The Dread Palace, Oricon
Ursulina and Adira found themselves in a dead garden. Ursulina knew she had to keep her guard up, on the expected chance of the smuggler doing something reckless.
Calphayus was standing by his throne. His face showed remnants of a charming youth, corrupted by fear and the dark side. He looked at Ursulina with a curious eye. "So the lost child has come home. Hmm."
"I am not lost," Ursulina retorted. "I have been on the path I need to take for years."
"You are fascinating, Jedi. You dueled your own mother. Yet when her time came, you comforted her with a memory of your childhood."
Adira's eyes widened. The hell? She knew Ursulina was too kind for her own good, but this? Then again, both she and her best friend Risha had had their own parental issues...
"I wanted to save my mother. She couldn't let herself open up to it."
"Brontes was always stubborn. She became extremely reclusive after your father was killed. And I'm sure those horrible wings didn't help matters." Calphayus ignited his dualsaber. "No matter. You will be reunited with your parents soon."
"Nuh-uh." Adira aimed her blaster at him. "Today ain't your day, pancakes."
Oh for the love of- "It doesn't have to be like this." Ursulina's own dualsaber reflected the dirt and blood dried on her face. "There are better options."
"Death is always the final step." Calphayus launched himself at the Barsen'thor, aiming for her torso. But she was faster than he was in his old age, countering with a swift kick to his own torso. He was knocked back, his back clenching.
One shot. One shot. All Adira needed was one shot...
Right in the side, missing a lung. Damn, she was only in her late twenties. She knew she couldn't miss.
Calphayus collapsed in pain. The time was surely coming. He could see it. He saw many futures in his time. He looked up to Ursulina. "Finish it."
She was trying not to think about her parents. But...
"No," the Barsen'thor returned quietly. "There has been too much death." She returned her lightsaber to her hip before addressing Adira. "We need to make sure everyone else is alright."
The prophet was dumbfounded. Mercy? To him? He didn't deserve it. But perhaps there was a reason for it.