CHAPTER 24

Our Demons

"We are one in the same…you take all of the pain away."

Kashyyyk, 14 BBY

Imperial Refinery

"Push 'em back!" Raven bellowed over the roar of battle, unleashing the full might of his DC-17 pistols at maximum fire rate. His shots flew true as he hopped their makeshift barrier, landing multiple killing marks through the hearts of helpless stormtroopers as their position faltered. Rag-tag partisan grunts followed his lead, their own shots arching forward like a wave, and the Imperial advance began to fall back through the tight gorge, practically sandwiched together in a massive and lethal cluster of bodies. Raven raised his fist on cue, closing it.

Lockdown primed his anti-armor attachment and fired into that gorge, the shell exploding in a fit of shrapnel, shattered duraplast, body parts and plenty of blood as many troopers lost their lives in the close quarters.

"Look at 'em run!" one grunt behind him laughed, his rotary cannon at full speed. "Ha, ha! Run and hide Imperial scum!"

Once the Imperials had cleared out, there were sporadic cheers with their small victory, but none came from Raven as he sighed heavily, knowing it would only be a matter of time before they returned for another attack. His helmet was getting musty on the inside, and blood had begun to trickle into his eyes from time to time…not to mention his overall weariness. He'd been leading this group for more rotations than he could remember, and he couldn't recall the last time he slept more than a couple hours.

It was at a time like this in which he missed having a Jedi around.

"Raven…you alright?" Lockdown leapt from atop their barrier, removing the attachment from his modified DC-17m as he approached. "You're looking woozy from here."

"I'll manage," he grumbled, holstering both his blasters. "We need to be ready for when they come back."

Lockdown's purge armor was more sophisticated than others, adopting a construction very similar to what he once wore, albeit more streamlined and mass-produced. That hadn't stopped him from making his own modifications, especially after they defected on Zeffo, extracting their old general from a rather precarious position. He still prided himself in having the most advanced set in the company, and it was resources well spent on a man of his talents.

"Mars is still set up in his sniper position," Lockdown relayed. "He wanted to know if that's still what you wanted."

Raven sighed. "What I want is for these Imperials to pack up and go home. How long have we been here, anyway?"

"Several rotations, sir."

It sure felt like that, but Raven would've believed his old friend if he had said a year had gone by already.

Lockdown grasped his shoulder and pulled him towards the barrier. "You need some rations. Come on, Captain."

He could go for some of those. His stomach hadn't bothered him yet, but he imagined once the adrenaline wore off, he'd be famished as all hell. Lockdown's quick thinking also helped them plan ahead, unexpectedly making him an important piece of their logistics.

"Mars, come on down, brother," Raven keyed into his comm. "Ration up and reload."

Mars didn't sound any better with his reply. "Understood, sir."

The former captain of the 502nd Legion hadn't been uncertain much in his military life, but this was proving to be his most taxing endeavor yet. If working for the Inquisitorious for five years wasn't bad enough, this was another animal, as supplies were always limited wherever he went, and it was difficult to get used to that fact. Not having the full might of the interstellar superpower at your back wasn't what he had been trained for.

And they were running out of supplies…fast.

As Raven and Lockdown clambered atop and over the barrier, they were met by Mari Kosan, Saw's commanding officer he had left behind when he extracted to chase his lead.

"Captain, how long do you think we have until they return?" she asked, blaster rifle across her chest.

Raven didn't want to be grim, but he didn't want to lie either. "Not long. I'm sure they can smell the blood in the water. If they send in the walkers, I'm not sure what we'll be able to do."

Mari grimaced. "Should we think about retreating? Pulling back into the shadowlands is always an option."

He didn't want to retreat, not against the damn Empire…but he had to see the writing on the wall, and they also could not afford to waste troops with that also in short supply.

It seemed like the only option.

Before he could make his decision, however, Mars came jogging into view.

"Captain, you're not going to believe this…"


Dathomir, 14 BBY

Stinger Mantis

Cal twisted his new split saber hilt until he heard the satisfying click, and then proceeded to clip the weapon to his belt, at last feeling secure as a Jedi with a functioning lightsaber. He hoped he wouldn't need to use it anyhow, but he knew better than to expect such an unlikely event. Dathomir contained many more enemies than it did allies or friends, and if he was to finally claim the Zeffo Astrium, he'd need to fight his way to it.

