Xabiar's Note: I usually don't suggest accompanying music, but Clamavi De Profudis's "The Battle of Sauron and Finrod Felagund" rendition is one that is notably fitting for certain parts after they reach Mortis itself. And that's not a spoiler. It's literally in the title of the chapter.

SotP Tales – Prelude to Twilight

PART VIII

Mortis – Vision of Power

"Out of curiosity," Arnica began as she leaned against the wall, "just… how many of these spy outposts does your Sphere have?"

It was, Daniel supposed, a fair question. While normally it would be against protocol for so many uncleared individuals to be able to walk around one of the numerous outposts of the Sphere of Vigilance and Farsight, these were exceptional circumstances, and he could trust everyone here.

He glanced to Vodel who was reading a tablet, the pureblood's brow furrowed and face set in a stern, if slightly disapproving, expression.

Almost everyone.

To his credit, Vodel had not done anything to warrant increased suspicion. Since Penaria had managed to get them access to the archives – after significant cajoling – Lowbacca and Pon had spent the last two weeks there, and in the meantime, Arnica had spent it getting Vodel caught up to speed on four thousand years of galactic history.

He'd been somewhat surprised to hear of Palpatine's victory – and was similarly surprised at his defeat.

"Three decades?" he'd asked, unable to keep the incredulity out of his voice, "Brought low by a collection of rebels and a half-trained Force-sensitive?"

The conversation which had followed had been one Daniel had genuinely never expected to have. Obviously, that was what happened, though Vodel was extremely skeptical of it. The Force worked miracles, as it had with Luke when he'd destroyed the first Death Star, but Daniel had to admit that the collapse of the Empire – when taken into proper perspective – was… odd to an outsider.

No one really had a desire to look too deeply into why the Empire had collapsed so spectacularly and quickly after Palpatine had died. Though there were plenty of valid theories, and it ultimately didn't matter. Palpatine had lost, the galaxy was free, and the New Republic had been restored. Did it necessarily matter how it had come about, or why?

Admittedly, if there was anyone who would look closer, it would be a former Sith.

Still… Daniel was skeptical of a hidden conspiracy. There was much that could have made the Empire collapse. The Empire was overly ham-fisted in its policy. The promotion of the 'Tarkin Doctrine' was alienating and deeply flawed. Infighting at the highest ranks of admirals and officers, which had splintered upon the deaths of Vader and Palpatine. The harsh measures against corporations and aliens had alienated vast swaths of the galaxy, stirring up resentment and anger for the new Empire. It did not help that Palpatine – by all accounts – had been more focused on his own affairs than actually ruling.

Combine all of these together, and it led to a perfect storm. The Force had everything moved into place at the right time, and with the right people. Nonetheless, viewed outside the lens of the Force, the fall of the Galactic Empire was a longshot, even with all of these factors. With it? Anything was possible.

Technically.

Vodel was still troubled by the whole event – not because he particularly mourned the death of Palpatine, but because he felt there was something he was missing. Likely a side-effect of needing to see hidden patterns and connections everywhere. Daniel wondered if that was something he would grow out of now that he was away from Athiss.

Both of them had some quite fascinating conversations in the interim. Daniel considered it something of an accomplishment to eke out a grudging compliment that some of the current philosophy of the Jedi was an 'improvement on their dogma.' Both of them had a good laugh going over the 'Rule of Two' doctrine, which Vodel had openly derided.

"Fools," he'd said, his sarcasm biting even more than usual, "Only a Sith would believe that their only true path to power would be through a barbaric and self-defeating violent succession. It is a miracle that they did not drive themselves extinct. And for what? Thirty years of galactic rule?"

He'd shaken his head like a disappointed parent.

Put into that perspective, it was not the best of trades.

"Daniel?"

Daniel brought himself back to the present and addressed Arnica's question. "Sorry, that answer is classified. They have enough though."

"No wonder you went missing for months," she muttered, "Probably staying in one of these places."

"I did spend quite a few days here. All expected of the Ever-Shrouded."

"So I gathered." Arnica glanced to the chrono. "They should be arriving shortly."

"In fact," Yaden said, striding into the room, "I just received confirmation. They've already arrived, and will be here shortly."

"Excellent." Vodel set the tablet down and stood. "I am curious if this investigation will bear fruit. It would certainly make our quest simpler."

"Pon said he'd found something promising," Daniel recalled, "No details… but if he hadn't found anything, he would have said so."

They waited for a few minutes, and stood when the towering wookiee and much smaller kel dor entered.

"Pon, welcome back." Daniel greeted his friend with a firm shake. He then endured a wookiee hug before everyone else took their rib-straining turns – barring Vodel, who did not seem offended by the omission.

"I trust that you found a lead," Vodel stated, clasping his hands behind his back.

"Better than a lead," Pon said, sounding more pleased than he had in a long time, "I believe we know exactly where to go."

Daniel raised an eyebrow, and Vodel peered at the duo with new interest as Arnica and Lara waited for them to elaborate.

＜＜Daniel, have you ever heard of the 'Mortis Incident'?＞＞ Lowbacca asked.

Daniel shook his head, though the name seemed… "Not anything specific."

"The name sounds familiar, but if I have seen it, it was only in passing," Arnica commented, "The word 'Mortis' in particular stands out."

Vodel rested his chin in a hand, eyes unfocused as he had gone into thought. "That word. It was written in the obelisk. I have heard it before."

"In the obelisk?" Arnica inquired, "What did it mean?"

"It was uncertain," Vodel said bluntly, "I did not determine the actual translation. It was associated with simple symbols and meanings; largely benign. 'Home.' 'Protection.' 'Hiding.' 'Prison.' It was maddening to try and determine. I do not know if it is related."

Lowbacca and Pon exchanged a glance, before Pon continued. "The incident was classified at the highest levels, and took place during the Clone Wars. It was initiated by the voss if you can believe it. They spoke directly to the Jedi Council, and warned them of an unspecified threat."

Daniel cocked his head. "The voss?"

＜＜The voss,＞＞ Lowbacca affirmed, ＜＜There were two recordings that were associated with it. Everything related to the Mortis Incident was buried to such a degree that we almost didn't find it. Palpatine went to great lengths to cover it up – both when he was Chancellor and Emperor."

All of them stepped back as R2-D2 rolled forward, and his holoprojector lit up and displayed a projection of the Jedi Council of the Old Republic. It was somewhat surreal to see these historical figures like this; holorecordings of that era were rare – the Empire effectively erasing them.

A third of the seats were empty, and another third were clearly broadcasting from elsewhere in the galaxy. Nonetheless, Daniel easily recognized some of the old Masters: Mace Windu, Shaak Ti, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and of course, Master Yoda. In the center of the Council Chambers stood an easily recognizable Emissary of the voss.

"We have permitted you to come before this council," Yoda said to the Mystic, "Your message, speak it."

"Of course," the Emissary said, inclining her head, "My message will be brief, but it is essential that you take heed. There is an imprisoned power contained in a monolith where the laws that dictate all do not apply. You will face a false call, and beware answering it, for it will lead to uncontrollable powers being unleashed upon the galaxy."

Mace Windu placed his fingertips together as he appraised the voss. "We are not interested in riddles, Mystic."

"I do not share riddles; I share what the vision requires."

"And what do you speak of? An imprisoned power? Maul? Grievous? Another?"

"I cannot speak to what this power is, all that is important is that when it calls, it is not answered."

"Or what will happen?" the image of Obi-Wan asked as he scratched his beard.

"It will be the end of the Jedi Order."

Even through the hologram, Daniel could feel the gravity of those words. Yoda and Mace shared a look. "Take what you have said into consideration, we will," Yoda finally said.

"If you have nothing more useful to say, then you are dismissed," Mace finished, gesturing away.

The Emissary bowed, and departed the Council Chambers.

"That was foreboding," Obi-Wan commented, "When was the last time the Mystics sent one of their own?"

"Centuries. After the Reformations," Shaak Ti answered, "And it was not an Emissary. The Republic made a mistake then. They are not a people to be trusted, and they have reason to deceive us."

"We ignore what the voss said at our peril," a kel dor councilor, Plo Koon said, "Despite their apostasy from the Jedi, their visions are not to be trifled with."

"They manipulate visions to their own ends," Shaak Ti warned, "We should not take their word as the absolute truth."

"No, but ignoring it completely is unwise," Obi-Wan said, "Master Yoda?"

"Mmm, deception I sensed not from the Emissary. Yet Master Ti is correct. The Force offers many paths, and confine ourselves to a single outcome, we cannot." The ears of the little alien flattened. "Great care, we must take."

"That was the first recording," Pon said as the projection ended, "This one is dated several months later. You'll see why it's important."

R2 projected a second recording, which was the same Council Chambers, only now, every single seat was filled, even if some Councilors were not present.

"We have all felt it," Mace began abruptly, his tone more hurried than Daniel had heard before, "Every single Jedi across the Republic has reported it."

"The Sith are likely affected as well," Plo Koon stated, "Every Force-sensitive is."

"Master Yoda, do you know what this could be?" a human woman, Adi Gallia asked.

Yoda waited several seconds before answering, "A call, it is. The Force draws to a place of importance. A troubling thing has taken place."

"There have been similar instances of such phenomena," Shaak Ti said, "Of terrible loss of life or a consolidation of the dark side. This seems… different."

"Was this not what the voss warned of?" the nautolan Master Kit Fisto asked.

"Quite prophetic," Obi-Wan noted, "It is eerily accurate."

"Perhaps." Mace didn't sound convinced. "This does not feel like the call of an imprisoned entity, but the Force itself in… imbalance."

"Concur, I do." Yoda nodded his head. "Of a singular source, this is not. The Force itself had broken through the shroud of the dark side. Action, we must take."

"We also cannot ignore that Maul will investigate," Master Ki-Adi-Mundi pointed out, "We cannot risk him finding the truth of this disturbance before we do, else there may be significant repercussions."

"Anakin is finishing up the Manaan campaign." Obi-Wan crossed one leg over the other. "I can lead the investigation into this source. The 212th and the 501st will make for a formidable force against whatever Maul will send. I suspect conflict will be inevitable."

"Having Skywalker may be necessary," Mace relented, "Though we must not take chances. I can sense you have another name to add."

"As confident as I am that Ahsoka and I could handle this with Anakin's help, I see no point in taking chances." Obi-Wan uncrossed his legs. "Master Tachi and Knight Olin are handling standard patrols, and the 179th would augment our forces significantly."

"Permission granted." Mace nodded sharply. "Your mandate is clear, Master Kenobi. Find the source of this call or disturbance and silence it. Do not allow Maul to reach it first."

"Understood, Master Windu."

The holorecording ended.

Yaden asked the first question, "I am going to assume that whatever that was, it was what the voss warned them about."

"It appears that way." Pon nodded.

"It could not be the Ones they heard." Vodel shook his head violently. "Were that true, they would have been obliterated and the Jedi and Sith crushed."

"Be that as it may…" Pon trailed off, indicating Lowbacca.

＜＜The report produced in the aftermath of the Mortis Incident indicates otherwise,＞＞ Lowbacca said, ＜＜It describes their arrival to a place which did not seem to abide by the laws of physics and time. Inside, they recounted two individuals, both of whom bear similarities to the entities we saw on Athiss and Mimban.＞＞

"Both?" Vodel seized on that. "You speak of Amara and Ultor?"

＜＜The Son and Daughter, yes.＞＞

"But not the Father," Vodel muttered, almost to himself before violently shaking his head, "No, no, this is not right. Even if he was gone, no army could stop them, nor any Jedi."

"Be that as it may," Pon said with a shrug, "They survived, despite the heavy cost it extracted, and by all accounts, killed both of the described entities. I will agree that the report is… odd. There are too many details missing, and the sequence of events seems to have pieces omitted, despite no indication of redactions. The Archives had the full, unredacted copy."

"We know where this… 'Mortis' is?" Daniel asked.

"Yes, we have the location." Pon nodded. "It is… in a very odd place. One of the hyperlanes is effectively protected by a constant ion storm, while there are three black holes in the nearby vicinity of others. According to Old Republic records, almost a full fourth of the force was lost as they tried to find a way in. We do have the correct path, but I would recommend sending a drone to confirm before we chart it ourselves."

"And an image of this…" Arnica frowned. "What is this place?"

＜＜Confusing,＞＞ Lowbacca grunted, as R2's projector eye flashed again. It displayed a double-ended pyramidion, ＜＜From the outside, it appears to be a space station. The interior is described as a garden world of bioluminescent plants, where the entire life cycle takes place in a single, observable period. Inside, the expanse seems infinite, with temples grander than those on Coruscant, and storms strong enough to tear starships apart."

Daniel and Yaden exchanged a look. "Rakatan?" he wondered aloud.

＜＜I'm not convinced,＞＞ Lowbacca mewled, ＜＜I have never heard of any rakatan artifact or installation similar to this, nor does it bear many of their distinct architectural hallmarks. Jedi were able to enter and leave, so it was not a prison, even if Master Kenobi described it as 'steeped in the Force.'＞＞

"It was likely built by the Ones," Vodel suggested, "They were more than capable of the creation of such an installation. Though I cannot imagine why, or how they could fall to Jedi… assuming this was them."

"It is a solid lead," Daniel said, appraising Vodel, "The evidence points to this being our next step."

"I do not dispute that." Vodel shook his head. "I do dispute the assertion that any Jedi would have emerged alive. There are many troubling pieces which are missing, and I am unconvinced that we are not walking into something beyond our control."

"You knew them," Lara pointed out, "You waited and fulfilled your directive. They should recognize that, if they are still there."

"I know, but do not trifle with these beings," Vodel warned, "As the little green alien in the recording said: 'great care we must take.' "

Daniel resisted a snort. It seemed that Master Yoda had wisdom even a Sith (albeit a former one) could appreciate. It did amuse him to hear one of the greatest Jedi in history referred to as 'the little green alien.' Yoda himself would likely find that humorous. However, Vodel was right. They needed to tread carefully.

The omission of Ludex from the report, and the fact that he was almost certainly involved with the Quabular in some capacity – long after this Mortis Incident – plus the fact that Vodel was right that no Jedi should have been able to face these entities and live…

There were some giant pieces missing, and depending on what they were… this visit to Mortis could be perilous indeed.

It appeared he would need to prepare for the worst, and that all hands needed to be on deck for this one. He'd been mulling the idea over in his head for these couple weeks, and briefly alluded to it with Lara, unwilling to fully commit one way or another. She seemed to have caught on though, and pushed him to pursue it.

Perhaps it was the Force, or his own assertion, but he felt like he knew what he had to do. "Yaden, Pon, Lara, we need to talk," he said, turning and motioning them to follow. "Don't worry," he told the rest of them, "This won't take long."

They were alone in his quarters, and Daniel did a brief check through the Force to make sure there was no intentional or unintentional eavesdropping taking place. Yaden pulled out a small scanner and performed the same task, though for electronic surveillance. Pon watched with vague amusement. "I suspect that they would not be foolish enough to try and eavesdrop on four members of the Jedi Council."

Daniel smiled faintly. "Old habits."

"And more important than ever, nowadays," Yaden added, clicking the device off and stowing it away in his robe, "The Sith has a hunger that is not easily sated. We would do well not to trust or rely on him."

"Come now, Yaden," Pon chided, "We're all professionals and adults. We know better than to wholesale trust him – however, it would be foolish to dismiss everything he says out of hand. He knows more about these entities than we do."

"He is clearly irregular, even by Sith standards," Lara added, "History or no, he has complied with our demands thus far. We treat him carefully, but it is a mistake to assume maliciousness when none has been displayed."

Yaden grunted. "I'll believe that when I see it – over a period longer than a few weeks. Daniel, what did you want to discuss?"

Daniel clasped his hands together. "Where we go next. Our lead appears solid, and I suspect that it will be the conclusion of this journey one way or the other. However, and I think all of you will agree, this should be approached carefully. The stakes are higher than I anticipated. We need to consider the consequences if something goes wrong."

"Specifically?"

"One of us dies. These entities are hostile. A freak accident. Nothing can be discounted as a possibility considering what we have seen." Daniel pursed his lips. "Too much is unknown, and we may yet come away with nothing. Knowing that at least one of these entities is still most likely alive is useful, but there is a possibility we may uncover more."

"And all of the consequences that brings," Pon finished.

"Are you implying we should end this now?" Yaden asked.

"No, we've come too far, and this is too important to bury." Daniel shook his head. "What I am saying is that preparations need to be taken in the event that something does go wrong. We cannot simply disappear and leave the galaxy unprepared for the aftermath."

"While I agree, what can we do?" Yaden wondered.

"We should bring the Sovereigns into the picture," Daniel stated, "The Imperium should be aware that they exist."

Yaden's eyebrow almost left his face. "The Imperium?"

"I'm uncomfortable entrusting the Sovereigns with knowledge while our own Council and President remain in the dark," Pon said slowly, "Having a shared contingency is useful, but I am not certain exclusivity with the Empire is wise."

Daniel crossed his arms. "And just who in the Senate would you trust with this knowledge who isn't compromised, or near another who is compromised? I trust Penaria, I do not trust the people around her, and there is no Senator who meets the criteria either."

"Your point is taken." Yaden nodded. "And the Empress is a powerful Force-user. She would be able to protect her mind and the Emperor's, and know better than most the implications of what we know. I also suspect they would keep such information controlled. With that said, Pon is also right. I can establish a contingency for the Order, but the Alliance cannot be completely cut out of the loop."

"And what do you suggest?"

"I have a good working relationship with Director Calsyne," Yaden said, "The AIS is largely reliable when it comes to matters of galactic security. She does not need to be briefed on the entire situation, but I would suggest she be aware of the stakes."

"The AIS is not exactly the most discreet of organizations," Lara noted slowly.

"It's an intelligence organization, of course it has its share of public incidents," Yaden muttered, "Calsyne is more than capable of keeping the important knowledge to herself. I've worked with her long enough to know that. She's not Kenirr."

"She's also not friendly with the President," Pon reminded him.

"Of course she's not," Yaden challenged, "Did you expect her to be when the President has an utterly naïve foreign policy on our allies, rivals, and enemies, and does not understand why the AIS has a budget in the billions? They're not blowing it on parties and drugs."

"Most of the time," Daniel amended under his breath.

"The point being, you would dislike the President too if she fundamentally misunderstood the mission of the organization you oversaw, and kept trying to defund it," Yaden finished. "Penaria is a wonderful woman on a personal level – but she is the wrong person to lead an institution like the Galactic Alliance. She continues to pick fights that are both unnecessary and that she cannot win. Calsyne has not wavered in her mission, despite hostilities between her and the President, and unlike Kenirr, knows better than to make it personal. She is reliable, and will understand the stakes."

A fairly impassioned defense, and it made him internally sigh to hear Yaden's critique of the President. On a certain level, he wasn't wrong, but she was someone who deserved to lead… if she had the right people around her, and right now she did not, nor was the galaxy accommodating to such people.

"If you trust Calsyne this much, then you can share an overview of what we're doing," Daniel finally said, "Nothing too specific, and obfuscate as much as possible. Is that clear?"

"Of course, Grand Master."

"Good, and I will establish a meeting with the Sovereigns," Daniel continued.

"And after that, we leave for Mortis?" Pon asked.

"No." Daniel rubbed his chin. "First we're going to have to make a few stops."

He felt their curiosity at that. "Where?" Lara asked.

He smiled grimly, glancing to Yaden. "We're going to visit some old acquaintances. I suspect, Yaden, that you're not going to like it."

Yaden, in fact, did not like it.

Korriban's sun beat down upon the three of them, with the permeated sensation of death and the dark side all around them. The oppressive weight was heavy upon them, a burden Daniel was used to after several visits to the dead world, but one Yaden was still uncomfortable with. One he could handle, of course, but it put the cerean on greater edge than usual.

"Centuries and it has only fallen further to the darkness," he muttered as the red dust blew in the winds, "It should have been destroyed long ago."

"Have you no sense of history, Jedi?" Vodel asked haughtily, standing tall, his hood pulled back as he basked in the harsh light, contrasting the Jedi beside him. He had almost been giddy upon hearing of where they were going – and more importantly, who they would be meeting. He had actually laughed when he'd been told – the first time he had done so.

It had been so unexpected that it had startled Arnica and Lara, who'd been talking in the next room.

Nonetheless, Vodel's voice was sharp as he continued, "The destruction of such a world would no more hurt the Sith – let alone the power that resides here – than Tython being reduced to space dust would phase the Jedi. You are weaker than I believed if you are threatened by the ruins we stand in and the tombs of the great Sith laid to rest."

His voice trailed off slightly. "Time itself has not been kind to this world. I remember walking Korriban at the height of its power. Temples which were the envy of the Empire, built on blood and bones of the slaves and aliens. A monument to the power and authority the Sith had taken by right."

He snorted. "Squandered, of course. The world of my kind, my species itself coopted and appropriated by those who had fled your Order. Always resentful of our power; of what those of the pure blood could do – and we were arrogant as we asserted ourselves in the new Sith Empire. Divisions… I cannot help but wonder if they were orchestrated; jarring, clashing notes as the Song is played."

"By Vitiate?" Daniel asked.

