sharp claw the huge terror bird, eyes flashing red, instinctively slashed down leaving three deep gouges in the Sith's chest, drawing blood that spurted forth in rivets of ruby red.
Then Talon turned to him. Their eyes locked. The terror bird came fluttering down toward him, reminiscent to an angel.
Soon his limp body was no longer lying on the flooded floor. He felt himself being lifted up, higher and higher. With his yellow beak Talon had snagged hold of his cloak and shirt, gently carrying him up off the ground and to soar. He felt safe and comfort in this moment.
Hearing the terror bird beat his wings they took flight through the large automatic sliding door in the side of the square room atop the platforms melded into the wall that barely was able to accommodate Talon's width. They went down the hallways of color which his blurry vision couldn't quite catch in the second.
But before that he got a glimpse of Dooku, hunched over, but appearing to be okay.
That's good he thought. Then he was gone, the Count out of his sight.
The only thing he felt now was the cool air on his face and the only thing he heard was the short quick movements of the large white ruffled wings as they whipped up a storm in the hallways. Talon broke down doors and barreled walls, the terror bird's force presence extending like his large white wings and lashing out to protect. Then he saw before them, rows upon rows of droids coming at them from everywhere it seemed, but Talon, despite all else kept going, rampaging through the herds and crowds, carelessly tossing each one aside as if it were just a doll. He knew he would be kept safe in such a hold. His one fist stayed tight around the hilt of Sidious's lightsaber through it all.
Vision blurred, becoming dark around the edges.
His body moved and jerked with each sudden twist and turn and quick rapid flap of the large white wings that spread wide.
But here it was.
Barely visible to him.
Now before them was a window that led out.
Out of the confines of this building.
He felt the hot breath on his neck and the labored pants exerted from the worn creature that carried him with such care.
Everything rumbled with the force of his companion, crashing through the hallways to the sky beyond and what freedom was to be. Out of this pain and despair and misery.
Glass shattered for them as the whole weight of the downy feather covered body rammed into the window, causing it to give way without a fight. All the shards flew out, just like them, and in each and every one he could just make out tiny reflections of the worlds around them. Then the glass fell, and they flew.
It was still night but the white stars that could barely be seen in the smog infested sky stood out bright in the unending darkness that draped over the planet.
The wind whipped against his face in a playful greeting.
Together they soared.
My soul can fly.
Free as a bird.
Live in the moment.
With one's eyes turned skyward forever more wanting to feel like this again for one more time.
To never fly alone.
But they weren't out of harm's way yet. Explosions rocked the sky around them. But he didn't look back, neither did Talon. They kept going, riding on the wind.
The sound of some sort of flying machines coming after them sounded in the background. It could have been a type of speeder or drone but he didn't know and didn't have the care to check. It drew closer. But in Talon's presence he held no fear, for Talon himself didn't fear.
His vision began to become unfocused a bit now.
He felt Talon channel the force as an entity all by its own that one would work alongside to achieve some faraway goal, and with this light force it encompassed the two of them creating a white light orb like bubble around them. The orb began to glow brighter and brighter until he felt them and it disappear together.
Transported somewhere far far away from the LiMerge building and the works and Dooku.