I finally beat the game and was thinking, what if Trilla wasn't killed by Vader in the end? What if Cal managed to save her in time? Thus, the birth of this story came about XD (I blame my muse once again)
Summary: Cal Kestis managed to escape Fortress Inquisitorius with Cere and a redeemed Trilla. With the Holocron destroyed to prevent the Empire from tracking down the Force-sensitive children, Cal and his crew begin searching for alternate ways to weaken the Empire. Yet Cal is not safe, for Emperor Palpatine has tasked Darth Vader with bringing him back...with the intention of turning him into his new Inquisitor.
Rating: T
Setting: AU (divergence from main storyline in the game)
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the Star Wars franchise aside from my own plot.
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Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order: Redemption
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Chapter XXXV
"You're lying. There's no way Cal is an Inquisitor. Are you absolutely sure about this?" Cere refused to believe the words of a girl whom she just rescued.
"I'm not lying. I didn't randomly pull that name out of nowhere! He really is an Inquisitor, and from what I overheard, he currently holds the rank of First Borther," Jayna revealed bitterly, glaring at Cere as she spoke.
Sensing the honesty behind Jayna's words, Cere leaned back against the sofa of the living area. There was no possible way that Cal would be working for the Empire as an Inquisitor. First she lost Trilla to the Inquisitorius during the Purge, and now Cal has done the same. If Jaro Tapal knew of this, he would most definitely be disappointed in his Padawan.
"How? Why?" was all Cere managed to say weakly as she sat there in shock.
"I don't know! He came to me after getting me captured on Bracca. He was the one who revealed me as a Force-sensitive."
"Wait, he revealed you as a Force-sensitive?"
Jayna gave a nod of her head as confirmation.
"He touched something of mien and was able to...see? My past or something and was able to deduce I was a Force-sensitive from that alone."
Cere sucked in a sharp breath.
"He used Force Psychometry for that reason?"
"Force Psychometry?" Jayna gave Cere a quizzical look.
"It's a rare ability one has to be born with. It allows one to witness past events by sensing Force Echoes left behind by an object. Cal was born with such an ability, but to think he'd use it to..."
Cere still refused to believe what she heard.
Jayna felt Cere growing more and more tense as seen by the way her eyebrows were practically disappearing up her hairline. She tentatively reached a hand out and rested it atop the latter's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.
"In any case, we need to return to Nur and pray that Trilla and Entiran are able to get Merrin off the planet, hopefully with Cal."
Greez gave a small salute and set their course for Nur.
Trilla found herself strapped to the torture chair, but before it could be activated, Entiran entered the room. He dismissed the Stormtroopers from the room, then quickly freed her from her bonds.
"I thought you would never come," she scoffed.
"You have such little faith in me," he replied.
"Because you took your sweet time getting me out!" Trilla protested, jabbing a finger into his chest for emphasis.
"I had to play the part to avoid suspicion from the Grand Inquisitor and Vager."
The former rolled her eyes at her companion, then placed the helmet back over her head after Entiran handed it to her.
This was part of their plan to fool the others into believing Trilla was an Inquisitor once more. The only thing left was to report to the Grand Inquisitor and convince him to reinstate Trilla's status as the Second Sister, which would make it easier for them to move around the fortress without being questioned so much. Entiran's rank as Sixth Brother could only get them so far after all.
"Did you hear the position of First Brother has finally been taken?" Entiran informed Trilla as they headed for the Grand Inquisitor's personal chambers.
"Really now? That spot has been vacant for so long I even forgot it existed. Do you know who it is?"
"No. I tried asking for a name but he pulled rank to silence me right away."
A small laugh escaped Trilla's lips upon hearing Entiran being put in place. However, it bothered her that Cal and Merrin were still nowhere to be found. If they were indeed brought to fortress, then whoever it was must have done a hell of a job in hiding their existence from the others.
"Did you manage to find out where Cal and Merrin are being held?"
"No. I've only been free to roam for a short amount of time. I didn't get a chance to thoroughly interrogate the Stormtroopers."
