Well, I'm back...again. I was in a writer's block and had to take some time to work out the plot. So I decided to reread the earlier chapters...I have to say I'm happy you managed to come this far, because the errors in spelling and grammar drove me insane, and I wrote it. But we are getting near the end, I can feel it. Without further ado, the next chapter.
Training Complete
"Well…I want to study Animals, but I'm scared of being put in dangers I don't know how to handle. I also heard of animals being able to use the force, some in a very violent manner. It would be preferable to be under the protection of someone who can really protect me. Both from the animals and others." Via explained. Reasonable, and she is right I could provide her with the security she needs. The problem is that I'm in a middle of an interesting project. "When do you become of age again?" I asked her.
"In about two years." She hesitantly says. So she sixteen…too young, but I might need that time. "One year…in one year I will come back to pick you up. In the meantime, I will leave a copy of the rules and regulations of the ship as well as etiquette. You are to memorize them backward and forward to be able to be a part of my crew. Also, I will need you to get the permission of your family, that is a must before anything else. Do you think you can handle that?" I asked. "Yes sir, I'll be ready for anything by the time you get back and thank you." She said with a smile full of excitement.
I started to walk off when she stopped me. "If I may be bold to ask. But you said a year, so that means you are about to do something dangerous. No external threat can harm you, so it must be something that you are you doing, or maybe creating?" She asked. She may be grasping at straws but she is still sharp. I just realized the two thousand page workbook I am about to give her is nothing more than a travel guide. Which means I will have to make this plan work in a year.
"I'm in the process of creating an ideal society, one that hasn't been seen in a very long time," I explained. "So because it hasn't been seen in a long time, it has a high chance of being unstable and failing." She deducted. "Your sharp, you will make a fine addition to the crew," I said with a smile. "I will be sure to not drag anyone down." She said with a determined look on her face. "On the contrary, you may become an invaluable asset," I said with a smile. I walked away to join the others outside.
Everyone was going crazy and having fun. "Look who back!" Shivan says with a drunken smile on his face. I walked over and saw Shaak trying holding her father up. I looked around to see the others and then looked at Mr. Ti. "I'm guessing Mr. Ti here had some pre-marriage drinks?" I asked. "I only had a zip…." He says as slurred his words. It was quite obvious he had more than a sip. "I told him he shouldn't but he was so excited he broke a bottle out," Si'ali explained. "How could I not be excited! Our daughter has found herself a wonderful husband. One of position, power, and authority, but one who is also humble, kind!" He says in a drunken shout. If only he knew the truth, he probably wouldn't think so highly.
"I assure you, Mr. Ti, I am no one special. I'm just a guy who just married a beautiful woman. Thanks to her, I wouldn't be here." I said to him as I looked at Shaak Ti. I heard clapping, as I looked around everyone was clapping for me. Did I do a speech or something? "Well, Well, we finally hear the heartfelt truth about how Devin really feels about Shaak," Shivan says with a smile as he wrapped his arm around my neck. "So, how about you Shaak. Got any heartfelt words you would like to share?" he asked her.
"I tell you this when Devin and I first meet it was not on good footing, he was already an exceptional force user then. What exactly happened I can't tell you, but I could tell that he had a lot of compassion for his people. Whenever he walked his people followed behind him without question, even though he was a stranger among them. I believe it was then it was then when I fell for him, even though I didn't know it myself. I continued to chase after him even when the war drove us further apart…" Shaak says hesitantly.
"You mean when he was with the separatist and the Sith." Someone from the crowd called out. My stomach started to twist, they all knew about my past…how. I looked over to Shaak and she seemed surprised as well, which leave. "A couple of weeks ago, when we decided to prep for the marriage, I decided to hold a secret meeting with the town and tell them the truth. I told Devin story to them in as much detail as I could." Shivan says. "We understand what has happened and why it happens. Even though it was you who cause the destruction, you were just influenced by bad people, and won't hold you accountable. I lady says. Arvan walked over and placed a shoulder on us. "Shaak also told us how you tried to spare the civilians and spare the Jedi as well until the very end. That doesn't exactly qualify as a Sith Lord. Whatever your past may be, it is the future you must look forward to. Make sure it's for the better." Arvan says. Coming from Shaak father, that meant a lot.