"I never thought I'd be unhappy to come here," Merrin remarked, her eyes distant as she stared down the loading ramp beside him.

"What makes you say that?" Cal asked, readjusting his jacket as BD hopped aboard his back. "This is your home, isn't it?"

"My home has given me nothing but despair, Cal," Merrin answered, taking her first steps forward as her white hair shifted in the wind. "For years I lived here…alone…and from my point of view, it was my whole world. When we were taken…" she trailed off as she hit the rocky surface, the red sun beating down upon her from above. "I was shown that there is more to this galaxy than just despair and death."

Cal followed her to the surface, but was unsure what to say, already having numerous conversations with her that ended in embarrassment. With her emotional state obviously in turmoil, he just listened this time around.

She sighed. "Now Dathomir is just quiet…sad. It is intricate, but it does not feel alive, not as much I thought it once did."

The Jedi hadn't realized how much bigger her reality had grown in such a short time, and he imagined that could be somewhat difficult to process, perhaps even traumatic. When the Jedi were wiped out, his world certainly changed around him, forced to readapt to a galaxy without the order he had served his entire life.

He also never realized that Merrin had never agreed to join them on their quest. She had merely been forced upon them when they had been captured, and the circumstances had only made it feel as if she was now a part of his life…when really, she never had a say in the matter.

"You don't have to come with me, Merrin," Cal offered. "You can return home, stay here, if you want."

The nightsister sighed, her eyes still probing the horizon seemingly for an answer she could not find. "I said I would help you find your Astrium," she said, turning to face him. "I meant that. Staying here…that is a decision I cannot make right now."

He was content with that, even if there was a part of him that wanted to cling to her and never let go. "I understand."

Merrin looked back out, her eyes fading away again. It pained him to see her so conflicted, so he figured it was best to keep her mind off it.

"Guess we better start walking," he said, turning, only to feel his hand grasped by her own.

"No," she shook her head, pulling him in. "There is no time. Do you trust me?"

Cal narrowed his eyes. "Do I trust you? Yeah, of course."

She nodded. "Do not let go of my hand, then," she said as her eyes shut, and he noticed her eyelids oozing that green energy he had seen before.

"Wait-," he began to protest, only to watch himself transported into another realm beyond reality, and it was difficult not to panic at the sight. He was quite literally floating on air, taken into the sky above until he could see the entire path leading to the Tomb of Kujet. Nausea manifested within him, but he did his best to hold it off, focusing his mind to convince his body he was not in danger.

BD let out a high-pitched trill in shock.

"I know, just hang on buddy," Cal trembled. When he looked over to Merrin, her eyes were still shut, caught in deep focus while he held on for dear life. He had no idea what would become of him should he let go, so he opted not to test that theory.

"Enjoying?" Merrin asked, her smile apparent but her eyes still shut.

"Uh…woah! I'm not sure enjoying ah-…! I'm not sure that's the word I'd use right now," he remarked, grimacing in slight fear at the chaos of his experience.

"You must let yourself go," Merrin eased. "If you fight this, it will only make it worse."

Cal fought off the urge to continue his panic, eventually opting to close his eyes just as she did. In this state, there was no visionary input to terrify him, just the sound of wind rushing by his ears, and he took her advice, letting himself drift through the experience, his hand maintaining its grip onto hers.

"Get ready," Merrin said, and he wasn't sure what for, but he prepared himself for something, nonetheless. Within the next moment, they were on solid ground, and the chaos faded into reality. When he opened his eyes again, they were atop the ledge leading into the entrance to the Tomb of Kujet, where their prize was waiting.

Merrin never relinquished his hand. "How was that?" she asked, a smile on her face.

Cal blushed as she faced him directly. "It was…a little crazy, but…" he trailed off as he felt himself magnetized to her, their bodies inching closer with each breath they took. His eyes locked with hers, and it felt like instinct had taken over, his inhibitions a forgone conclusion, his emotions taking control of his mind as he felt himself give in. Merrin's eyes shut as she craned her neck forward.

He choked.

Turning away from her, vomit erupted from his mouth like a waterfall on Naboo once his body finally realized he was stationary, pulling his hand away while she watched in disgust.

"Ugh…are you alright?" she asked as he coughed, his revulsion finally done and over with.

Cal cleared his throat. "Yeah…just uh…I think the uh…" he pointed to the sky, waving his hand. "…the uh…thing made me sick."

