Disclaimer – all original Star Wars characters in this fanfic (excluding my OC's) are the property of Lucasfilm and Disney.
Chapter 23 "His Natural Style."
28 BBY - The Orbit of Shili, Zulio – Third Moon of Shili.
While the Kingdom of the Force grew steadily in power, Dooku and Zai'shira trained Deiven and Avelon. The young Firrerreo quickly introduced Dooku and Avelon to Mind Time Peregrination and proved what Zai'shira told the human at the Jedi Temple during her infiltration was true. Being the most experienced of the four, Dooku proposed to use that technique not only to fight other Jedi and Sith in the older times but to simply spar between each other since the time flow during the technique was compressed. Six hours of training with Mind Time Peregrination was equal to one hour in real-time.
Dooku noticed quickly that Avelon had a great talent in regards to lightsaber combat and the powers of the dark side of the Force. On the other hand, Deiven's strength lay in his use of the Force in every form, but Dooku quickly learned about a different issue, which grew as the boy got older. Deiven had trouble focusing on the lightsaber forms. Yes, his skills were decent, but nowhere near the level of a Jedi Master.
While Avelon currently oversaw the construction of their army on Lehon, Dooku trained Deiven while Zai'shira watched them closely.
"Your moves needed to be more fluid and precise," Dooku told Deiven, who swung his blade, trying to mimic the Makashi slash. Dooku parried the green blade and countered. The yellow-bladed lightsaber, which he borrowed from Zai'shira, nicked Deiven's shoulder. The human knew about Deiven's healing factor, so such a wound was equal to a slap, plus it was a good motivator. "Don't slack off."
Deiven grew irritated and thrust his blade forward, but Dooku deflected it to the side and elbowed the boy in the face. "Grrr!" the young alien spun around and swung the blade, which was blocked and pushed to the side, causing Deiven to lose his balance. "Watch your footing," Dooku instructed.
The young Firrerreo regained the balance and tried to attack, but suddenly, his field of vision was covered in a yellow hue. His snake-like pupils dilated, and by sheer instinct, he ducked under a precise thrust. He uncoiled his tail and swung it, trying to sweep the human of his feet, but Dooku gracefully jumped away. Deiven snarled, went on all fours, and prepared to dash at his opponent, but he suddenly shook his head and got back on his two feet.
"Hmmm..." Dooku squinted his eyes, noticing something. "Okay, that's enough for now."
Deiven sighed and only nodded silently, knowing that the training went poorly. When Dooku approached Zai'shira, who observed their spar, he spoke with a serious expression. "I'm worried, Zai. His lightsaber skills are getting worse with each day."
"Why?" Zai'shira asked and narrowed her eyes, genuinely confused. "I know you're not serious with him, and he didn't put you on the back foot, but only Masters like Yoda or Windu can do that."
"He knows how to fight with each lightsaber form in theory, and he even could teach them, but it's completely different when he has to use them in a serious fight," Dooku reflected.
"I'm sorry," Deiven, who approached them, spoke sadly. "But it's like my body feels bounded and restricted by those forms."
After what he saw at the end of their duel, Dooku had an idea of how he could help Deiven, but before he could say anything, Avelon called Zai'shira via holo. "What it is, Avelon?" the Togruta asked, answering the call.
"The production of the army goes well," informed the Anzat. "However, the Rakata ask what should be the default weapon for our droid troops. Lightsabers or something else?"
Dooku pondered for a moment and replied. "I would suggest making melee weapons from phrik, a near-indestructible alloy. To create it, you need to combine two ores: phrikite and tydirium."
"Hmm... alright, I'll relay the message to the Rakata, and we'll see what we can do," Avelon said. "I'll keep you posted."
When his holographic image vanished, Dooku proposed something. "Let's head to planet Dahgee."
"Hmm? Why?" Zai'shira asked, arching her white eyebrow markings.
"Because I think I know a way to help Deiven with his lightsaber combat skills," Dooku replied. The young Firrerreo looked at the human with a curious and hopeful expression.
