"And that's the story," said Kayla.

"…I see, so that's why you wanted to accompany her," said Ersanan.

"Yes," said Vaukel, "I wanted to protect her, to make up for what happened that day."

Kayla had a look on her face. She turned and looked at Vaukel.

"What do you mean… 'Make up for what happened that day'?" she asked.

Vaukel looked at Kayla.

"…When Order 66 was executed… Your father found me trapped and cornered in the mess hall," he said, "he cut through his troops in order to rescue me and give me something… Then… He told me to run."

Kayla felt her chest get tight.

"…What?" she asked slowly.

"Look, I know this might sound hard to believe, but your father-"

But Vaukel was cut off as Kayla had her lightsaber at his throat.

"…He… Told you to run… And you ran?" Kayla asked firmly.

"Kayla," Ersanan said slowly.

"It's alright," Vaukel reassured the Revanite Zabrak.

Vaukel slowly put his hands up.

"Kayla… Listen, I don't know what you went through… I don't know what your master said to you or what he made you believe… But believe me when I say that your father wanted to make sure that one of us-"

"YOU! ABANDONED MY FATHER!" Kayla interrupted as her eyes became filled with tears.

"Kayla stop it!" ordered Ersanan.

Kayla gritted her teeth and deactivated her weapon… Then she punched Vaukel in the face.

"…If you were really my stepbrother, you would've done everything you could to make sure my father made it home," hissed Kayla, "it's bad enough that my mother left me when she saw what I had become, what I had acquired… But now I've learned my father's apprentice turned into a coward when faced with insurmountable odds. His apprentice… His knighted apprentice."

Vaukel rubbed his face and said nothing.

"…You might be my father's apprentice, but you're no brother of mine," Kayla said as she turned her back to him, "…get out of my sight…"

Vaukel opened his mouth to say something, but Ersanan looked at him and shook his head. Vaukel looked back at Kayla, then he left. Ersanan looked at Kayla.

"…You don't believe that… Do you?" asked Ersanan.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Kayla asked as she looked at the Revanite Master.

"You don't believe that Vaukel is a coward… You know that deep down, you're happy to actually have someone in your family by your side again. Even if he's related by blood or not," said Ersanan.

Kayla looked at Ersanan.

"…I don't know what you're talking about," she said as she turned away.

"…Your thoughts betray you Kayla," said Ersanan, "I could sense it the moment you met Vaukel again and I could sense it when he accompanied you on your sabotage mission."

Kayla crossed her arms and huffed.

"…You never wanted to be an Inquisitor… Didn't you?" asked Ersanan.

"With all due respect, where did all of these questions come from?" Kayla asked as she gave Ersanan an annoyed look.

Ersanan sighed.

"I think it might be best if you go get some rest," he said.

Ersanan started to leave when he stopped and looked back at Kayla.

"…Kayla… As a Revanite, I won't tell you how you should behave… Or rather how you should act… But I will say this, you can't claim to be one of us until you learn to accept the darkness," said Ersanan.

Kayla looked at Ersanan.

"And I can tell you right now… The darkness has accepted you, but you never accepted it," he said.

Ersanan left, leaving Kayla alone in the command center. Kayla looked at her hands and brought them to her chest as she felt it get tight.

"You can't claim to be one of us until you learn to accept the darkness."

Later that evening, everyone was busy celebrating and enjoying themselves over their well-fought victory. Mandalorian warriors, sang and danced, others played a few rounds of Pazaak and even had a few tests of strengths in the form of arm wrestling and sparring matches. However, as the partying went on, there was one who wasn't exactly in a… Chummy mood.

"I thought you'd be resting," Orthus said as he found Kayla sitting on the roof of the barracks.

Kayla turned and looked at the Mandalorian.

"…I couldn't sleep," she said.

"Music too loud?" he joked.

"…No," she said, "…it's… It's something else."

Orthus walked over and sat next to her.

"…So… I heard about what happened between you and Vaukel… Yikes," he said.

"…Did you come to lecture me too?" Kayla asked firmly.

"Actually, Daralec was originally supposed to come and have a word with you," said Orthus.

Kayla looked at the Mandalorian.

"You know, when you say, 'Have a word', I hear 'Go apologize for punching your stepbrother in the face'," said Kayla.

"…You looked into my head, didn't you?" asked Orthus.

"No, I was just shooting my shot," said Kayla.

"Oh… Well, would you-"

"Orthus, no, don't even say it! You of all people have no business trying to tell me to make peace with Vaukel! I mean come on, Mandalorians and Jedi were at each other's throats!" snapped Kayla, "and to top it all off, you don't even know what I've been through… You've never lost a father, your mother never left you…"

Orthus made a face as Kayla turned away.

"You're right… I don't know what you've been through… I don't know what it's like to have my mom leave me, I don't know what it's like to have a sibling-figure reappear years after a galactic purge," he said, "but I know what it's like to lose a father."

Kayla turned and looked at Orthus.