Merrin was struggling to recompose herself, pulling her hair from her face as she uncomfortably crossed her arms, exhaling heavily through her nose. Cal wasn't feeling any better, and once he slicked back his own hair, putting it into place, he felt his cheeks heat.

Oh…was that…? Shit…

"We should…um…" Merrin stammered, rubbing her neck.

"Get the Astrium," they said in unison, followed by a nervous chuckle, to which Merrin took the first step, Cal shoring up behind her as he silently cursed to himself.

Deet-deet.

"Yeah, I know," he sighed.


Kashyyyk, 14 BBY

Imperial Refinery

Xur had never run down a loading ramp so quickly in his life. To see his old captain, as well as the rest of his fireteam still alive filled him with more joy than he knew what to do with.

"General?!" Raven gasped, his weary expression wiped from his face as he jogged to meet the zabrak in the middle, the two of them clasping hands tightly and embracing with the other.

"I thought you crazy bastards would be dead by now!" Xur gleamed as he pulled away, leaving Raven with a solid shake of the hand. "So glad to be wrong."

"Let me tell you…you are a sight for sore eyes, sir," Raven remarked as Lockdown and Mars caught up. "Had a few moments where we thought the Empire actually got you this time."

Xur kept the fact that he was literally raised from the dead on Katarr to himself, as there was no need to further complicate the argument. He clasped hands with Lockdown and Mars respectively once they came by.

"You came at the right time, sir," Mars huffed. "Hope you came here to send some imps back to hell with us."

"Got a couple of spots where we could set you up," Lockdown suggested. "Spark up those lightsabers and it's a whole other-."

"Now, just…wait a minute," Xur eased as their arrival became more popular with the partisan soldiers. "I just got here, and while I'm ready to hear the sit rep, there's something we need to discuss first, as well as the fact that I brought…friends."

"Your friends must have connections," Lockdown mused, looking over his ship. "Razor-Class Interceptor? You don't see that around very often."

Xur chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well…you see, it's not really my ship…it's…"

Guns clicked all around the landing area, and even the three of them had their hands wrapped around pistol grips as they took a step back. Looking behind, out walked Trilla, her hands raised high with an annoyed look on her face.

"Sir…that's…" Raven trailed off, not staying his hand.

"Yeah…it is," Xur confirmed, meeting her in the middle as she advanced. "Sorry about this," he whispered to her.

She sighed with her hands still raised. "This'd better work."

"That's far enough," Mari commanded as she approached, flanked by six soldiers as Xur positioned himself between them and Trilla. "Eon, is she your prisoner?"

Xur knew Mari somewhat, as he had run various missions with Saw when he was merely ripping off the Empire in small scale. She was a solid soldier, tactical, forward-thinking and determined, someone he certainly didn't want to alienate, but with the look on her face, he could already tell Trilla had dished out some pain before.

"No," he shook his head. "She's here to help."

Sporadic coughs followed as silence swept through the area, and Mari only held her blaster closer. "Is that supposed to be a joke?"

Xur narrowed his eyes. "No."

Now everyone was on edge, and eventually, she leaned back to her men. "Bind her."

Trilla backed off, her hands falling to her sides as she prepared to fight, but Xur stepped in between the two groups as all six blasters were raised her way.

"Back off!" Xur warned. "She's with us!"

"Do you have any idea how many people we've lost to this…monster?" Mari growled, making no move to command her men to stand down.

"I can add more, if you would prefer," Trilla warned.

"Trilla, I told you to let me handle it!" Xur scolded, holding her back, before facing Mari again. "Listen, the way I see it, none of you are in any position to turn down help, especially another bloody lightsaber. Whether you want to believe it or not, Trilla is with me, and if you can't deal with that, then we'll be on our way."

"Like hell," one soldier shouted in the group, his face intense. "We should execute her right now!"

"Put your gun down, fucking prick," Xur pointed with a stern finger. "Or the only person who will be executed is you."

Mari raised her weapon. "Start threatening my men, and we'll start shooting."

"Stand down, stand down!" Raven commanded, his voice drawing the attention of all. "Look at us! Is this who we are? This is exactly what the Empire wants…conspiracy and disorder between our ranks."

"She's a spy!" another protested.

