The Knights of Ren lead Jyn and Kamron to an underground cavern. The cavern contains numerous crystal formations, including a large, green crystal with a black sword handle sticking out of it. Barra stops in front of the large crystal.
Thana is the Emperor's daughter, and a vile monster. I'm endangering my knights by keeping her alive. Yet, the vision was clear. I have to test her. I have to know for certain. Barra thinks.
"Thana. Come forward." Barra says. Jyn starts to walk toward the masked woman.
"Milady…" Kamron says.
"No, Kamron. I'm doing this. Stay here." Jyn says.
"For once I agree with the Sith. You will watch, but you will not interfere. Do so, and you forfeit your life." Barra says.
"I hardly think threats are necessary." Jyn says.
Interesting. The fearsome Darth Thana seems to be getting soft. Barra thinks.
"I am in charge here, and I will decide what is necessary. Not you. Now, get over here!" Barra says. Jyn walks to the crystal, and stops a few feet in front of it. She looks at the handle of the sword.
The sword… I hear the song so clearly! If I can bond with this crystal, I will be strong enough to fight the Emperor! Jyn thinks.
"Indeed. This is the Blacksword. Within is the Crystal of Reckoning. Upon bonding with the crystal, you will gain nearly instant cell regeneration, and the ability to alter matter at the subatomic level." The disembodied voice of Abeloth says.
Such abilities actually exist? Cell regeneration? I'll basically be immortal, and… altering matter at the subatomic level? Will I be able to… kill with that power? Jyn thinks.
"There are limits, of course. You will be able to kill, but those strong with the force will be able to resist. As for the cell regeneration, you will not be immortal. You will still age normally. Also, if your injuries are significant enough, you could still die. Immortality will not be possible for you until you have all five of the ancient crystals." Abeloth answers.
This power, it sounds almost… wrong. Unnatural. Like no single person should have it. Yet, I need it. For now. Jyn thinks.
"Yes, Jyn. It is the only way you will be able to defeat the Emperor. Once that is done, you will rule the galaxy, and may use the power as you wish." Abeloth says.
Or not use it at all. Jyn thinks.
"You are fearful of it?" Abeloth asks.
No. I just don't want to misuse it. Jyn thinks.
"I believe that you will use this power wisely." Abeloth says.
I hope so. Jyn thinks. She notices that Barra is now pacing back and forth.
"I will leave you for now. The one that calls herself Barra is growing impatient." Abeloth says.
She is...talking to someone through the force. The Emperor? I hope not. Otherwise, we may be in serious trouble. Barra thinks.
"You have a force connection to someone. I sensed it. Your father perhaps? Were you telling him where we are?" Barra asks.
"I was doing no such damn thing!" Jyn answers.
"As if I should believe anything you say, Darth Thana! You will have one chance to remove the sword from that crystal. After you fail, you and the boy will be executed." Barra says.
"I see. Let's get on with it, then." Jyn says.
"Go ahead, but I warn you. Try anything foolish, and you die." Barra says.
"Aren't you killing me anyway?" Jyn asks.
"Well…" Barra answers.
"Either you are or you aren't." Jyn says.
I sense that Barra is putting on a show. I'm not sure she actually intends to kill us. She is no darksider. Her anger and hate seem to be… mostly directed toward herself. Interesting. I think I know who she really is. All this time, and we thought she was dead. Jyn thinks.
Is she able to see through my deception? I have no wish to actually kill her, but I will do so if I must. I'd prefer to never kill again. I already have so much blood on my hands, and I've tried for years to put that behind me. Still, I am Master of the Knights of Ren. I must protect those under my care, and that means I must maintain this facade for now. Barra thinks.
"Enough, Thana! Stop wasting my time! Grab the handle, and pull out the sword! If you can." Barra says. Jyn nods, then steps closer to the crystal. She slowly extends one hand, and touches the handle of the sword.
This sword hasn't moved in thirty thousand years. Who put it here, and why? Jyn thinks.
"The last one to use the sword came to believe that it was unnatural and should only be used by those of the right mind. So, he placed a powerful enchantment upon it, ensuring that only those balanced in the force would be able to remove the sword from the crystal." Abeloth says.
And no one has used it since. Jyn thinks.
"No one has been worthy of it. Until now." Abeloth says.
