Magic is Force: Chapter 12
As she held the young man in her arms, blood trickling down her travel gown from his open wounds, Meetra stared in shock. "Who are you?" Karn asked faintly.
Pushing back her worry, Meetra whispered, "Shhh…Shhh….Don't speak. You'll only hinder yourself."
"…But who-" Karn's asked but Meetra cut him off by placing two fingers against his lips.
"If you wish to spend your energy and die while asking useless questions then so be it. Ask them. However if you wish to live, you will conserve your strength and do as I ask."
Solembum had been sitting and watching the conversation. Meetra could sense Karn's life slowly slipping away. If there was any hope of saving his life, she had to have Karn conserve his energy. Unnecessary talk wasted it and there was no time for. Through her mental connection, Meetra could feel Solembum enter Karn's mind, making an attempt to stop him from speaking.
She's right you know. Personally, I was hoping you would continue to keep talking so I could see what Angela would do next.
"…Angela?" Karn said weakly. When he raised his head to her, Meetra silently gasped. Karn's eyes were blood red compared to the time when she saw him, in Teirm, with his azure blue eyes.A sinking feeling swelled within her chest as Meetra stared into Karn's eyes – the eyes of a Sith. By the Force! He can't have…Oh Karn, what has happened to you? Cradling him in her chest, Meetra could feel Karn's body shake. His skin was cold to her touch. And through the Force, she could feel the taint of the Darkside rush within him. It was palpable, Meetra had to block her mind to prevent the dark emotions from affecting her.
"I'm getting you out of here," Meetra said.
Karn looked as if he was going to say another word, but remained quiet. Instead, he nodded his head and leaned against her bosom. Meetra continued to stroke his head for several minutes.
What do you want to do with him Meetra? Solembum asked her after withdrawing from Karn's mind.
We can't leave him here. He'll die. But…
But..? Solembum said waiting for Meetra's response.
What was she supposed to do? The Darkside was running amuck in Karn, and Meetra feared that it may have been too late for her to do any help. He's been corrupted by the Darkside, Solembum. I don't know if he will be able to resist the temptations. I can feel it in him – the hate, the anger, the rage…I'm afraid that he won't be able to redeem himself.
The werecat licked his paw and pondered over the thought. Meetra, you've told me that you were able to redeem two Sith in your time as the Exile – Visas Marr and Sion, correct? I believe you have the ability to bring him back. You've always told me that no matter how dark a person's heart is, they can still be saved, right?
The thought of Visas Marr and Sion brought back the memories when Meetra spent her life in exile after the Mandelorian and Jedi Civil War. Visas Marr had been corrupted by Darth Nihilus and nearly tried to kill her. But after their time traveling together, Meetra was able to alter her disciple's fate and return her to the path of light. And before her confrontation with her old master Kreia, on Malachor V, Meetra confronted Darth Sion. A fierce and power Sith Lord, Darth Sion had walked the path of the Darkside for years, but Meetra was able to convince him to let go of his hatred and become one with the Force.
Perhaps you're right Solembum…Even if I can feel the taint, there's still some good in him. Very well, I'll take it upon myself to see Karn returned to the light.
A slight purr came from the werecat as he rubbed against Meetra's leg. Good to see that after all these years in Alagaesia, you still haven't lost your sense of compassion. Even if you put on a fake façade that says otherwise.
Oh hush you. Solembum was right though, even after she had been transported to Alagaesia, time had not cause her to lose her compassion for the less fortunate.
Drawing attention back to Karn, Meetra noticed that his breathing was terribly labored. We don't have much time left. Quickly reaching out with the Force, Meetra let it seep into Karn's body. She lowered his heart rate and his breathing, putting him into a trance-like state. Karn resisted slightly but with kind words, Meetra convinced him. "Fall asleep Karn. I will take care of you. You're fine, no one is going to harm you." Unable to say no, Karn consented to Meetra's order and the Force quickly took effect.
Karn's body went limp in Meetra's arms; putting one of his arms around the back of her neck and wrapping one of her arms around his waist, Meetra walked her and Karn away from the fortress. Solembum trailed behind and his ears flicked back and forth, listening for any soldiers or guards. Sticking close to the shadows, Meetra walked amongst Gil'ead as a specter, using the Force to muffle her footsteps. Soon the main gate to the city came into view but eight guards positioned in front of it, preventing anyone getting out of Gil'ead.
"Shutta…" swore Meetra, silently.
Solembum quietly followed behind and gazed out towards the armed soldiers. His ears folded back on themselves. Are we planning on getting caught?