Darth Vader went back to Merrin's room to inquire about her final answer in regards to his earlier proposal. After laying out all the specifics for her, the Sith Lord had no doubts the Nightsister would say anything but agree to his terms. So long as Cal Kestis remained within his grasp, the Zabrak would have no choice except to follow his orders. This way, he could keep an eye on both of them so they wouldn't spoil his future plans any longer.
"Have you thought about my offer?"
"You haven't exactly given me much of a choice, did you?" Merrin spat bitterly.
"If you cooperate, no harm shall come to you or Cal Kestis. Disobey me however, and the consequences will be severe."
"Why are you doing this/ You got what you wanted didn't you? Cal is no longer a threat now that he's an Inquisitor!"
Vader let out a deep chuckle at this.
"Remember Nightsister, your life and his are now in my hands. You will do well to never forget this."
Merrin buried her face between her hands and wept after Vader departed from the room. None of this would have happened if she hadn't been poisoned. Cal wouldn't have had to bring her to Nur. He wouldn't have become an Inquisitor if it weren't for her.
His descent to the Dark Side began because of her.
"Cal...what have I done to you?" Merrin whispered to herself in horror.
My child, how you've suffered.
The Zabrak Nightsister sat up straight in bed upon hearing the familiar voice of Mother Talzin echoing in the air around her.
"Mother Talzin?" she called out quietly.
The Force ghost of Talzin materialized in front of the distraught Nightsister, smiling at Merrin as the latter wiped her eyes on the back of her hand.
"Mother...I don't know what to do. Please guide me...I am so lost..."
Talzin's ghost floated over to where Merrin was seated and held out a transparent hand to her daughter. Merrin took the hand and smiled, her magick allowing them to touch each other's hands.
I am glad to see you well my daughter, but I sense there is turmoil within your me what is bothering you, Talzin's ghost said comfortably.
"Mother, I...I have fallen for a Jedi."
A Jedi? I thought you despised the Jedi?
"I did, until Cal proved it wasn't the Jedi who killed our clan. I left Dathomir to seek out my own path with the Jedi and his friends. Along the way I...realized I had feelings for him."
The spectral ghost of Talzin tilted her head to the side in contemplation. Merrin swallowed nervously as she waited for her mother's spirit to say something.
"It's my fault that he became an Inquisitor, and now I've been forced to work with Darth Vader. Not to mention he put something inside my body..."
Something inside your body?
Talzin began chanting in the ancient language of the Nightsisters as her hands glowed green.
Merrin observed silently as her mother waved her hands over her body. It took a while but Talzin suddenly flicked her wrists and a glowing orb extracted itself out of Merrin's mouth. Dry heaving for several minutes, the Nightsister took several deep breaths to calm herself afterwards.
This was what Vader put inside your body.
"What is it?" Merrin noticed a wriggling organism inside the ball, the sight of which was enough to revolt her.
An organism designed to cause its host pain on the command of its breeder. It would have made its way to your heart eventually, killing you if left unchecked.
"I see. Thank you for ridding my body of it. Now I no longer have to fear Vader."
Mother Talzin clenched her hand into a fist, crushing the orb between her palm.
I will teach you a spell, however this spell should only be used as a last resort.
"But why?"
Because this spell requires your life as sacrifice.
Somehow Trilla managed to pass the test of the Grand Inquisitor, thus her status as the Second Sister was reinstated after much scrutinizing and putting mental barriers around her brain to prevent the Paun from prodding within. She only breathed marginally easier once the Grand Inquisitor gave his permission for her to become the Second Sister once more.
Now all they had to do was figure out where Cal and Merrin were being held. The Stormtroopers shouldn't give them a hard time anymore, not with their statuses as Inquisitors within the Fortress.
"Let's figure out where they are and get out," Entiran said wearily.
"We should split up then," she suggested.
The two were abut to go their separate ways when a squad of Stormtroopers ran past them in a hurry towards the hangar bay.
"I sense our presence may be required," Entiran said as the duo changed directions for the hangar.
The information given by the Emperor was definitely not what Cal was expecting. Now that Jayna's heritage was brought to light, Cal was uncertain on what he should do. It was obvious to him the Emperor was most likely using this as a test to see how far he's willing to fall. The Jedi Knight wouldn't give him the pleasure of watching the Dark Side consume him. If anything, the Force Echo he witnessed of Vader served as warning enough.