We'll see. Jyn thinks.
"Indeed we will. I wish you luck." Abeloth says.
Thank you. Jyn thinks. She tightly wraps both hands around the handle of the sword, and takes a deep breath. Then, she pulls with all of her strength. The ancient weapon moves slightly, and makes a loud, high pitched screech as metal scrapes against crystal.
What the… she moved it? Impossible! She's a Sith Lord! Barra thinks.
Jyn continues to pull on the sword, grunting in frustration. After a minute, she gives up, and backs away.
With all the strength and power I have, the thing barely moves an inch? Jyn thinks.
"You are balanced, but you still have doubts. Let go of them, and I believe you will succeed." Abeloth says.
Okay. Here we go again. Jyn thinks. She puts both hands on the sword once more, and closes her eyes. After a moment, Jyn pulls with all of her strength. This time, the sword smoothly slides out of the crystal, and the cavern is filled with a white, blinding light. The light lasts for only a few seconds, before gradually fading. Everyone stares in disbelief at the sight of Jyn, holding the ancient sword in her hands. Like the handle, the blade is solid black in color.
"Congratulations, Jyn. You have done it. The power of the Blacksword is yours. Only one crystal remains. The one within the Emperor's lightsaber. In some ways, you are now stronger than he is, and will likely prevail in a fight. Just, be mindful. Do not let yourself be consumed by arrogance or impatience." Abeloth says.
I won't. I don't obsess over this power as I once did, but I see it's necessity. I need it to destroy the Emperor. Jyn thinks.
She did it? This should not be… How? She's a darksider! She shouldn't be worthy of the Blacksword! Barra thinks.
Jyn examines the Blacksword, and notices a small gem on the crossguard. She puts her thumb over the gem, and fire erupts from the blade.
How the hell? Flames… from metal? Jyn thinks.
"It is not a natural fire. This is the power of the crystal at work. When active, this weapon will block a lightsaber's blade. You will find it to be most effective." Abeloth says.
I don't even need a lightsaber anymore, I suppose. I have this, and the staff, which is a quite effective weapon in it's own right. Jyn thinks. She stares in awe at the ancient weapon for a moment, then runs her thumb over the gem once more. The fire vanishes, and Jyn looks at Barra, who stares at Jyn with her arms crossed.
"I take it you weren't expecting me to succeed." Jyn says.
"This… shouldn't be possible. You're a Sith." Barra says.
"Not really. Not anymore." Jyn says.
You're so shocked by what I just did that you've dropped your mental shields. You're projecting thoughts. Images. I'm absolutely certain of it now. I know who you are. Jyn thinks.
"Impossible. No one ever comes back from the dark side." Barra says.
"You did, Barra. Or do you prefer Barriss?" Jyn asks.
How the frack? She couldn't possibly know! Ahsoka and I were so careful! There's no way the Empire could have figured out I survived! Oh, well. I suppose it's too late now. She knows, so I guess it's time to drop the charade. Barra thinks. She lowers her hood, then slowly removes her mask, revealing herself to be a green skinned mirialan woman of about forty. Her dark hair is streaked with grey at the temples and is in an unkempt, medium length style.
"Barriss will do. I haven't shown my face in public in over a decade, and the records clearly show that I died in an explosion, twelve years ago! How... did you figure it out?" Barra, or Barriss asks.
"First, there are the lightsabers, which were last known to be in your possession. Second, you were so surprised by me claiming the sword that you unintentionally dropped your mental shields. You were projecting thoughts and images of your past. I didn't see much, but it was enough for me to figure out who you really are." Jyn says.
"You… were able to perceive my thoughts?" Barriss asks.
"I'm one of the few that's strong enough to read thoughts clearly without direct contact. Most others are only able to sense emotions. I sensed… so much of your regret over your past actions. You're a lot like me in that regard." Jyn answers.
"This is a trick, right? Sith have no regrets." Barriss says.
"No tricks. I don't consider myself to be a Sith anymore." Jyn says.
"So, do I call you Princess Thana, then?" Barriss asks.
"No. I wouldn't insult you by calling you First Sister, so please, call me Jyn Erso. That is my true name. The one the Emperor stole from me." Jyn says.
"Stole from you? What do you mean by that?" Barriss asks.