I held my head down, tears starting to well up in my eyes. I was happy, that they could forgive me, I felt like a weight been lifted off. "Thank you, Mr. Ti. That means a lot coming from you." I said. "Ah come on, crying on your wedding day, now that definitely isn't a Sith a thing. Come on and smile we got a lot more of the wedding to go." He said as he smacks me on the shoulder hard. Everyone started to laugh, and I couldn't help but laugh too. "Here, drink up," Arvot says as he tossed me a bottle of Alcohol. "You got some catching up to do," Arvot says with a smile. I opened the bottle and say, "To new beginnings." I cheered before I chug the whole bottle down in seconds. It was strong but I can handle it.
Shaak Ti
Later that night I was walking home with a very drunk husband. He has gotten into a massive drinking contest with everyone. He won by a literal shot of alcohol, against my father who was the last man standing. "Shaak," Devin spoke out of his drunken haze. "Yes, Devin," I answered. "What is the real reason you didn't try to form an attachment?" He asked. Honestly even when drunk he still manages to ask serious questions. "It's not I didn't want to, it was more than I couldn't. There have been others who peaked my curiosity before, but because of the war they were either dead, with the separatist, or their profession made it impossible for me to meet them. With time I just simply closed myself off to it as I could never truly form a relationship with any of them." I explained. "Then I came along." He says as he started to straighten up.
"Yea…im surprise you can walk straight so soon, the amount of alcohol you drank is nothing to laugh at," I said in amazement. "Alcohol I can usually shake off in an hour or two, ill probably feel it in the morning." He says as we arrived home. He sat on the couch to relax while I went to get us both a glass of water. "So we still have a couple days left before your ship arrives to pick us up, what would you like to do until then?" I asked as I handed him a glass of water. "Thank you." He says as he drunk the whole thing, I only drunk a little bit of mine. As he sets his glass on the table, he says, "Well considering that we will be really busy upon returning, I think it is best to enjoy our honeymoon as much as we can. What do you think?" he asked. I pour the water into my mouth and held it there, so I can place my glass on the table as well.
I climb on to his lap facing him, and I kissed him letting some of the water I held in my mouth flow into his. "I think I would love nothing more than to enjoy this as much as I can," I told to him. As the water disappeared, our tongues meet each other. He had his arms around my waist pulling me closer, and I had my arms around his neck deepening our kiss. We were so close to each other, so wrapped in our own little world that it felt like we became one person. If I could live in any moment in time, I would choose this…
A few days later
Devin Smith
As the shuttle arrived we were greeted by the people of Corvala who came to see us off. "Hope you two have a safe journey, and please, come back safe ok," Shivan says. "We will don't worry," Shaak says to everyone. I went in the shuttle to get the heavy book of rules and regulations. When I came back out. Via was at the front of the crowd like she knew what I was getting. "Here you go Via, study this well," I said to her. "I will sir, thank you." I smile before I head back into the shuttle as it was getting ready for take-off. Shaak said a couple more goodbyes before coming in to join me. "Everyone ready back there?" Telanna asked. "Yes, we are ready," I answered as she took off. "I hope we come back soon," Shaak says as the planet disappears behind us. I held her hand and looked into my eyes. "We will definitely come back. Don't worry, the war won't go on forever."
I reassure her. "Thank you." She says with a smile as we intertwined our hands. As we landed inside the ship I walked out to meet the others. With Telanna and Shaak, behind me. There was some crewman that went in the shuttle to collect our things. "So has anything happened. "Nothing really just the usual fools trying to attack and board the ship. Always the upstarts trying to get some credit for taking us on." Telanna says. "There was also a rogue bounty hunter cartel as well who was planning an assault on the ship. They now understand the error of their judgment." I hear Jaina say as she walks up to me. "Nice to see you back Jaina," I said to her.
"It's good to be back, kind of missed you for a while their boss." She says with a smile. "Likewise, you have been busy, blowing up the bounty hunter cartel single-handedly. Your one scary lady." I completed. She laughed as she says, "I'm not scary, I just did what I had to do at the time. But enough about me, I see you also been busy, fully devoted to Shaak now are we." She says as she points out the ring on me and Shaak finger. "Always attentive to details I see," I said with a laugh. "Where to now?" Telanna asked.