"My father was the original leader of my family's clan. Much like my mother, he wasn't so Gung-ho about serving under Gar Saxon and his super commandos," said Orthus, "as I'm sure you've guessed, Vaton took it upon herself to come visit our home to try and negotiate, try, and coax our clan into serving the empire. When my father asked what would become of my mother, if the empire found out that she had survived the purge, Vaton said that the worst-case scenario is she would be made into a Mandalorian Inquisitor… Or… Something along those lines."

Kayla felt a chill go up her spine. A Mandalorian turned Inquisitor? That's a Jedi Survivor's nightmare.

"My father didn't like that response, and he flatly refused, he added that if he ever saw Vaton again… He'd kill her," said Orthus, "Vaton left, and at first, I thought she got the message that our clan just wanted to be left alone… But I guess the empire… That Gar Saxon thought if my family's clan wouldn't join him… We would die."

Kayla gasped.

"Some time after Vaton's visit she and her warriors returned… With the empire at her back," said Orthus, "they blitzed us in the early morning, catching the entire clan off guard and killing many of our warriors."

Kayla gasped again.

"With so many of our people in a panic and many of our warriors trying to suit up and defend our home, my father saw no other choice, so he gathered up all of our most battle-ready warriors to mount a defense of our home and told me, my mother and the rest of us to make a run for the mountains," said Orthus, "…he said that he would be right behind us…"

Kayla had a hurt look on her face.

"Orthus… I'm so sorry," she said slowly, "I thought… I thought Lovak…"

"Was my father?" asked Orthus, "no… He's just a good friend to my mom, and he's been a good father figure to me is all."

Kayla looked down.

"We Mandalorians have a code that e live by," he said as he looked up at the sky, "did you know that?"

Kayla looked at Orthus.

"Strength is life, for the strong have the right to rule; Honor is life, for with no honor one may as well be dead; Death is life, one should die as they have lived," said Orthus, "my father was… Well, my father. But he was also a Mandalorian. A warrior and leader. As much as I wished I could've done something to help… I know that defending our clan until his death was something my father wanted."

Orthus looked at Kayla.

"My father died as he lived. A man protecting his family, and a leader protecting his clan," he said.

"…Why are you telling me all of this?" asked Kayla.

"I'm telling you this to say… Don't be mad that Vaukel fled when your father told him to run," said Orthus, "don't be mad that your brother didn't come for you while that whole… Purge was going on."

Orthus put a hand on Kayla's shoulder.

"Be happy that Vaukel survived so that way you two could meet again," he said, "…Even if it was on opposite sides of the coin."

Kayla looked down at the ground, then she looked up at the sky. Kayla reached up and plucked a few strands of her hair so she could look at it. She felt her chest start to get tight as memories of her past started to come flooding back.

"Kayla, I want you to meet my apprentice Vaukel."

"Hey, kiddo."

"You're my daddy's apprentice?"

"That's right sweetheart. And when this war is over… Maybe he might even be your… Well… Your big brother."

Kayla formed her hand into a tight fist and gritted her teeth in sadness and anger. Ersanan was right, her thoughts did betray her. She had been an inquisitor for so long, she had killed so many Jedi… She had actually forgotten about Vaukel.

"…Orthus… Do you have anything for my hair?" asked Kayla.

/\/\/\/\/\

"And that's how I ended up in the Knights of Revan," said Daralec.

"Heh, that's quite a tale," said Vaukel, "…wait… Aren't you worried about feeding me all of this information? I'm not exactly a member of your secret order you know."

"Maybe not… But you did help us out during the assault on Vaton's base," said Daralec, "and you helped me. So, I'd say you've more than earned my trust and the trust of my master."

"…I suppose that's fair," Vaukel said as he looked down.

"Aww, keep your chin up friend," said Daralec, "I'm sure Kayla didn't mean what she-"

The boys sensed something. A mix of emotions that was heading their way. Daralec and Vaukel turned. Vaukel gasped. Daralec blushed. Kayla had arrived at the celebration that was going on, but there was something different. Her hair wasn't black anymore. It was white. Snow white."

"Uh… Hi," she said shyly.

"By. The. Force," the boys said in unison.

"I know right?" Orthus said as he popped out from behind Kayla, "even I didn't know that she had white hair."

"Kayla… I-I-I don't understand," said Daralec, "what even… What… I…"

"You actually dyed your hair? I thought it was a wig," said Vaukel.

"It was to hide my Miraluka heritage, the empire has severe prejudice against non-humans you know," Kayla said as she and Orthus sat with the boys at the table, "but… Since I'm not with the empire… I felt it was about time to lose the black."

"But you're still attuned to the dark side," Daralec said, pointing out Kayla's eyes.

Kayla looked down.

"I've been repeatedly reminded about how Revan accepted violence and darkness during his time as a Jedi… But the truth is… I don't know if I can be able to accept my darkness… I don't know if I can accept the violence I commit," she said.

She looked at each of the boys.

"You, I know violence is a part of your culture," she said, pointing to Orthus.

The young man gave a grin and a shrug.

"You, I know you don't have much of a choice but to fight and survive these days," Kayla said, pointing to Vaukel.