Raven removed his helmet, holding it at his side as he stood beside Xur. "I've known General Eon since I was paradropping on Teth seven years ago. He is many things, but a liar is not one of them! If he says that Commander Suduri is here to help, then I believe him."

"You're too quick to trust!"

"I reserve my trust towards those who have earned it," Raven justified, pacing over to Trilla. "Commander Suduri has suffered horrible things none of you could even imagine at the hands of the Empire. Serving them was never her choice. She was enslaved, just like what the Empire is doing to the wookies here on Kashyyyk as we bicker over who to trust. Is that the galaxy we want to build?"

Mari grumbled with begrudging acceptance of his words but did not lower her blaster. "But how many crimes are too many?"

Xur watched Raven continue, and he was beginning to believe that the captain had this all planned out from the start.

"We've all done terrible things as a result of this fight…let's face it," Raven admitted. "I served for years as a purge unit, trying my best to do the right thing in a galaxy where the wrong is expected. The General risked his life to help bring down the Inquisitorious, and now, Commander Suduri is risking her life to help us. Who are we to turn her down?"

Blasters slowly lowered from sporadic soldiers, only some remaining upwards from the more stubborn individuals, but once Mari stowed her own, the rest followed. "Given the circumstances, I guess all help should be considered. Very well, Captain, you've made your point…and you outrank me anyhow. The decision is yours to make."

"Thank you, Mari," Raven tipped his head. "Tell your men to ration up and prepare for the next attack. I'll get our support caught up on the situation."

Mari nodded, giving Trilla a trying look before turning away, directing her men back to their posts.

Once the higher ups and rag-tags were out of earshot, Raven whispered to her. "You are here to help us…right?"

"Humph," Trilla smirked. "That is the plan…Commander Archer," she punched him rather roughly in the shoulder, to which he shook off.

"Ah…don't tell me you're mad about that still, are you?" he asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

Trilla giggled. "Impressed more than anything. I still can't believe I never saw it…any of you for that matter," she turned her gaze to the other two.

"Clones tend to blend in, Commander," Mars answered. "Pretty easy to just pick a new alias and roll with it."

"I'll say. Tell me, did you know he was among us?" she nudged towards Xur, who seemed happy to be free of the partisan group.

Raven shook his head. "No…although I felt something wasn't right, but uh, as you can now see I really didn't have any incentive to investigate."

"I knew," Lockdown admitted, and Xur scoffed.

"No you didn't. If Raven didn't know, no one knew."

Trilla elbowed him. "You're saying this lab rat knows you more than I do?"

"Trilla, come on now, you know me better than anyone in the galaxy," he corrected. "Second Sister on the other hand…"

Mars chuckled to himself. "I will say, when you revealed yourself, part of me was like 'I knew it!'"

"I can imagine you had a similar reaction, ma'am," Raven smirked.

"Tread carefully, Captain. The Second Sister is still out to get Commander Archer for deserting his post," Trilla remarked.

"Ooooooo," Xur mocked. "Don't talk too much shit, Raven, or you'll bring her back from the dead."

"Me? Talk shit to the Commander?" Raven slid his helmet back over his head. "It's not like I did it behind her back every few minutes back in the day."

"Of course you did," Trilla conceded, chuckling as the others joined in, Xur wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "Honestly, I'm glad it all worked out," she admitted, letting her left hand glide up his back in a soothing motion.

They all stared.

Xur's eyes paced around. "What?"

"Heh," Raven laughed to himself. "About time the two of you worked it out."

"It all makes sense now," Mars noted.

Trilla grimaced. "You boys…I swear."

Laughs ensued, and it was more than just directed at her distress but translating the joy they felt at being whole once again. To Xur, it was just like old times, slinging jokes against impossible odds, and yet still pulling it out anyhow.

It'd been a long time since he had felt he was home.


Dathomir, 14 BBY

Tomb of Kujet

Cal felt it again…the webbing of the Dark Side sticking with each step he took closer to the stone door he could not pass before. The last disastrous time he had come here, he had failed to deny the power granted to him…and the spectre of his old master had forsaken him as no longer worthy of being a Jedi.

He may have been right…but with everything he had seen and experienced on his journey so far, it was time to face the trauma he had experienced, not run from it as he had done before.

It was time to prove to himself he was worthy of being a Jedi.

Merrin stopped and stood aside as they reached the top of the steps, staring down the engraved door she herself had never breached.