"Back to Coruscant, it is time he becomes a Jedi Knight," Shaak says with confidence. "Excellent ill head up to the bridge now, Elyn also reported that the initiates trials are complete just waiting for you," Telanna says stiffly as she bowed and left. "I'm going to go put away my things, come to find me later," Shaak says with a smile. "Sure thing," I said as I watch her leave. "So I guess you 'Training' turned out to be a fruitful one?" Jaina jabbed. I laughed as I say, "You could say that, though I was kind of surprise on Shaak Ti. She was the one who asked to marry me." I said. "Your kidding, straight-laced Jedi council, Shaak Ti, asked you to marry her. Color me impressed." She said with an overjoyed tone. I wanted to say that the people of Shili had a part to play in all that, but it's best to leave as little ties as possible.
"Yea, in any rate, tell me about your adventures Jaina, what happened when you left Coruscant?" I asked. "Right, this ship has a bar right. Mind if we go there, I'm going to need a drink." She asked. "Sure no problem," I said. I just knew that her last mission had her torn up.
Couple Hours Later Coruscant
Upon arrival, Shaak informed me that in a week time I will have to undergo a full day and night meditation. Until then I must refrain from eating until the day I have become knighted. It going to be brutal, but I have to follow it to the letter. She went off to the council to make her report while I headed back to my room to unpack. As I finished unpacking, however, I felt a familiar presence coming followed by a knock on the door. "Come in," I answered. The door opened revealing an excited Elyn coming to me and jumping into my arms. "Master! Your back!" She says with joy as I caught her. "Hi Elyn, how's my cutest and favorite apprentice," I said with a smile, making her laugh.
"I'm doing well master. It's good to see you again." She says with a smile. "Likewise, Elyn Hygar, how did your trials go?" I asked. "It went better than I hoped! Master Aylaa and Master Luminara were my trials overseer, and I passed. Also because of my still studying Jedi traditions even when I wasn't a Jedi, the council saw me fit to knight me for my patience and endurance. I undergo the knighting ceremony in a week." She says with excitement. "Then I guess we are going to be knighted together," I said to her. "Your getting knighted too?! This is even better." She says. "Yea so I can't be your master anyone since technically we are of the same rank," I explained.
"Don't worry so much, I will still follow you. You will always be my master, and ill always be your apprentice. Wherever you go, whoever you're with, ill still be by your side until the end." She says seriously with a smile. For some reason, I couldn't help but feel like she wants to tell me something but is holding herself back. "Sounds like a proposal to me." I hear Shaak say from the doorway. Her suddenly talking spooked us both. "Councilor Shaak, welcome back to Coruscant," Elyn says politely. "Its good to be back, and just in time to see you fawn over Devin." Shaak teased. "I was not fawning over him! I was just happy that he was back…" Elyn says with a blush on her face. Shaak laughed and says, "In any case, it is good that I found you, I wanted to talk to you about something. Could you meet me in me in my room in an hour or two." Shaak asked.
"Sure, I'll see you in a bit," Elyn says as she walks out and closes the door behind her. "I leave you alone for a few minutes and I find her all over you." She says as she walked over to me. "Well, she didn't see me for almost a year, its only natural to miss someone. Especially since I knew her back when I first became a Sith." I explained. She just has a smile on her face. "True, though it could be something else," Shaak says. "Like what?" I asked. "Well, she could perhaps love you, the same way I do," Shaak says as she wraps her arms around my neck. I instinctively wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her close. "Though that thought has crossed my mind, it would be unlike her. I have always encouraged her to say how she truly feel and to ask for what she wants without restraint. If she had certain feelings for me, she would definitely say it by now. Which leads me to believe that she is just really comfortable around me." I explained, "I see, then let me ask you this what would you do if she does love you?"
She asked me. "I can't say that I wouldn't be happy, Elyn very dear to me who I would do anything for. But seeing as I am promised to you, I can't return her feelings." I told Shaak. "What if that wasn't the issue, what if I were to allow such feelings to blossom? Your people traditions do allow multiple lovers for the Margrave, so what if I was ok with you making her a lover?" She asked. "Where is all this coming from, did I do something wrong?" I asked. "No love, you didn't do anything wrong. I'm merely curious about what would you do when the case arrives." She says. "I see…then too answer your question if you were really alright with it…then yea, I would make her my lover. But that if she even has such feelings for me in the first place." I said. "We will see, but for now I just want to come still a kiss before I get too busy."
