Chapter Twenty-Five: Meeting with the Goddess

Revan was working on a droid in a field of flowers. In the distance, he saw Jorak's speeder taking Malak through the gates. No one had even noticed them meddling with the droids. Once he got ahold of them, he immediately started reprogramming it. He changed the watering procedure to give the flowers much less water then they should. He also removed the weeding protocols.

When he was done, he rigged the machine to blow itself out if anyone tried to meddle with it. No sense in leaving a trail. He'd gone through several of them and was now working on the Redflowers. They were swaying in the winds, and little behind him, he saw a forest of healthy trees with strong boughs.

"Why did you send Malak and not yourself?" asked Actava, lounging on a rock with a knife.

"Malak's more of a people person," said Revan. "He can understand people better, and he's also a way better fighter. Those things will be more valuable in there than out here, and anyway, I'm the guy who's good at repair work.

"So, only I can do this."

"And what am I doing?" asked Actava.

"You are going to stick around the fortress with your comlink," said Revan. "Wait for Malak to contact you and give him any tactical advice you might need.

"I'm going to go adjust some of the last machines with new programming."

"Quick question," said Actava.

"Yeah?" asked Revan.

"Revan and Malak aren't ordinary names, are they?" asked Actava. "I've heard them somewhere before, I just can't-"

"They're two of the Force Gods from an old religion," said Revan. "Revan was created from nothing by the Mother Goddess Galaxia. But he has created too many things so that the universe was falling into chaos. So Malak was wrought from that chaos to destroy that which was unworthy of existence.

"The two are a counterbalance.

"It's a custom to name one child, Revan, and one child Malak if you have twins, and at least one of them is male."

"Why only one?" asked Actava.

"Revan can be a girl's name too," said Revan with a shrug. "By some accounts, Revan is the Goddess of Creation, and then some people claim there are two Revan's. One feminine, one masculine. It's just that only one of them occupies a given universe at a time.

"And of course nobody can agree on what exactly their skillset or personality is. Or even whether they are good or evil. In some versions, Revan and Malak are both evil and exist in defiance of their Mother.

"Malak is pretty consistent in characterization, ironically enough for a God of Chaos."

"So the Malak in there," said Actava. "Are you brothers?"

Revan laughed. "Yeah, I wish. No, we just fell in together while in slavery. Though my Mother was named Galaxia, even though I was an only child. She always said that I'd encounter my other soon enough."

"Some coincidence, huh," said Actava in amusement.

"My mentor, Zhar, used to always say there is no such thing as luck. Only the Force." said Revan.

"Do you believe him?" asked Actava.

"Well, let's say I've started to trust my luck a bit more than is statistically wise these days," said Revan. He was giving a lot of information here. "Hey, Actava, mind if I ask you something?"

"Go ahead," said Actava, sheathing her knife.

"Where did Aedal get all his weaponry and equipment?" asked Revan. "I mean, the Mandalorians control a few worlds with industry. But Clan Ordo doesn't own any of them. How is Aedal equipping all these people?"

"We make deals here and there," said Actava. "We're a real market, and we use our plunder to buy more. Lots of us work as mercenaries in the core worlds to gather information and credits.

"I heard a rumor though, that Aedal cut a deal with some Sith called Lord Scourge, though. Said he represented someone called Darth Vitiate. Some kind of god or something. "Anyway, apparently, Scourge got him a shipment of weapons which we're using now."

"Wait, so why is Aedal putting up with him?" asked Revan. "I thought he hated Sith."

"Who knows?" asked Actava. "Maybe Vitiate thinks Aedal works for him, or maybe they're just making an alliance. There are all kinds of Sith Warlords out there, with control over tiny little empires.

"Probably no big deal."

"He'd have to be at least a bit of a deal to call himself Emperor, wouldn't he?" asked Revan, thinking this somewhat important.

"Not my concern," said Actava with a shrug. "Vitiate probably thinks he's planned everything. But we were gonna do what we're doing now anyway. He's just one more Sith with delusions of grandeur."

"I'll keep it in mind," said Revan. "I'm going to check the last droid. Tell me if you see anything."

He made his way over to the droid in a hurry, going to one of the fields that were further out. Soon enough, he found himself in a field surrounded by trees. Both Pureflowers and Redflowers were wrangling with one another for the sunlight. Neither looked healthy. A single battered droid was working at things, while a large beast was eating them.