I had hope that the gate would be unguarded but that's wishful thinking. We could always scale the wall, just like when we entered the city to begin with.
You were only able to do that with just me. You'd have to carry Karn and myself over the wall.
Meetra bit her lower lip in frustration. If it was solely her and Solembum, she'd have no problem jumping the wall with the Force. However, with Karn she wasn't sure if she could do it. Plus, in Karn's condition, she was worried that the scale would hinder his condition. There was only one option left for her.
Unclipping her brooch, Meetra's green cape fell to the dirt ground. Carefully lowering Karn, Meetra placed his head on her cape, acting like a pillow. Her hands moved to Karn's clenched fist where his doubled-bladed lightsaber was. Gently prying his fingers away, Meetra grasped the cool metal of the lightsaber.
Instantly, Meetra felt as if her entire being felt complete – felt whole. When Meetra awoke in the woods of Du Weldenvarden, her lightsaber was destroyed. No amount of effort she tried to repair it revealed any result.
Take care of Karn Solembum. I'll be just a minute.
The werecat came up to Karn and sat before him, ears flipped back and hair stood on end. His claws appeared from his furry paws and his irises grew wide. Do not worry about him. Worry about yourself.
Bracing herself, Meetra stepped out of the shadows into the torch lit street. Walking down the empty street, Meetra already decided that she would incapacitate the guards – killing them would be a last resort. Her brown curls bounced with each step and as she approached the gate, one of the guards cried out, "Halt! Do not come any closer! By order of his Lord Durza, no one is to leave the city."
Meetra continued to advance towards the guards without falter. "I'm ordering you to halt!" the guard cried out. Pressing the activation button, Karn's lightsabers came to life, surrounding the area in yellow light. A troubled look appeared on the man's face. "Archers!" he spun around yelling towards the men on the battlements. The bowmen drew arrows and notched them to the bowstring. With a twang multiple arrows went flying into the air towards the female Jedi. Whizzing through the air with incredible speed, the arrow shafts came nearly feet away from hitting Meetra before they stopped frozen dead in the air.
With the Force, Meetra stopped the arrows and plucked one out from stasis. All too easy. Years of rigorous training with the Jedi, the experience acquired during the Mandalorian Wars, and the knowledge and wisdom learned from Kreia provided Meetra with a greater understanding of the Force. Quickly cutting the flow of power, Meetra let the arrows fall to the ground and immediately charged the guards. "Quick. Stop her!" the guardsman barked his orders. Before the soldiers had time to fully draw their blades, Meetra was already upon them.
In a flash of light, Meetra struck the lead guard in the legs, dismembering his limbs. He fell to the ground screaming and clutched the stumps of his burning legs. I will not kill them. It's not the Jedi way… But that doesn't mean I cannot stop them from attempting to capture or follow us.
Rushing to their following comrade's aid, the guards attempted to strike Meetra down. Dodging a low swipe to her abdomen, Meetra countered and impaled the lightsaber into another guard's kneecap. Sensing the other guards behind her, Meetra twisted on the spot and met the soldiers' blades with the lightsaber – melting them in two. A ball of energy suddenly appeared in her hand as she gathered the Force, launching it to the group. The three men were sent flying into a nearby house. The sound of arrows being released caught Meetra's notice and quickly jumped off to the side – just in time to see arrow shafts embed into the dirt.
The bowmen prepared another volley but before they could, Meetra flicked her wrist. The sound of snapping wood filled the night as the bows shattered. Adding on to it, Meetra threw the double-bladed lightsaber up towards the ramparts, guiding it with the Force. The two spinning blades of energy struck the bowmen in either the arm or the leg, disabling them from hindering Meetra's escape.
Pulling the lightsaber back into her grasp, Meetra deactivated the blades before making sure the soldiers were incapacitated. Moans and cries left the lips of the pained guards. Unable to get up or able to pick up a weapon, Meetra returned to Solembum – who was still standing guard over Karn.
You didn't kill them? asked Solembum curiously. He moved aside letting Meetra bend down and hauling Karn back to his feet. No I did not…The years have made me more cynical to these situations but in the end, I am a Jedi and I should do my best to abide by the code. Letting Karn lean against her, they hobbled over to the gate, passing between the guards.
They will have others come after us, it would be better to take their lives in order to save our own. Commented the werecat as he trailed behind the two Force-users. His hair still stood on end even as they left the guards in their wake and walked through the gate and out onto the plains. Perhaps… Meetra focused on maintaining balance as she lugged Karn along.