"He may not have written the notes, but he could arrange them. And he had reason to, did he not?" Vodel mused, "After all, had the Sith banded together; had they seen him for the threat he was…" he trailed off, "Or perhaps not. It does not matter; simple to play Sith against each other. Each an understandable melody; each given a tailored verse to make them swoon."

"Do you consider that to be a weakness solely of the Sith?" Yaden asked, appearing to take some interest in the musings of the Sith.

"Hardly," Vodel dismissed with a wave, "but most people are inconsequential. They can never challenge power, not truly. They are appealed to by simple, material things. Money. Flesh. Gifts. They need no song, only a seat in the audience as they live their lives, unaware they are before a stage. The Sith? Ah, now they have power. Such they can take and claim as their own. One must be more subtle in machinations; one does not play Sith through simple gifts. Ego – that is the strength and downfall of all Sith. Ego has brought low many, but especially Sith. Malak, Revan, Palpatine, and myself. It is ingrained in the culture of Sith; it is an inherent flaw. For to reject ego, is to reject what it means to be Sith."

His crimson eyes turned to Yaden. "I do not mean to imply that you Jedi are immune to the Song, it merely must be played louder, more notes included, and over a longer period. Jedi have a tendency to be collective in their mission. They will fight for one another, they share an ideology, they grasp the power of community that the Sith do not – community which can withstand personal ambition. The Sith have no such restriction, one can appeal directly to a Sith. It is far harder to appeal to a single Jedi. Yet, when their strings are plucked, the galaxy itself shakes."

"What a fascinating analysis," a familiar voice interjected.

A smile played on Daniel's lips as the spirit of Vauner materialized just as he remembered, appraising the group with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. "I must say, Skywalker, I did not expect you to return for several years. Certainly not with such a guest."

Yaden's nose twitched at the snub, or maybe it was just the wind.

Vauner fixed his eyes on Vodel. "There are so few of us in the galaxy; the only ones left who have a portion of the pure blood are a surviving massassi clan in the thrall of a fool – you are the first true pureblood I have seen in millennia. Who are you?"

Vodel smiled. "How very ironic that you ask me this question, Wrath. Or do you prefer Lord Vauner?"

Vauner's brow furrowed. "Do I know you?"

"In a sense." Vodel performed a short bow, eyes glinting with amusement. "Though we never truly met. I am Vodel Kressh."

The spirit Sith Lord stiffened, and his expression shifted from curiosity to concern as he slowly turned to look at Daniel; some of the fleshy tendrils on his jawline twitching. "The Lord of Heart and Eye. Skywalker, do you have any idea who this Sith is?"

Daniel sighed. "I'm afraid so."

"How are you alive?" Vauner demanded from the pureblood, more incredulous than alarmed.

"A very long story, one I can recount in more detail another time," Vodel answered in an intentionally light tone, "Suffice to say I was enlightened to the truth, long after you killed my Prophet. It is good that you broke your chains to Vitiate."

Vauner frowned at the mention of that. "Only through death."

"Death is quite clarifying, I have found, and more temporal than most acknowledge. As if death has meaning for beings of the Force." Vodel sniffed. "Come now, you were in the presence of Vitiate. You did not know the truth – how could you? But you knew his power was unlike others. Power you saw demonstrated when you stood against Valkorian."

Vauner's gaze swung back to Daniel. "You learned something. Your quest has borne truth, else you would not be back."

"Quite a lot, in fact," Daniel confirmed, "It will take some time to recount."

"I confess I am quite interested," Vauner said, side-eyeing Vodel, "despite some of the company you seem to have acquired along the way. It is perhaps best this is discussed outside of the sun's heat – your Jedi friend is uncomfortable."

Daniel knew Yaden would be irritated at how the spirit had picked up on his discomfort. "I would not be opposed to a more favorable place of discussion."

"There are many sheltered caves nearby, come." Vauner led them away. "What is your name, Jedi?"

"Si-Wara-Yaden."

"Ah, in-person. Skywalker has mentioned you. His reliable spymaster."

Yaden glanced to Daniel, who just smiled. "Only in passing. No state secrets were shared."

"To my undying disappointment," Vauner said, deadpan, as they entered a cave entrance, with a few stone formations still standing, which were enough for each to sit down, "Now that we are more comfortable," Vauner said, "do tell me what you learned."

And so, Daniel began, telling of the long tale, leaving out few details – some of the more personal elements he kept to himself. Yaden wasn't thrilled with sharing all of this with another Sith, but considering that Vodel was already brought into the fold, Vauner was more reliable by comparison.

And also dead.

'Trust' was not the right word – but 'reliability' was.

Daniel spoke for most of the recounting, with Vodel interjecting here and there with his dramatic, though not entirely incorrect, commentary – usually putting something in different terms or phrases than Daniel would have, though they seemed to help Vauner catch up quicker when put into a more Sith-mindset context.

It was not a wholly one-way conversation – Vodel pressed Vauner on Vitiate specifically, unsurprising, given both of their interests and relationship to the now-deceased Emperor. It was a rather relevant segue, as it made the truth of the Force-intelligences, Valkorian, and Vitiate all the more contextualized.

Yaden didn't interject much, though was following the conversation closely, with great interest. Yaden's presence was less due to his contributions, and because Daniel knew that he was only ever really going to support their inclusion if he felt he could understand them. Both of them. And there wasn't going to be better fodder for that then now.

Hopefully, it would ease his mind – or at least focus it on the right things.

Do not trust, but understand who is reliable, and who is not.

Sith, former Sith, or neither.

Finally, several hours and a dozen water bottles later, Daniel finished and the truth was shared.

"So much of what I saw, what I experienced, is put into context," Vauner said, an odd note in his voice, "Everything was before me, and I had no explanation for what I saw and served. Fascinating to know the truth."

" 'Fascinating' is an interesting term to describe Vitiate," Yaden noted.

"Other words can be applied, of course," Vauner said, "Yet this was something I had never determined the truth of. An unanswered question with an answer so much larger than I could have anticipated. And to know that such entities may roam the galaxy…" He looked at Daniel. "Why tell me this? You are not sharing for simple pleasantries, else your story's end would be more… satisfactory."

Here it went. Daniel set his almost-empty water bottle on the ground. "We are preparing to travel to the last place we believe the Ones were. A place called 'Mortis,' an… unusual station in a hidden corner of space. You have not heard of it, I assume?"

"It was almost certainly created long after the Sith Empire became ashes," Vodel snorted, "A pointless question."

"And Vauner has been here ever since, a world still visited by Sith," Daniel countered, "It is not impossible."

"Skywalker is correct, this world is open to me as are those who walk upon it." Vauner sharply nodded. "Unfortunately, the only Mortis I know once sat upon the Dark Council and perished upon the blade of Jadus. I know nothing of what you describe."

"Unfortunate, but worth asking." Daniel nodded. "If there are answers to this question – they are almost certainly there. We know that the Ones are… dangerous. If it goes poorly, we could perish or worse. But if we do nothing, we are unprepared for what comes next. A single of these entities could threaten the galaxy. That is a risk that I cannot allow to continue."

Vauner cocked his head. "Greater than the Sith?"

"The Force itself is shaped by these entities. The Sith are lesser in the face of that."

"And you wish me to leave Korriban."

"Yes."

There was a long moment of silence, followed by Vauner speaking in a very neutral voice. "I am a spirit, Skywalker. You are no Nox, and could not draw my power, even if I was willing. I confess a curiosity to see this end – but I do not know how much practical use I can be."

"In truth, neither do I." Daniel shifted on the stone he was seated on. "However, within the Mortis Monolith, the Jedi on the mission described it as a 'place of the Force in its purest form.' Obi-Wan Kenobi specifically encountered spirits of Jedi, ones which were capable of… manipulating the world. It was one reason cited for their survival. I do not know how accurate the report is – there remains significant omissions – but I do not say this lightly when I say you could be the difference between our success and failure."

"Hmm." Vauner was noncommittal for some time, staring off into the distance before speaking. "Very well. I will accompany you."

Daniel had honestly expected more convincing. "So quickly? You've been resistant to such offers before."

"That was before you explained many unanswered questions, and proposed an opportunity to unravel a mystery plaguing both Jedi and Sith further," Vauner said, "I would also prefer not to see you perish, as one of the few tolerable Jedi I have known."

"There are others? I'm honored," he said, only half-sarcastically.

"My only question is how you will carry this out?" His gaze flicked to each of the three men. "Unless you prefer me to drift into the Netherworld, I will need an anchor. I have not the Jedi affinity for spontaneous materialization."

"I will manage the ritual," Yaden said, "I am familiar with it since Daniel shared it with me. I expect you have no objection to him being the anchor?"

"Vastly preferable."

"An amateur," Vodel muttered, "I have far more experience in such matters."

"No," all of them said in near-unison, before awkwardly looking at each other.

"I have no doubt you are skilled." Daniel coughed. "But forgive us for not wanting your… direct involvement in something like this."

Vodel smiled. "No offense taken, Jedi, it is good you do not blindly trust." He stood. "Then if there is nothing else, I will take my leave. I do not know when, or if, I will return to Korriban, and there are some… places I wish to visit."

"Do not worry." Yaden stood. "I will escort you back, and you can take Arnica or Lowbacca with you. I imagine they would also have some interest in the ruins."

Vodel just sighed, but resigned himself to his fate of eternal chaperones. "Very well, lead the way, Jedi."

With arms crossed, Vauner watched as they departed. "Be careful with him, Skywalker. He may not be Sith anymore, but his ambition is no less diminished."

"Trust me," Daniel said, "Everyone is keeping a close eye on him."

Vauner grunted. "I hope that is enough."

There was a storm on Bastion.

Rain poured down in sheets that blanketed the isolated Imperial Intelligence outpost far from the main cities. White lightning flashed in the sky regularly, followed by rolling thunder that caused slight tremors in the ground. Arnica was bickering with the Imperial attendants who were working to fuel up the Falcon; she was picky over who got to work on it.

The temperature was pleasant though; a welcome change from Korriban, and the sterile coldness of the Falcon. Although he had instructed Lowbacca to prevent any of the Imperial Intelligence personnel from entering the ship itself. He suspected they would not react well to learning there was a living sith pureblood on board – at minimum there would be questions.

He made no indication of it externally, but he was well aware of the Empire's Hands seeded into the attendants in plainclothes and engineering uniforms to blend in perfectly with the real workers. Other Inquisitors watched from the shadows, though seemed to know better than to pretend they didn't exist.

They merely watched; voids which peered from hoods, as featureless humanoids stood in the shadows of the hangar.

"How melodramatic," Yaden muttered, seeming to play a small game where he would make eye contact with the humanoids and watch them disappear through the Force.

Daniel cocked his head incredulously, as one certain shadow caught his eye. "Have you not been to Ruusan? The Shadows are hardly any less dramatic."

"And not once did we just stand there menacingly," Yaden retorted, "There is a difference between knowing there are eyes on you, and actually seeing where those eyes originate."

A familiar feeling tingled in the back of his mind, and Daniel smiled.

"Or perhaps, such signs are distractions, meant to play on the minds of Shadows who scoff at their simplicity," a smooth baritone voice spoke from behind both of them.

Yaden's lips pursed, though he did not turn around.

Daniel spoke, "Grand Inquisitor, a pleasure to make your acquaintance once more."

A brush of air, and the form of Grand Inquisitor Losr'avaria'nathas materialized before them. He wore a robe of silver and black, the design drawing from Imperial simplicity and chiss aesthetic and presentation; his double-bladed lightsaber hanging from his belt. The red eyes glowed playfully; malevolently in the dimmer light of the hangar and the storm raging outside.

Ravarian, the core name the Grand Inquisitor was more commonly known by, was someone with a complicated relationship with the Jedi, and the Sphere of Vigilance and Farsight specifically. Not only a former Jedi, a former Shadow who had been one of their most promising. Daniel remembered him well as a Jedi. So much more optimistic the first time he had met the young chiss, so eager to do good for the galaxy.

A galaxy which had turned him into a hardened cynic. A galaxy which had turned him into an advocate for the Jedi taking greater authority into their own hands; to act directly against the crime happening in the Senate and getting blocked at every turn. It was with regret that Daniel hadn't been able to prevent him from leaving.

It was, perhaps, unsurprising in retrospect, but it had been a blow nonetheless.

The Imperium had welcomed him with open arms, and had given him reign to execute his purge of criminals and the injustice he witnessed. No laws, no oversight, no one to stand in his way, and Daniel remembered the reports of how swift and merciless the purges had been when he had been elevated to Grand Inquisitor.

In a way, it had worked. Crime suffocated in the Imperium, corruption and politics were chilled as the halls of the Empire bled, and the shadow state maintained by the Inquisitors and Imperial Intelligence had grown stronger than ever.

"I'm impressed you noticed me, Skywalker." Ravarian smiled thinly.

"A friend finds amusement in similar rituals."

"Indeed." Ravarian's eyes glinted. "It has been some time. Welcome back to Bastion."

Lightning flashed outside.

"I presume you are our escort?" Yaden asked.

"I am, Master Yaden," Ravarian said, indicating a small and sleek Imperial transport disguised as a simple cargo carrier, "You emphasized the necessity of discretion, and this is respected by His Majesty. Your visit will be kept quiet, and the Sovereigns are curious as to what you have come this way for… and under these conditions."

The trio entered the transport and sat down as the engines roared. One leg crossed over the other, the chiss appraised Daniel. "This would not have to do with your personal quest, would it?"

He was unsurprised the Grand Inquisitor was aware. "Perhaps. I'm curious what you've deduced."

Ravarian smiled. "You have caused the analysts of Imperial Intelligence a great deal of headaches over the past months, Grand Master, myself included. A string of seemingly unrelated planets, a trip into the Kathol Rift, where we almost reported our suspicion that you were dead to the Sovereigns, and more interactions with various allies of the Council."

His leg uncrossed, he leaned forward, hands clasped together and eyes glittering. "Many pieces, with only a few plausible outcomes. A plan you clearly have, Skywalker, if I did not know better, I would almost suspect a coup."

Daniel genuinely chuckled at that. "Perhaps the headaches have affected their judgment, as well as their health."

Ravarian's expression didn't waver. "Perhaps, perhaps not. Many forget who you once were, Skywalker – I am not one of those people, and you see the rot." In a smooth motion, he leaned back, just as at ease as he'd been before. "You as well, Yaden. Shartan sees most clearly, but neither of you are blind – or corrupted. I dare not hope that you have decided to purge it, but I cannot disavow that suspicion."

"If only our secrecy was for something that trivial," Daniel replied, just as at ease, "I am afraid to disappoint you, though should the Sovereigns decide to inform you, my actions will be… contextualized."

The chiss cocked his head at a slight angle, though his face betrayed nothing – even as he couldn't suppress the flicker of curiosity that had flamed. "You certainly have my interest, Skywalker."

"I appear to have had your interest for some time."

"One makes for a poor Grand Inquisitor if they are not aware of where the most influential Jedi in the galaxy is at all times," Ravarian said, "A profile such as yours is similarly far more interesting than inconsequential senators and military officials."

"I'm surprised you hold me in such high esteem." Daniel smiled. "Even I am unsure I am the most influential Jedi anymore."

A very delicate game of give and take, implications and extrapolations, both experienced members of the spycraft trade – even if he no longer practiced it as often, he remembered the subtle sparring. Every word a potential insight or lead, a conversation he knew the Grand Inquisitor would play over in his head long after he had departed.

Ravarian did not answer, but seemed content to end the line of discussion then. The rest of the trip devolved into less charged topics; matters of the state of the Imperium "Yes, we are performing quite well," matters of security "Another Consortium infiltration was crushed," and simple interpersonal small talk "How is Councilor Ritten doing, Grand Master?"

The rain continued pelting the transport as they flew, until Daniel felt the craft descending; the telltale signal of an imminent landing. Ravarian glanced to the direction of the cockpit. "It appears we are here. I'm afraid this particular landing pad is an exterior one. We will get wet."

The ramp descended as the door slid open and they strode out into the storm. Robes and hoods flapped in the windy rain, soaking them in the first few volleys. Not that any of them minded overmuch – each had been in far worse before. The catwalk was fairly short, and it was only a minute before they were inside the Imperial Palace – a very secret Imperial Palace.

Inside, the opulence of the highest echelons of the Imperium awaited. Even in the 'secret' entrance, there were no fewer than a dozen Imperial Honor Guard awaiting, at each entry point, the Stormtroopers of extravagance with red shoulder capes, trimmed armor, and the silver, red, and white colors of the Imperium.

Quite impressive. A half-dozen royal aides stood waiting, and scurried toward them as they approached; dressed sharply and simply in white and silver attire – all young. Mostly humans, but there was also a twi'lek in the mix.

Yaden turned to Ravarian with some measure of exasperation. "I thought that you said that this was a private visit."

Ravarian's eyes glittered. "This is a private visit – but you are guests of the Imperium after all. It is imperative you are treated as such. We are not barbarians. More importantly," – he gestured around the room – "I can assure you that each one here is trained for such a procedure. They would die before speaking."

Or the Imperial Mandate will ensure their silence, Daniel quietly clarified mentally. Perhaps a planted idea by Ravarian, but the chiss was no fool when it came to state security. Yaden had a point, and Ravarian would not risk it unless he was absolutely certain that secrecy could be assured.

"We have dry robes, Grand Master," one of the aides said, "If you wish to change, we will have them cleaned and ready for your departure."

"Appreciated, but I will be fine." Daniel waved them off.

Tempting as the offer was, it was very much a loaded proposal considering that the clothes that were provided were no doubt going to be bugged with nano-trackers that would be undetectable under all but the most rigorous scans – not to mention that they would do the same with his robes while they were being 'cleaned.'

He was a bit out of practice, but not that out of practice. Yaden had similarly refused the offer, and the aides trickled back out.

"Well, let us go. The Sovereigns await."

This path to the Throne Room was one he had not walked before, but it was no less a part of the Imperial Palace. The ceilings stretched high, and the path was laid with stained marble and elegant architecture that would be the envy of any of the Jedi Temples. What had always struck him about Imperial architecture was that it was imposing, but starkly empty.

There was always something that emphasized the barrenness; the sterility. A lack of color, a lack of complexity. It had both presence and was completely plain. A dichotomy he still couldn't decide if he personally liked or not. It was oddly unique, and on that alone, he supposed it was a net positive.

Now they were on the stairs that proceeded upwards. The Royal Guard were at their posts; the red-caped and armored men and women who stood silent in eternal vigil. Their helmets robotically moved and tracked the trio, and he felt a dozen minds lightly probing his own. He ensured they did not sense anything they shouldn't.

This was merely their job.

The doors to the Throne Room opened, and they entered. The room was silent as they approached the center, where the twin thrones were situated. The room was a cube, with the walls angling inwards to end in a ziggurat-like flat top. Guardsmen stood along the walls and along the path to the thrones themselves.

Their steps made outsized sounds, clacking and squeaking on the tile from the water still clinging to the soles of the boots.

"Grand Master Daniel Skywalker, Eternal Watcher Si-Wara-Yaden, you stand before the Imperial Sovereigns." Ravarian walked them to the point a short distance before the thrones and turned. "His Majesty, Emperor Vorn Pellaeon, and Her Majesty, Empress Enora Draco-Pellaeon."

Both Sovereigns of the Fellan Imperium looked down upon the Jedi from their elevated thrones. The Empress was as composed and refined as ever; of both Sovereigns, it was the Empress who he had interacted with the most, as the one who officially acted as Triumvir. A diplomat, socialite, and charmer all in one, few could ask for a better ambassador of the Imperium.

Fair skin, raven-black hair of silk that fell to her shoulders – the Fellan streak of silver cutting through her left bang – and a beautiful gown of red and black, her eyes held a charming humor that many found appealing. An image that projected authority, but with a velvet glove. Few really knew that she was a powerful Force-user.

Fewer still knew she had been an Inquisitor.

She sat with ease in her throne, a calm, yet gentle air of authority, though informal. One would feel comfortable enough in her presence to let their guard down; to chat and make small talk; to relax as she laughed at a weak joke or offered a comforting word for a trivial problem. Almost easy to forget she was the Empress.

Almost.

One would never make such a mistake when contrasted to the one who sat beside her.

A man of weathered and hardened flesh; a face which was classically handsome; as if from a chiseled statue of obsidian, but one beset with three parallel scars across the right cheek, and another vertical one over the left eye – an eye that had been replaced by one which was fully mechanical, and did nothing to hide it. The red iris grew and contracted as a pupil would, but was certainly disconcerting to those who stood before the Emperor, and subjected themselves to his appraisal.

Curly black hair – just beginning to turn silver – was neatly pulled back, falling just above his massive shoulders. Compared to his wife, he was far larger, and encased in a mixture of robes and battle armor. Black and silver were his colors, the cape the former, and he bore his former rank of Imperator on his breastplate.

Emperor Vorn Pellaeon was a unique man, and an even more unique Emperor. He was the first Sovereign since Jagged Fel himself who was not a Force-sensitive. How had such a man risen to Emperor? How could he hold authority over the Imperial Knights?

By proving himself ten times over.

By rising through the ranks of the Stormtroopers to become an Imperator of Imperial High Command.

By integrating deep within the Imperial Knights and learning as much about the Force as the most educated of the Maw.

By showing off his tactical and strategic acumen in the Imperial operations in the Outer Rim, turning sure defeats into triumphant victories.