Revan made for the droid, but as he did, a great gust of wind kicked up. Flowers broke free of their stems and flowed around him as he reached the droid. Yet his vision was obscured by Redflowers and Pureflowers. The wind seemed like music as he groped his way out.

Then he halted.

Before him, Revan saw his Mother.

Galaxia stood before him as young, beautiful, and eternal as she had been when last they'd met all those years ago. No bindings were on her now, and she wore a fine green dress that gleamed like so many stars where she stood. She smiled. "Still doing repair work, Revan?"

"Sabotage, actually," said Revan, annoyed at her presence here. Why'd she have to show up now? "I'm reprogramming these droids to botch the farming process, so these flowers all die. Malak told me that Pureflower and Redflower need constant work, or they fail. So if I do this properly, they'll die on their own."

"Why not just set them on fire?" asked Galaxia.

"Malak suggested that. If I did that, the Sith would notice it was sabotage," said Revan. "They'd probably purge the villages or something. This way, the fields will all fail in a few days, so nobody will be able to use them. By the time we finish things off here, Malak will have gotten the info we need."

"It's a smart move, Revan," said Galaxia, "It has been a long time, my son."

So it had. Revan wondered if he should feel some terrible sense of sadness or anger. Yet oddly enough, nothing came to him. It was more like he'd been in one room and her in the next for a few hours. There was no sense of loss in her absence.

Malak was right, Revan did think like a god. "...I thought you were dead or enslaved."

"You sound almost disappointed," said Galaxia.

"Well, I did end up clearing a lot of minefields because of you, didn't I?" asked Revan, more annoyed than ever.

"I was watching over you even then," said Galaxia, as the clouds parted to let in the full sun. Yet the light did not obscure her.

Oh right, Mother identified as the goddess Galaxia, didn't she? Half the time, she'd mentioned a sister who didn't exist. Revan had forgotten that she regarded herself as a god, or was it the vessel of a god. It came with having massive force talent on a world the Jedi had little influence on. "Of course you were.

"You're not a god, you know."

"And what makes you so sure of that?" asked Galaxia.

"You're a force adept," said Revan flatly. "A human being who was not found by Sith or Jedi and who trained herself up despite that. In so doing, you gained enough understanding to predict events and appear to be divine.

"You probably detected that these winds and sunlight would behave in this way. You then positioned yourself in a way so they would herald your arrival."

"Or perhaps I desired it occur in this time and place, and they obliged me," noted Galaxia. "An event can be explained with science. That does not mean that explanation is correct.

"Very convenient, is it not, that such events should occur when you were alone for the first time in years."

"The Jedi do things like that all the time," noted Revan.

"And who is to say that Jedi are not gods?" asked Galaxia. "Or are you suggesting that Gods have no inherent flaws?"

"...Jedi are never any fun," said Revan flatly.

"Good point," conceded Galaxia.

"Still, the Jedi didn't inspire Sensarus," said Revan, "and all the wonderful things he did in his career."

"Sensarus was not a good man, but he has such passion, such devotion," said Galaxia, gazing upward, her green hair flowing around her. "Before such valor, how could anyone deny him his victories?"

"Ask Zhar, he's the one who put a lightsaber through his heart," said Revan, smiling at the memory.

Galaxia looked regretful at that. "Sensarus had come to the end of his path. And he had fulfilled what he was meant to do.

"He created you."

"I wonder which medical term applies to your particular mental illness," said Revan. "Narcissism? Egomania? I'm not an expert on the subject, something to look into when I get back."

"Whatever you wish to believe, my son," said Galaxia.

This was absurd.

The last time Revan had seen her had been years ago, and he'd been sold into slavery. He should feel something. But he didn't, and feigning outrage was going to do no good; she'd simply shrug him off. "...What do you want, Mom?"

"I wish to offer you a gift, Revan," said Galaxia. "I can show you the future, show you all that will happen based on your choices. But first, you must follow me."

"Why should I?" asked Revan.

But Galaxia was already walking away into the woods, moving with deceptive speed. The plants seemed to make way for her, and the trees shifted. Revan sighed. "...Fair enough."

He walked after her, and little by little, healthy trees gave way to unhealthy ones. The land around him was sick and rotting, with stagnant pools. Leaves choked the ground and streams were blocked up. This place desperately needed a bonfire.

And, at last, they came to the cave. It led deep into the ground, and within it was a darkness so black and terrible it could hardly be gazed at. Revan looked into it, and, for the first time in his life, felt fear.