The night drugged on and after several hours, Meetra reached the shores of Isenstar Lake. The lake was left untouched by any major cities aside from Gil'ead, which was located to the south. Small lake villages dotted around the shores but Meetra was careful to stay away from them. Walking down the shore, her traveling boots sank into the wet sand as the waves washed up. Solembum made great effort to stay away from the water, even if he was a werecat. The thought of him being timid of it made Meetra inwardly smile, it was quite comical.
Several large boulders came into view at the edge of the shore and Meetra veered towards them. Upon arriving at the boulders, Meetra skidded around the side to find her campsite the way she left it before heading to Gil'ead. The rocks provided cover from prying eyes across the lake in case she started a fire. Traveling bags, packed with food and odds n' ends, were pushed up against the rocks and a bedroll lay next to the fire ring. An average size mare was tethered to an oak tree and nickered when it saw its masters return.
With great care, Meetra laid Karn upon the bedroll and grabbed her tinder kit. Several sticks were placed into a teepee and striking two pieces of flint, Meetra kindled a warm fire. Solembum, do me a favor and go to the lake and bring me some water while I work on Karn's injuries. Please?
A trill escaped the werecat as it consented to Meetra's request. In a shimmer of rippling fur, the werecat transformed into a young human boy. He was completely naked aside from long black hair. And his red eyes were still pronounced. Rummaging through Meetra's packs, Solembum produced a cast iron pot and left the camp for the lake.
Meetra unclasped her brooch letting her cape fall to the ground – wrapping it up into a ball – she placed it underneath Karn's head. Her hand came to rest on Karn's forehead and noticed that he was growing exceedingly cold. He's lost so much blood. A trail of tried blood marked where it fell from Karn's mouth, a long gash stretched across his torso and a gruesome wound marked his left shoulder – which went straight through. Grief struck her, it was hard to see such a young man endure such horrific injuries. What could have done this?
Centering herself and drawing upon her inner serenity, Meetra called upon the Force. Hands hovering several inches over Karn's body, whitish-blue light appeared and encapsulated him. Must relax… reach out with my mind… reach inside… to touch the Force! Knit and mend flesh… renew!
Slowly, the muscles, tendons, and skin across Karn's torso began to close in, leaving a white line of new skin. As Meetra directed the healing aura of the Force to Karn's wound, the presence of dark energies filled her senses along with the painful cries of Karn. He began to writhe back and forth violently as a dark aura began to rise from the wound. What's happening?! Alarmed Meetra quickly attempted to close the wound, but Karn's scream increased in volume. The dark aura prevented the Force from closing the wound. Blood began to pour out of the wound.
Solembum! She screamed out through her mind reaching the werecat's. Answering her call the werecat – still in human form – came rushing back around the corner of the boulder splashing water housed in the pot.
What is the matter? Why is Karn screaming?
I need help! Something's blocking the Force from healing Karn.
Kneeling down next to Meetra, Solembum gazed at the dark aura underneath the blue light. His nostrils flexed as Solembum sniffed the air and very abruptly released a harsh hiss. This is dark magic – done by spirits of the dead. It's preventing any measure healing be done, physically or through magical means…This was placed by a Shade.
A Shade? Meetra said shocked. You think Karn fought off a Shade? That's impossible! There has been no Shade to walk these lands since I've been here.
Solembum continued to stare at the wound with his red eyes before turning to face her. I'm not sure what is going on, Meetra. But the power I feel coming from the wound is that of spirits – that I am sure of. It will take great power to remove the curse and allow the wound to be healed. If it is unable to be removed, the wound will never heal and the curse could kill the boy.
Karn's cries of pain echoed throughout the night, sending cold chills down Meetra's spine. Putting forth more effort, she poured the Force into the wound, attempting to drown the dark aura with the Lightside. With each attempt, the wound refused the close and more blood continued to seep out. Karn's screams turned into wails of agony. It was difficult for her to watch him suffer. It has always difficult for her to watch people suffer.
During her travels across the galaxy, Meetra lent help to those less fortunate, the sick, and dying. Even with her time on the Ebon Hawk, she couldn't help be sense the suffering that each of her companions felt during her times meditating with Kreia. Her desire to help them led her to develop strong emotional attachments, physically and through the Force. However, in the end, Meetra was able to ease the pain that her crew harbored. Atton…Visas…Mical…Bao-Dur…Kreia…
A thought of revelation came to the forefront of her mind. Force bonds…
Pardon? Replied Solembum. Meetra was lost in thought that she nearly forgot she had her mental link with the werecat.
I think I can save him. However, the cost may be high. It is through the use of Force bonds.
A curious look fell over the werecat's human face. And what are these Force bonds?