Before his marriage into the Royal Family, those in the Imperium and Alliance had privately whispered that he was the next Thrawn.

Now ascendant to emperor.

A reserved, calculating, charismatic, and imposing man. Larger than life, and though he had no connection to the Force, one could not deny the presence and gravitas that surrounded the Emperor.

Such a contrast to Enora. Opposites, and yet perfect for each other.

"Grand Master Skywalker, Councilor Yaden, welcome," the Empress greeted, "Unusual as the circumstances are, we are always willing to accommodate a voice of the Triumvirate."

"It is an honor, your Majesties," Daniel answered, performing a short bow of greeting, "While I do not expect to take a disproportionate amount of your time, what I have to say is… sensitive. For the ears of the Sovereigns only."

Enora exchanged a glance with Vorn, who nodded once. "Clear the room!" Enora ordered, and without question the Guardsmen began filing out without a word of question or complaint. Ravarian similarly melted into the shadows.

Vorn looked down upon Yaden. "That includes you as well, Eternal Watcher."

Yaden did not move. "I am here with Grand Master Skywalker."

"You are not necessary for what Grand Master Skywalker has to say. Depart and let him speak directly."

Yaden appeared ready to protest further, but Daniel put an arm on his shoulder. "I'll handle it," he said in a low voice, "No scenes."

The Jedi spymaster wasn't happy, but turned and departed the Throne Room. Daniel noticed that Viola Lorentzen, the Emperor's Wrath, was still standing to the side of her Emperor. "She is still here," he noted.

"She can be trusted," Vorn was concise with his words as he leaned forward, "There is nothing that I know that the Emperor's Wrath does not. Speak, Grand Master, tell me why you have come."

"Indeed," Enora added, "Why the secrecy and subterfuge? Unusual for you at your age."

Daniel smiled at that. "I resent the accusation, your Majesty. One can still engage in such even after their numerical prime." He shook his head, growing more serious. "To move to the matter at hand, I am certain that Imperial Intelligence and the Inquisitors have been appraising you on my movements. A mission they have yet to puzzle out, or what my objectives were."

"Something of the sort was mentioned," Enora nodded.

"In short, I have uncovered a secret which threatens not only the Jedi Order and Alliance, but also the Imperium."

Vorn's artificial eye focused on him, as the Sovereign's face hardened. "Do you speak of the Sith?"

"For once, I do not, not truly," Daniel disputed, "What I have found is far older, and far more dangerous than the Sith – even as it relates to them. I am curious – what do you know of the Old Republic? The eras of the Sith Emperor Vitiate and the fabled Eternal Empire of Valkorian?"

Enora seemed confused at the direction of the conversation. "Little; more legend than fact. As it is with much of the old Sith. Tales of feats beyond compare; impossible to replicate; tales which have only grown more outlandish as times have passed."

If only that were true.

"So I believed as well," he sighed, "Unfortunately, it appears that the legends were more factual than any of us had hoped."

And so began his recounting – a bit more concise than the one he had given Vauner, especially since Vodel was not here to interject when he felt like making a point – he focused less on the initial stages of the journey, and more on the revelations which had led to Athiss and learning the truth of what these entities were.

The Emperor's Wrath was the one who he was able to read the best, her emotions ranged from skeptical, to awed, to concerned, like a constant beat. Vorn's eyes were never taken off of his, and while he did not interrupt once, Daniel saw his face seem to grow even more hardened; more concerned and worried. Enora had the tightest control out of all of them, but in her eyes shone in fascination with the story she was hearing.

Time passed, and the storm continued raging outside. When he finished, there was a brief period of silence.

Enora spoke first, "Had this come from anyone but yourself, Grand Master, I would dismiss it as lunacy. But you would not come to us unless you knew it was real; if you did not think it was a threat."

Vorn was now looking ahead. "I am familiar with some of the oldest writings in stone and paper that the Maw have gathered. Stories of such entities were common in the earliest artifacts of the Je'daii Order; feats we dismiss as fantasy. Yet you imply it was true – or based in reality." His lips thinned. "Troubling."

"A mild word, but that is my appraisal as well." Daniel nodded. "I suspect one of these entities exists. There is also likely another, though he may not exist as one yet."

"The boy in your vision on Dromund Kaas?"

"Yes, that one." Daniel paused. "And others which may exist, or may not. We have a lead – one we are going to pursue next. One which could end poorly, or we could find answers."

"Explain this lead," Vorn ordered, leaning forward on his throne.

"A battle during the Clone Wars," he explained, "One which claimed the lives of thousands of soldiers, several Jedi, and Darth Maul's acolyte. A mission that was classified so highly, and hidden so long that most forgot about it. There only exists a single report, detailing encounters with entities that are similar to the ones we saw in the visions on Athiss and Mimban."

Vorn's eyebrows furrowed. "If that was true, then they should have been killed, no? Mere Jedi would not have won against these entities if what you've described is true of their power."

"That is the question," Daniel admitted, "One we are determined to find the answer to – one way or another. There may be these entities in this—"

"Mortis."

Daniel blinked. "Sorry?"

"Mortis. The Monolith." Vorn appraised him. "I have read about it before. I ordered the Maw to investigate once. The double-pyramidion space station. Maul wrote about it, as did Palpatine. We were unsuccessful in our mission to penetrate it."

Well, that was unexpected. "Perhaps I will be more successful."

"Perhaps," Enora mused, "Yet are you sure that is wise, Grand Master? If these entities truly are still around, they have not acted for millennia. What if this Monolith is not a base for them, but a prison?"

"I do not think these entities could be imprisoned so easily," Daniel said slowly, "More importantly, you believe they have not been acting. I am more concerned that they have, and we have simply been unaware of it. It would not be difficult for such entities to conceal themselves if they desired. To what end? I do not know, but if the Quabular are compromised by such an entity, others may also exist."

"Yes…" Vorn's eyes narrowed. "The Quabular. Your supposition about the Jur'bwar is concerning – and, if accurate, is cause for significant realignment. I would prefer confirmation before taking action."

"As would I, your Majesty."

"You plan to depart for Mortis next?"

"With a single additional stop beforehand."

"To where?"

"This is a concern larger than a single faction or organization, your Majesty, we need allies of all kinds to face it – even ones with questionable histories."

Vorn caught his implication, though thankfully did not openly object. "Keep your wits, Grand Master. Treachery only needs a single opportunity."

"I am aware, your Majesty."

"I would also not want to refrain from seeing your quest to the end." Vorn looked to Viola. "My Wrath will accompany you, and assist as necessary."

Daniel cocked his head. "You understand that—"

"I understand that we are facing something which can upend the very definition of what we have come to understand as power," Vorn leaned forward, a deeper gravity in his voice, "You will only succeed if the best accompany you. Those who you can rely on and trust. There are none in the Empire I trust more than my Wrath. She will ensure that any mysteries are solved – one way or another, and ensure that you do not fall prey to Sith machinations."

He leaned back. "See to it that this is done."

Viola bowed deeply. "Yes, my Emperor."

It seemed that was settled then. Daniel hadn't expected for the Emperor to send his personal bodyguard with them – but he was right that she was reliable – and of course, one of the best Imperial Knights the Imperium had to offer. He was certainly not going to turn it down, even if he was slightly amused at the idea that he couldn't take care of himself.

Ah well, he could live with it.

One stop to go.

It was another dark day on Dromund Kaas. A day made all the more tense by the politics taking place within the palace. The Families bickering and arguing about matters largely trivial, dealing with emergencies throughout the lands, arguing about the details of a years-off ceremony when Lady Shan would marry Prince Beni'vel, all of it was enough to drain even the most energetic of people.

Sashal Zavros returned to her humble, but dry dwelling as she always did after long days. If there was one thing to say about being tied close to the halls of power, it was certainly not, for better or worse, boring. Though she had come to envy the other Knights who had far simpler assignments.

With a practiced habit, she took off her robes, and hung them on the stand near the door. Thunder rumbled outside; another storm was almost certain to hit soon. The dim dwelling lit up in blue-white as lightning struck in the distance. She was used to it. Armor came off, piece by piece, each one briefly inspected, cleaned, or dried if necessary.

There was comfort in ritual and routine like this. An order that would never change. It was something she could now do in her sleep, and she finished with relative speed. Now garbed in comfortable robes of the Kaas City high class, she spared a glance at the chrono – the day was moving toward evening.

Even with the armor stowed away, the lightsabers stayed with her.

With the storm outside, she wasn't particularly enthused about going out into the city proper. Getting drenched again was not something she had the tolerance for right now. Hmm. As she mused on what to do, there was a sure fallback unless something struck her.

She walked into her small dojo, one too small to be of any real practical use, but nonetheless was perfect for her to relax in. With one hand, she put the blindfold on, and in the other, she held one of her lightsabers. The comforting sound of ignition became her focal point as she began the routine.

Less of an exercise of practicality, but instead of fluidity and grace. Granted, one she had done so often she did not even have to try that hard to reach the trance-like state she desired, where there was nothing but her and the Force; the distractions of the world tuned out. Routines created by the Zavros Family centuries ago, mixing traditional lightsaber forms with togruta dances.

Sashal didn't know how true that was, as for all she knew, the modern togruta culture was wholly different, but it did not especially matter and she liked to think there was some connection to her species, distant as it might be.

As the lightsaber hummed and buzzed as she went through the motions, her thoughts drifted as they often had of late, to the visit of the Sith all of those months ago. They had not heard anything related to him ever since he had left for the Temple of the Dark Lords. She doubted that he had perished; he seemed too… powerful for that.

It still raised her gooseflesh when she thought about the man with no face. There was something so abnormal about him, especially for one of Timoris's Sith. It was like being in the presence of a predator, which was also being cordial to you; cordial enough to where he'd definitely lowered her guard, even while she was walking on eggshells in a way that she hadn't even felt when dealing with certain members of the Royal Family.

If that man had felt displeased with her, or irritated, she had a distressing feeling that she'd not see the strike coming. That he'd been almost considerate to them only added to the stress. Ugh. She was glad that nothing permanent had come of that, though Carolin had a more positive recollection of the event than she did.

Well, her own experience of Sith was more limited. At least Sith beyond Dromund Kaas.

Yes, tonight she would stay inside. Kaas City wasn't going anywhere, and the storm was good for meditation. Finishing up the routine, she deactivated her lightsaber, returned it to her belt, and hung up the blindfold. First there would be some food. A quick check in her fridge, and she pulled out some ingredients.

Easy to throw something in to heat up, but she was in the mood to actually make something. Minutes later, the dwelling had the appetizing smell of cooking meat and seared vegetables. Sashal hummed a small tune to herself as she added the seasoning and mixed everything together.

There was a sound at the edge of her hearing; a click and a whoosh?

She cocked her head, briefly pausing her cooking. Abnormalities she had learned not to ignore. A hand on her lightsaber, she peered around the corner and to the door. Probing with the Force, she sensed nothing unusual, and a check of the door confirmed it was locked. Hmm, it was probably the steam or something.

She returned to her meal, adding the final touches, putting it in the dish, and putting it in the oven to cook for a short period before it was finished. It occurred to her that she should teach Carolin this. A fascination for animals and swordplay the girl might have, but it was past time the girl learned how to cook for herself instead of having the servants do it for her.

The Zavros Knight wasn't sure what had caught her eye, but when she idly glanced to the small living space that led to the balcony where it was currently storming outside, she let out a sharp shriek and her lightsabers were called to her hand as she saw the black-robed Sith standing in the middle, the faceless void watching her.

The light cast by the lightsabers seemed dim in comparison, and heart pounding, she quickly extinguished them, realizing that it could very easily be taken as an insult. "A-Apologies, milord, I did not see you there."

"At ease, Knight Zavros," he said in a voice which troubled Sashal more – it was definitely the same man as before, but the voice was… different. It lacked the undercurrent of authority and power it had previously possessed. Less hard, less imposing. Less… unsettling. Almost normal. "I did not come here to cause you harm."

She didn't know why, but she believed him. She supposed that if he did, she probably wouldn't have seen him coming… considering he'd been standing there for who knew how long. Apparently, she had noticed something, and ignored it like an idiot. "Of… of course, milord. Uh." – she looked around – "What can I do for you?"

"Come here, Knight Zavros, there is something we need to discuss." The words were friendly; almost too friendly for the man in dark robes whose hands rested on his cane. "Do not fear."

Easier said than done. Swallowing, Sashal approached, resisting the urge to put her hands on her lightsabers. She was slightly taller than the man, but she certainly lacked his presence; the gravitas of a true Sith. Though even that was… different, from what she remembered. To her surprise, the man placed the cane against the wall and pulled back his hood.

Sashal hadn't really known what to expect him to look like; the stories she'd heard of Timoris's Sith were that they were bloodless, hairless ghouls with eyes of red and yellow like the Sith of old. Monsters with scarred faces, or unspeakably hideous aliens. Yet the man who stood before her was none of those.

He was elderly for certain, with close-cut white hair, and the beginnings of a beard. His skin was a healthy pale – there was definitely the pinkish tinge of blood running through it, despite the many wrinkles. But it was the eyes which immediately caught her attention. Simple blue ones, untainted by the electric-yellow she'd seen. They were calculating in a way she'd seen from many of the Royal Family, but there was an odd… gentleness in them.

"There are some apologies in order, Knight Zavros," the man said, "The first of which is that I have lied to you about my identity. I am not, in fact, one of the Sith of Darth Timoris. Nor am I affiliated with the Sith Collective in any way."

Sashal's hands rested on her lightsabers again, thoroughly confused – and now afraid of the implications. The silence stretched and became heavy as her heartbeat sounded in her head. Another swallow; an attempt to suppress a rising panic. "If you are not Sith… who are you?"

"I am Grand Master Daniel Skywalker, of the Jedi Order."

The name specifically she did not recognize – but it did not matter overmuch. The man was a Jedi, and that should mean that he was here to kill her. Her lightsabers should have been ignited in her hands now, ready to defend against what was surely the beginnings of an invasion or infiltration.

Yet the lightsabers stayed unignited.

She was afraid. The power she had sensed had not been an illusion, she had just been mistaken about who he was. A Sith of the Collective might strike her down on a whim, but a Jedi would do so merely because of who she was. And she knew that she was outmatched; he had managed to fool her, and she'd let a Jedi get close to her ward…

Half-paralyzed by indecision, words finally forced themselves from her mouth, almost in a whisper. "Are you here to kill me, Jedi?"

He looked almost sympathetic. "No, Knight Zavros, I am not." He reached out and rested a warm hand on an imperceptibly trembling shoulder. "Be at ease, I am only here to talk." He looked behind her. "You may want to remove your meal, lest it burn. Perhaps some food will relax us both."

"Yes… yes…"

With mechanical motions, she went back to the oven, took out the food, and quickly prepared two dishes of it, not especially focusing on the portion sizes. The Jedi had moved to sit at the small table, waiting patiently for her to come. She didn't know what she should do. Run? Scream? Fight?

No one had ever covered what to do if a Jedi just… came over for dinner?

Or posed as a Sith.

Or who had supposedly come to talk.

She placed the plate in front of him. "Thank you," the Jedi said cordially, inclining his head as he began to eat.

She did so as well, though the food was tasteless to her, so rattled were her nerves. She had so many questions; too many. She didn't know which ones to ask first. If they were something the Jedi was even going to answer. She felt like a hostage in her own home, trapped with her mortal enemy.

Daniel… Skywalker, was it? The Jedi appraised her, and seemed to come to some understanding. "I suspect you have questions. Specifically: why a Jedi has come to your planet – previously and now – and why I am bothering to speak to one who should be an enemy."

A mute nod of acknowledgement from her.

"My discovery of your world was an… accident," the Jedi began, eyes seeming to look beyond her as he mused, "Or at least, the knowledge that your people lived here. I did not expect civilization such as this, and when you and your ward found me… well, I had to improvise. I was able to learn names of certain Sith, and chose the one you reacted most strongly to, to hopefully dissuade in-depth questioning."

"You did well." Sashal shook her head. "I did not think to inquire further."

"Unsurprising, Sith rely on fear to keep their people in line," the Jedi continued, "I have experience with infiltration such as this. But I did not come here to infiltrate your people, I was following a lead for something else."

"You wanted to go into the Temple of the Dark Lords," Sashal remembered, "Why?"

"To learn, to receive a vision or to speak with Darth Nox." The Jedi smiled faintly. "Nox was… not especially cooperative, but she did set me on the path I needed to go."

The numbness endured. This Jedi had spoken to the Thronebreaker and seemed so… casual about it. "And… where was that?"

"The Kathol Rift, I do not think you would have heard of it."

Sashal shook her head 'no.'

"It's unimportant without context." The Jedi laced his fingers together. "You may have surmised from my title, but I am the nominal leader of the Jedi Order. I am also here without the knowledge of most of the Order, outside a few trusted individuals. Were they to learn I was speaking with a self-declared Sith, I suspect I would be arrested and removed from my position."

Both curiosity and confusion were beginning to overtake her instinctual fear. Sashal frowned. "Then… why are you speaking to me?"

"Because you have not fallen," the Jedi said, "Nor have your people. You may consider yourselves Sith, but that is… a label, I am beginning to realize. Actions and individuals are more reflective than mere titles. I am certain you have your share of drama and darkness, yet I can hardly claim the Jedi are superior in that aspect. In short, Knight Zavros, your people are ones I believe could be an ally should the worst come. They are not, I believe, my enemy, nor that of the Jedi."

She blinked. "An… ally?"

"Perhaps, though old rivalries and hatreds die hard between our peoples." The Jedi sighed, and rubbed his chin. "But you, specifically, I feel I can trust to do the right thing. I saw that by how you cared for and treated young Carolin. And there is something which could threaten not just the Jedi and the Alliance I am sworn to protect, but your own people."

"What could that possibly be?"

"Your history is tied closer to this than you realize," he said, "There are beings of power beyond the likes of the Jedi and Sith; beings of the Force itself, it seems like. Valkorian was one of those beings."

"But… Valkorian was slain by Darth Nox," Sashal said, confused.

"So you were told, but it was…" Daniel pursed his lips. "Allowed. I saw much of Nox's life and war against the Eternal Empire through visions. I witnessed the true power of Valkorian on Korriban. There was a reason the Eternal Empire so easily cut through the ranks of the Jedi and Sith in the time of the Old Republic. They were not merely Force-users, they were beyond them in a way which neither of our people has accomplished. These beings, I fear, are still present, and they threaten the galaxy."

There was so much of what he was saying that Sashal didn't know if she should believe, or ignore. It sounded outlandish, but she didn't know what the point of this… story would be otherwise. "Do you have… proof?"

"That they exist, or that they are still present?" He raised an eyebrow. "Both, as a matter-of-fact. One of my… crew, I suppose, knew such entities personally. One of which I believe is masquerading as a leader of an independent Force sect. I am sharing this with you for a specific reason, Knight Zavros. This is bigger than our natural rivalry. It will mean nothing if the Jedi and Sith are wiped out in a coming war. One I cannot know for certain, but if such beings are plotting, knowing what is coming may give us a chance to prepare."

He paused. "Jedi, Sith, Alliance, Empire, this is a common threat to us all. I am not so foolish as to believe that the darker Orders of Sith would be open to such an alliance, nor would I trust them. But your people, I believe, can serve as a conduit. You could be left in the dark, but I know that your people do not deserve to fall to a menace such as this."

"Milor—" She paused. "What do I address you by?"

" 'Grand Master' is sufficient; 'Jedi' if you wish more informality, I do not care overmuch," he said.

"Grand Master." Sashal coughed. "I… do not think I am the person you should be speaking to right now. I am only a Knight; a protector of the Lady Shan. I am no one of any true power in our Order."

"On the contrary, you are," he dismissed, "Even among your people, I believe that the reaction would be… less than welcoming. More importantly, it would get back to your wider Sith Collective, and I do not wish their interference at this point. I do not believe a true alliance is possible at this moment, but there are those who I think can lay the groundwork."

He focused on her. "You are close to Carolin Shan, as her protector. She trusts you, and she will soon be the monarch of this world. You are not a mere nobody. It can fall to you to lead her down a path of peace, and to not be bound to old dogmas and rivalries. What is important here, Knight Zavros, is that one of your people is aware of the truth. In this case: you."

Sashal couldn't believe she was actually thinking about this, but she didn't sense deception from the Jedi – which was a… surprise. "Is that all you came here for?" she asked, "To tell me this?"

"Not just this," he said, "I am preparing to reach what I suspect will be the end to my journey; a place we believe to be a habitat of these entities. One which may be empty, or it may not be. We believe the answers we seek will be there. I have individuals I trust from across the galaxy with me, and if there is one of the modern Sith who should be present, I believe it should be you."

"You want me to… go with you?" she asked, incredulously, "Away from Dromund Kaas?"

"Yes, should you be able to leave without attracting suspicion."

"I…" She pinched the bridge of her nose. "I doubt I will have issues convincing Lady Shan to vouch for me, but forgive me, Jedi, this sounds like a trap."

"I do not blame you," he said, "but I have no intentions of nefarious actions, nor have an interest in extracting information about the Sith unwillingly. If you wish to take precautions, feel free to do so. But I feel that if you see what we will, it will impress upon you the gravity of this situation, and why I have felt it necessary to reach out in this manner."