It was...

An odd sensation. "Alright, I followed you, Mother. What is this place?"

"You already know," said Galaxia.

"This..." Revan recognized this place. "This is the place where Zhar killed Sensarus. I remember Malak and I were hiding here from him, and Zhar stood between us. He stopped him from killing Malak."

"Will you enter and gaze into the future?" asked Galaxia. "Or remain ignorant?"

"What will I see?" asked Revan.

"Your shadow," said Galaxia with a smile. "And the light that makes it."

Revan should have known not to expect a straight answer from her. "Fair enough. Should I put down by lightsaber?"

"No, you keep it," said Galaxia. "You never know when you might need it."

Revan nodded and moved down into the cave. For a moment, the fear raised around him, but he walked through. It seemed to roll over him as he delved down. Within, Revan found the walls covered in vines. A serpent slithered down near him, and he made sure to avoid it.

Soon enough, he came into a wide-open chamber and saw Sensarus. He was a brown-haired man with a stoic expression. He wore black leather, and in his hand was a lightsaber. Before him were two familiar figures. Malak and Revan as young children, with Revan standing between them.

"Leave us be," said the younger Revan. "What have we done to you?"

A blue lightsaber flared to life, and Revan and Malak backed away from him. Then a specter passed through Revan. "Stop, Sensarus. Let them go."

Sensarus looked up, eyes narrowed. "Master Zhar, I was wondering when you would catch up."

"Sensarus, you must stop this madness. How many innocents have you killed?" asked Zhar.

"None," said Sensarus. "They were all Melindanians."

"And what of the child behind you?" asked Zhar, as the two circled one another. "One is of Daan birth."

"I was going to let him live," said Sensarus.

"After killing his friend, no doubt," said Zhar. "When does it end."

"Don't lecture me, Zhar," snarled Sensarus. "You Jedi have allowed the blood of innocent to be shed for fall too long. So it fell on me to act. Melinda is failing, their armies are shattered. Their farms have been burned. By doing so, I have secured peace, security, and prosperity to Daan."

"And so they will do the same to Daan when they recover," said Zhar. "This cycle of violence will end so long as such hatred is your guide."

"It will end when one of us destroys the other," said Sensarus, turning his back on him. "And I shall do so."

"No, you will not," said Zhar, drawing his lightsaber. "Throw down your lightsaber, Sensarus. I will return you to the Jedi Council for trial if I can. But I cannot allow you to harm any others."

"You may allow me nothing," said Sensarus. "I have always been stronger. And I have long surpassed you.

"If you stand in my way, then you shall be destroyed alongside Melinda."

Zhar sighed and drew his lightsaber, brought blue. "So be it. I shall do what be done."

"You will fail," scoffed Sensarus.

Revan had remembered this moment his entire life. Before this, he and Malak had seen Sensarus slaughter his way through dozens of guards. He'd seemed unstoppable, beyond defeat. And Sensarus had obviously believed as much, as he backflipped toward Zhar.

If Zhar had sought to negotiate further, he might have only been able to block. But he had not, Zhar had said his piece and made his decision before the battle. If Zhar had been inexperienced, then he might have been forced on the defensive, but he was not. Zhar was a veteran of the wars with Exar Kun, and he'd fought many combatants, saber to saber. Sensarus had only done so in spars.

So it was that even as Sensarus flipped toward him, Zhara made two simple moves. The one cut Sensarus' hand from his wrist. The only plunged his blade deep into Sensarus' heart. Sensarus spat out blood that spattered over Zhar's face.

The twilek gazed into the eyes of his apprentice as he died, then lowered him to the floor. His face was somber but calm. Then he wiped away the blood and kneeled before Revan and Malak. "Hello there. You need not fear me, I am a Jedi, come to help you. Who are you two?"

Revan and Malak came forward. "I am Revan, my friend is Malak. Are you a Jedi Master?"

"That I am," said Zhar. "Where are your parents?"

"You just kill one of them," said Revan.

"Sensarus was..." Zhar shifted. "I see.

"Do you have anywhere to go?"

"We're slaves who are supposed to clear minefields," said Revan. "When Sensarus attacked our camp, we ran for it. If we go to Daan, they'll kill Malak. If we stay here, they'll kill me."

Zhar nodded. "I see the Living Force at work here." He offered them a hand. "Come with me, I shall prepare a place for you."