"The Emperor is not my true father. I was adopted, after a complete mindwipe. I was taken from the Jedi Temple when Vader attacked." Jyn answers.
"You were… a Jedi?" Barriss asks.
"Hardly. I was only four. I barely remember it." Jyn says.
The Emperor stole a youngling from the temple and twisted her into his adopted daughter? She was an innocent child, and could have been a Jedi Knight someday were it not for the purge. Were it not for Palpatine and Vader. Bastards! Barriss thinks.
"You don't act like a Sith, and you don't feel like it either. You're balanced in the force. Both light and dark equally. How?" Barriss asks.
"At the age of four, I was brainwashed by the Emperor to obey him and hate everyone else. Two weeks ago, that brainwashing was undone." Jyn answers.
"So, when you say you are no longer Darth Thana…" Barriss says.
"I really am not, and I have no desire to be her ever again." Jyn says.
"You were conditioned to obey the Emperor. Force suggestions, I presume?" Barriss asks.
"That's right. Now, what's next?" Jyn asks.
"You have claimed the Blacksword. According to our rules, you have passed the trial. You are… our master now." Barriss answers.
"I think it would be safe to assume you don't want that." Jyn says.
"Your assumption would be correct. I do not trust you." Barriss says.
"Fair enough. Honestly, I'm not sure I deserve to be your leader." Jyn says.
"The force has deemed you worthy. I don't understand why. Whether you feel you deserve the honor or not is irrelevant. The Knights of Ren are yours to lead, and we will follow you." Barriss says.
"You accept it?" Jyn asks.
"The rules are clear. That being said, if you betray us to the Empire, I will challenge you." Barriss says.
"Understandable. I am an outsider. I have given you and your knights no reason to trust me." Jyn says.
"Regardless, you are one of us now." Barriss says.
"I'm an orphan and a slave, so I guess I do qualify." Jyn says. Barriss laughs.
"You are not what I remember." Barriss says.
"Good. I'm not her anymore." Jyn says.
"I see that now. I apologize for the bad girl act. I thought you were a threat to us." Barriss says.
"It's alright. I've done many bad things. You are wise not to trust me. If you wish, I will return the sword and leave in peace." Jyn says.
"No. The rules are clear. The sword is yours. You are our master." Barriss says.
"Just like that, you give up the position of master?" Jyn asks.
"I hold the title, but I'm elected to a five year term, as all masters have been before me. You are different. You have the Blacksword. Once you take the oath, you... will be master for life. According to the ancient prophecy, you will be the one to bring peace. I think… that if this is true, then maybe, you're the chosen one that the Jedi believed in." Barriss says.
"Ezra Bridger basically told me that I was the chosen one. Not Anakin Skywalker." Jyn says.
"Really? Then, perhaps it could be true." Barriss says.
"I don't know. Honestly, I'm not sure I believe it. I did not expect this, nor do I feel deserving of it. However, it has happened. There must be a reason for it." Jyn answers.
"There must be. The Jedi believed that nothing happens by accident. That everything happens according to the will of the force." Barriss says.
"If that's true, then the force has a pretty fracked up sense of humor." Jyn says. Barriss laughs.
"Yes, it does." Barriss says.
"Well, I am here. I have the sword. Before I accept leadership of your order, I should explain my plans to you." Jyn says.
"Knowing what your intentions are might be helpful." Barriss says. Jyn chuckles.
"Yes, I suppose so. Very well. I plan to remove the Emperor, and Darth Vader. I plan to become Empress, and reshape the Empire into something better. I still haven't worked out all the details, but I plan to outlaw slavery. Sexism. Racism. All citizens of the new Empire shall have the same rights. Furthermore, greed will not be rewarded, nor will the sadistic cruelty that the current regime promotes." Jyn says.
"That sounds… pretty good actually. What of the Jedi?" Barriss asks.
"The Jedi are not my enemy anymore. One of them freed my mind, and another helped me find some semblance of peace. Although I don't agree with their views of the force, the Jedi will be allowed to restore their order and practice openly." Jyn says.
"I sense you are telling the truth. You mean every word. I… I'll help you in any way I can." Barriss says.
"I appreciate that." Jyn says. Barriss nods, then turns to the knights guarding Kamron.