One hour later – Planet Dahgee, Near The Dahgee Temple.
Dahgee was a relatively small planet located in the Middle Rim, know for many conflicts and confrontations, filled with large mountains and highlands. Surrounded by five large moons, the world of Dahgee was known for its crystal mines filled with rare lightsaber crystals that only existed on that planet.
When Zai'shira landed the silver-plated YT-1210 light freighter near an old Temple, Deiven looked at Dooku and asked. "Why did we arrived here?"
"Planet Dahgee is a home to a unique subsect of the Jedi Order, the Dahgee Jedi," Dooku explained.
"Dahgee Jedi?" Deiven cocked his head. "That's a different type of Jedi?"
"Early in the history of the Jedi Order, the Jedi Council encountered a major problem," Dooku began to speak, while Deiven and even Zai'shira listened carefully. "With a large number of Jedi in the galaxy, some of the Jedi Masters started to create their own Jedi suborders, and there was no main Council to oversee them all. The Jedi High Council on Coruscant wanted that all Jedi remained on the planet to be trained there, but many of the Jedi disagreed, thus creating many groups of Grey Jedi that were spread out around the galaxy. However, one group of Jedi reached a consensus with the Order. The Jedi from the planet Dahgee. They were allowed to remain on the planet and be separated and yet part of the Jedi Order, but they could not travel to other planets. They were told to protect the inhabitant of the planet Dahgee."
"So, the only difference between them and the Jedi Order on Coruscant is that they exist solely on this planet?" Deiven asked.
"There are a few other differences like clothing and their weapons of choice," Dooku answered. "A Dahgee Jedi Master wore black and green colored robes with horizontal stripes. Their weapons were also unique since the planet had very rare lightsaber crystals. While the normal lightsaber blade of a Jedi Knight was white at the core with a colorful aura around it, the Dahgee crystal made the core black or dark silver. What's more, the blades of their lightsabers weren't straight, but they zigzagged like a tree branch, and their hilts were much larger to accompany the power of the lightsaber crystal."
"They seem powerful," Deiven noted.
"Yes, but despite all that power and skill, the Dahgee Jedi are at the brink of extinction," Dooku replied. "The reason for that is simple yet stupid. They were so loyal to the Order that they refused to have children to further the Dahgee Order. Not to mention the Jedi Order on Coruscant decided not to sent new Jedi to Dahgee. Therefore, the members of the Dahgee Order grew older and died off one by one."
"I understand," Deiven nodded. "But what are we doing here?"
"You're going to fight the remaining Dahgee Jedi," Dooku replied and turned his head to the side. "I sense one remaining inside the Temple. That's your goal."
"Okay!" Deiven agreed excitedly and quickly left the ship. Zai'shira wanted to leave as well and join him, but Dooku stopped her. "He needs to do this on his own," he said.
"But the Jedi will be much older and more experienced than him," the Togruta pointed out. "Deiven won't be able to win."
"I know, and that's what I'm aiming for," Dooku replied bluntly.
"If you want a strong opponent for him, why not use his Mind Time Peregrination?" Zai'shira asked, confused.
"Because it's not life-threatening," Dooku replied. "The pain is real, yes, but Deiven has a high pain tolerance. He needs to feel that his life is in danger. Then, I'll see if I am correct."
Before Deiven even reached the Dahgee Temple, the last remaining member of that Order meet him halfway on a grassy field. It was a human male in his late forties. He was a tall man with black greying hair and beard, brown eyes, and fair skin. He wore a greenish tunic and black pants, which were held by a belt with a lightsaber hilt attached to it. "Are you a Jedi?" the human asked, looking at the strange boy in front of him. "Finally, the Order sent some young blood to Dahgee."
Deiven was actually flabbergasted that someone took him for a Jedi, and he quickly replied, grabbing his lightsaber and activating it. "I'm not a Jedi. My name is Deiven Virlo, and I'm here to defeat you."