She looked at Daralec.

"How do you do it Daralec? How do you accept the violence you commit? How do you accept the darkness?" she asked.

Vaukel and Orthus looked at the Revanite apprentice.

"That's actually a tough one… Mm… Well, think of it like this," said Daralec, "…well, think of it like this… To accept violence, is to accept the fact that words alone aren't going to quell the coming of conflict; and once conflict comes, one must be ready to shift both physically and mentally from protector to warrior. To accept darkness, is to open your heart and mind to the horrors and struggles of conflict; one must be willing to do whatever it takes to achieve victory and be ready to accept responsibility for the outcome, whether if it's sacrificing the lives of innocent people or the lives of the soldiers one leads to battle."

Kayla blinked a few times.

"When Revan attempted to use the Foundry to build his infinite army in order to destroy the Sith Empire, he did it to save lives, not glory. Much like him, the Knights of Revan train so we can do what we must for the good of the galaxy," said Daralec, "we don't do it to seek glory or recognition for our actions."

Kayla looked down, processing what Daralec shared.

"But…" said Daralec.

Kayla looked up.

"…There are certain members who do find a certain… Thrill to being deployed to the field," Daralec said as he gave Kayla a wink.

Kayla turned away.

"Say, Kayla, is that sunburn or are you blushing?" teased Orthus.

Kayla tried to cover her face, she had to change the subject and fast.

"…V-Vaukel?" she asked.

"Hmm?" asked the Jedi.

"Uh… Um… I'm sorry for what happened," said Kayla, "I was just… I just…"

"It's okay," said Vaukel.

Kayla looked at him.

"Honestly, that was kind of my fault. I should've seen that coming," said Vaukel, "I know you miss the old man… And you know what? I miss him too."

Kayla gave Vaukel a small smile.

"But look on the bright side, you're starting to turn your life around now. And it looks like you're starting to break free from the dark side," Vaukel said with a reassuring smile.

"…Break free?" asked Kayla, "no. You don't know the power of the dark side Vaukel, it's the only thing that provides me safety and comfort. Until I sever what it is that keeps me connected to the dark side… I can never break free."

Kayla looked down.

"My master said that's how the dark side works," she said.

Vaukel had a somber look on his face.

"…What happened to you, Kayla?" he thought.

"Ah, to hell with this," Orthus sighed as he got up, "enough with the doom and gloom, it's a victory party. Let's enjoy this night to its fullest."

"Oh yeah, that's right, there is a party going on," Daralec said as he got up as well.

Orthus hopped over the table and took Kayla's hand.

"Come on Kayla, let's dance," he said, "that'll help get you out of this funk."

"B-B-But I don't know how to-WAAAAAUGH!" she yelped as she was yanked away.

/\/\/\/\/\

"Accept darkness? Accept violence? Ha! How ridiculous. You will never be free Kayla. Soon you'll realize that this charade is nothing more than that… A charade. And once you've accepted that, you'll return to our master's side."

Kayla gasped and sat up. It was the following day; things had quieted down at the home of Clan Zaijen. Some of the warriors that woke up began to clean up the mess from the party, while others were busy sleeping the day away. Mandalore and Zarayvia had gathered everything they needed to bring aboard the Revanite ships. The young initiate looked around and saw that she wasn't in her bed. She wasn't even in the barracks. No… She was in…

"By the Force," she thought as she looked to her right.

She saw Orthus. Orthus Zaijen. Asleep! Kayla quickly looked down and checked herself to see if there was anything missing or worse. Fortunately, she was clothed. What she wanted to know though, why the hell was Orthus shirtless?

"I mean… Not that I… Not that I mind," she thought as she got a good look at his body.

For being so young, Orthus looked borderline shredded, and not to mention the number of scars the young man sported on his arms and chest. Whether they were from sparring sessions or hunts… Kayla wasn't sure. Kayla reached forward and placed a hand on his chest.

"So hard," she thought as she ran her hand along his chest.

Kayla stopped her hand on one of Orthus's scars and touched it.

"…I didn't know that Mandalorians wore so many scars," she thought, "…it reminds me of… Of…"

Kayla felt her cheeks start to get hot. Her heart started racing, a bit.

"And yet he still keeps going with such a… Positive look on his face," she thought.

Just then, Orthus opened his eyes. Kayla gasped and tried to pull her hand away, but he grabbed her wrist. Kayla shivered.

"…Was last night fun for you too?" he asked with a small smile.

Kayla gave a small nod.

"…Good," said Orthus.

He slowly let Kayla go and climbed out of bed. Kayla was shocked. Orthus was shirtless, but he kept his pants on.

"I'm going to go grab some breakfast," he said as he put a shirt on and his boots.

Kayla watched as Orthus whistled to himself and left the room, leaving the confused girl sitting up in his bed with a confused look on her face; however, that look of confusion became embarrassment as she buried her face in her pillow and screamed, pounding her fists on the pillow, and kicking her legs before letting them drop. Kayla turned over onto her back and looked up at the ceiling.

"…What's wrong with me…?" she thought.