The prospect of going away from Dromund Kaas was both daunting and exciting – and something she still wasn't fully sold on. She did not expect to have gotten caught up in this, and realized that now she could be part of history… for better or worse. At the same time… "If I do this," she said, "I want to know more details. About your people. These entities. If I am to risk myself like this, I need to know it is not deception."

Daniel Skywalker smiled. "Of course, Knight Zavros. Ask your questions. We have time."

It had taken a few long hours of discussion, but he'd been able to successfully convince the young woman to accompany him. Of course, it had taken a day for her to put together the relevant excuses, and initiate some contingencies in case it was, in fact, a trap. Privately, Daniel thought she could consider herself quite lucky his intentions were benign, because her supposed deadman's switches were… not exactly the best.

Fortunately for her, he did not intend her harm.

It was an interesting, if mildly nerve-wracking introduction for the Knight as she was brought aboard the Falcon. Luckily, both Arnica and Lara were there to help put the young woman at ease. The others had let them be, at least for a while. It was going to be something of a journey once they were en route to Mortis, and there was plenty of time for staggered introductions.

Luckily, she and Lara seemed to be hitting it off well enough.

"Are you sure she's not going to be a liability?" Yaden asked, eyeing the two women from the hallway.

"Unlikely," Daniel said, "Based on what I was able to discern, she is skilled and relatively powerful, but no more dangerous than one of the Sentinels."

"She's not what I expected," Viola said, her blood-red armored arms crossed, as she stood stiffly, "No hint of corruption."

Daniel smiled faintly. "I did tell you she wasn't a typical Sith."

Viola's eyebrows furrowed. "If she is Sith at all. You say she retains the title of 'Knight.' That is not a Sith moniker."

"She is almost certainly descended from Ashara Zavros," Daniel said, "A Jedi Knight who worked with Darth Nox. I assume that the Family has retained some of the traditions. I have no doubt that there are certain darker factions on the planet, but they are not quite as malevolent as the Sith we are familiar with."

"The Emperor will be interested to hear of this," Viola muttered, "That they are connected to this Sith Collective is more troubling."

"Indeed it is, though that is a problem for another day,"

Arnica strode toward them from the cockpit. "Course to Mortis is set. It'll be a solid sixteen hours to do all the jumps. If anyone wants to get some rest, now is the time. No telling what we'll find once we get there."

"Empty space and a structure," Viola said, deadpan, "I recall the report."

"And no one was able to get inside?" Daniel asked.

"They weren't prepared for a forced entry," Viola said, "Bad tools, and whatever the Maw sensed from it was enough for them to want to leave as soon as possible. Supposedly, according to some texts, the Monolith automatically opened in the past."

"It did, the Republic report cited the same thing," Daniel recalled, "Why it did not for the Empire is curious."

"What happens if it doesn't open for us, or we can't get inside?" Arnica asked.

Daniel sighed. "Worst-case, we may have to bring the Sphere of Science and Research on board. I don't completely trust Master Najor, but this would require the dedicated resources of the Order. I know Master Buchic would not be able to resist a challenge such as this."

"Or, as there are reliability issues with the Jedi, the Maw could perform a proper operation," Viola suggested as an alternative, "Keeper Osoad would love nothing more than to undertake such a task."

"Perhaps," Daniel said, noncommittally, "Hopefully, we won't have to make that decision."

There was a light shriek and all of them peered back into the main hold. It was clear what the source of the disturbance was – Lowbacca had entered the room, and Sashal's eyes were fixated on the wookiee. It occurred to Daniel that she might not have ever seen an alien like him before.

Lowbacca similarly seemed taken aback, though quickly understood. ＜＜I did not mean to startle you, Knight Zavros.＞＞

Sashal seemed to have quickly recovered, and gave an awkward cough.

"That is Lowie," Lara said, making a proper introduction, "Another Jedi."

＜＜It is good to meet you,＞＞ Lowbacca mewled.

"Is he… speaking?" Sashal looked at Lara in confusion. "I'm sorry, I cannot understand him."

That wasn't surprising. Clearly she didn't know Shyriiwook, and her translation implants were almost certainly out-of-date, assuming she had any at all. "He says 'hello,' and he's glad to meet you."

"Ah, nice to meet you too…" She peered at him. "You are a wookiee, yes?"

Lowbacca barked affirmatively, and nodded.

"You know of them?" Lara asked.

"I've never seen one before, but it looks exactly like how they are in our histories," Sashal recounted, "Many strong aliens of black and brown fur fought when Darth Nox freed them from slavery to the Eternal Empire."

"Really, that was how they were described?" Arnica had moved to take a seat near Lara and Sashal. "That is a period of history we know little about, if you don't mind, I'd like to learn more about your recollection."

Sashal seemed willing to discuss, and the conversation drifted to less relevant matters, and Lowbacca moved through the ship to whatever he was doing before.

Yaden seemed amused. "Quite a chatterbox, she is. Useful."

"She was quite open the first time I landed," Daniel said, "More trusting than I think she believes she is. A good woman, if naïve."

"Useful," Yaden repeated with a nod, "A shame she does not know more about the Sith."

"No, but she may be a valuable conduit for when that time comes," Daniel said, "Her proximity to the future monarchs gives her leverage."

"And what leverage does the Princess have on the boy?" he wondered.

"It appears political in nature," Daniel said, "Though my impression is that the young Carolin Shan is not averse to the Prince-apparent."

"Not that she would reveal such even if she was." Vauner materialized near him. "You masqueraded as a Sith. She would not reveal such doubts to any stranger, much less someone she has been taught to respect and fear."

"A fair point," Viola said, a thoughtful look on her face, "Though if these Families wish to ensure a lasting dynasty, the match will be amenable to both of them. A strong union will ensure a stronger state."

"Which you have no doubt witnessed," Yaden noted.

"My proximity to the Sovereigns has given me certain insight," Viola admitted, "Enough to know how such marriages are inherently political, but they are not necessarily doomed, contrary to popular belief. Love is all well and good, but love is fleeting. That which matters ensures relationships last: duty, respect, purpose."

"Perhaps useful for a head of state, but placing that above all is cold," Vauner said, "Certainly not applicable to everyone."

"I never implied it was, spirit," Viola said with a bit of bite, "Only that it is not inherently flawed like your people assume."

The conversation drifted further, and Daniel took some time and got some brief, meditative rest before they arrived. When he awoke, with only a short time until they were set to arrive, he walked out and was mildly surprised to find Sashal and Vodel chatting in the main hold, joined by Vauner.

"I'm almost sad you missed it," Lara said, walking up, "She got rather excited when she realized he was a pureblood."

"Does she know who he is?"

"I don't think she recognized the name," Lara said, "She's gotten over it even if she had."

"Arnica's in the cockpit?"

"Her and Lowie." Lara checked the time. "I'd say we should go. We're almost there."

They made their way to the cockpit, where Arnica and Lowie were already strapped in. "Daniel, good, you're awake," Arnica said as she methodically flipped switches and turned knobs with practiced ease, "Just in time too."

"We're coming up on Mortis?"

"Yes, better strap in, we're going to be coming out of hyperspace shortly," she responded, "Lowie, all systems check out?"

He barked out an answer, and while both of them prepared to come out of hyperspace, Lara and Daniel strapped into the two seats behind the main ones. Arnica made a short announcement for everyone else to strap in, and they counted down the minutes until it happened.

The splashing blue of cosmic radiation pulled back, and the Falcon rested in the middle of dark space. In the distance, stars glittered, but they appeared to be in the space between systems. Where only black holes and shadow resided.

And yet, they were not alone.

Before them rested the Mortis Monolith. Daniel had a general idea of the shape – but what he hadn't been prepared for was the sheer presence of the thing.

"Look at the size of that thing," Arnica said in awe, "It's as big as the Death Star."

Perhaps not quite, but it was certainly the size of a small moon. It floated idly; no lights glistened off its black covering. It was indeed a double-sided pyramidion, with a noticeable section where the two ends met. Daniel saw no external markings or defenses, or gaps whatsoever.

＜＜Running a few scans,＞＞ Lowbacca grunted, ＜＜Sending standard transmissions. No signals detected.＞＞

"Life-signs?" Lara asked.

＜＜Blocked,＞＞ Lowbacca said, ＜＜Nothing is coming from whatever is inside.＞＞

Daniel saw Vauner had materialized, and was peering out to the black monolith. "Recalling anything familiar?"

"No…" Vauner's tone had a strange inflection, "I have not heard of such a place before. You do not sense it, Skywalker?"

Daniel's brow furrowed. "Sense what?"

"This place…" Vauner's voice turned unsure; speculative. "I can… reach out to it. It is a convergence of the Force. A place where the Netherrealm and reality converge. Were I not tethered to you, I do not think I could be held in this plane. You truly sense nothing?"

"No, nothing. Anyone else?"

All of them similarly shook their heads.

＜＜This can't be right,＞＞ Lowbacca said in a surprised growl, ＜＜Scans are indicating that the exterior is… indestructible.＞＞

"I don't think that term is an actually valid one," Daniel said, unstrapping and looking over at the numbers.

＜＜For all intents and purposes, it appears to be,＞＞ Lowbacca said, ＜＜Look at the estimated density. There is no superweapon in the galaxy that could break it. It is denser than the Sun Crusher by several factors. This should be impossible to forge. And there's something else, something missing here. I'd need an actual sample, and preferably Buchic to help.＞＞

Daniel frowned. "Let's hope we can find an easier way—"

Before them, the Monolith began turning. The twin pyramids twisted in opposite directions, and the conjoining middle section peeled away to shine blinding white light. Daniel could make out nothing inside, but the moment it 'opened,' he felt what Vauner had described.

The Force, alive and pure in a way he had never really felt before.

"I think," he said, "that's where we need to go."

He didn't need to explain anything more. Every single one of them felt it now, and they knew that forward was where they needed to go. Whatever was about to happen, Daniel had a feeling that much would change.

The Falcon sped toward the light, and even with the blinders on, it remained overpowering. There seemed to be a singular flash.

And then, just as quickly, it vanished.

The flash was white, blinding, and just as quickly, it cleared.

What they flew over could only be described as a paradise. It was unlike anything Daniel had ever seen before, even in his extensive travels through the galaxy. A garden world – pristine and untouched by the galaxy – with vast swaths of vegetation of all colors, mountains which stretched high into the clouds, and valleys and streams overrun by red and green plants filled with crystal water.

Even from the cockpit, there was something that seemed surreally crisp and clear about the world. One which felt alive in a way which he'd never felt on any other world in the galaxy. There was something else too, something that was right on the edge of his perception, and maddeningly out of reach.

"There," Vodel said quietly, pointing to what seemed to be a massive tower – or temple – in the distance. Gray and stone-like, with some kind of crystal or jewel hovering over the top. "That is where we will need to go."

"I see it," Arnica said, focusing intently on piloting, "Unfortunately, the closest place to land is several klicks away. We'll have to walk. I'm not going to risk grounding us to save some time."

"We can handle that." Daniel nodded absentmindedly, still focused on the overwhelming energy of this world. "Take your time."

He glanced over to see Vodel standing still, chin tilted up and eyes closed. The pureblood appeared to be in-between a trance and euphoric state.

"Are you all right?" Daniel asked.

"There is… something here," he said without opening his eyes, his voice unfocused and elsewhere, "Something beyond the euphoria; this power. Greater. It's calling. You can tell what I am speaking of, yes?"

"Yes, on the edges of my perception." A pause. "Another element of this place?"

"Likely, and one that…" He unexpectedly trailed off. "I wonder…"

Daniel waited for him to finish, but he remained silent. Arnica brought the Falcon down onto a plateau with the temple visible in the distance. Daniel doubted that there would be many paths toward it, but he was certain they would be able to forge one. He was quite eager to begin exploring this strange new world.

One which should absolutely not exist if he was thinking rationally, but it was clear this was anything but normal. What it was he couldn't say, but this was certainly not a mass hallucination. Probably. Truthfully, it was impossible to rule anything out when it came to these entities.

Arnica performed the final checks as all of them pondered the brief time they had before venturing out. Daniel saw the temple poking up from the forest in the distance, an almost enchanted view, one which they needed to strictly regulate. It was impossible to tell as of now what was safe on this world – and what was dangerous.

All of them gathered in the main hold several minutes later, and they had gathered the weapons and tools that might be needed. It was a strange collective, without a doubt. Jedi, Sith, Imperial, spirit, and relics of the past. A group which should have little reason to come together, but were united in a desire to find the truth.

No matter where it led.

"We all feel the power of this place," Daniel began, addressing all of them, "and the thing on the edge of our minds. The power here is vast and intoxicating – and it might be intentional. This is a place of the Force – it is not natural, and is likely a creation of these entities. Be wary of everything you see and feel. Beware that which calls out, as it could be a trap."

Daniel rested a hand on his saber. "There is a temple we saw on the initial flight. That is where we will be going. There are unlikely to be paths, so we will have to make one. Scans have been… of limited usability, but there does appear to multiple places of fresh water and plants that could be edible – but we should not experiment unless it becomes necessary."

There were nods all around at that.

"A question… Grand Master?" Sashal timidly asked.

"Of course."

"Can we… get out? This world is… like a planet. But it is inside a space station, no?"

That was a question he didn't know the answer to, unfortunately. The 'sky' of this place seemed to be a deception – and Arnica hadn't been able to pinpoint their entry, which could prove problematic. In fact, she couldn't get readings of anything except what was in this place.

"The Old Republic was able to leave," Daniel said, "There is certainly a way, but we need to focus on what we came for first. Understood?"

Another round of nods.

"Let's go then," Daniel said, "And may the Force be with us all."

They didn't get very far early on thanks to the distractive nature of the world. Something which Daniel was fine with, at least for now. Everyone had an insatiable curiosity to know about this place, and it was just as majestic on the ground as it had appeared in the air. Green grass, multicolored and unique vegetation, forests with blue bark and leaves of the fall. Waterfalls of crystal-clear water, so clear he could actually see to the bottom – at minimum twenty meters.

Most fascinatingly, the world reacted to them. The Force flowed through all life, and every single plant here seemed attuned to it. It was a subtle thing, as he tapped into the life of the world, the grass twitched and angled toward him, the trees rustled, and the leaves of the bushes twisted and moved as if they had minds of their own.

They did not, of course, but it was a tangible reaction. One which he had only limited experience with. Arnica, Pon, and Lowie were gathered around a tree, taking scans and having an intense discussion. Yaden and Viola seemed the most suspicious of the planet, and were keeping close, hands on their weapons, and eyes scanning the perimeters – an unintentional pairing that Daniel found amusing.

Sashal seemed fully enraptured by the world, her eyes and pupils almost comically wide, and probably close to gawking at the world and the Force that flowed through it. Daniel considered that it was perhaps the perfect world a togruta could visit, as much of their culture revolved around the relationship and connection with nature. Divergent as Sashal likely was from her ancestors, he did notice she had taken off her boots shortly after disembarking.

Lara was near her, and similarly seemed energized by the world. Both were talking, though Lara seemed more aware of her surroundings, though not as restrained as Viola and Yaden. All of them would have to be careful and keep their wits about them, this was a dangerous place for Force-users.

He did not fail to notice the oddities about this place though. Though there was an abundance of life in the form of vegetation, he had not seen nor sensed any fauna. No animals, insects, mollusks, or anything. No birds flew in the air, no fish swam in the ponds, no insects harassed them as they stood.

For a planet so filled with life, the lack of anything other than plants stuck him as strange.

Though that was secondary to what had become of the odd thing he had perceived. It seemed like it was an osmosis effect, where the longer he heard, the more he was able to understand. He wondered how he had missed it before, as now it seemed so obvious. Alien, yet familiar.

Music.

It was indescribable, yet he knew that was what it was. It was like no music he had ever heard before, it had no traditional notes, yet played them all; it reached his ears, yet echoed in his mind – body and brain perceiving different melodies apart, yet joining into a glorious whole as he comprehended them. It was every instrument together, not clashing or harsh, but playing in perfect harmony.

A symphony of life. A song.

The realization made him shiver.

Vodel stood beside him, eyes intently on the sky. "We have found it, Skywalker. I was right!" His red lips split into a smile, and he seemed ready to laugh. "I was right!"

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "About?"

"You hear it now? I know you do. The music. The Song. Listen closer, watch the world around you," his voice lowered, "Pay close, close attention, Skywalker."

He did so. The song that played was not mere background noise, nor pointless chords. It rose and fell, pulsated and went silent, seemingly in accord with the flow of the world itself.

"This world, this place, it is not dictated by the Force," Vodel said in awe, "It is dictated by the Song. A world slaved to its glorious notes. Watch!"

He reached down, and plucked a fistful of grass. An imperceptible shiver ran up Daniel's spine as he seemed to feel the life snuffed out. It paled in comparison to what came next. The blades of grass shriveled in his hand within seconds, becoming dead things, then crumbled to nothing but dust. And where the grass had been plucked, he watched as new blades sprung from the soil; replaced as if they had never been gone.

Daniel did not fail to notice the notes of the song subtly change; as if adjusting to a brief shift in scenery.

Vodel scattered the dust with triumph in his eyes. "The Force is the vessel of the Song, commanded by it; upon which it commands this world. We have stepped into a pocket outside our reality, Skywalker. We know now there is something greater, something more. Something which makes the impossible mundane, and reality clay."

"It's… more valid," Daniel admitted, resisting the triumph and infectious pleasure Vodel was emitting, "Though that's hardly conclusive evidence. There is nothing to suggest this is inherently not the Force."

"Perhaps to you." Vodel shook his head. "But I have been seeking this my whole life. I have theorized for so long, the clues I've pored over, and this… this! It is not proof to you, Skywalker, not yet, but it is what I inherently know. And now, here, this is where I will prove it, and break the chains that it has over us."

"I never thought I would say this," Vauner said, materializing, "but I think that Vodel might be on the correct path. This music is not music, it is a command. Or commands. Repeated over and over."

Both turned to him.

"Explain," Vodel immediately demanded, "I can hear melodies, but nothing more. Commands, you say?"

"I suspect it is because I am a spirit," Vauner said, crossing his arms, "Whatever stories you found appear to be true, Skywalker. This place is… beyond anything I have experienced. I can understand this song on an intimate level. I can resist it; I retain enough consciousness to do so – but vegetation like this has nothing."

His voice turned to musing. "I wonder if that is why there is no sentient life beyond plants. This song is weak, no one here is falling to its compulsion. Perhaps the animals would be able to similarly resist. If I wish, I can override the song… or amplify it."

"Yes, yes, but answer my question." Vodel waved a hand. "Commands? Elaborate."

"That is my best analogue," Vauner clarified, "but it is… maintaining life. Forcing it, almost. But in a specific way. Those attuned to the Force are susceptible to it, which is why if we brought a plant in here, it probably wouldn't react. Everything here is engineered to react to the Force."

"And the Song, is it of the Force?" Daniel asked.

Vauner's brow furrowed. "I can't conclusively answer that. All I know is that it is… not anything I have felt before. Wholly alien. It forces compulsion, but I can't touch it – and here is where I should. I do not know if it is of the Force. Perhaps, but I am unsure."

He paused. "I have wondered what it is like when the Jedi pass into the Netherrealm. I had imagined it akin to this. Perhaps it is where we are, I would not be surprised. If any could open a physical gate to such a place, it would be these entities."

Questions that needed answering, but Daniel was now no longer sure that this place had been built by the Ones. Whatever this Song was, it seemed like something that could be beyond even their powers. He had heard of no ability or ritual like this before, ones which had musical elements or allegories, yes, but certainly not self-sustaining like this seemed to be.

Troubling.

"Daniel, we have a visitor," Lara called in an odd tone.

Despite the word 'visitor,' he sensed no alarm from anyone, and turned to see that a spirit had materialized close to the edge of the forest. The group gathered, and Daniel took the front, a hand instinctively on his lightsaber, even as he knew it was likely to be useless. Old habits truly died hard.

It was a togruta, to his mild surprise, one fairly young, and wearing the armor-robes of the Jedi of the Old Republic. Boots, greaves, breastplates, and gauntlets derived from the armor of the Clone Legions, with an open jedi robe that reached to just above the ground, complete with a hood, though it was down on the spirit.

Two lightsabers hung from her waist, one noticeably smaller than the other. He wondered if Sashal would recognize the white markings on her orange skin, though he doubted it.

The woman appraised the group. "This place hasn't been breached in centuries. Why are you here?"

"To find answers."

A nod. "Tread carefully. This place is unkind to our people."

"Jedi?"

"Force-users," she answered, "Of which I see all of you are."

Daniel allowed a moment. "Who are you?"

"Ahsoka Tano, of the Jedi Order, Padawan to Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Commander of the 212th Attack Battalion." She tilted her head. "It is good to see that our Order still endures."

"Yes, despite some troubles." Daniel nodded. "You were unaware?"

"I have been kept here, after my death," Ahsoka answered, "A better end than the others who perished here. You are the first visitors outside of him."

"Him?" Vodel seized on that. "Ludex?"

"The Father, yes." She nodded. "He said one day visitors would breach the Monolith, and I was to guide them."

"So, he lives," Vodel breathed – then paused, "What of his children?"

A prolonged pause. "A long story…" She peered at him. "You are no Jedi, are you?"

"No, I am not. But I am not Sith."

"Anymore," Yaden muttered, though was silenced by a look of irritation from Lara.