Though Malak had remained silent, he was the first one to come forward. And Revan followed him into the Jedi.

The vision faded.

Revan continued onward and found a slope leading downward. Clambering down it, he found himself within a much darker place. As he scaled forward, having to get to his hands and knees, he saw another vision.

Before his eyes, he saw Vrook and Kavar by a speeder. They looked like they had stopped in a village to ask questions. Now Kavar came forward, holding a comlink. "The attack is underway now. Zegil has landed troops in an assault. The Mandalorians are pulling back their forces to shore up their defenses. But things are going our way.

"It seems that Bastila is using her battle meditation to aid us. The Force is with us.

"However, there is something else."

"What is it?" asked Vrook, who looked distracted and miserable.

"A Sith Lord has been seen on the battlefield," said Kavar. "He is powerful enough to destroy entire gunships, and Kreia and Zaz-Kai Ell were defeated at once."

"This is... unfortunate," said Vrook. "However, our present priority is rescuing Meetra. Even a Sith Lord may be killed by overwhelming power. And the darkness that lured Meetra out must be investigated."

Kavar nodded. "Bastila is not our concern.

"As long as we're forbidden from interfering directly in the conflict, this is the only move we can make."

The vision ended, and Revan found himself coming up out of the darkness. Now he was within a higher cave, and he could see the light shining on the wall near a turn. Glad, Revan hurried toward it. Vines were growing everywhere around him, but he sensed nothing ahead.

And then, suddenly, around the corner came a shadow.

It stood before him, wearing black robes and armor, and on its face was a red and black mask. In one hand was a lightsaber, and it drew the blade. As it came toward him, Revan drew out his own blade, and they clashed.

Baiting his enemy back into the darkness, Revan reached the slope he had climbed out of. As he enemy stabbed toward him, he rolled aside. The armored figure stumbled near the edge and seemed about to right itself. Then Revan's lightsaber came around and struck it across the neck. The body fell into the darkness, and the masked head rolled downwards to land at Revan's feet.

Looking down, Revan saw the mask and shuddered. He realized he did not want to know what lay beneath it, but he had come this far. Kneeling downward, he grasped the mask and drew it away.

There, at his feet, was the head of Malak.

The fear that once he had mastered now overtook him. He scrambled toward the light, abandoning the darkness. Turning the corner, he rushed out and found Galaxia waiting for him on the other side. Halting while gasping for breath, Revan could hardly move.

Why had Malak been there? It was a vision clearly, but...

"So, what did you see?" asked Galaxia.

"The past, the present and the future," snapped Revan. "Get to the point."

Galaxia smiled and walked before him. "You stand at a crossroads, Revan. You have already come far, but you could go even further.

"I give you the gift of two futures, Revan.

"In one, you stay as you are now. You grow strong in the force, you follow the Code, and work within the law and the rules to achieve your ends. You will become a splendid Jedi Knight, even a great one.

"You will lead a 'good' life, and a long one, but in the end, you will die.

"And when you die, you will be forgotten. A footnote in the glorious history of the Jedi Order.

"The other is far grander.

"In that future, you press on. You strive for greatness, to surpass every limit. You will inflict your will upon a stagnant universe. You will cause profound changes, shift the very thought of this universe itself.

"Savior, conquerer, hero, villains.

"You shall be all things, Revan... and yet you shall be nothing. In the end, you will belong neither to the light or the darkness. You will forever stand alone.

"And I will never see you again in this life.

"That is your choice," she looked to him sadly. "I'm sorry for what led to this and what will come after. But you have a story worth preserving, and I'd hate for it to fade away without a chance of being saved."

Revan said nothing. What was there to say.

"You don't have to say anything," said Galaxia. "You have a friend to meet out there in that field, and I'd hate to keep you." She motioned, and Revan knew already what choice he would make.

"...Goodbye, Mother," said Revan.

Then he turned and strode out of the wood and did not look back.

As he came out of the woods, he came to a far green clearing, beautiful and well-tended. Halting near a stone was a speeder, and sitting on the stone was a familiar face. She was eating some rations, and Revan ran toward her. "Meetra?"

Meetra looked up and nearly choked on her rations. Spitting them out, she moved to him. "Revan, where have you been? Where's Malak? I dreamed that you were both in pain."

Revan fell silent.

"Revan?" asked Meetra.

Revan made a decision. "Follow me."

Revan would make his choice soon enough, but he had no intention of making it until everyone was safe and sound.