The human narrowed his eyes and sighed. "Ehh, I was a fool to think otherwise," he grabbed the lightsaber hilt and activated it. A blue blade with a black core and a zigzagging shape emerged from the hilt. The human sensed someone aboard the freighter that was located in the distance. "The Sith are afraid to meet me head-on and decided to test me with a child?" he asked mockingly. "Very well, then. I'm Aaron Karuno, Jedi Knight of the Dahgee Order. And only time will be my downfall."
The young Firrerreo frowned. Now someone thought they were Sith. With an irritated expression, he lunged at the Jedi Knight. Deiven attempted to use Ataru to defeat the human, who immediately took a Djem So stance.
Deiven's green blade was deflected by the black-blue one, and the Jedi Knight immediately countered with a powerful crosscut. The boy leaned backward, avoiding the blade by millimeters, but Aaron took a step forward and slashed once more. Deiven blocked the blade, but the power of the blow caused his own blade to touch his shoulder. "Ghhh!" the boy gritted his teeth, and his amber-colored eyes began to glow with hatred. He wanted to kill the Jedi.
Aaron felt the dark side from him and quickly took a few steps away. Deiven extended his arm, opening his hand, and hurled Force lightning at the Jedi, who caught it with his blade.
Deiven growled and ceased the technique. Instead, he charged at the Jedi Knight and jumped over him. He landed on his feet and slashed at the Jedi's back, but the human turned around and deflected the slash while hitting Deiven in the face with his fist. The young boy was staggered, but another blow came from bellow when Aaron kneed him in the stomach and almost lifted him up.
"He was much faster when I trained him," Zai'shira said worriedly. She and Dooku watched the whole fight from the cockpit. "What's going on?!"
"His natural instincts are causing him to lose concentration," Dooku replied. "The orthodox lightsaber forms are not suited for him due to his aggressive and wild nature, that he tries to contain inside him. If you try to raise a nexu kitten, it will be accustomed to your presence, but it would still be a wild animal, which will have its animalistic tendencies. The same situation we have right now with Deiven. He has no problems with using the Force in many situations, but during lightsaber combat, he divides a part of his focus to control his movement, and thus, he's slower and weaker."
Deiven coughed up blood from the blow and fell to his knees. He wasn't stupid, he knew the Jedi was more skilled, but only one precise blow could end the fight in his favor. The boy thrust his blade at the human's chest, but the Jedi evaded the blade by dodging to the side and slashed at Deiven's face. The young Firrerreo evaded a fatal blow, but the black-blue blade cut off one of his horns. Deiven screamed, dropping his lightsaber and was immediately hit by a Force push that sent him a few meters away and on his back.
"I take no pleasure in doing this, but as long as I live, I must protect this planet from the likes of you," the Jedi Knight spoke, walking towards Deiven. "Don't move, and I'll end this quickly and painlessly."
Deiven sat up and looked at the black-blue zigzagged blade with steam coming out of his severed horn. This wasn't training or the past during Mind Time Peregrination. He could die, he... would die. When the blade came down towards him, Deiven's heart began to beat faster, and his pupils dilated. In one second, he rolled to the side, avoiding the finishing blow, and positioned himself on all fours. He uncoiled his tail and charged at the Jedi with remarkable speed.
"What the?" the Jedi swung with his blade, but Deiven dodged to the side in less than a second. Aaron was caught entirely off guard when Deiven grabbed his right wrist with both hands and bit his hand. The force of the bite was so hard that Deiven broke a few of his own teeth and the Jedi's wrist bone.
"Ghhyy!" the Jedi gritted his teeth in pain, yanked his hand free and Force-pushed Deiven away, who landed on all four and began to circle around the Jedi Knight with blood and steam coming out of his mouth since the healing factor already began to regenerate his broken and lost teeth. Aaron grabbed the lightsaber with his left hand and prepared for an attack. "What kind of animal are you?!"
"That's what I wanted to see," Dooku slightly smiled. "That pure animalistic behavior."
"But what for?" Zai'shira asked, puzzled. "He's like a wild animal, and he can't even use the Force or even a lightsaber in that stat-" the Togruta suddenly noticed something, and her blue-colored eyes widened.