"You sure you don't want me to join you?" she asked. "I'm sure I could find a way to enter your visions and assist."

Cal shook his head. "No…this is something I need to do myself. If I don't, it could haunt me forever, as it already has."

The nightsister reassuringly squeezed his shoulder. "You can do it, Cal. You just need to trust in yourself, and what you can do."

He took a deep breath and stepped forward while she looked on, prepared to face his fear, prepared to face his destiny. Once his fingers grazed the surface, his psychometry activated, and through the whirl of information that flooded his mind, it materialized into the setting he had seen before. Haze filled the room around him as he rose to his feet, breathing easy as he waited for his master to appear again.

There were footsteps, but there was no slap of skin rubbing against stone…but the sound of boots. The blue haze faded to a red hue, and out of the fog walked himself clad in inquisitor garments, his face scarred, and eyes poisoned with a hatred he had seen too often.

"Ah…there he is," his inquisitor self smirked. "I wondered when you would return."

Cal cocked his head in intrigue, analyzing the situation before acting irrational. "You were waiting for me?"

The haze moved with his spectre, following just behind in his wake as he took each slow step towards him. "I have always been waiting for you. What you see before you is your potential…all you could be…if you just gave in."

To see himself in such a garb…it was intensely horrifying. The perverseness of the sight drained hope from him as one of his worst fears became reality before him, marching step by step with an ever-growing sneer.

"The Dark Side…it calls to us with a desperate gasp…it is in our nature," his spectre explained, finally coming to a halt not far from where Cal stood. "Surrender to it, and all our fears will be swept away…all our doubt a forgone conclusion as we become the masters of the galaxy. We will become the hunters, no longer running from hole to hole in desperate and futile hope of escaping an inescapable foe."

Cal stared in discomfort, fighting the urge to lash out in anger as he had done to his master, but his frustration only mounted…which was slowly manifesting into anger. He hated this version of himself, and he only wanted it to drop dead at his feet, gone from his nightmares for all time.

His inquisitor form giggled. "Yes…our anger makes us powerful…focused…stronger," he then reached out with his gloved hand, the red palm offered like a parasite. "Become what you were always meant to be."

Cal knew he shouldn't, but his words rang so true. The safety of never again having to look over his back was powerful, and the freedom it gave him would free his mind of the constant paranoia that ravaged him since Bracca.

But he knew better than that.

"No," Cal simply shook his head.

His inquisitor form lost his hopeful expression as rage took over, and his black circular hilt was in his hand. "Then Dathomir…will be your grave," he spat as both red blades roared to life.

Cal responded in defense, his new blade humming as the violet hue ignited in a fantastic glow, and immediately he felt the raw connection to the kyber crystal roar with power. It was more than just a weapon…it was an extension of himself, spiritually and physically.

"You think that lightsaber can save you from me?" the inquisitor challenged. "I am your future. You will never be a Jedi!"

"I am done running," Cal declared, holding his blade steady. "I will no longer let fear define who I am, and I will never let you come to pass!"

The inquisitor roared and attacked, Cal moving to block with expert defensive posture as his darker self engaged in an all-out assault. He could not identify the exact form used, but it seemed to be a jumbled plethora of many, similar to the one he had adapted to on his own. It was easy to counter at first, but he quickly realized that the spectre was only getting faster and stronger as their duel persisted. Using only his basic bladework tactics, he was eventually overpowered and shoved back, to which he backpedaled and blocked each strike before falling into a saber lock just as he regained his footing.

Purple and red cascaded together as the lock held, and the inquisitor pushed forward with all his hatred, Cal feeling the heat against his skin.

"You are going to suffer…I promise you that!" he roared. "Everyone you love will die…and then, you will be mine."

Cal heaved, pushing off his blade with newfound strength to create enough space for him to twist his hilt, igniting the second blade and going on a two-handed barrage of slashes and cuts with his split saber. The inquisitor grunted against the overwhelming power, and Cal struck paydirt, knocking the hilt from his spectre's hand and his body to the ground, breathing heavily from the effort.

His blade hummed in the silence as the inquisitor panted, looking up in fear at the power Cal had displayed. The next movement felt like instinct, to swing his blade downwards and end the life of this imposter, just as he did…

Just like when he killed the Ninth Sister.