Ahsoka turned a questioning eye to Daniel. "Do you trust these people?"

"They are here for a reason. Yes." He waited. "We only know pieces about what happened in the… 'Mortis Incident' as the Old Republic called it. We know of the Ones – and that you came into contact with them. We know enough to know that no one should have survived."

"No," she agreed, "We shouldn't have. Most of us didn't. If you trust these people, then you will be shown the truth. Be prepared, Jedi." She clasped her hands together, and the world itself shifted into a vision – one more potent than he had ever experienced before.

The first thing he realized was that the music had changed.

No longer was it a persistent melody of harmony and growth on the edge of hearing, but had shifted to something… darker. The persistent notes seemed harsher, an inherent uneasiness settled upon his skin, forcing goosebumps to rise along his flesh. The music was like a chilling wind, a long deep bass note, sweeping through all of them, the melody ominous and low.

Notes that signaled death.

It was not difficult to see why.

The surreal brightness of the day was gone, replaced by an oppressive, clouded nightfall. Lightning flashed in the distance, each accompanying thunderclap in accordance with sudden notes as the darkened clouds gathered. Small raindrops were already starting to fall, and the paradise they had previously been standing in was gone.

In its place was a dying world.

However, one that was occupied.

It wasn't difficult to figure out where they were and who was already here. Old Republic starships were landed, from fighters to transports, where the Republic clearly had set up a landing zone. The emblem of the Republic was emblazoned on the established fortifications, and flags of the Republic and Jedi Order whipped in the wind that was picking up faster and faster.

Legions of clones marched in units, stood guard, or in some cases, were off-duty, helmets off or held under their arms as they talked with their brothers. Others were assisting in setting up fortifications with droids and non-clone personnel. There were a few scattered Republican battle droids standing guard with the clones, or being repaired by technicians, but they were in the minority.

And there was… something else. Daniel reached out through the vision, and he felt the complex entwining of emotions, of pressure on the minds of the clones. He looked to Lara's slightly shimmering form. "Do you feel it?"

She nodded. "They are being eaten."

Not physically, but the emotional storm all of the soldiers were experiencing was… Daniel had few comparisons. A mixture of pain, fear, and guilt was afflicting each soldier to various degrees. The result of sustained mental pressure he was acutely familiar with, having performed it once before.

A state that seemed tied to the ominous Song permeating reality. Daniel, Lara, Pon… they could all protect themselves easily enough, the suggestion imposed was easily warded against. Yet for those who could not…

Vodel voiced his thinking, "They are vulnerable here. All life is."

It was a repeated feeling, as they began walking through the outpost, with Daniel taking closer note of the surrounding world itself.

The land around them was dead, little more than dirt and stone. The grass was shriveled and brown, and crumbled to dust as it was stepped on. Vegetation was likewise in a state of visible decay, and Daniel watched as one tree withered before his eyes, the leaves falling to the ground and almost immediately crumbling into dust. Thunder rumbled above, and the rain began falling harder.

None of the soldiers, droids, or personnel noticed them, which made sense, though Daniel was wary considering the previous visions. Lara was close by – as was Vodel, whose eyes scanned everything like a hungry predator. Lowie and Arnica seemed more fascinated by the scene of Republic forces establishing a beachhead, and Viola and Sashal had the all-too familiar looks in their eyes of those who had never experienced a vision like this before.

They continued until they reached the edge of the forest which was dying before their eyes, and before it stood figures of history he knew very well. A trio of Jedi – two of which were instantly recognizable. Obi-Wan Kenobi, outfitted in the mixture of robes and armor typical of the Jedi generals of the Clone Wars. Armor largely clean, even as raindrops rolled down it, his beard short and impeccably groomed with one elbow propped under an arm as he appraised the dead forest.

Anakin Skywalker was beside him, in heavy battle armor, which reminded Daniel of the images of the clone commandos. Black plating, with brown clothing elements. Unkempt hair and a clean-shaven face that was chiseled and hard, a scar running over his right eye, which burned with sapphire intensity.

Then the togruta, Ahsoka Tano, wearing the armor she had appeared to them in. She looked mostly the same, which meant that whatever had happened to her… it had happened around this time. Daniel maneuvered himself until he had a clear view of all of them – and obviously within earshot.

He missed what had been said a few seconds earlier, just arriving to hear Ahsoka give an exasperated sigh. "The path's gone."

They must have just walked up then, since that likely wouldn't have been something they just noticed.

"Yes, I see that," Obi-Wan said dryly, one gloved hand stroking his beard as he watched the forest continue to wither, "A pity we didn't have the droids chart the path before this."

"How were we supposed to know everything would spontaneously die?" Anakin demanded, rolling his eyes.

"A fair point," Obi-Wan acknowledged with a shrug, "Nonetheless, I doubt we're going to make any progress tonight."

"For you, maybe," Anakin grunted, crossing his arms, "Ventress isn't going to rest, and neither should we. I can take a squad out—"

"And you'll just wind up on a wild bantha chase." Obi-Wan lifted a forestalling hand. "Remember when you and Owen took a 'shortcut' on Nal Hutta?"

"First of all—"

"Where you went in circles for six hours?"

"It wasn't that long!"

"And where I had to come and find you after the mission was over?"

"Okay!" Anakin lifted his hands in surrender. "Now, that might not have been the best plan at the time, but it was better than doing nothing!"

"Anakin, we just have to have patience," Obi-Wan said, half-amused, half-exasperated, "Trust me – Ventress is doubtless having as difficult a time as we are."

Ahsoka had one hand to her mouth, trying to keep herself composed, but Daniel could see that she was hiding a smile at the banter she was likely used to seeing between them.

"Owen's not going to believe any of this," Anakin muttered, "And I doubt I'm going to be able to get this music out of my head. I don't like it."

"Well, maybe it's part of this world's charm." Obi-Wan shrugged nonchalantly.

" 'Charm' we could do without," another voice interrupted, and Daniel saw two more Jedi walking up. One of them a fair-skinned blond-haired woman in silver battle armor that bore signs of scorching and dirt, and a younger black-haired man in a more mobile outfit. Daniel briefly tried to remember if he knew who they were.

"Siri," Obi-Wan greeted with a nod, "Manage to contact the fleet?"

Ah, that was right. Master Siri Tachi, and the man was likely her Padawan, Ferus Olin, he'd looked both of them up after Pon had shown them the recordings.

Siri shook her head. "Not from here. The signal is still blocked. Drone dispatches still thankfully work, but it's not the quickest system."

"Especially when things can change quickly," Ahsoka added with a sour face.

"Yeah, for all intents and purposes, we're on our own." Siri had a playful gleam in her eye as she appraised Obi-Wan. "In this case, I'll defer to you, General Kenobi."

"I appreciate the vote of confidence," Obi-Wan said dryly, "However, I think we can both take point on this, General Tachi."

She smiled. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

Daniel raised an eyebrow at the exchange, something that Anakin seemed rather amused by though he said nothing. Not exactly the kind of dynamic he would have expected.

Ahsoka coughed briefly. "So, are we going to hunker down for the night?"

"Not ideal, but that's the plan." Obi-Wan nodded with a shrug.

"If we are planning to establish a forward base in the short-term, I would like to raise a point," Ferus interjected stiffly, lifting a hand.

Siri nodded. "Go ahead."

"I've been reviewing what our analysts have collected on this world," he said with a cough, "Simply put, I'm concerned about the potential effects it will have on our soldiers. The clones do not like this world – for that matter, no one likes it. The medics have already seen a spike in mental health issues in the past day – anxiety, guilt, fear, breakdowns at times – all from people who have not had previous episodes of mental instability."

There was a pause. "I don't think this is a place for non-Jedi. I'm concerned that the long, or even short-term effects are something we should understand before making further decisions. Even rotating soldiers in and out is preferable if we can't bring in battle droids."

"I'm telling you, this music has something to do with it," Anakin said, "It's not natural."

"A good point." Obi-Wan nodded once. "Ferus, Siri and I will review that tonight. If it becomes worse, we'll consider rapid rotations, or battle droid reinforcements."

Thunder struck again, and now the rain started coming down, far harder than the light sprinkle before. Anakin just looked to the sky and sighed.

Daniel felt it before it was seen. An aura of power he was now far more familiar with. A vortex of malevolence and darkness that manifested. And it came in the blink of an eye, Daniel wasn't sure if he had fallen from the sky, or materialized from the shadow, but the ground lightly trembled as the Son appeared a short distance away, and rose before the Jedi.

He was much how Daniel remembered him from the previous visions, wearing the clothing of the void, his skin as white as bone, with red markings over the bald scalp and eyes. Eyes which glowed with red malevolence, and a smile of a predator appraising prey it intended to play with.

The Jedi reacted quickly, with most of them bringing their lightsabers to their hands, though not igniting them yet. Siri yelled a command, and almost immediately, the nearby clones and battle droids formed up and raised their weapons. Ahsoka pressed a button on her wrist, and a siren went off, summoning more soldiers to where the disturbance had taken place.

The Son's face turned upwards, as if he was listening to the siren. The glowing eyes briefly closed and the corners of his lips curled up ever so slightly. The sound of mechanical whining sounded as automated defenses were brought online, and the clank of battle droids locking into combat position.

The eyes opened.

"Welcome, Jedi."

The eyes swept over the gathered, lingering ever so slightly on each Jedi – the spectral observers included. He could almost feel Vodel stiffen as the Son locked eyes with him, but he soon returned his focus to the still-living Jedi.

He heard Vodel exhale.

Said Jedi seemed unprepared for the voice that reverberated in their heads, as it also did to the incorporeal observers. Ferus and Ahsoka visibly winced, while Siri's eyes briefly closed and Obi-Wan's brow furrowed. Only Anakin seemed unaffected, even as he frowned.

"You brought others," the Son noted, "A mistake, as you are already learning."

"Oh, well," Obi-Wan said with a light tone, "We didn't have all the details here."

"Perhaps." The Son's eyes glowed brightly. "But you should have known that bringing the Force-blind was not something you were meant to do."

"Oh." If Obi-Wan was afraid, he didn't show it, though his eyes were wary. "And just what were we supposed to do?"

"Come, observe, meditate, pursue the call of the Force," the Son said almost absentmindedly, flicking a wrist dismissively, "You can feel it, can you not? This place is for those who are of its power. Those who are not… they do not belong." He shook his head. "No matter."

"Were you the one who caused the disturbance?" Anakin asked, moving to the side to pace slowly, eyes fixated on the figure of darkness.

A smile was returned. "Indeed I was, and now you are here."

"Whatever you wanted from us, I'm afraid you're not likely to get it," Obi-Wan said, almost apologetically, "We are here to investigate and secure this place for the Republic."

"Originally, perhaps," the Son mused, beginning to pace – mirroring Anakin, "Now you will perform a… grander task."

"And what might that be?"

"One I think you'll find agreeable," the Son continued with a smile as his eyes bored into the Jedi, "I and my sister have been trapped in this place for millennia, waiting for the opportunity to free ourselves. Our freedom has been within sight, but we were condemned to live with it out of reach. Yet, we have observed your galaxy, and the festering rot that has taken hold of it once more. Squabblings, wars, a galaxy ruled by the corrupt and the cruel."

He shook his head, his voice laced with righteous bitterness, "Republic. Jedi. Separatist. Sith. Cliques and groups that make promises, tell lies, and rule with mandates simply accepted. For a thousand generations you Jedi have lived in your temples and towers, and have passively watched the galaxy stagnate, content to act as puppets of the Republican politicians and corrupt officials."

Siri's brow furrowed. "What are you insinuating?"

"I insinuate nothing, Jedi!" the Son hissed, his eyes flashing red and his voice ending in a crack as sharp as thunder, "I speak the truth. And I will offer an alternative." He spread his hands. "Me and my sister intend to purge this galaxy of the parasites who feast upon it, and rebuild it with none of the corruptive rot that has taken hold. No more factions, fighting, or war. No more Jedi, Sith, Republic, or Empire. One galaxy, at peace, forever."

The Jedi didn't seem to be convinced, and the senior Jedi were now appraising the entity before them with a new wariness. Ferus's eyes shifted to Siri, who gave him a reassuring nod. Ahsoka's hands tightened around her lightsabers.

Finally, Anakin spoke. "Tempting." The Chosen One ignited his lightsaber, the sapphire blade steaming as rain vaporized upon the plasma blade. "But we'll take our chances. The darkness is strong within you."

The Son smiled knowingly. "And you would know about darkness, Chosen One. And you know the justice it can bring, that the light struggles to hold back."

That prompted the rest of the Jedi to ignite their lightsabers. Green beams from Ahsoka's twin blades, both held in the reverse Shien stance. Sky-blue beams sprang from Obi-Wan and Ferus's, and a violet glow emerged from Siri's lightsaber.

Any trace of humor was gone from Obi-Wan's voice as he addressed the Son, "What do you know of such things?"

The Son looked at the drawn lightsabers and pointed weapons, enough firepower to obliterate anything they were directed at, and seemed only amused. "More than you would understand, Jedi. I offer you this chance, only once. But understand this, what is about to happen shall occur, whether you like it or not."

He flicked his wrist downwards, and their lightsabers immediately retracted.

"You are Sith," Obi-Wan said pointedly.

"Sith?" The Son crossed his arms, and unexpectedly chuckled. "Sith. No, Jedi. I am not Sith. I am what the Sith – in their delusion, their arrogance – aspire to be."

"Nonetheless," Obi-Wan said, igniting his lightsaber again, "I'm afraid we're going to have to refuse your offer."

Daniel could feel the Jedi gathering their power, and subtly starting to move as they prepared for battle. He knew it was hopeless, yet he couldn't take his eyes away. His only question was how anyone would survive what would come next.

The entity bowed his head. "So be it, Jedi."

"Fire!" Siri ordered.

The battalions of clones and battle droids behind her fired as the Jedi raised their lightsabers and took defensive positions. The Son flicked a wrist and the first barrage of bolts flew into the sky, and the others went wild. He did little for the following barrages, though it seemed to be of little effect regardless, as the bolts seemed to vaporize upon contact with his clothes. Daniel saw a few times where he flicked a finger and deflected a bolt back toward the clones.

Then came the command, one with the authority of one born of power. A command that came from everywhere, with every sense he possessed, even as an observer to the past.

"Enough!"

Daniel felt the sudden surge of power, like a tsunami as the Son lifted a hand toward the firing soldiers. That hand turned to a fist, and the clone soldiers and droids contorted upon themselves, and there was a sickening splinter and squeal of metal, plasteel, flesh, and bone as the soldiers were ripped apart into bloody mounds. Their deaths were mercifully short – a casual flick of a finger and they were thrown into the Republic camp.

The blaster fire from the remaining units and defenses intensified, and the Jedi moved in.

The Son moved like a shadow, appearing far quicker than the Jedi who were already moving at blinding speed. He carried no weapon, but merely used his arms and fingers to deflect the barrage of blades that descended upon him. Using the Force, he turned many of the plasma bolts against the Jedi, forcing them to defend against friendly fire.

Then he quickly moved back and lifted a hand, freezing the Jedi in place. With his free hand, lightning burst forth, enveloping Ferus in a red cocoon – a single agonized scream heard before exploding. Siri screamed something, and the Son was unexpectedly thrown backwards as Anakin had broken free of his grip.

Daniel had heard the stories of Anakin, the Chosen One, and had believed him to be a powerful Jedi. But this was… more power than he had assumed. Anakin was not like these entities – but he was tangibly close in a way no Force-user he'd felt before was. Vauner had only been able to match one barely trying, Anakin was fighting one of them at full strength.

The Son did not seem afraid though, but instead smiled like he welcomed the challenge. "Perhaps," he said in a low voice, "there is something to this prophecy. Let us see."

It became a duel between the two, as Anakin moved with blinding speed, breaking free of the attempted Force grips, and withstanding the scalding lightning. Lightsaber strikes deflected off arms and hands, and it became a duel between light and shadow. The other Jedi seemed to lose his interest, as he instead forced them to defend themselves from clones who turned on them from a single spoken command.

Sapphire blade met shadow. It was almost impossible to see the form of Anakin as his blade whirled and with each strike pushed away the darkness encroaching around him. The power continued building around him, but it was not purely drawn from the Force, but fed through the emotions of himself and others.

Fury. Righteous fury. It burned bright within Anakin Skywalker, a self-reinforcing feedback loop that Anakin drew upon to face the Shadow before him. In this moment, Daniel was reminded of Shartan; the anger, the inherent righteous fury was one he had heard ring in the Battlemaster's voice and heart so often.

Unfortunate how such righteous dedication could become corrupted and twisted.

Anakin swung once more, and it met the forearm of the Son, and stayed locked in position for long seconds.

"Well done, Jedi," the Son hissed, staring down at the defiant Jedi, "Perhaps there is an opportunity for redemption – but this has gone on long enough." With a lightning-fast motion, he physically grasped the lightsaber blade and pushed it back into the hilt. Before Anakin could react, he raised the opposite hand.

A thunderclap even Daniel felt blew Anakin backwards, who uncharacteristically rolled over several times instead of catching himself, coughing painfully as he rose and the Son approached the other Jedi. Bolts of lightning materialized and rained down upon the surviving soldiers, falling from the fingertips of the shadowed entity. Those who escaped the lethal storm were rent apart as the starships and defenses exploded, or were torn apart and thrown against them.

Ahsoka was blasted against an emplacement with a single gesture, and fell still. Not dead, Daniel believed, but definitely incapacitated. Obi-Wan and Siri attempted a joint attack, but the Son flicked a wrist, and both of their lightsabers flew out of their hands. As quick as a shadow, the Son dashed to Siri, picked her up in one hand, seemed to briefly make a decision, and simply broke her neck before tossing her away.

With the other hand, he blasted Obi-Wan away, near to where Anakin had regained his footing, lightsaber in hand, but with an uncharacteristic expression of fear on his face. The lightsaber seemed uneasy in his hand as it trembled.

The Son moved closer, as if to finish them off – then stopped. "I trust the point has been made, Jedi?" he asked rhetorically. A pause. "Fortunately for you, I need your… cooperation. The unnecessary have been pruned, but I only need one of you alive."

Obi-Wan also rose to his feet, his breath shaky. "We… will not… cooperate."

"Then you will be the next one I kill." The Son lifted a hand.

"Wait."

Anakin's voice.

Tired.

Defeated.

"What do you want."

"Anakin!" Obi-Wan winced.

The Son smiled. "There is a temple a short distance from here. Inside, you will find an artifact. Bring it to me. Do this, and you will live." He looked to Obi-Wan. "And I will restore the lives of the Jedi lost."

"Impossible," Obi-Wan wheezed.

"Your limitations do not concern me," the Son said, "Do this, and you will be rewarded. I need not say the outcome if you fail – or betray me." He began turning away, then glanced up, and then frowned. "I must leave now. The storms of this world are deadly for the mortal. If you wish to survive the night, I suggest you find shelter."

Then he walked into shadow, leaving the pair of defeated Jedi alone – and afraid.

The vision faded and they found themselves back on the Mortis they had been previously. The music had reverted to the more melodic tone, though Daniel saw that there were changes in the world. The leaves of many of the trees had turned red, gold, and brown, as if entering an autumn season.

Ahsoka noticed his observation. "This place is in a permanent cycle. Every day it will grow vibrant, and by the end it will crumble to dust."

"Dictated by the Song," Vodel said.

Her lips twitched. "It is tied to it, if nothing else."

Arnica looked around. "What happened to the bodies?"

"Most?" Ahsoka crossed her arms. "Removed by the Republic when it ended. What remains were left were… removed through the Force."

"How?"

"I have no good answer for that, Jedi," Ahsoka said, "but you will have a chance to learn soon enough."

Daniel grunted at the answer, and refocused on what they had seen. "Why did he spare them?"

"He wasn't lying," Ahsoka said, "He needed a willing person to enter the temple. I can only presume that meant he couldn't use the Force to compel them to do so."

"What did he do to Anakin?" Yaden asked, "If not making progress, he appeared to be holding his own."

Ahsoka hesitated. "He briefly severed his connection to the Force."

An instinctive shiver ran down Daniel's spine. "So quickly?"

A short nod. "Yes. He and his sister were as close to embodiments of the Force as possible, it served them in ways we could never reach. It was simple for one to sever the connection of another."

"They are powerful enough that spirits can be commanded by them," Vauner agreed, "I presume Vitiate also performed this against the many assassins who tried to kill him."

"His sister?" Pon inquired, "What was she doing?"

Ahsoka gave a sad smile. "Covering their bases. While her brother was with us, she… dealt with the Separatists who had landed before us."

"And coerced them as well."

"One way to put it." Ahsoka led them deeper into the forest. "In some ways, she was far more insidious than her brother."

When Ahsoka triggered the second breach into the past, Daniel was first acutely aware that the time appeared similar to the other vision. The darkness had fallen upon the land, the music was low and ominous, and the world around them was dead.

The Separatist camp was noticeably different from the Republic one. While the Republic camp had been fairly large, and bustling with life, the Separatist one was far more condensed and sterile. Where clones had dominated the Republic, the inverse was true for the Separatists. Droids of all kinds inhabited the camp, maintaining defenses, building fortifications, and standing guard.

