Title: Soturi - Part II
Author: Ticklesivory
Pairing: Obi-Wan and Padmé
Genre: Action/Romance
Summary: If for some reason, anyone has started reading this story at this point, I must insist you return to the beginning (Part I) and read that first. Otherwise, Part II will make absolutely no sense! And the following will definitely be a spoiler for the first part of this story!
Highlights of Part I: If you recall, Obi-Wan, having been trained by Qui-Gon to become a Soturi Warrior, has earned the right to participate in the Grand Battle in the capital city of Upea. On his way there, he meet a young woman by the name of Pad-Mé, whom he falls madly in love with. However, once he arrives in Upea, he discovers she is actually the daughter of the Avi-Si, the emperor of Avi-Kao. She is called Avi-Ami, and she is pissed, since Obi-Wan killed her lover, Ro-Du. Bent on exacting her revenge, she convinces her father to proclaim an edict, which modifies the Final Battle to a single event. She ensures Obi-Wan will lose this battle by having him face two enormous beasts called rankor. However, instead of appeasing her by fighting and dying, Obi-Wan chooses to escape. As far back as he can remember, Obi-Wan has been experiencing visions and dreams of an unfamiliar place, as well as fractured images of a beautiful, vaguely familiar face. The woman in his visions is troubled and needs his help. Deciding he has no other option at this point, Obi-Wan chooses to finally pass through the portal and boldly steps into another world.
Part II: Obi-Wan has left Avi-Kao, unsure of what he will face, but prepared to fight yet again, although, this time for a much higher purpose.
Warnings: I'm going to keep Part II at a T rating, although I have a feeling there will be some romantic/sexual interludes later on. I'll try to keep it clean.
Author's Note: I finally figured out how to put the superscript above the é in WordPad! (don't have Word at work and cannot stand Open Office) Padmé will now be properly typed! Special thanks to Pronker – for continued guidance and understanding of my occasional rants.
Chapter Twenty Six
Obi-Wan struggled to maneuver the jungle, using his sword to cut a path through the thick underbrush of thorny vines and fallen branches. He finally managed to come to a small rise, stopping just short of plummeting off a steep cliff. Peering over the side of the rise, he could see an abundance of water flowing along a river, which was fed by an enormous amount of water falling into it. His dreams had never included such a fantastic view, and it momentarily took his breath away.
Looking down from his viewpoint, just past the majestic falling water, jutted up buildings, topped with domed roofs which appeared to be made from copper. In the center of the distant city stood a massive structure, he assumed was the palace. Leading up to the great stairway in front of the building was a wide stone path, lined with carriages of steel. In front of those were the piles of bodies he'd seen – smoke rising from their scorched remains, guarded by thin soldiers covered with pale armor. They held weapons he was not familiar with and could not see clearly from this distance.
It was to the palace Obi-Wan needed to go. He wasn't sure why, but somehow the knowledge was already inside him, either from a part of the dream he could not recall, or through words she had spoken.
By the time he had reached the outskirts of the city, his boots were sodden, and the simple white tunic beneath his leathers was dirty and torn. From this closer view, he could see everything much clearer, and could smell the pungent odor of the burning bodies.
If he stayed just outside the row of stone structures, he could perhaps sneak into the palace unnoticed, and discover her inside.
However, his plan was not going to be as simple as he had thought. The crack of branches behind him, warned him someone was approaching. Obi-Wan spun, ready to lop off the heads of those opposing him, only to be stunned to inactivity when he got a good look at the soldiers he had seen on the city street.
They weren't human, but they moved as if they were, their joints whirring and clicking upon their approach.
Most amazingly, they spoke, even though they had no mouths. Their voices were shrill and metallic, and he couldn't understand a single syllable.
"Hands up, Nabooan scum."
Unsure of what the command was, Obi-Wan held his sword ready, focusing on the strange weapons pointing directly at him; of which there were six. A defensive plan began to form, with each move specifically outlined in his mind, consisting of a variety of strikes that would disarm every single one of the metal beings. However, Obi-Wan didn't have a chance to initiate it before a sharp pain in his side doubled him over, and another vision blurred the design.
Avi-Ami stood in the royal box, rage coloring her face red, her demands loudly spoken.
"The Soturi is a coward and refuses to fight! He has fled! There must be a battle! The citizens will have satisfaction! Protocol demands the Soturi Trainer fight in his place! He is the one who should be held responsible!"
Helpless, Obi-Wan listened as the population of Upea shouted their agreement to the Avi-Ami's suggestion, much to the despair of Tah-Du, who was forced to endure what was about to happen, powerless to stop it.
Escorted by the Royal Guard, Qui-Gon was thrust through the metal gate, having been tossed a single sword. He wore no armor. The two rankor roared in satisfaction, knowing sustenance had finally been provided, and they approached their prey, strings of saliva hanging from their mighty jaws. Qui-Gon battled fiercely, actually managing to bring one of the beasts to its knees before succumbing to the powerful grip of another. Between the pair, however, they made a quick meal of his Master, crunching through bones quite easily with their rows of sharp teeth.
The passing of Qui-Gon in such a violent manner, deeply affected Obi-Wan from the inside out in a way he couldn't understand. He purged his morning meal upon the ground before falling forward into darkness.
Author's Note: Sorry about that. :( The Muse demanded a sacrifice. Consider it a payment for Obi-Wan's passage. Hang in there readers, Obi-Wan's life is about to improve rather dramatically.