The Dark Side…it was closer than he could've imagined…but he didn't have to. The choice was still his to make, and in that moment, he realized that succumbing to the Dark Side was not inevitable.

He will always have a choice.

Clipping his hilts back together, he deactivated his blades. Fear had been wiped from his mind, and he only looked down upon himself in pity.

"You think fancy bladework proves you're a Jedi?" the inquisitor spat, slowly stumbling back to his feet.

"No," Cal shook his head. "Letting go of my fear of you. I won't follow your path. I will honor our master's memory…and continue his legacy, just as he would want us to."

The inquisitor paused, and Cal felt a shift in the atmosphere as the haze whirled around him, slowly consuming the area until it lost its red hue, fading to blue as he heard the door open.

"Remember, the Force will be with you, always," the voice of Jaro Tapal echoed in his mind, before his vision faded to white, and he was back to reality. The true entrance into the Tomb of Kujet opened in a deep rumble of stone rubbing up against the edges, before revealing a long, dark passageway that eventually lead to a chasm.

Cal took a deep breath as his satisfaction with his resistance paid off, and a new internal strength solidified his confidence. He felt better in nearly every aspect, almost as if he could take on the whole Empire himself.

That was probably pushing it.

Doo-whoop!

"Yeah, I think it went pretty well, buddy," Cal answered BD, who chimed in from his back, and then found Merrin approaching from the side.

"It took a lot not to try and enter your mind," she admitted. "With you walking aimlessly around the place and all."

Cal flushed red, running his fingers through his hair in embarrassment. "Was I really?"

Aaaaand there goes my confidence again.

Merrin giggled. "I wish I had…what do you call it…a holo-capture?"

Cal snorted. "You mean a holocam?"

"Yes, that," she pointed. "I'm sure Greez would find it rather comedic."

He groaned. "Alright, let's just get this Astrium and get out of here."


Kashyyyk, 14 BBY

Imperial Refinery

"Brutis…the fuck you doing here?"

Trilla knew why Brutis had elected to stay aboard while she and Xur waltzed out into a hot zone of triggermen just begging to put a hole in her head, but she had forgotten about the subtle rivalry between then-Commander Archer and himself. She assumed Raven had opened up with such a comment as a way to shoot back at how he had been greeted on Zeffo, the last time the two of them served together before the…thing happened.

That felt like millennia ago.

"None of your damn business, that's what," Brutis answered, crossing his arms before Raven as they both stood in the repurposed refinery warehouse that now served as the temporary command center. Trilla was used to soldiers having pissing contests in front of her, and as the Second Sister she usually let them play out, unless of course she was in a sour mood. Her stance on that hadn't changed much, it felt, but she figured she'd be less inclined to let them kill each other.

She was pretty sure Raven and Brutis wouldn't kill each other.

"That's fine," Raven shrugged. "As long as you're here to kill Imperials, it doesn't matter much to me."

"Good to hear…just so long as you're not guarding my back. That's twice you've betrayed your commanding officer now," he kept his fierce yet stoic eyes on the clone. "Think you've got a third one in you?"

Trilla was about to defend Raven…but Brutis brought up a point she had never even considered. Sure, it was narrow and without proper context…but it was worth noting.

"I never betrayed my general," Raven sternly pointed. "Go ask him yourself. With that, where we stand is pretty much even, seeing as you did the same to your commanding officer," his eyes motioned to Trilla, to which she wished he hadn't tried to drag her in.

She huffed. "Honestly, I don't care anymore. Your rivalry is about as pointless as trying to prevent rain from pouring on Kamino."

Raven grimaced with embarrassment. "Sorry Commander. I'll put a cap on it."

Brutis scoffed. "Not even an hour has gone by and you're already taking orders from her again?"

"That's right," he nodded, not an ounce of shame present.

"Wow…" he remarked, looking back to Trilla. "You should count yourself lucky. I guarantee no one else in the galaxy will forgive you so quickly."

By the grace of the Force, the others finally arrived to end their argument, as well as spare Trilla anymore taunting comments. Xur came in with Lockdown, seemingly deep in a serious conversation, most likely logistics, while Mars and Petro had a much more upbeat one, certainly a result of their personalities. To her surprise, that was all who arrived, as she expected them to go over a strategy to push back the Imperial advance based off what occurred outside…but perhaps Xur was having second thoughts on sticking around.