I'm sorry Solembum but I don't have time to explain, she said frantically. I've got to act fast or Karn will die…And I'm not going to let that happen. She said with rounding resolve.
That the Jedi speaking, Meetra?
…Yes but…there's something else. Meetra could sense Solebum's curiosity began to prick at the edge of her mind but she drew away from his consciousness – cutting the mental link. "It's better to have our minds separated when I do this." The werecat stared at her with its intense red eyes before finally nodding.
Putting her mind in check, calming her emotions, and centering herself, Meetra cast out her mind through the Force and touched Karn's consciousness. Reaching deeper and deeper into his mind, Meetra found the thing she was looking for. In the darkness of Karn's presence, Meetra saw a small spark of pulsating light. Gently taking hold of it, Meetra flooded it with the Force, transmitting her peace, serenity…and her very life essence. The small light instantly grew brighter pushing the darkness away. Instantly, Meetra felt Karn's life return to him, and his memories, thoughts, and emotions swirled around her. The Force bond had been formed.
Withdrawing from Karn's mind, Meetra focused her attention to the wound. Drawing upon Karn's strength and her own, Meetra's healing doubled in strength. As the blue light grew brighter, the dark aura began to diminish and the wound began to close. "It's working!" she said with great surprise. Soon nothing was left on the wound except for an inch-and-a-half thick scar. Karn's screaming quickly faded leaving him quiet.
Sweat began to fall down Meetra's brow as she knelt beside him, feeling exhausted. Reaching over to her traveling bags, she withdrew a wineskin and drank the cool alcoholic liquid with gusto. Amazing. Even after the years we've been together, this "Force" still surprises me. Solembum said as his body shimmered, fur growing along his body and returning him to his cat form.
There is nothing one can do with the Lightside of the Force. She replied. Taking another mouthful of wine, Meetra tilted Karn's head back and opened his mouth. Slowly, she let the liquid slid between Karn's lips, making an attempt to hydrate his body. Returning the wineskin to her traveling pack, Meetra tore off a section of her gown and dipped it into the pot of water. Meetra began to wash the dried blood that coated Karn's torso, wiping away the traces of his duel.
What has happened to you Karn? She asked herself the same question when she first saw him hours ago. What has caused you to harbor the Darkside? As she continued to wipe the dried blood off his body, Meetra suddenly remembered her vision when she first met Karn. "Darkness will take you…"
Her vision of the future proved correct; Karn was tempted by the Darkside and turned. How could this have happened? Why didn't I even think of warning him of such things? The future was an ever changing current and the Force only showed one possible outcome. Perhaps I just hoped the future I saw was only a probability…it appears that I was wrong though.
Finally seeing a clean, bare chest, Meetra stopped scrubbing Karn and rinsed out the bloody rag. Dabbing it with water once more, she placed it across Karn's forehead.
What do we do now Meetra? Solembum asked. The werecat was laying sprawled out on the grown, grooming one of his big, furry paws. The soldiers from Gil'ead will be searching the area once daylight comes. If we plan on not getting captured, we have to leave soon.
Covering Karn with a wool blanket, Meetra laid beside the werecat and began to stroke his back. Solembum's back formed a large arch at her passes. Karn's life doesn't appear to be in danger at the moment. We could leave anytime but I want Karn to rest for a few more hours to give his body some time to recover. At first light, we'll break camp and make for the south.
Stretching his arms out, Solembum crawled up next to her and curled in on himself. Very well. Goodnight Meetra.
Goodnight Solembum. She continued to stroke the werecat, hearing a slight purr. In minutes, Solembum was out asleep, his ears twitching showing it. Moments passed before Meetra felt herself beginning to fall asleep. Her eyelids grew heavy and her body felt groggy and soon, Meetra let slumber take her. In the midst of her sleep, strange dreams appeared within Meetra's mind. Some of her own from times since long past.
The lush green grassy plains of Dantooine and the dilapidating ruins of the old Jedi Enclave – the Lightside flowing through the plants, animals, and settlers that walked its surface. Walking along the dark, abandoned halls of the Sith Academy on Korriban – the Darkside capturing the planet and all that inhabit it.
Suddenly, as if traveling through the galaxy itself, Meetra was flown through the stars, novas, and nebulas until a lone planet came into her view. Its north polar region, a spot of pearl white, was surrounded by an entire hemisphere of tropical jungles. Its southern hemisphere was covered with impenetrable silvery clouds. Along the equator there were several rivers, lakes, and small seas. The edge of the southern hemisphere was also covered by elegant wisps of wind which frequently broke free to form spinning storms.