"Release the boy, and leave us." Barriss says.
"Master, they're Imperials!" One of the knights, a twi'lek man says.
"We have no enemies here. Now, do as I say." Barriss says.
"Yes, Master Barriss." The twi'lek says. He leaves the cavern, followed by the other knights. This leaves only Jyn, Barriss, and Kamron, who approaches the two women.
"Milady?" Kamron asks.
"You might as well get comfortable, Kamron." Jyn answers.
"Yes, of course. Please, join us, young man. I apologize for the cold reception. I thought you and the princess were a threat to us, and I acted accordingly." Barriss says.
"That's okay. I'm used to not being welcome." Kamron says.
"What is your connection to her anyway?" Barriss asks, pointing at Jyn.
"I am an Emperor's Hand, but I'm really her student. I hate the Emperor just as much as she does." Kamron answers.
"Interesting. You follow her willingly?" Barriss asks.
"Yeah, I do. She's changed since Bridger undid the Emperor's brainwashing, but I'm alright with it. She's a hell of a lot easier to talk to now." Kamron says. Barriss laughs.
"I would imagine so. Barriss Offee. That's my real name. Barra Ren is just a codename. I use it when I am around those I do not know." Barriss says.
"Kamron Varr." Kamron says.
"Hello, Kamron." Barriss says.
"If we are going to be working together, then I think I should get to know you a little better. How does an ex Jedi and Inquisitor end up with a secret order of society's outcasts?" Jyn asks. Barriss hesitates for a moment.
"Well, it's a… long story. It starts twenty years ago. I'm sure you're aware of the Jedi Temple bombing." Barriss answers.
"Yes. Ahsoka Tano was blamed for it, and expelled from the Jedi Order." Jyn says.
"That's right. I framed her. I betrayed her. My best friend. I was… so lost at the time. I thought I was doing the right thing. I was so wrong. I became the very thing I was supposed to be fighting." Barriss says.
"That's the dark side for you. A little compromise here and there. Before you know it, you've fallen. Once you fall, it's hard to get back up. Yet, you did." Jyn says.
"I suppose we did." Barriss says.
"Very true. I had help. A lot of help." Jyn says.
"So did I. After serving the Empire for seven years, I had risen to the rank of First Sister. Second in command of the Inquisitors. All I cared about was the next mission, and my own power. I had nothing else. Or so I thought." Barriss says.
"Something changed. Something made you leave the Empire and fake your death." Jyn says.
"Ahsoka. She'd discovered I was an Inquisitor, and had been tracking me. We crossed paths while I was on a solo mission. We fought. She kicked my ass. Then, she forgave me. All those years, and I thought she had been killed on Mandalore. That's what the Imperial records had said. Yet, there she was. Alive and well. Different, but the same. Despite what I'd done to her, she forgave me. I asked her why. She told me I was her friend, and that she loved me." Barriss says.
"I have found that love is a powerful thing, Barriss. I am where I am now because someone chose to give a damn about me." Jyn says.
"Hold on to that. Don't lose yourself to the darkness again. I think I'm starting to like you." Barriss says. Jyn laughs.
"Right back at you." Jyn says. Barriss chuckles.
"This has been an interesting day, but a good one. You bring us hope, Jyn Erso. We need that, desperately. The galaxy needs that." Barriss says.
"I know. I… plan to make the galaxy a better place. I plan to undo all of the Emperor's work. I once supported him, but now, I see that he is wrong. Evil. He must be destroyed. So must those who support him." Jyn says.
"The Knights of Ren are with you, Master Erso." Barriss says.
"Master Erso? I think I can live with that. Although you are more than welcome to call me Jyn." Jyn says.
"Of course, Master… Jyn. We are with you, but I cannot say the same for General Bel Iblis and his rebels. They are helping us now, but I have my doubts as to whether or not the general will support you." Barriss says.
"Then, I shall have to work to earn his trust. In the meantime, you mentioned something about an oath…" Jyn says.
"Oh, yes. You'll need to appear before all the knights as you take the oath to officially become our master." Barriss says.
"How many knights are there?" Jyn asks.
"Close to three hundred. It will take a few hours to assemble everyone." Barriss says.
"Very good. In the meantime, I think I should get to know some of the knights." Jyn says.
"Of course." Barriss says.