Once everyone was present, and Trilla realized she was the only woman in the room, something she was accustomed to anyhow, Xur squeezed her shoulder as he passed, a small gesture that alleviated some of her frustration.

"Just wanted to get us all together before we did anything else," Xur began, looking at each of them. "Honestly, we didn't come here with the intention of helping…more of extracting."

"Extracting?" Raven echoed. "For what, sir?"

Xur looked to Trilla, and she took that as a cue to take the lead. "We already have…someone on the inside who will assist us, but Brutis and Petro had agreed to help us assault the Fortress on Nur. We're putting together a small team, and we hoped you could join us."

There was surprise from the three of them, Mars looking as if she had just suggested something utterly insane, while Raven only inquired further. "Assault the Fortress…ma'am?"

Xur nodded. "That's right. We want to get in there and blow the whole thing up."

"I'm in," Lockdown accepted, which she certainly expected. A small-team mission was a specialty of a former commando. "I've wanted to do that for years, sir."

"Slow down there, Are-Cee," Raven remarked. "Look General, I'd follow you anywhere, but I'm not sure that's even possible. We were there for nearly five years and we couldn't find a single subtle way to destroy the place."

"Who said anything about subtlety?" Trilla shrugged.

Raven's confidence was nearly restored with that remark, but Mars came in next. "With all due respect, General…but, you can't expect us to leave these people here. They're counting on our help to drive back the Imperials before they overrun this refinery."

His former captain sighed to that. "As much as I'd like to help you, Mars is right. We have a responsibility here…and we can't just abandon these people, not when you've arrived to give them hope of seeing another day."

Trilla could argue that destroying the birthplace of all Imperial inquisitors was more important than holding some random refinery on Kashyyyk, and truthfully, she didn't much care if these people died…

No…you agreed to try…at least try.

The Empire couldn't possibly expect to see two Force-wielders leap the trenches when they returned, and if they hit them hard enough, they possibly could call this effort a lost cause, or it would at least buy them time to fall back. Once these partisans seemed safe, she imagined the three of them would join with that content.

And she knew Xur…he would try to help these people. It was why she fell in love with him when they were Jedi, because under that guise of a terrifying combatant with dark powers, he could never stand by while people depended on him. He'd done it all his life…even when she didn't know he was right beside her.

It was inspiring…to say the least…perhaps something she could learn from him again.

The zabrak knew he'd have to give up something to get what he wanted in this situation, Trilla could tell, and while slight reluctance lingered, it didn't last long.

"Do you have a plan?" he asked Raven.

The clone smirked. "Never thought you'd ask."


Dathomir, 14 BBY

Tomb of Kujet

Cal and Merrin stepped through the dark hallway, cut thinly and vertically through carved stone as a red-orange hue glistened off the walls, eliciting a visually dark feeling that only compounded the presence in the Force. It was a tight fit, but after traversing the horrific scene of death that this tomb projected, they were both feeling the need to complete their search quickly.

"This place…it's horrifying," Merrin trembled slightly as she trailed behind Cal, descending the steps. On the other side was a large chamber with multiple stone carvings, all depicting atrocious acts at the hand of Sage Kujet during his rule. The Dark Side was so heavily potent here that Cal felt it eating at his essence, begging to drain the light that flickered at his core. He experienced no fear, not after what he had faced, approaching the edge of the chamber at a strong pace.

His boots stepped atop a stone platform that sunk with his weight, and at the far wall a sarcophagus was suspended, shifting with his arrival.

BD whistled in awe while Cal watched it shift and open, revealing the spherical device he had seen depicted on Zeffo. Floating in a mesmerizing fashion, it secured itself atop a pedestal, and the chasm that once stood between them and the Astrium extended a bridge from below.

It was almost surreal…the artifact he had been searching for all this time was finally within reach, despite everything he had suffered along the way…waiting for him to claim it. The time for hesitation was over, and with confident steps, he approached the pedestal and gently removed the object, feeling its silvery and ancient coat against his hands. BD peeked over his shoulder to get a look for himself, and it almost felt like he held the beating heart of the Jedi Order in his grasp. For years he had thought they were gone forever, but now that chance was before him…a chance to rebuild and rekindle that fire into the galaxy.

"Finally found it," he gasped with a smile, turning back to Merrin, who was waiting at the end of the bridge.