Daniel noticed that there were many more battle droids that were deactivated and stored in shed-like structures. He noted with curiosity that the battle droids present weren't the infamously cheap and weak B1 battle droids, but were instead the much more dangerous B2 battle droids or the ominous commando droids – both models that were still used by various cartels and gangs, a testament to their effectiveness.

What most caught his eye though, were the Separatist clones.

It was a surprisingly common – though inaccurate – belief that the Clone Wars had been a conflict between the living and artificial, clones and droids. It had, from his research, at least started out that way. However, as the war had progressed, both sides had soon learned the inherent limits of favoring one over the exclusion of the other.

The Republic relied heavily on its legions of droids in the beginning, but found them to be limited in flexibility, and began shifting them to auxiliary and support positions as clone production met the demands of war. The Separatists similarly discovered the limits of relying solely on the Spaarti Clone Masters for their soldiers. It was far more efficient and cheaper to mass-produce droids rather than purchasing clones – to say nothing of capacity, they were unable to match the kaminoans in clone output. It was cited as one of the reasons that the Separatists had lost, they were simply outproduced.

There were other reasons, of course, but it was certainly an important one.

Because of the manpower shortages, each Separatist clone was heavily specialized and valuable. Separatist Clone Units were effectively special forces in operation, and unlike the Republic, the Separatist clones were more than humans. Nikto, rattataki, and a few other humanoids had been selected to 'reflect the diverse interests of the Confederacy of Independent Systems,' as the propaganda went.

Not that it had helped much.

There was one element of this vision that hit Daniel harder than before. Where the music had previously been an element of the background, a pressure on the mind, here it was… overpowering. It was as if it had been placed to a speaker and amplified to overwhelming levels. Simultaneously assaulting his mind, yet not obstructing his senses, he was forced to employ countermeasures to stop it.

But it was difficult – and he could now deeply feel what it was doing.

He could see the effects.

Pain, horror, sadness, regret; negative emotions which were geared to resonate with those who listened to the music. Designed to bring the listener into a trap that would send them into a self-destructive spiral of depression brought on by heavy guilt and regret. The droids were unaffected, but Daniel saw that the clones were not so fortunate.

Clones had been, and truthfully still were, viewed along the lines of organic droids. Men born for a single purpose. Easy to dehumanize and reduce to automatons. The Kamino Uprising had resurrected much of this propaganda, though he knew very well that it was just that: propaganda. Clones were alive as all of them were, they had their own personalities, desires, and fears. They were alive – with all of the positives and negatives that entailed.

Thus, they were deeply vulnerable to that which targeted the living.

None of the Separatist clones seemed stable, there were those that stood stoically, though Daniel could feel that they were on the verge of breaking down. There were other clones nearby, isolating themselves in sheds or corners where helmets were tossed to the ground, some of them leaning against the walls, breathing heavily. Others on the ground in fetal positions, sobbing quietly.

Daniel pursed his lips as he saw bodies from clones who'd killed themselves, and the few shots that reached his ears signaled that these were not isolated incidents.

They soon reached what seemed to be the command center, where Daniel sensed the lone Force-user within. The building was small, only large enough to hold a console, a holoprojector, and a holotable. Inside was a woman that Daniel could only assume was Asajj Ventress. The former Jedi turned Sith assassin.

It wasn't ever clear if Ventress had been a legitimate Apprentice of Darth Maul, or just a tool – the Rule of Two would have only allowed the latter. Nonetheless, she had proven to be one of the banes of the Jedi during the war. A lithe rattataki of fairly small build, she had eschewed the battle armor worn by most Jedi in favor of more traditional and versatile robes.

Twin identical lightsabers hung on her waist, curved in a way that reminded him of Tocrum's blade. He idly wondered where the idea for that had come from, it certainly hadn't been Maul, who'd retained his double-bladed weapon. However, what he felt from Ventress was not what one would expect from a Sith assassin.

Small tremors wracked her body as she gripped the console, trying furiously to make it work, though Daniel remembered that signals were apparently blocked. Whoever she was trying to reach would remain silent. Yet she still furiously pressed the buttons, growing more and more agitated.

"Master…" she ground out with a labored breath, her voice shuddering as her eyes squeezed shut, "I need your help now…"

The console remained silent. With a shriek she furiously ignited her lightsaber and bisected the machine, which fell to the ground with a clang. A feeling of despair emanated from the woman, who collapsed backward onto the holotable, seeming on the verge of breaking down. The music seemed to intensify.

Then, like when the Son had first appeared, Daniel could sense the presence that had similarly materialized. In contrast to the darkness, this power was drawn from the light. Yet it was not the soft rays that offered comfort and hope, the brightness was like that of a harsh sun, scorching and condemning to that which was in its path.

It was not the light of forgiveness, but judgment which had come.

"You see them now; you can hear the voices in your ears as they speak their condemnation."

The voice that spoke was female, layered in utter power and authority. It was rich and beautiful, alluring in a way that Daniel felt called to his soul, and doubtless those around him. The woman who now stood in the doorframe was a figure as overwhelming a presence as the Son, yet in a completely different way.

There was an otherworldly sheen to her form, one gowned in white and silk. Her skin porcelain and flawless, a face that was equal parts beautiful and stern. Amara, the Daughter, who had grown into her true destiny. Hair of light green that seemed to flow in the air, hypnotizing the watcher to focus only on the face of the deity before them. An angel in the flesh, but one which did not come to save, but sentence.

"Please…" Ventress's voice was labored, her eyes squeezed shut, "Please make them stop. Please…"

"Do not hide from what you are, assassin," the crack of the Daughter's voice made Ventress flinch, as it did Vodel who she appeared to be ignoring, "Now, when confronted with the fruits of your labor, you see yourself for what you are. A murderer. A traitor. A monster. A pawn."

"I… I didn't…"

"You did – you were just running from what you are," the tone was a statement of fact, and the words laced with the weight of righteous truth, "You fought for nothing but yourself, your fruitless pursuit for the devotion and approval of one who intends nothing for you but that of a slave. But you knew this – you simply enjoyed the power, the taking of lives, the revenge."

"It…" The lightsaber in Ventress's hand clattered to the ground. "It was more than…"

"Was it?" the voice was almost a whisper, as the angel of judgment glowed brightly; harshly, "Then why do you fear what you hear now? Why are you haunted by your actions?" A pause. "Because you know your true nature, assassin. The rot of the galaxy holds you, and you willingly served it."

Something seemed to break in Ventress upon hearing the final condemnation. A dam that was shattered as the last vestiges of resistance had broken apart as she fell to the ground, overwhelmed in sorrow and regret, as the tears flowed down her face. The Daughter walked over to her, and for the first time, the expression of judgment turned to one of pity. The aura of fiery light turned softer.

"It is no sin to recognize what you are, child," the voice was gentler now, "You recognize, and you react appropriately. None wish to see themselves as evil, even when they are. Yet, evil is not permanent, it can change to do good. A path to redemption is long, but it is worth doing. You have brought much harm to the galaxy – do you wish to begin this path back?"

Ventress could not speak, but she nodded. A spark of hope had been ignited in her – and Daniel was not ignorant of the slight shift in the music that accompanied the softer tone of the Daughter.

"Then come with me, Asajj Ventress." With a hand offered, Ventress took it and stood. "There is something I wish you to do."

The day was coming to an end, and as Ahsoka led them through the forest, they watched as the cycle of the day came to a dark close. The grass they walked upon turned brown, shriveled, and died. The leaves and vegetation of the once-lush forest curled and rotted, leaving only dead skeletons.

These too would crumble to dust, so Ahsoka said. For a time, there would be nothing in this place but a dead foundation, with fantastical storms raging overhead. Daniel saw the clouds gathering on the horizon, pure black and with lightning flashing within them. In the distance though, he could see the temple much clearer without the obscuring brush.

They were in a large cave now, one which Ahsoka said would be safe for the night. When asked about what would happen to the ship, she'd just shaken her head. "Nothing will happen to it, just as nothing will happen to you." With that, she'd closed her eyes, and a low hum released from her parted lips, and as the Force flowed through her, Daniel realized she had ever so briefly introduced a single note to the overarching – and increasingly ominous – music.

It was subtle, if his ears hadn't been tuned to it, he would have missed it, and it was only a single alteration, soon lost in the flow. Yet it was there. Vauner didn't fail to notice.

"You can alter it," he said, his voice almost a whisper of awe.

"To some degree – as you determined after you arrived here," Ahsoka said, a smile playing on her lips, "You know this place is for spirits. We have… influence over these places, though I admit it involved much trial and error. To this day, I can only speculate as to what it really is."

He appraised her, eyes carefully calculating. "I would appreciate your insight on this subject, Jedi Tano."

She nodded. "Then come with me."

Both spirits drifted away, as the rest of them prepared for the night. Lowbacca started a small fire and set up other heating equipment, as Lara, Arnica, and Viola worked to set up the tents and bedrolls for the night. There'd been an agreement to not push forward toward the temple until the cycle was in a new day.

Outside was unappealing – and dangerous.

Daniel found himself next to Vodel. "Your thoughts?"

"I have many thoughts right now, Jedi," Vodel said in an almost absentminded tone, "You may wish to be more specific."

A good point. There was no shortage of things to talk about, but he suspected that Vodel was most focused on what had happened to the Ones. "Was this something you expected them to do?" he asked, "Attempt to hijack a galactic war for their aims of pacifying the galaxy?"

"Mm," Vodel crossed his arms, tone unreadable, "I will be honest, Jedi, I do not know. There was ambition, sure, but more than that…" he briefly trailed off, "If they were trapped here, then it follows that they could have changed. Neither mentioned Ludex either, which is puzzling and disturbing. They were together, a single cohesive whole. Yet it is as if they rebelled."

There was more he seemed to want to say.

"But you are not surprised."

"Are you?" Vodel demanded sharply, "Jedi, what he said about the galaxy was true. An endless cycle of repetitious and empty conflict. Cliques and factions that stand against each other. Empires and Republics, authoritarians and democrats, the light and dark, the law and the criminal. The names change, but the vectors of division and conflict continue all the same." Vodel shook his head. "Peace and security seem plausible when one lives in the moment – in a finite bubble of time. But for those of us who have the burden of immortality, all that is seen is another ebb to the long cycle of this galaxy. Is it any surprise that it could drive such beings to take actions we consider extreme? When the alternative is the status quo?"

Daniel was silent for a moment. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. But a violent cycle cannot be broken with more violence."

Vodel snorted. "A very Jedi answer."

"Do you disagree?"

"My instinct is to." Vodel stroked a fleshy tendril on his cheek. "It strikes me as Jedi naïveté, one which is at odds with this harsh galaxy. Yet I do not know an alternative. Violence provides a remedy, but one which clearly does not last. I do not know the solution, Jedi. Perhaps I am the fool, but I doubt it is as simple as you wish."

"Nonetheless, I'm surprised you grant me that much," Daniel said, raising an eyebrow, "Rare for a man like yourself to consider an alternative such as that."

Another snort. "I am not incapable of reason, Jedi. Or a persuasive argument, even if I don't like it. It would not be the first unpleasant truth I have had to accept. I can say the same about you, which I will also note is rare for a Jedi."

Daniel smiled sadly. "People don't like to consider they are wrong."

"Indeed." Vodel closed his eyes. "I confess to being somewhat overwhelmed here, Jedi. Between realizing what I had unintentionally stumbled upon, and these revelations of the Ones. Revelations I feel we have not reached the conclusion of. Another day awaits, and this is an unnatural place."

On that, everyone could agree. He left Vodel to his thoughts, and saw him wandering over to where Ahsoka and Vauner were talking. No doubt he would also be interested in replicating the music. Pon and Yaden were having a discussion to the side, which he moved to join as both men nodded in greeting.

"I don't suppose you've ever heard of a place like this, have you?" Daniel asked.

The kel dor shook his head. "No. Not like this. Not even Sith rituals describe such a place of power, or could produce such a place. I believe this is a wholly unique phenomenon, even if we don't understand what it is."

"If I had to guess," Yaden said thoughtfully, "One of our speculations was correct. A prison to keep certain people in. Which would explain why we never had to deal with them."

"Built by who though?" Pon wondered, "We may have thought it was these entities, but it does not appear so. The architecture that exists is not gree, rakatan, or any expected precursor species."

Yaden's brow furrowed. "This is a place of the Force, unlikely to be reminiscent of the precursor empires. Could it be of the Whills?"

"The Whills are masters of the Force, but there has been no tome or record of them being capable of creating anything like this," Pon disputed.

"Are you sure?" Yaden pressed, "The Obelisk appears to have provided the foundation for Vodel's theories, which are sounding more plausible by the day. Tenuous as it is, it is a stronger connection than anything else."

"Potentially…" Pon conceded, "I can't say for certain. And it wouldn't explain why the Whills created a prison."

Daniel felt that was too obvious. "I don't think it is a prison. This place is clearly more than that. A prison would not need such a world, nor would there be a way to escape, especially if it was able to contain beings of such power already."

"The question is also how it was able to do so," Yaden added, "I dislike the notion that the Sith may have been right about something, but I'm uncertain what to make of this. The power of these beings is unparalleled, and between this bizarre Song, and the mechanics of this world, I dislike how his theory falls into place."

"Which is something we should not spread," Pon agreed, "Even a theory like this, one which calls into question such a fundamental understanding of the Force, would fundamentally shake the Jedi Order."

"Not just the Order." Daniel shook his head. "Everything. If the Force is… something else than we believed it to be, then that means there is something else… if not something greater."

"Maybe we're leaping to assumptions," Pon said uncertainly as he rubbed his breather, "We are not thinking clearly here, given what we have seen. At the same time, I cannot ignore it either."

"Indeed." Daniel sighed, and rubbed his eyes. "A night of rest will be needed."

"Yes, you neglected to share how exhausting these visions are," Pon said dryly, "Another day will await."

The two men made their own preparations for the night, as Daniel walked over to Sashal, where the togruta was also preparing. He suspected she was likely overwhelmed, and her eyes definitely seemed to indicate that.

"How are you holding up?" he asked, "I know it's been a long day."

"It's been…" Sashal searched for the right words. "I am uncertain what to say, Grand Master. There are few words to describe what I have seen. I had privately been unsure of if I was making the right decision, if you could be trusted, but now…" Her shoulders slumped as she shivered. "I am afraid of what I saw. If you had described it, I would not have believed it, yet I experienced it. The power. The darkness."

"And that is what I wanted you to see," he said, resting a hand on her shoulder, "You understand there are things that can be bigger than our rivalries."

"And one of these entities is out there."

"Likely, yes."

She pursed her lips. "I will be honest, Grand Master, I do not know how you or I could do anything against them."

"Neither do I," he agreed, "but Obi-Wan and Anakin managed to win somehow – hopefully, we will discover the secret. There is a way, we just need to find it."

"Let us hope then, Grand Master," she said, and then moved away as Arnica called her to help set up one of the tents.

Viola was still working on her own tent, and Daniel moved over to help her finish. There was some slight conversation as they finished the construction. Once done, they stood.

"I'm curious," Daniel said, "As an Imperial Knight, what do you make of what we've seen."

"Personally or professionally, Master Skywalker?" she asked, picking up a bottle of water and taking a drink.

"Professionally first. Personal after."

"Mm." She leaned against the cave wall. "The entities that you warned of are a threat, that is apparent. There is also something wrong with this world, or… whatever it is. I don't know if the Maw would even know."

"No similar place exists?"

"Not that I've heard, but I'm not the one to ask." She shrugged. "This place reminds me of a Sith holocron. It holds immense, forbidden knowledge. It is alluring and beautiful. It also should be chucked into the nearest star and we'll all be safer without it." She took another drink. "What it did to that woman was disturbing. Amplified by the Daughter or not, that kind of power unnerves me."

"As it should," Daniel agreed, "Places and artifacts like these must be treated carefully."

"Maybe," she grunted, "Some knowledge isn't worth preserving though, no matter how tempting it is."

"This your personal assessment?"

"No, still professional," she said, "I've seen it happen pretty often before. You think there isn't a high turnover within the Maw? Someone learns something and decides to use it for evil? We don't waste time on trials and arrests like you Jedi do. We purge them quickly and quietly. It happens more often than you'd think."

Daniel wasn't surprised. "The dark side is very alluring for those unprepared."

"If we didn't have so many willing, and didn't have the bodies, then maybe the Maw would reform their screening procedures." Viola sighed. "As it stands, the Maw – and the Empress – think this to be an arms race. Knowledge is power, and if it costs a few Knights who were exposed to things they shouldn't be, then…"

"For the greater good, I would imagine," Daniel prodded.

"For the Empire," Viola corrected, "I don't disagree with the end goal, I just consider it inefficient."

"And what does the Emperor think?"

A ghost of a smile crossed her face. "He's always been fascinated with the Force. He falls on the argument that all knowledge can be used, or can become useful."

"So I'm aware," Daniel said, "An intelligent approach, especially considering how it impacts the galaxy."

"That's part of it, I'm sure, he is a very practical man." Viola nodded. "I don't think that's the reason though. Not the main one, anyway."

"Oh?" Daniel raised an eyebrow. "You have another?"

"Love," she said.

"…Love?"

"Don't laugh, I'm serious," she said, "No matter how much he might want to, he'll never understand the Force like we will. It can't ever be fully described, not to one who is blind. His wife is a Force-user – his son is a Force-user – and he isn't, and he wants to understand them. Not necessarily the…" She waved an idle hand. "Power, per se, but… other things. The mechanics, the temptation, the things that others can relate to. He won't be able to fully close the gap… but he's damned sure going to try."

Daniel didn't know the Emperor especially well, but if there was anyone who would know, it would be his Wrath. "I wonder what he would think of this place."

"I think he'd love it." Viola smirked. "He would never want to pass up a chance to stand in such a place of power. Which is why he never will. It's not safe for him here."

"Agreed." Daniel nodded. Definitely not safe unless the music was suppressed.

"Before you turn in for the night, Master Skywalker, I'd like to ask for a favor."

"Go on."

She unhooked her lightsaber. "I've wanted to spar against the Grand Master, and I doubt there will be a better time."

Daniel's lips curled up. "I don't quite think I'm up to your caliber. I do use a cane after all."

She raised an eyebrow. "Uh huh, yes, that is definitely a cane and not a separate repository for your lightsaber. I read the intel reports too, Master Skywalker."

"Well, if you insist." Daniel rolled his shoulders. "Nothing too much though, even with Lara here, I would prefer she not be mending severed arms."

"Then a cooldown before rest," Viola said, "I find it more relaxing than meditation."

"It does strike me as more enticing at this moment," Daniel said, pulling out his lightsaber, "Ready when you are."

Her eyes glinted as the crimson blade sprouted from the hilt of her saber. His likewise lit up blue as they took their stances. The dual opening was largely probing from both of them, since neither were familiar with each other's styles. After a few exchanges of jabs and swipes, he had an idea of how he'd approach her.

Unsurprisingly, Form V was her preferred method of fighting, though she showed acute training in Form II which he suspected she would employ against him. For his part, he was intentionally signaling mixed messages, between Forms II, III, and IV. She doubtless knew his preferred style from the intel reports, but he could keep her guessing.

The sparring continued to intensify, and the flurries back-and-forth continued at increasing speeds. The lightsaber blades whirred around each other, which would appear dangerously close to the outside observer, but were nowhere near damaging blows to either of the duelists.

Viola was very skilled at adapting to whatever he attempted. One of his preferred methods was to alternate which side of his lightsaber was ignited, but that had only worked a few times before she'd figured it out. She didn't have many tricks of her own, but she was extremely persistent and surprisingly fast.

Daniel didn't know how long the sparring had gone on, but it seemed like it had been some time, and it appeared neither had an advantage. He felt more centered now, some of the stress relieved – and he did intend to get some sleep. As the two stood apart, he deactivated his lightsaber. "Alright, I think we'll call this one a draw."

She exited her stance, and deactivated her lightsaber with a nod. "Fair play, Master Skywalker. I'm impressed."

"I don't know if I should be insulted at that or not," he said half-serious, noticing that some of the others had been watching out of the corner of his eye.

"For your age, it's a compliment," she said, "But in all seriousness, your skill is higher than I anticipated."

"Well, glad you approve," he said, "You're very skilled yourself."

"I'd be a poor Wrath if I wasn't." She hooked the lightsaber on her waist. "Nonetheless, the compliment is appreciated."

"With that, I think now I will turn in for the night," he said, "Rest well, Wrath."

"You as well, Grand Master."

Most of the group were also ready for rest now, and while a few were meditating, he did see Sashal go to Viola and they began talking. He expected the Emperor's Wrath might have another sparring partner before sleep. He, on the other hand, was quite ready for some rest.

Lara had already prepared for bed, and he joined her in the tent, and saw her already on the bedroll. It wouldn't exactly be the most comfortable of sleeping arrangements, especially in their old age (relatively speaking), but he'd definitely experienced worse. He laid down beside her, and placed an arm around as they snuggled close together.

"Mmm," Lara murmured, "You need a shower."

"Probably." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "First thing when we get back on the Falcon."

"You just had to spar with her?"

"She asked."

"Oh, fine," she murmured, "Did you at least win?"

"Well… I didn't lose."

She muttered something under her breath, probably a twi'lek curse. He smiled and put an arm around her. "Sweet dreams."

"Knowing this place, I expect them to be filled with rancors and krayt dragons," she muttered, but closed her eyes and Daniel soon followed. And fortunately for them both, their dreams were filled with nothing but the blackness of unconsciousness.