Yet at the same time, what if the Emperor said was true? If it was true then he can't get his hands on Jayna.
"You've been awfully quiet since Coruscant," Dia commented as she pressed several buttons to transmit her personal codes to Nur.
"Just thinking," Cal answered.
"For an Inquisitor, you sure are the odd one out of the bunch."
"Are you always this talkative with your partners?" Cal scowled slightly at the Twi'lek.
Dia chuckled at Cal's comment.
"I only respect those with power and position. My previous partners were all of a lower rank, so I didn't pay them much attention. You're the first who is of a higher rank and you aren't hesitant in putting people in their place. I respect that about you," the latter explained as they approached Nur.
The TIE Fighter pulled into the dock and Cal exited the ship, stretching his limbs overhead as usual. Being cramped up inside that small space really does do a number to his muscles. Dia followed after, shaking her heat at her partner's antics.
"Oh, looks like Trilla has been reinstated as the Second Sister," the Twi'lek taunted as they walked past.
Trilla retaliated by placing Dia in a choke hold with the Force. Cal responded with a Force push which sent her flying into Entiran, both of them landing on their backs.
Cal extended a hand out to Dia, pulling her back onto her feet. Trilla and Entiran also disentangled themselves from one another, scrambling back to a standing position.
"Attack my partner again and you'll answer to my lightsaber," Cal said coldly behind his helmet.
"Who do you think you are?!" Entiran demanded in anger.
"I'm the First Brother."
He walked off without another word.
Mother Talzin finished explaining what the spell does and looked at Merrin. The Nightsister swallowed nervously, then dipped her head in understanding. The only time she should use this spell is during a desperate situation, and only as a last resort.
This was her only way of saving Cal from Vader's control, physically and mentally. Therefore she had to wait for the perfect moment before casting it.
"Thank you Mother," she said.
I will always watch over you my daughter.
Talzin's ghost faded away just as the door opened. Call removed his helmet to exhale a breath. Merrin caught a flash of a ominous aura briefly behind his emerald orbs, but it quickly vanished when she looked closely.
That was definitely not her imagination.
"You look better,"" Cal said with a relieved smile.
Merrin scooted over to give him room as he sat beside her on the bed. Seeing how tousled his hair was, the Nightsister reached a hand up to fix it. Cal leaned in against her touch, closing his eyes while her fingers gently brushed through his red locks in a soothing motion repeatedly.
"Trilla is here," Cal finally said, opening his eyes to look at her.
"Maybe Cere sent her here to get us out of this place. We can finally leave!" she said excitedly.
"The Emperor has given me a mission. If I fail this...then both our lives are in danger. We can't leave until I finish what the Emperor wants."
Merrin's fingers stilled on top of his head.
"What mission is this?" she asked quietly, a dreadful feeling slowly starting to build up within her body.
"He wants me to bring Jayna back."
The Nightsister frowned after hearing this.
"Why is he so obsessed with this Jayna person?"
Cal leaned in to whisper something in Merrin's ear. Amber orbs expanded in shock upon hearing what Cal revealed. She pressed a hand to her mouth and looked at him.
"You are sure about this?"
"Yes."
"Cal, you can't let the Emperor get his hands on her if that's true!"
A weary sigh left the Jedi Knight's lips. He knew the Emperor couldn't get his hands on Jayna, but what other choice did he have? Palpatine had given his world no harm shall come to him or his comrades, including Cere and the others as long as he obeyed his arders.
"I don't know what to do. I have a massive headache and my body hurts."
Merrin's hands began glowing green as she sent a wave of healing energy into his body. Cal gave her a grateful smile, then leaned in to press his lips against hers in a chaste kiss.
"You're the most important person to me. I"d do anything to keep you safe," he murmured.
"Don't do anything that will put your life at risk!"
Their conversation was interrupted by the door opening, revealing Trilla and Entiran standing there in disbelief. The duo noticed the Inquisitor robes on Cal, then it dawned on the two of them.
"You're the First Brother!?"
Cal's response was to Force push the two out of the room.
To be continued...
Hope everyone is still safe during these trying times!
See you all next time!
Celsius Fate~