She didn't look as enthusiastic as he, but he was too elated to notice. "It is real," she remarked, trying her best to stay positive, even with a slight bit of envy detectable in her tone.

"Merrin…this could be the key to the next generation of Jedi," he presented it to her, to which she accepted it into her grasp.

The nightsister didn't know how to feel with the Astrium…hearing also that Cal now had a chance to usher a rebirth and new age of the Jedi Order with the treasure that came with the artifact…brought back from the dead…from the brink of extinction.

"I'm happy for you, Cal," was all she could say, her joy for him capped by a deep sorrow she had finally been distracted from. She hadn't felt such happiness until she joined the crew of the Mantis, whether it had been her choice or not, but that joy had made her forget about her duty to her people…who no longer existed. Part of her was angry that she had let such feelings overtake her, putting the needs of a foreign religion against the needs of her own, risking her life for the continuation of the Jedi Order whilst her sisters remained sullied, dead and forgotten. Her responsibilities had become twisted, and her oldest fear returned in that moment.

The fear of being the last nightsister to ever traverse the galaxy.

Merrin handed it back to him. "But nothing can bring back my people…" she trailed off as he took it from her outstretched hand, the joy on his face fading away. "I should not have come here…I…I have to leave," she nearly cried, turning away and fading away into a green mist as Cal reached out.

"Merrin!" he called desperately. "Don't go!"

His voice made her pause, even as she spirit walked, halfway through the temple by now. She didn't dare look back…for she knew if she did, she would never be able to leave him again.

"Merrin…" Cal eased, still speaking if he could not see her. "Look…I know you're probably scared…I was too. Being alone for a long time…I was terrified the Empire would find out who I was…what I used to be."

She said nothing, just floating in space as she listened.

"But one day…a good friend of mine told me to go out and find my place in the galaxy," Cal recalled. "I didn't listen…but life had its funny way of making me realize that my path didn't end on Bracca…and if I could find a way to survive, then maybe there would be a chance for the Jedi after all. I took a risk, when I exposed myself…I didn't know there were other Jedi still out there, but I knew it would only be a matter of time until the Empire tracked me down and…"

He paused again, and Merrin felt herself turning back to him, against what her fear had told her.

"Being the last of our kind is a heavy burden…" Cal continued, the sincerity in his voice paramount. "I just want you to know that if there ever is a chance to save your people…I want to be at your side when you do it. We don't have to be alone…not anymore."

Merrin reappeared before him, her expression downcast, but his words rang true. "I've…spent years waiting for a chance to avenge my sisters. When I fought at your side against the inquisitor…and again in the arena, I had never felt more alive. I am worried, however, that their memory will be lost if I do not remain here."

Cal gave her a reassuring look. "Your people live on through you, Merrin. What would they have you do?"

She remembered all their faces…names she could no longer recall, but she could never forget how they taught her…how they treated her as one of their covens. If they were here now…they'd want her to fight…to show the galaxy that their fire had not gone out in the universe.

To show those that had tried to exterminate them…had failed.

"They would wish me to fight by your side…as I have," Merrin answered, to which Cal smiled. "Nightsisters and Jedi may no travel together…but we…survivors," she smiled. "We adapt."

He nodded, seemingly contemplating his struggling emotions after witnessing her leave and then return, but his relief was there. "Yeah…yeah, we do."

Beep-doop-proo.

Merrin noticed BD atop Cal's shoulder. "What did he say?" she asked.

Cal patted the droid on the head. "He said you'll always be one of us."

She blushed, her arms crossing. "Thank you, BD…although Greez may not agree."

Cal scoffed as they began their walk out of the tomb. "Greez is just afraid of you…I think he likes having you around."

"I think Trilla likes me more than Greez does, and you made me spy on her."

"What? I didn't make you, I asked you."

"The difference between those two statements is minimal."

Cal groaned, her only smiling at his distress, and in that moment, she truly felt at home.

Merrin was not alone, not anymore.


So uh…yeah not an intense/insane chapter. Sorry! Switched gears about halfway through, deciding to focus on Cal this chapter instead, which actually lines up the next two events much better. I promise, the next chapter is where everything hits the crapper, and we will be able to dive head-first into the finale.

And, with this chapter, this story has reached the 200,000 word mark...something I never envisioned I'd reach, not even in the most idea of circumstances. Thanks for all of your great support thus far!

Stay healthy and stay safe.

Thanks for reading!