The temple was in sight now, and Daniel had to admit that it was a very nice day outside. Even if seasons and weather didn't really work the same… he couldn't deny that there was a comfortable atmosphere. The world was once more lush and green, and the Song a pleasant melody in the air.

There'd been notably little drama after they'd gone to sleep, which he was slightly surprised at. This was one time where one might expect some kind of interruption; a restless spirit, a sudden vision, an attack by some kind of wanderer, one never knew if they could be safe here.

However, that hadn't happened. They'd slept, awoken, had a brief meal, and set off into the wild paradise that awaited them. They'd taken their time, since the temple wasn't very far away, and they would easily make it before the night came again. Arnica and Pon were continuing to take scans where they could, while the rest of them observed the world and listened to the ever-present music.

As they got closer, Daniel knew he was not the first to notice it.

"You feel it?" Vodel asked as they approached the steps of the towering temple.

Daniel nodded. "There is power inside."

"Let us hope it is passive," Yaden muttered, as he gripped the lightsaber in his hands, shooting a glance to him, "Should we scout ahead, Daniel?"

Daniel shook his head. "Not this time. Whatever is inside knows we are here."

It was like a vortex that awaited, a slowly-turning hurricane where the winds of power were tangible and alluring. They were strong and vast; ones that far surpassed the echoes he'd felt in the vision. Was this what it was really like, being in their presence? If so, he had a new respect for those who had stood against them.

He could not really compare the sheer power to anything else, even in his long career. More terrifying was that this was power at its quietest. Should the winds turn into a storm, it would be enough to rip these stones from their foundations.

It was a beautiful temple all the same. It was reminiscent of the old Jedi ruins that were sometimes found across the galaxy, simple stone structures that reached for the heavens, with hand-crafted designs and elements inside. The first long hallway they entered into was a long mural that doubtless told a story, but one Daniel didn't discern at the start. No doubt they would have time later.

Blue flames burned along the walls, providing more of the otherworldly ambiance to their walk. Above them, Daniel saw almost green sparkling lights, and while the roof could be just made out, it was shrouded in darkness, crystallizing the shimmering green lights. Quite beautiful, as such designs went.

Roughly half of the Jedi had their lightsabers out, as did Viola and Sashal. Daniel did not, as he had a feeling their weapons wouldn't be useful. The intensity of the power seemed to grow, almost like a silent gale, and then, suddenly, it seemed to dissipate.

The eye of the storm.

And in the center of the storm, they saw him.

A man kneeling on the ground, hands rested on his knees and eyes closed. A long braided beard ran down his face, and his head adorned with a long and unique headpiece. Blue-gray robes covered his body, simple and smooth. A face wizened by age and wrinkles was healthily colored and resting.

It was indeed a face Daniel recognized – and it was who he believed it to be.

"So, it is him," Yaden said under his breath, "Be careful."

They approached, the silence punctuated by the igniting of lightsabers from Yaden, Pon, Viola, and Sashal, who held them at the ready. The head of the man cocked ever so slightly, and his eyes opened. They shown with an electric glow of turquoise, eyes that were filled with age and simultaneously, energy.

"Welcome, my friends."

His voice, even old and soft compared to the others, was nonetheless charged with power, and lingered even after speaking. With a single smooth motion, he rose to his feet, and while he was not as large as his children, he still easily stood over all of them, only matching Lowbacca in height.

Daniel clasped his hands together in front of him. "You've been expecting us."

"For some time, yes," he said, "I did not know when you would be arriving. Thank you, Jedi Tano. You are released."

The spirit form of Ahsoka appeared nearby and nodded once, before vanishing from sight. Daniel didn't know if that meant she'd been stuck here, or if she was merely being dismissed from the conversation, but it seemed to be unimportant to the entity before them who was closely appraising them.

"Who are you?" Yaden demanded, lightsaber humming ominously, "You share the face of the Jur'bwar."

"You may put away your lightsabers," the man said, eyes notably amused, ignoring the question, "To strike an unarmed man is hardly the Jedi way."

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Unarmed men do not command the power you possess."

He stroked his beard absentmindedly. "I suppose they do not." He bowed his head, turning to look elsewhere in the group. "Perhaps there is another who will wish to introduce me."

"Of course, my lord." Vodel stepped forward without prompting. "All of you stand before Ludex, Keeper of Balance, the Final Arbiter, the Bright Shadow, Leasher of the Elements, Scion of Truth, and Father of the Ones." He fell to one knee. "I have fulfilled that which you have charged me with, my lord."

"You have done well." Ludex extended a hand, palm up. "Now rise, Vodel Kressh."

He did, as the man turned back to them, and focused on Daniel in particular. "I suspect you have questions."

"An understatement."

"Answers you have come for, and answers I will provide should I have them," he promised, "Though it may take some time."

"Time we have," Daniel said, deciding to start at the most obvious, "What are you? You are not human or mortal, and I have known none that are of your power – not until I began my quest."

"We have been called many names," Ludex said, stroking his beard with long fingers, "It is amusing the Jedi have forgotten, as once those you call 'my kind' existed in great numbers. We were once the Je'daii Masters, the 'Walkers Between Worlds,' and the 'Ascendant.' My children and I were known as the 'Ones.' But should those names be too grandiose, some call us 'Force-wielders.' "

＜＜Your kind cannot be Je'daii,＞＞ Lowbacca barked in shock, ＜＜There exists no records or relics describing them as such.＞＞

Ludex shook his head. "Little to nothing remains of the Force Wars except scraps. The true conflict that took place was bloodier and more widespread than the galaxy – or your historians – believe. It was not a simple war between the light and the dark, but between two Je'daii Masters, Ashla and Bogan, who battled for supremacy. Ashla's faction ultimately emerged victorious, and was reformed into what would become the Jedi Order, though it came at the cost of the deaths of almost all Force-wielders. This truth was lost to history."

Hearing that sounded unbelievable. Shock rippled through all of them, Arnica and Lowbacca most of all – as 'Ashla' and 'Bogan' were believed to be terms for light and dark, not individuals – but such a revelation was not one any of the Jedi were immune to. There was a possibility it wasn't true, but Daniel did not know what motivation this Force-wielder would have to lie to them, even if he technically could.

He cleared his head of that, and refocused on the question. More details on that he could get later. "What are you though?"

"A matter of some debate, I believe," Ludex said thoughtfully, "Some have called us the embodiment of the Force. I do not believe this is fully… accurate. To say we are its will, or its incarnation is misleading. We are beings born of the Force, yes, but that is perhaps where the influence ends. We are cultivated, curated, and coaxed over years, merging with a host. I cannot say if the man whose body I inhabit influenced who I am now, or if I overwrote everything he was. Semantics, and ultimately, it is not important."

His eyes fixated on Daniel. "We are not speakers or arbiters of the Force, if that was your question. We are our own individuals, but simply ones which command the Force like no other. We shape and bend it to our whims and will. Life and death have no hold over us, not truly. You have seen what one of us is capable of, and while not all Force-wielders are equal, even the weakest of us were superior to your greatest."

Daniel nodded. "I suppose the obvious question is why you – or any of the others – have not emerged since."

Ludex raised an eyebrow, before releasing a sad sigh. "The truth is, Jedi, that we have been reduced to nothing. The last of my kind to reshape the galaxy was Valkorian. Ever since… there was nothing. The Son was born as the result of an accident. Myself and my daughter in less traumatic circumstances. Yet they are now dead, I am likely the last of my kind."

At least for now, Daniel thought grimly.

"And why have you not intervened?" Lara demanded, "You were alive during the Galactic Empire! Why did you not overthrow Palpatine or prevent his rise? Why ignore the suffering of the galaxy?"

"And do what, Lara'ritten?" Ludex asked softly, almost sadly, "Establish a new galactic republic? Return to the status quo that led to Palpatine?" He lifted a forestalling hand. "Yes, I know what you will say. That I did not need to resort to such measures, that I could simply act and turn power over to the people. Yet both of us know that would not be the case."

He shook his head. "Had I acted at any point, I would not be viewed as a savior, but a threat looming over the leaders. I would become an enemy soon after. I know how this galaxy works. Moreover, I would not trust myself to cede power back to the festering corruption and evil this galaxy permits. Be careful what you wish for, Jedi. I restrain myself because I am under no illusions that I would be inherently more benevolent than those I would overthrow. Better to observe. One does not realize what they ask when they demand the intervention of gods."

There was a pause as he looked back to Daniel. "Besides, the galaxy does not need a savior, or at least not one like me. The fabled Galactic Empire, which was to last for a thousand years, collapsed after thirty. Mere unknowns like your distant ancestor rose to save the galaxy time and again. No, I was not needed to protect this galaxy from evil."

As much as Daniel would have appreciated having someone like Ludex intervene, especially when there were such threats to the galaxy, his was a viewpoint he could completely understand and respect. He did not want to think of the effects of a being of power like Ludex falling to the despotic tendencies of Vitiate or Valkorian.

Though that now raised the question. "You knew I was coming," Daniel said, "Was all of this orchestrated?"

"Not to the degree you fear." Ludex waved a hand. "I remembered flashes of your observation – your visions. Not until recently did I realize it was you who had been watching. The Three are aware of my existence, and when they pass on visions which are… relevant, I will sometimes act. I knew that Vodel would be important in the future, so I instructed the voss to direct you to Athiss. If you were who I was meant to encounter, you would find your way here."

He spread his hands. "As you now have."

"Right." Daniel nodded. "You've made your argument for you not intervening before. What has changed now that you've sought me out?"

"That is a complicated answer," Ludex said slowly, "I would normally not go to these lengths – but what I have seen, what the voss have told me, and what I know point to an age of violence and strife that not even I can ignore. An end of an era, the end of the greatest cycle. You saw glimpses of it on Voss, Daniel Skywalker."

"A grim future, it was."

"Grim, but parts can be avoided." Ludex shook his head. "But those are mere pieces. There are other elements that must be implemented if there is to be any hope of staving off this end. Apocalypse comes, as it has to this galaxy before. It began with the Celestials, and continues to this day. A great reset that will forever change the galaxy once more. I would prefer to prevent this."

Pon cocked his head. "This has happened before? How?"

"I have suspicions, ones we can discuss at length later," Ludex said slowly, "I will pose a question to you: what do you know of the Elder One?"

Daniel and Pon exchanged a look. The latter shook his head. "The title is vague, and while I'm sure it exists, it is not associated with an event like you describe."

"I suspected as much." Ludex nodded. "The Elder One – the one I speak of – is a piece of the solution. I believe it to be the instigator of the threat, but perhaps also a solution. Maybe a symbol of something. The true nature of the Force is the other key – or perhaps what is above it." He looked to the pureblood. "I knew you would be instrumental in this task, Vodel. You have done very well."

The former Sith inclined his head. "Thank you, my lord."

"There is one more thing…" Ludex unexpectedly trailed off, looking at Daniel. "There are shadows which cloak this galaxy, ones which have ingrained themselves into the fabric of civilization itself. A hidden machine that has influenced it for so long. I admit to my ignorance as to what this can be, but I know that you, Daniel Skywalker, will be instrumental in solving it."

"The Sith?" Daniel questioned.

"No, not the Sith." Ludex flicked a dismissive finger. "The Sith are… an element; a factor, as are the Jedi. They will be as important as the Jedi, should any solution be found." His eyes turned to Sashal. "I see one of their number is here now. Welcome, child."

Sashal gave a little squeak, but didn't seem capable of speaking.

Ludex simply smiled warmly. "Do not trouble yourself, child."

"A question I have," Viola stepped forward, "Your children were beyond any power I have experienced, as are you. Yet they… died. And you were trapped here. What is this place?"

"Mortis," the word came out almost as a nostalgic whisper, "A revelation, Wrath Viola. That is what this place was to me. And a warning. One that you should witness for yourself. Pay close attention, Vodel, this will be what you need to see."

He lifted a palm, and there was a flash of white as another vision began.

They found themselves on Mortis again, but there was something immediately different about it. The world was just as lush, bright, and fantastical as before, but Daniel saw that it was changed from what it once had been. There was not a single temple with a surrounding forest, but… a city?

It was not a large city, but one which was bright and sleek, a curious combination of the hard edges and lines of the main temple, and chrome-like pyramids and paved walkways. There seemed to be more plants that had unique colors, colors which seemed to be multi-colored as the plants shifted in real-time.

The massive forests were reduced, and there were clear pathways extending from the city – seeming to indicate that there may be others out there. There was something about the pyramids that looked familiar to him, though it would probably be Pon who knew if that was something familiar.

Then there was the Song.

Or rather, the lack of it.

Having spent time on Mortis, the lack of the constant music seemed… wrong. Like a crucial piece of the world was missing. Daniel didn't know why this was the case, but no matter how much he strained, he didn't hear it. That immediately set him on edge, but he didn't know why.

Though the inhabitants of Mortis soon caught his eye, instead.

They were tall – as tall as wookiees. They were clear humanoids as well, if respectively proportioned for their height. Most of them wore simple robes that seemed to be of silk that shifted colors as they walked. Sashes hung over their shoulders, ones with obscure symbols on them, likely denoting their place and role in this society. To his annoyance, it was in a language he couldn't understand or even make out what it could be – which meant this species must be old.

The species itself had pale, almost white skin. Most were bald, but a few had hair which flowed down to their shoulders. While there were males and females, that seemed not to determine who had hair – in fact, it seemed to depend on their sash. The eyes were large, and there was no pupil he could see, just a white orb.

Their faces were long, but not so thin as to be gaunt. It almost gave each one an elderly appearance, though for all he knew, they were not so old. Their fingers were also double-jointed, making them longer than the average humanoid.

"Impossible," Pon sounded shocked as he stood beside him.

"What is it?" Daniel asked, shooting his friend a glance.

"These are the sharu!" he said in an excited voice.

The name rang a bell, and after he took a second to think, what came to mind confused him. "The people Lando found?"

"Yes, yes, the description is perfect!" he insisted, "Healthier, but it has to be them!"

Daniel was about to reply, but then they saw the focus of the vision. The Ones came over the hill, and were being escorted by a group of the robed sharu. It was almost funny how much they stood out from the rest, and the arrival was causing interest. The sharu that were nearby stopped what they were doing, and whispered among themselves in their own language.

They appraised the aliens with a mixture of curiosity and interest – but notably, there was no concern or fear from them. Closer to how they would view a zoo specimen or a curious traveler – not beings that emanated such power. Power that he did not sense emanating from the sharu.

Neither the Son nor Daughter seemed overly impressed, with the former coming close to displaying outright contempt for the people. There was something more to these people, Daniel was sure of it. They followed the group deeper into the city, and into the temple itself.

The interior was notably different. Instead of blue flames and green lights in the ceiling, there was bright illumination with an almost holy radiance. Silver and gold covered the walls, magnified by the silk-like shimmer that weaved the metals together. The floors almost glittered with cleanliness and shine.

Soon, they were brought before what was clearly some kind of council chamber. Around the edges were six seats, each one filled by a sharu. Each seated individual had a different sash, which meant they were likely government or at least prominent leaders. The escorts, instead of leaving the chamber, formed a row behind the Ones, and clasped their hands together as if waiting.

There was a period of silence. Then one of a sharu spoke, "We have been told why you have come here."

Daniel almost started at the voice. It was not even close to what he had expected. It lacked the undercurrent of power the Force-wielders possessed, but it was almost impossibly harmonious, and as pleasant to listen to as a HoloNet singer or a rather enrapturing speaker. Far from the dry or aged voice he expected from these aliens.

Ludex seemed to be the one taking the lead in the talks. "And what do you say?"

Another of the speakers, a woman, turned her head to him. "Do you even know what you have stepped upon? Who you stand before?"

"No."

"Expected," another one spoke.

"Forgotten, as we had hoped," another added.

"Yet they are here," the woman said.

"If one breached, there will be more," a fourth spoke.

"That cannot be allowed."

"That cannot be allowed."

Each spoke in unison, unnaturally choral in execution that it sent a shiver down his spine.

"One should not ignore visitors to their world," the Daughter stepped forward, her eyes and voice sharp, "Do you know who it is you face?"

"We speak to Ultor, the Son."

"We speak to Amara, the Daughter."

"We speak to Ludex, the Father."

"We speak to the Ones."

Each sentence said independently, yet each in perfect harmony with each other. Each sentence a verse, a conversation that became inherent music, executed with such simple efficiency and little effort that it fully enraptured him, concluding with the choral finish. Even the Force-wielders seemed slightly uncertain.

"We shall tell you who you stand before."

A man. "You stand before the Architect of the Monolith."

A woman. "You stand before the Cultivator of Life."

A man. "You stand before the Herald of Death."

A woman. "You stand before the Arbiter of Law."

A man. "You stand before the Guardian of Sharu."

A woman. "You stand before the High Songwriter."

"You stand within the Reality Manifest."

"You stand before those sealed away."

"You stand against the High Choir."

"Compose your song carefully."

The last words seemed to echo off the walls, and were audibly echoed by the escorts standing in the back.

"We know of your plan to seize the galaxy."

"May your victories be swift."

"May they be true and fulfilling."

"Yet we will abstain."

"We do not tamper with things best left alone."

"You know little of powers beyond the Force."

"You know nothing of powers beyond your understanding."

"For you were born blind, and can never see."

"You stand to be judged, succeed or fail."

"You risk upsetting a tenuous balance."

"We have been judged by It before."

"We will not be judged again."

"Enough!" the Son roared, stepping forward, raw fury and anger radiating from him as he drew upon the Force, "If you do not wish to assist in placing this galaxy under the control it so desperately needs, then perhaps your time of rule of this place has come to an end."

"A galaxy that cries out for order," the Daughter echoed his words, "For bravery and triumph. Not the laments of cowards. Your people have the opportunity to usher in a new era, and no matter what you hid for, your place can be reclaimed."

The sharu seemed unmoved.

"A new era we once entered into."

"One of peace, prosperity, and power."

"We ruled as deities and masters."

"We were beyond the affairs of the lesser."

"Our era has ended. Never shall it return."

"We do not dare test Its benevolence."

"We must leave," Ludex said quietly, "These people will not help us."

"Look at them," the Son sneered, "Old aliens in robes, cowards and fools. No, Father, this is not the time to bow and flee. This world has power, and one which we shall draw upon as we begin our work."

"Surrender yourselves," Amara said, addressing the sharu directly, "It is for your benefit. Bloodshed can be avoided."

"I do not believe this is wise," Ludex insisted.

"Silence, Father." The Son lifted a hand as he turned to face the sharu directly. "Consider this your final warning."

His fingers twitched with lightning, as the familiar surge of power began manifesting around him. The Sharu Council simply looked down on him impassively, unintimidated by them.

What did they know?

The Son thrust a hand forward, sending a barrage of lightning toward the closest sharu. But before it could hit, something interceded, a symbol seemed to materialize just before the sharu, emitting a ward of some kind. The Son seemed surprised, and Daniel was as well. He'd felt nothing from the sharu.

Whatever protected them, it was not of the Force. Which begged the question: what was it?

Another barrage also dissipated. The Daughter attempted to grab them with the Force, but that similarly failed. The Son suddenly whipped around and lashed out at the escorts which had been dutifully standing behind them. That finally prompted the sharu to act, and one of the male sharu sang.

Perhaps 'sang' was a bit too generous, but he sang a phrase, perhaps several notes in sequence, but these were not just words. It was something more intimate that Daniel felt on a deep level. He heard the notes, heard their inherent meaning.

Protection.

The lightning broke apart on the ward that had manifested before the Son's barrage.

The harmonious sentences began, calm and composed; unintimidated by the display of power.

"So, the path has been chosen."

"So, the mistake was made."

"There will be no bloodshed today."

"But there shall be consequences."

And as one, the Sharu Council rose, and began to sing.

It was stronger, sweeter, and more intoxicating than the persistent melody that had been experienced before. It resonated with Daniel to his core, and he knew not what it was. Music that had no instruments, yet sounded more complete than any orchestra he had ever heard. Lyrics that were unintelligible, but which he could almost discern a story.

Fear had gripped the Force-wielders now, as they realized they were not dealing with hapless robed aliens, but beings of an equally alien power. A song was being laced into the very fabric of reality it seemed. Lightning flowed off of surfaces like water, chunks of stone crumbled to dust when yanked apart, and the foundations restored themselves.

The Force that had granted such power was reduced to little more than an irritant, and perhaps in a moment of amused taunting, the Force was not stripped from the Force-wielders, it was simply reduced to impotency. Even Ludex drew upon the power to defend himself, but found it impossible to even remotely threaten the sharu – none of who seemed perturbed in the least.

The song built to a crescendo, and it finally finished in one resounding note.

Cease.

The Ones collapsed to the ground, drained and helpless. The sharu remained standing.

"The Monolith has been breached."

"These ones pose a danger to the outside."

"They will remain."

"Another place we will find."

"And what of them?"

"Should they be Unmade?"

"No, it might attract Its attention."

"Their prison, this should be."

"But not one without redemption."

"The key shall be made."

One of the sharu began singing alone, a low song, while the remainder of the Council began singing an equally subdued, but more powerful song. Daniel watched as the Ones twitched on the ground, and brief flashes of unknown symbols appeared over their bodies. What seemed to be a dagger formed before the woman who was singing alone, materializing from smoke or blue wisps.