She says as she gave me a kiss. "Come by anytime and ill give you more than just a kiss," I said to her. "Tempting, maybe later." She says as she broke our long kiss and walked away with a smile. She really is an amazing woman, but I wish I could spend more time with her. In any case, I need to rest, I probably go over the final prep with Telanna. Also, there is someone I need to talk to tomorrow, I hope they have the answers I need. With that in mind, I got some sleep.
Shaak Ti
Writing up training results is never short and easy, but it's the price I pay for the kind of training I do. In any case, I have to keep Elyn waiting long enough. As I approached my room I see Elyn waiting outside. "Ah, Master Ti." She called out. "Padawan Elyn, my apologies for keeping you waiting," I said as I opened the door and invited her in. "Its ok, I'm sure you had some stuff you had to take care of." She says with a smile. "In any case, come to sit I wish to talk to you," I said as I sat on my meditation chair. "About Master Ti?" She asked as she sat on another chair. "He not here, so why don't you tell me how you really feel, about Devin," I said, bluntly.
"Ms. Ti I…I don't know if I can…" She said nervously. "Don't worry, he won't know about this conversation," I reassured her. "Well…the truth is I do love Master Devin, and I want to be able to tell him how I feel about him but…" She hesitated. "But you feel its not your place as you are his apprentice." I assumed. "Yes but its more than that, he is so much stronger than me, and women around him are also strong, those are who Devin need next to him." "I see, and what about me. How would you feel if I made him mine?" I asked her. "Then I would the be happiest I can be, you are by far the best for him." She says. "So you still wouldn't pursue him even after he with someone?" I asked,
"How could I, I wouldn't want to burden his new relationship." She says. This is getting us nowhere. "Alright let me ask you this then. During your time with Devin, you know because of his status he could have multiple women. You had plenty of chance to confess, so why didn't you?" I ask. "Well, it wasn't my place to be in an already full relationship. Also, a lot was going on around that time, with Celene's death, the war with the republic, and Asajj betrayal. Not to mention Count Doku attempt to kill Devin and seize control of Togoria. I didn't want to see like I'm jumping on an opportunity." She explained. "I understand, but it's a different time now, you can still try."
I try to persuade. "I want to, I really do. I know he was off training but my mind is always about him. To be honest Master Ti, I amazed how I was able to focus on my trials at all." She says. I understand now, she is exactly like me. "You really do love him," I said to her. She started to tap her foot, a common habit for her when she nervous. "I do love him, and I would do anything he desired but…" She said as she looked at me. "You love him too, don't you," Elyn asked me. To be honest I was surprised when she asked me that. "If we are being completely honest here…Then yes, I do love Devin, with all of my heart." I said to her. It was kind of embarrassing to say it out loud but I wanted her to know.
"Then why don't you tell him how you feel?" She asked. I smiled and say, "I did, and he accepted my feelings wholeheartedly. That why I am saying you should tell him yours too." "Why would he if he has you. I am not as strong or as attractive as you." She says. "Because I asked him," I told her. She looked at me confused. "I asked him, what if you confessed to him and I was alright with it? He told me he would accept you. He does realize your adoration for him, but he also stated it was unlinked you. You usually say what you feel and ask for what you wanted with no restraint. So that's why he sees it as complete trust and adoration and nothing else. You are the only one hindering yourself." I explained to her.
She looked shocked at what I had told her. "He would accept me?" She says as she held herself. "If that the case, then I must tell him how I feel…but I am not sure if I'm ready." She says as she held her head down. I got up and placed my hands on her shoulder. "That's ok, tell him when you are ready, I could even help you set up the perfect moment for you two to be alone together." I offered her. "Why would you do so much for me Master Ti?" She asked as she looked up at me. "Because it wouldn't be fair to you if I had him to myself. Plus you knew him longer, and know him better than I ever could. Also when he does accept you, you got some catching up to do." I told her.
"Why?" she asked. "Well, you see…I kind of did more than trained him…I married him…" I said as I showed her the ring. She looked really shocked. "What?!" she said loudly and had to keep her calm so no one would overhear. "Master Shaak, I never thought that you…" she started. "Go that far right, neither did I. I will explain what happens if, you keep it a secret from everyone," I told her. She silently nodded her head as I began to explain the first time Devin and I kissed.