Falling to its surface, Meetra landed on a shore next to a placid sea. Its waves crashed against the shore and the smell of salt filled her senses. "Where am I?" Unsure what to do, Meetra just began to walk along the water's edge. The waves washed past her feet, leaving foam when it receded. Viewing her surroundings, Meetra noticed that the sandy shore stopped at the edge of a large forest. The trees rose up high into the area forming a green canopy. What caught her sight were large skyscrapers off in the distance. Hundreds of skyscrapers dotted the horizon, the signs of a bustling metropolis. One building stood out from the rest - five towers crowned the structure; four smaller towers, located on the ordinal-oriented sides of the complex, surrounding a taller central spire. The ziggurat shape of the edifice, coupled with the five spires reminded her of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
"This isn't Coruscant," Meetra noted. "Why is there a Jedi Temple here?"
As she stared off towards the city, a lone figure emerged from the jungle and walked onto the shore. He was clad in black robes similar to that of the Jedi and a hood was drawn over their face. Two lightsabers were holstered on his utility belt. Meetra stood frozen on the spot as the figure approached her.
"Um pardon me, but where am I?" she called out to the cloaked man. The person paid no attention to her as they passed. Feeling somewhat irritated being ignored, Meetra reached out attempting to grab hold of the person's arm. However as her hand went to grab hold, it turned transparent and passed right through.
Meetra stared at her hand in disbelief. "What just happened?" Making another attempt to make her presence known, she tried to touch the man again. But just as before, her hand passed right through the man.
He came to a stop at the edge of the water, staring off towards the vast expanse of ocean. Wind swept past his cloak, causing his hood to fall to his shoulders. Coming to stand at his side, Meetra was surprised to find that the man was actually Karn. His normal shoulder-length brown hair was not present, instead his hair was shorter. His blue eyes sparkled as the sun shown down on the two Force-users.
Suddenly Meetra felt strong feelings of loneliness filled her person. They were not her though; the emotions were flowing into her from Karn. "Karn what's the matter?"
The Grey Knight did not respond. His face grew solemn and a painful look appeared in his eyes. His feelings of loneliness quickly drowned out Meetra's own emotions except for one – loneliness. The years spent away in exile, all by her lonesome, and the life she's had to live alone in Alagaesia intensified Meetra's aloneness. For so long she had wished to return home but as time passed, Meetra was pained to accept the fact she would never see home, her comrades, and friends.
But now, after years of living alone, a miracle appeared before her - another Force-user was brought to her. Never before had she been so elated in her entire life. Finally she would never have to be alone, she could talk to another who came from her same world. But now, she was unsure where to start.
After Karn left Teirm, Meetra was alone again. Life in the port city grew dull without having him to talk too. Even if the two spoke on few occasions – but they seemed like days to her. Every minute she treasured. She wanted to talk to him, to be able to talk to another Jedi was her only dream. After Karn's departure though, that dream began to diminish. She grew lonely once again and it nearly consumed her. It wasn't until several weeks after that Meetra finally decided to venture out to find Karn and tell him the truth about her. To long had she live alone, away from home, away from the people that made it home – her friends, the Jedi. No longer did she wish to remain as such.
A flicker of movement brought Meetra out of her thoughts when Karn began to move away from her, walking along the shore. The thought of becoming alone again made her freeze on the spot. Soon, fear began to bubble up inside her.
You will always be alone, Meetra. A thought in the back in her mind rung out.
"…No…"
You were abandoned by the Jedi. Left to roam the unknown reaches of space, in exile. The outline of Karn grew smaller as he continued to walk away from her. And with each of his steps, her sense of loneliness grew.
"Please…don't go…"
You were alone when you came to Alagaesia and since that time, you have traversed the lands alone. Unwilling to form bonds and attachments. You shall remain alone for the rest of your days – a hallowed shell of what you once were.
Meetra's heart began to race as the hurtful truth was laid out in front of her. Tears began to swell in her eyes and she felt her throat tighten. Staring off into the distance, she watched as Karn began to shrink.
"Don't go," she whispered. Her tears began to slide down her flushed cheeks and the emotions she harbored burst forth. She was tired of living alone, keeping her past a secret. She needed someone, someone who could comfort her and protect her from her solitude. That someone…
"Karn!" she screamed. Running as hard as she could, Meetra raced off to catch him. She was running away from the hurt that came from being isolated. As she closed the gap between them, the world around her began to shimmer and turn to darkness. It flooded her view heading towards the direction that Karn was walking. Sprinting as if her life hanged on the balance, Meetra was nearly upon him. As she stretched out her hand to take hold of his, Karn's figure vanished, leaving Meetra alone…as she always has been.