After what seemed like hours, they ceased. The sharu stood tall, looking down upon the defeated Force-wielders in judgment.

"What was to be your place of conquest, will be your prison."

"You will live in a place of static."

"One you cannot change."

"A key we leave."

"A key you cannot touch."

"A key you cannot wield."

"A key you cannot free yourselves with."

"But should you convince another."

"You will be free."

"Consider such usage carefully."

"Freedom requires strength."

"Freedom requires willingness."

"Freedom requires power."

"The Force made you."

"You understand the Force."

"It understands you."

"You do not understand anything else."

"And you are incapable of such."

The sharu began departing the room, one of them carrying the dagger, seemingly content to leave the Ones alone.

"Begin the Unmaking."

"A new place awaits."

And with that, the sharu departed, the chamber, and the last thing that Daniel heard before the vision ended, was the familiar music of Mortis.

All of them were now seated on the floor, in cross-legged or meditative positions as they took time to recover from that experience. It was, to put it lightly, a lot to process. There were so many questions that had arisen, and the subsequent implications of them were… well, to say they would be controversial was putting it lightly.

"What was that?" Pon finally asked, "It was more than music."

"I am afraid I can offer no comprehensive explanation," Ludex sighed, hands resting on his legs, "However, I do not think it was actual music. More… that was how we perceived it. Whatever they did, altered reality on a fundamental level. Perhaps music is how we interpret it, not how it actually was. How it works, I cannot say."

"Not yet, not yet," Vodel muttered to himself, as he'd had a distant look in his eyes since the vision ended, "but this is the proof I needed. I am on the correct path – I merely need to put all of the pieces together."

＜＜Were those really the sharu?＞＞ Lowbacca asked.

"I have no reason to doubt otherwise," Ludex answered candidly, "I had not encountered that species before. If you encountered them, they are either aliens posing under an assumed name, or they have rejoined the galaxy."

"I will need to review Lando's journey," Pon made a brief note on his datapad, "Perhaps there was a mistranslation, or something more that we initially missed."

"Do you know where they went?" Daniel asked, returning to the topic at hand.

Ludex shook his head. "No."

"What happened to their city?" Lara asked, "The world itself seemed different."

"Because it was," Ludex answered, "Mortis was more… natural, I suppose, than how it is now. I suspect because there were inhabitants to it, who could care for it. When we awoke, and stepped outside the temple, the city, the roads, everything was gone, and the music was in the air. A safeguard, I believe, to prevent any kind of tampering."

"And you couldn't escape," Daniel finished.

"No, and we tried." A sigh escaped the man's lips. "Many long days we tried, yet it did not matter how we altered the world, it would simply return to what it was. There was no escape, we were locked inside, with the dagger left to taunt us."

"And the dagger, how was it a key?"

"We didn't know," Ludex admitted, "For all we knew, it could have been an illusion; a trick to keep us occupied. All we knew was that it was locked away, under this temple, and none of us were capable of grasping it."

Daniel made the connection. "That was what Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ventress were sent to get."

A nod. "It was. My children had resolved to attempt to lure others here, who could perhaps free us. Over the centuries, we had learned to expand our reach, even beyond the Monolith. An oversight, perhaps, or intentional to prevent our insanity. We could do little, though we slowly became aware of the outside galaxy in flashes."

"And that was how you lured the Republic and Separatists to Mortis," Viola concluded.

"Yes, it was an exhaustive effort on their part," Ludex confirmed, "A call that almost killed them, like squeezing through a minute gap in a cliff. Yet they succeeded. As soon as armies landed on Mortis, they set out to them – and you saw the reception."

"The start of it." Daniel nodded. "But not the end."

"Where were you?" Vodel asked, "Did you not curtail them?"

Ludex sighed. "Imprisonment did not… make retrospection enticing. The opposite, in fact. We were to change the galaxy, remake it in our image and sweep aside the old ways. We believed ourselves unstoppable, and by chance, we found this place first, and were humbled. Ultor… did not take defeat well. It did not dissuade him, and it was simple to maintain the righteous crusade Amara believed in."

"But not you."

"No, not me," Ludex said, "I was the voice of caution and moderation, I was to temper his worst impulses. Yet, I kept losing my sway and influence, what little I possessed. I also knew I was unable to match them in power, not both of them." He closed his eyes briefly. "You cannot imagine what it is like to love your children, and realize the nightmare that would be unleashed should they succeed in their goals."

"A goal you appeared to support before Mortis," Lara noted.

"Indeed, I did," Ludex said, "You would not disagree either, if you had been aware of the long years of galactic rule by the powerful. To destroy it is extreme until you realize that there is no alternative for change. Cycles the galaxy runs on, history repeating itself, and yet none seem to wish to change it. Even were the apocalypse not coming, your Alliance and Imperium would turn against each other. Even if the Sith were to be eradicated, your Jedi Order would schism and splinter once more. It is merely the way of the universe, one that can only be stopped by starting over."

He paused. "Or so I believed. The centuries have convinced me that there is little that would have changed, even had we succeeded. We are no less fallible than the mortals, and we would eventually be brought low. Perhaps we would be better, perhaps worse in our rule, but we would not change, or worse, become that which we wished to destroy. I came to this conclusion. My children did not."

"And now they are dead," Daniel said.

"Yes, an unfortunate result, but equally necessary."

"How did it happen?" Daniel asked, "We have only seen the beginning."

"Mmm." Ludex laced his fingers together. "I can show you, if you have strength remaining."

Daniel looked around at the others. There were a number of affirming nods. "We've come this far," Daniel said, looking back to the Force-wielder, "Let's finish it."

Ludex raised a hand, and the last vision began.

They found themselves in an arena that appeared to be underground. It seemed to be under the temple itself, as the architecture and stone was the same, as were the blue-flamed torches that lined the walls. The arena was a stone depression, from which three rows of stairs descended from three of the sides.

A smooth incline followed the descent of the stairs, with medium columns erected within them, and in the main depression itself. At the bottom was another platform that was slightly elevated. It was toward the back of the arena, with stairs that led to it. A table rested atop it, and above it hovered the dagger he had seen.

The 'Dagger of Mortis,' so it was called.

It seemed fairly normal from what Daniel could see. The metal was a dark gray, and the grip was uncomplicated. There were no markings or other designs which indicated its origin, or what it could do. He sensed no power from the artifact, but at the same time… there was something even he could discern.

The air around it seemed… volatile. Almost hot.

Ventress and the Daughter were there already, approaching the dagger. Ventress had taken a few steps closer to the weapon, though Amara had remained on the ground. Incapable of joining? It was difficult to say. Daniel heard the click of boots, and turned to see Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka rush in from the top.

The two turned to the new intruders. A flicker of uncertainty seemed to cross the Daughter's face, though not because of the new arrivals, but something else. "Deal with them," she commanded Ventress, with a flick of her fingers, "There is a matter I must attend to."

Ventress took a breath. "Yes. I will."

The Daughter brought her hands together, and vanished as the Jedi descended, each igniting their lightsabers.

"We take her together," Obi-Wan said in a low voice.

"I was about to say that," Anakin said in an equally low voice.

"Understood," Ahsoka finished, as she raised her lightsabers in a reverse grip.

The Jedi ignored the final sets of stairs, and leapt to the ground, fanning out as Ventress dashed for the dagger.

"You'd be wise to surrender, Ventress," Obi-Wan warned, pointing his blade at her, "Skilled as you are, this is a battle you can't win."

She gave a broken laugh, even as she didn't yet reach for the dagger. She seemed to know it was not what it seemed, and the fear prevented her from grabbing it. "It is over, Jedi. I have nothing left now, except to do this."

"Ventress…" Obi-Wan said slowly.

Anakin marched forward, and that scared Ventress enough to where she snatched the dagger from where it hovered. Nothing happened at first, but Ventress stood still for a few long seconds, twitching. Her eyes had rolled back into her head, and the lightsaber in her hand clattered to the floor.

The mist that he had seen the dagger be created with manifested again, floating around the hand that clutched the weapon. Then she screamed; a horrendous, painful scream; one only given by those in absolute agony. She fell to her knees, the air around her seeming to distort itself as her throat was stripped raw by the pain.

The Jedi seemed unsure how to approach her now, and were cautiously inching forward when, with a final scream, Ventress leapt to her feet and lifted the dagger into the air, and a single note sounded.

It was a brutal, harsh note, unlike any of the music he had heard, though it was undoubtedly of the same origin. This explained what the dagger was then – it was a weapon that used this strange power – or at least channeled it. Ventress stood now, eyes filled with agony and anger.

She stood in the center of a crater, one only a few centimeters deep, but the note that she had manifested had destroyed the immediate area around her, including the table the dagger had once hovered over. The Jedi sprang into action, determined to neutralize her as quickly as possible.

Anakin and Ahsoka had charged forward, and Ventress met them with a smile equal parts joy and pain. The dagger whistled through the air, and accompanying it was a shimmer in the air, an extension of the dagger, that severed what it came into contact with. Each swing a deep chorus of destruction, one that almost killed Anakin outright, had he not dodged.

No longer was this a duel of blades, but a contest of agility, where a single mistake by any party would mean the end. Ventress scowled, and pointed the dagger at Obi-Wan who dodged to the side – where he had stood, Daniel saw the air seem to shimmer and shift, and the pillar he had been standing before crumbled into nothing.

With a furious swipe she forced the two encroaching Jedi back. Anakin responded with a fist to the air which sent a shockwave against her, throwing her off her feet. She responded by stabbing the dagger into the ground, which sank into the stone as easily as butter, and manifested an earthquake of the arena that sounded with the sharp note of destruction before she jumped back to her feet.

Back-and-forth this went, as the arena was destroyed more and more. Ventress seemed to also be getting worse, as the air around her seemed to be in a constant state of shifting, and the blue mist had flown all around her body. Blood and fluids dripped from her, open wounds seemingly brought on by the dagger, yet she had crossed the threshold where pain no longer existed.

Through bloodied lips, she battled off an assault from Anakin and Obi-Wan, then swung, pointed the dagger, and summoned the note toward Ahsoka who was leaping toward her. There was no way to avoid it, and there was a brief moment where the space around Ahsoka flashed and distorted, as if seeing her underwater, then there was nothing but a hiss of steam and dust where once she was.

Obi-Wan yelled her name, and Anakin thrust an arm forward and Ventress was thrown across the room and slammed into the wall. The impact seemed to break her bones, but she nonetheless stood, a shambling creature that was on the verge of nonexistence. Her eyes had melted away, becoming pus-soaked orbs of white, and the skin dripped off her body even as she tried once more to raise the dagger with her shattered wrist.

Then she froze in place, and with a final scream from ravaged vocal cords, dissolved away, and the dagger fell to the ground, hovering gently above a small puddle of blood and viscera. There was a brief silence as both surviving Jedi looked at each other, unsure of what to do next.

There were a few minutes where there was nothing, and Obi-Wan looked to the place where Ahsoka had been atomized. He did not speak, but his own grief and sadness was palpable. The day had extracted a heavy toll on them, but Obi-Wan was a Jedi. He felt the emotion, and let it go.

There would be time to mourn.

Anakin said nothing either, but rested a hand on his shoulder as he joined in a brief silent mourning before the retribution inevitably came. Time which stretched out into long seconds, but was ultimately far too short, as the aura of power manifested itself before them again. The Daughter had returned – and seemed surprised for the first time, as she saw the result. She looked worse than before, though Daniel doubted most would have noticed. Her clothing was ripped in several places, and her aura seemed less potent.

She seemed to briefly consider speaking to the Jedi, but then decided against it as she started to lift her hands, and the aura shone brightly. The Jedi needed to act.

"Anakin! The dagger!" Obi-Wan called, as the Daughter began drawing on her own power.

Even though they'd seen it reduce Ventress to a slurry, they knew it was their only hope. Anakin extended a hand, and the dagger was pulled to him as he fixed his eyes on the Force-wielder.

His hand gripped the hilt, and his eyes closed, as his body froze in the same agony Ventress had experienced. A single pained growl escaped his lips, as he grasped the dagger with both hands, and performed a flourish which sent rippling distortions through the air in an impromptu symphony. The Daughter did not seem to inherently know what she was facing, though the moment she heard the notes, she froze in fearful recollection.

A mistake.

She erected Force shields, but had forgotten that the Force was useless against this power. The distortions created by the dagger moved into her, and in a single moment she was dismembered. Pieces of the Force-wielder fell to the ground, the luminous nature of her skin faded and it seemed like blood flowed out of them like any other.

Anakin wisely let go of the dagger, it fell to the ground – slowing to a hover once more – as they stared, almost dumbfounded at the remains.

"Well…" Obi-Wan said quietly, "that turned out to be simpler than expected."

"It's not over," Anakin said, his voice labored, "There's the other one."

As they spoke, they heard it. A scream of rage and fury that caused tremors all around them. A scream of power and loss, of something that couldn't be expressed otherwise. A scream as though the Force itself mourned. The air seemed to freeze and grow charged.

Just as he had entered the first time, the Son slammed through the temple to the ground of the arena, stones from the roof of the temple accompanying his descent. Moonlight shone down from the now-created hole.

The Son's eyes fixated first on the remains of his sister. He knelt down by them, reaching out trembling fingers – disbelief and sorrow emanated from the entity, swirling in a dark maelstrom that was close to breaking. He stood again, and turned his full fury upon the Jedi.

"You!" he screamed at them, his voice the embodiment of pain, "What have you done?!"

"They have done what was necessary," a familiar voice spoke, and Daniel saw Ludex emerge behind the Jedi, sadness and regret written on his face – but also resolution, "Do what you must, Jedi. The madness will end today."

"I should have killed you long ago, Father," the Son sneered, "So be it!"

Lightning laced his arms, and the maelstrom burst – but this time, there was a counter, as Ludex drew upon his own power. It was not quite as strong or as intense – but it provided a buffer for the Jedi to act.

Obi-Wan looked at Anakin. "I'll take it this turn."

With a flick of his wrist, Anakin sent the dagger in Obi-Wan's direction, who caught it in his hand, and went through the same process Anakin had, though was less successful at keeping the agony bottled. Yet he brought it under his control, and Anakin ignited his lightsaber as the Jedi began their final duel against the Force-wielder.

It was a battle of an intensity that Daniel had never witnessed in his life, a battle between two Force-wielders, and a pair of mortal men with an artifact of power unmatched by all. The battle lasted for… well, it was difficult to keep track of, but it was a long time. The Son was clearly more aware of the dangers of the dagger than his sister had been, and more motivated by rage than any of them.

The air itself was charged with static as both Father and Son exchanged bursts of lightning, and ripped the temple apart as they sought to kill each other. Both were mobile and sometimes moved faster than the eye could see, as they tossed such power that would have exhausted a normal Jedi with abandon.

The battle was tinged with the music of the dagger, the harsh notes creating an almost beautiful symphony as it sliced, distorted, and destroyed more of the temple, piece by piece. Obi-Wan and Anakin had also established a system of usage. In battle, every few minutes the wielder would toss the dagger to the other, each one now familiar with its power and the cost that came with use.

Each time they switched, they acclimated to it faster and faster, until they were using it almost immediately when they grabbed it. The dagger was still taking a toll on them, but it was not likely to kill them when the burden was diluted between both of them. Slowly but surely, it seemed to be moving in the favor of the Jedi.

Then it came.

The Son was paralyzed by a Force grip from Ludex – only for a brief second. With a sure hand, Obi-Wan stabbed the dagger into his heart, and there was but a single beat and a muffled note before the form of the Force-wielder distorted and dissolved into atoms.

Relative silence fell upon the arena. The dagger fell from Obi-Wan's fingers and once the weapon slowed to a hover near the ground, all that was left was the song of Mortis playing overhead, as the vision came to an end.

Many of their group had gone to bed, utterly exhausted after experiencing such intense visions. Ludex had shown them to one of the many rooms that existed in the temple, which were far better than the cave they'd slept in the night before. A few, however, were still up to continue talking. Yaden, Vodel, and Pon joined him at one of the long tables, at which Ludex also sat.

"I called both of them away," Ludex was saying, "I knew that if I had let them lead the mortals to the dagger, it would be over. Thus, it gave an opportunity for them to realize the power they held. I was unable to hold them long, but it was enough."

"How did Anakin and Obi-Wan react?" Pon asked, "Why did they never share this with the Order?"

"Because this was knowledge that was not to be shared with the wider galaxy." Ludex rested his hands on the table. "I altered the memories of the Jedi after the conflict. As far as they knew, they had pursued Ventress to the world, and had managed to slay her and the entities within. All knowledge of the dagger, and the Force-wielders, was gone, we were simply powerful Force-users."

"That would explain why the report read so oddly," Yaden muttered, "There were pieces missing."

"And yourself?" Daniel asked, "You left with the dagger?"

"I left on one of the Republic ships – disguised, of course," he said, "I had secured the dagger. I did not know if I would be able to leave, but I nonetheless found myself on a starship. I left from there, and worked to find a place to assess and determine what I was to do next."

"That is where the Quabular come in, I assume?" Daniel inquired.

"The Quabular were… welcoming," Ludex said, seeming to choose his words carefully, "A minor sect that posed little trouble to the galaxy, yet individuals inoculated to corruption."

"Do they know who you are?"

"The Kaarnan does, the Quabular at large do not," he answered, "They are charged with protecting the dagger. In return, I assist them in their trials, and ensure that they are unbothered by the galaxy at large. A mutual arrangement that benefits us all."

"So it would seem," Yaden grunted, "The Quabular. Always knew something was off about them. Not like this, though."

"So how did the dagger act as a key?" Vodel asked, peering at Ludex intently.

"I believe it was intended to be a trap," Ludex said slowly, "All that was required, I believe, was to remove it from its place. I cannot fathom why such a tool of destruction would have freed us. I believe had Ultor seized it, he would have used it to destroy this place itself. I do not know what would have happened, but I do not believe the sharu would wish to have such a weapon in our hands. It would have been bait to destroy ourselves unknowingly."

"Except that didn't happen," Daniel finished.

"No, not this time, and the dagger is secure." Ludex stroked his beard. "I remain unable to directly touch it. For the best, I believe. It has not been touched since that day."

"Have the Quabular attempted to figure out what it is?" Daniel asked.

"Yes, but it has yielded nothing of use," Ludex admitted, "It contains no discernable technology, and appears made out of an impossible metal. Basic tools can manipulate it, but it is merely a sharp knife. Curiously, most droids cannot handle it. They appear to possess a certain degree of sapience the dagger intrinsically knows."

Yaden's eyebrows furrowed. "How is that possible?"

"There is much about this weapon, and the power it has, that has defied what is possible," Ludex noted wryly, "Yet now I feel like it will be important. For now, it will remain protected. I do not need to explain the ramifications if the wrong hands were to acquire it."

That was very true. "So, what is Mortis now?" Daniel asked, "You still come here, or only because you expected me to?"

"It is a safe haven, used by myself, the Quabular, and those who must be hidden," Ludex answered, "It retains its use, and there are still secrets of the Monolith to unveil. Secrets none have had the time or resources to carry out. The Quabular are small, and while this grants advantages, it carries with it an equal number of drawbacks."

"But you believe it is important," Daniel noted.

"I know it is important," Ludex emphasized, "And that this can no longer be done on my own or with just the Quabular. I do not know how long it will be, but we have years before the close of this cycle begins."

"Yes," Daniel said, "A question."

"What is it?"

"Does the name 'Taral' mean anything to you?"

Ludex considered for a moment. "No. Not that name. Why?"

Daniel pursed his lips. "I think there is another Force-wielder out there, or there will be one in the future."

Ludex did not question him. "A revelation of your visions?"

"One on Dromund Kaas, yes."

"Curious," Ludex said slowly, "If it is a young one, it will require intervention before… well, you have seen with Ultor what happens when the manifested intelligence takes over. This is not guaranteed, however, but it is possible. And if necessary… he could be removed."

"If there is another way, I'd prefer we do that." Daniel nodded. "And as I said, this was in the future, he may not exist as a Force-wielder yet. When, or if he does, then we must be prepared. Hopefully, we can find him before that point."

"Indeed," Ludex affirmed, "You have found many of the answers you seek, Daniel Skywalker. What comes now?"

"Now?" Daniel considered for a moment. "Now we figure out what to do next. I have seen a future I wish to avert, and we have little time. Fortunately, our objectives in this matter seem to be aligned, much to my relief. We have a clear picture of what to expect – now we need a plan."

"That we do, Jedi," Ludex said, "Each of us has a role to play in the coming conflict. It is essential that we play the right role, as there is no room for error. Should we fail, it will be the end for all of us."

"Then it is decided." Daniel extended a hand to the Force-wielder, who took it firmly. "We should get started then. The galaxy isn't going to save itself."

SLotH4's Note: You know, when I first read the draft of this chapter, I was legitimately surprised to see all these people joining Daniel's quest. I had assumed it would just be the Jedi plus Vodel. I'm not often surprised when I read this stuff, but it is great when I am.

Xabiar created a Discord channel for his own XCOM stories and included a channel to discuss "Shadow of the Phoenix" and its related works (such as the various Addenda and SotP Tales). If you would like to join the server and come to the channel to speak directly to us, just use the code NeKH6YF and go to the channel "sotp-discussion."