Devin Smith
I woke up in another cold sweet, Celene death still haunts me sometimes at night. As I use the force, to check my surroundings I noticed that Elyn is still with Shaak, must be having a girls night. Most of everyone else was either asleep or busy with something. So I decided to get up, get dressed and go for a walk. "Having trouble sleeping, love?" Shaak Ti asked. "Just a little, I'm just going to meditate in a garden somewhere to clear my head. You can find me later if you want, whenever you're done with girls night." I said to her. "Alright, I just might, but do try to get some rest." She says to me before the connection is gone.
Just then I stumbled upon a huge flower room, surrounded by flowers I have never seen before. Some to even glow in the night while others had a sweet addicting smell. I walked to the center of the room when there a large space of open grass, maybe this is a place to meditate. There were several birds flying around in the open ceiling, some of which are nesting near certain flowers and falling asleep. I decided to sit down and meditate, though as I did I can feel both my body and mind relax. Like I'm becoming one with my surroundings and my surrounding become a part of me.
When I opened my eyes I didn't see the flower but water everywhere. As I stood up I looked around I noticed that I was standing in the middle of an ocean, but how? Then I noticed a storm, with high crashing waves with lightning striking the water often. Even though it was off in the distance it should still affect the water I'm standing on but it's not. The water I'm standing on is calm and still almost like its stagnated. "So you finally made it here." I hear a familiar voice, so I looked around until I saw Revan standing behind me. "Where is here?" I asked. "The force in its entirety, but at the same time it is also your state of mind," Revan says. "How can it be the force, but also me?" I asked. "Have you learned nothing in your travels. The force is in everything, everyone, everywhere, even planet radiates the force. You don't control the force, you are merely borrowing a power that is already there. Our job as force wielders is to maintain the balance of the force, and guide others on the path." Revan says.
"Isn't that what the Jedi are doing, seeking peace in all things?" I asked. "While they do pursue peace they have let fear of the dark side taint them. They are no more than light side extremist there to combat the dark side extremist. Dark Jedi or Light Sith are closer to peace than any other, though they let their ties to the extremes influence them. For instance, take a look at the water around you." He says as I looked around the still water. "The water is still right? Calm, peaceful, uninfluenced, best described as the Jedi correct. While you are at peace and enlightened by it, it is also stagnated. The water doesn't flow anywhere, it just holds still in one spot, and eventually, it becomes tainted and dirtied from not flowing." Revan explained. "I understand, so the Jedi are in a sense at peace and dedicate themselves to learning, they don't use what they learn."
I said "Not so much they use it, they just don't accept it. The Jedi always say peace in all things, but they refuse to accept that everything has a light side and a dark side. They have peace, but they don't accept the Dark side is also inside them. You can't keep balance in the galaxy if you can't keep the balance inside yourself." He explained. I just nodded as I looked over to the crashing waves in the distance. "Now based on what I told you, what do you believe the Sith represent?" Revan asked me.
"The Sith focus their force on combat and sorcery. While it is good to use the force, they do it roughly and often push their bodies past their limit. Just like how one wave can be influenced by another the Sith are influenced by other Sith, which could cause them to grow or nullified." I answered as I look back at Revan. "Your half correct, it's not that their abilities can grow or nullified by the other sith, but they lack the focus. Tell me, what happens if when you summon lighting. Do you let it run rampant, or do you control it a decree?" He asked. "Well I control it of course," I answered. "Why?" he asked. "Because if I don't I would miss my target or kill myself," I answered.
"Exactly, this is why Sith with a singular focus does better than most others. Their mind and powers are synchronized to complete their objective. But after their objective is complete they quickly lose their focus and gets swallowed up by another's will. Much how a smaller wave gets destroyed by a larger wave." He explained. "Makes sense, but what if I were to accept both sides of the force. The pure knowledge and peace of the light, and the focused destruction of the dark?" I asked.
"Come with me," Revan says as walks towards the raging storm. But as I get closer I notice the sizeable amount of flowing water, and Revan was standing in the middle of it. As I stood next there, the water flowed by, smoothly unaffected by the storm on one side, or the still water on the other. "This is what it means to achieve true balance. You draw on the powers of both side but affected by neither. The force should purely flow through you and everything the force has to offer will be yours." Revan explained. "How do I achieve this balance? Can you teach me?" I asked. "I can only teach you what I know about it, the rest you will have to figure out on your own." He says. "Then let's get started," I said with enthusiasm.
What is Revan up to, what will he teach Devin, will it be good, bad, weird. Will he have new powers, find out next time.