Deiven called his lightsaber to him, but instead of grabbing it with his hand, the coiled his tail around it. The young Firrerreo lunged at the human, dragging the activated lightsaber behind him and leaving a trail of burned grass and scorched earth. When he was close, the green blade was thrust at the human from above at a strange unnatural angle. Aaron didn't aim for a counter this time. He wasn't a lefty, so he wasn't as efficient at fighting with the lightsaber in his left hand. Aaron tried to deflect the thrust but only manage to slightly redirect it. Deiven's tail was much stronger than his arms, and with the added power from the Force, it could break bones with each swing.
The young Firrerreo jumped and spun in the air. The Jedi Knight ducked underneath the swing, literally feeling the rush of air against his hair as the long tail cut the air with a distinctive sound. He quickly took a few steps back to get away from the tail but was forced to catch a Force lightning with his blade. As he held his ground, a green blur came from below as Deiven's tail slashed at his legs.
The Knight jumped, avoiding the green blade, but without the leverage, the Force lightning pushed him backward and on the ground. Deiven ceased the Force attack and lunged towards the human, who quickly got to his feet.
Green blade clashed with a black-blue one, but the Jedi Knight was quickly put on the back foot. Not only did he had to fight with his left hand, but also, Deiven's fast attacks came from strange angles. He never had to fight with such an opponent before.
"In lightsaber combat, the amount of attacks a humanoid being can make is limited," Dooku pointed out. "But for someone like Deiven, the attacks have no boundaries. Plus, he has two free hands and more options for an attack. His current opponent is just an old Jedi Knight. A proper Master of the Jedi Order would be able to deal with his current savagery and unfocused wildness. But if Deiven could harness his abilities and refine them, I could only imagine what trouble would he cause for any Jedi Master."
With a loud roar, Deiven slammed his blade from above, and Aaron raised his arm to block it, his knees buckling under the sheer power. Another blow came from the side, and the human decided to jump away. At that moment, the young Firrerreo lunged forward with his mouth open. The Jedi Knight moved his blade towards him. The human thrust his blade into the Firrerreo's stomach, while Deiven sunk his regenerated teeth at the side of the Jedi's neck.
Aaron pushed Deiven away, and the boy ripped a chunk of meat from the human's neck. Blood began to spout from the wound, and the Jedi placed his hand to cover it. "Ghhh! Dgham y-yoou!" the Jedi sputtered and fell to his knees. Deiven lay on his stomach motionless, and the human was sure his opponent was dead since the zigzagged blade did a lot more damage than a standard one, but Deiven slowly moved with a growl.
The cauterized wound already began to steam and heal itself while the boy looked at the human with the glowing amber-colored snake-like eyes. The Jedi was shocked as the Firrerreo began to crawl towards his enemy. The human's vision became blurry due to the loss of blood. He tried to get up, but Deiven grabbed his ankle, causing him to fell on his butt.
The human began to kick Deiven's face, not allowing him to get closer. He activated his black-blue blade and wanted to end this for good, but a sudden pain in his torso stooped him in his tracks. When he looked down, he spotted a green blade protruding from his chest. Deiven's tail slithered in the grass like a snake without the knowledge of the Jedi and positioned the lightsaber hilt aiming at the human's back. When it was ready, the young Firrerreo activated the blade.
The Jedi dropped his blade, and his body fell backward. He was dead. Deiven exhaled and lay down, exhausted. His ears detected sounds of someone running towards him, and he soon realized it was Master Zai, but he closed his eyes and needed to rest.
Sometime later – Hyperspace Tunnel, YT-1210 Light Freighter.
Deiven woke up in the co-pilot seat right beside Zai'shira, who piloted the ship, when all three of them headed back to Shili. "Ughh," he groaned and asked weakly. "Did I... won?"
"Yes, you did," Dooku, who stood behind his seat, confirmed with a smile. "You were unpredictable and wild enough to defeat a Jedi Knight, but we still have a lot of training before us. At least now, we know the direction we need to take. You need to create your own natural style with your whole body as a weapon, even your tail. Then, you'll be able to fight as equal with the best of the best."
Deiven didn't look at the human but smiled. He was glad that he won and that he made progress, but there was something on his mind. "Something happened before the fight," he said. "Something that worried me."
"What?" Zai'shira asked.
"He thought I was a Jedi before I decided to attack him," Deiven replied. "And then when he sensed the dark side, he thought I was a Sith. If I told him I was a Padawan, he would believe me, and then I could attack him from behind."
But you bravely choose to fight head-on, Zai'shira stated. Good job.
"That's not the point," Deiven replied. "When the war will start, and the Kingdom of the Force will reveal itself to the galaxy, what's stopping the Sith Lords or even Jedi Masters to pose as members of our faction? If a Sith would attack a random planet, they could pretend to be us and drag the Kingdom's good name through the mud. We need a distinctive trait thanks to which people would know that we are not a Jedi nor Sith."
"Some non-Force-sensitives can only distinguish Jedi and Sith by their lightsaber colors," said Dooku. "But lightsaber crystals are easy to obtain."
"Maybe we could use the ones that the Dahgee Jedi used," Zai'shira suggested. "They're unique."
"In that case, we would need to completely exhaust the crystal caves of the planet so that no Jedi or Sith could get their hands on those crystals," Dooku pointed out. "It seems doable with the level of the technology we have."
"And maybe we could make our own hilts to make them even more unique," Deiven added. "The Gree could help us with it."
A few days later – Unknown Regions, The Orbit of Planet Lehon, Star Forge, Command Center.
The Star Forge was rebuild, and with a new goal and nature of the Rakata, it used the Force to produced powerful ships for the Kingdom of the Force without the corruption. The massive space station had many droid and ship factories, hangars, a commander center with a large hologram of the Star Forge, and a viewing platform, which was built near the summit of the Star Forge from which one could observe everything that happened outside of the space station.
Just like they planned a few days earlier, the Gree used their cloaking technology to send a ship to Dahgee, while the Rakata were the ones to quickly mine the lightsaber crystals and sent them to Star Forge. All four members of the Kingdom stood around the round holoprojection pod and talked with a holographic image of Cem'lul. "The extraction of the lightsaber crystals goes well," informed Cem'lul. "The amount of the remaining crystals is pretty low, so two, maybe three more weeks, and we'll have all of the crystals from the planet."
"The inhabitants of Dahgee don't know about your presence?" Zai'shira asked.
"No, they're clueless," the Rakata replied. "No one knows, and no one informed the Jedi Order about us."
"Very good, keep us posted and inform us if anything happens," instructed the Togruta.
When the holographic image of Cem'lul vanished, a member of the Gree race shambled towards them and held something in his tentacles. Deiven noticed four hilts and four lightsaber crystals from the planet Dahgee. "It's ready?!" he asked excitedly. The Gree only nodded in response.
All four approached the Gree and took the hilts and the lightsaber crystals with the color they wanted. Unlike the cylinder-shaped hilts of standard lightsabers, these ones were thin, rectangular, and without a button to activate it so only the Force-users could wield it. "They fit well in hand," Avelon noticed and inserted a precisely cut lightsaber crystal inside the hilt. Deiven, Dooku, and Zai'shira did the same.
Deiven was first to activate his new weapon. When he focused, a flat, curved, black-indigo blade emerged from the hilt with a hitch pitch sound. It was nothing like a standard lightsaber blade. Its edge seemed cracked, and small lightning sparks covered the whole blade. "It looks cool," Deiven said in awe.
Avelon had a black-red blade, Zai'shira had a black-yellow one, and Dooku black-blue one. Every member had a blade in a color that represented an aspect of the Force. "What should we call this new weapon?" Zai'shira asked.
"Well, this is the Kingdom of the Force," Dooku pointed out. "And you need the Force to activate it. So how about Forcesabers?"
"I like it!" Deiven replied and extended his arm with the Forcesaber. Zai'shira, Dooku, and Avelon did the same, and all four formed a circle, and the tips of the Forcesabers touched each other.
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