Inspiration Music for Chapter 4: "Between Twilight", by Lindsey Stirling.
Song for Chapter 4: "Star Wars: Rogue One" track, "Guardians of the Whills".
Warning! This chapter is Rated T for mild sensual content.
*.*.*
Katrina fought with her eldest sister, Melena, inside the Jedi Temple's training room. Their training blades clashed. For a moment, Katrina thought she had the upper hand. She cackled, delighted.
"I'm going to get you! I'm going to—oomph!" Katrina grunted, falling back on the orange mat. She couldn't believe this! She lost! Again! This was not what she wanted.
"Get up," Melena said, ready to face her again.
Katrina sat up, staring at her sister like she had gone mad. "I'd rather not…" she stood up, taunting her, "…not see you get beat up again."
Melena chuckled. "Where in the world did you hear that?"
Katrina shrugged. "I don't know."
"Well, let's keep practicing, shall we sis?" Melena asked, moving into her first stance. Her right arm moved in front of her, while her left arm, her left hand carrying the staff, moved back, up in the air, while her legs and feet were spread out, hunched. Melena egged her sister on. "Come on, Katrina. It can't be that hard? Hmm?"
Katrina shrugged. "Best two out of three?"
Melena nodded. "Fight!" She charged, as did Katrina, their training blades clashing with each other.
It was a marvelous dance. Half the time Melena got the upper hand, causing Katrina to fall back on the mat, hoping she could beat her sister at the sparring match. She sat up, worn out.
If she could, she would do whatever it took to beat her sister in combat. See if things went well for her.
The last thing she expected was Melena to sit down beside her. They were both exhausted.
"They'll never accept me in the academy. I'm already married," Katrina admitted, hating walking out on the Jedi. But if it meant she would be reunited with her Valentino, then what was the risk? "I have to go back? Face our sister. Scar-ra." She shook her head. "I doubt Scar-ra wants to pay any attention to me. And as far as Frodo Baggins, he's more vampire these days."
"You can always go back. Apologize to Scar-ra," Melena said, nodding.
Katrina huffed, not liking this plan. "Me apologize? Pfft! It was Scar-ra who made the decision to yell at me. To yell at everyone! Scar-ra should be the one to apologize. My reasons were sound."
"And yet, you left our pride. For what? The Jedi life? Is this truly what you want?" Melena asked, watching her sister stand up. "Where are you going?"
"Home," Katrina grunted. "Or else to find the Wellspring of Life. Speak to Father. The Shaman of the Whills won't be happy with me, but at least he'll know I'm coming."
Melena nodded, standing up, "Then I wish you luck on your journey. I'm heading out. Too many Jedi. Too many that don't accept our family. If they did, I would be so surprised."
"Where are you going?" Katrina asked.
Melena smiled. "To the Wizardry World. There's an alternate timeline, where hobbits are wizards and witches. I plan on making my presence known there."
"Well, I wish you luck," Katrina said, waving to her.
Melena faced her, determination in her eyes. "You too." She walked out of the training room, happy with her decision.
.
Katrina walked down the hallway, glad for the decision she made. Normally, under these circumstances, she would rush back home and speak to Scar-ra, apologize for her actions. Now, it was Scar-ra's turn. Honestly, Katrina didn't feel like going back. Not yet.
No, it was the Wellspring of Life that was calling her. She hoped she wasn't too late. For, if she was, she was in big trouble.
.
She smiled, making her way back to her ship. The spaceport was emptied, except for her and Melena. Katrina smiled, relieved to see her yellow Jedi fighter, still in good condition. She looked at Melena, waving to her.
Katrina sighed, climbing into her Jedi fighter and closing the hatch. She strapped herself in, started up the ship's engine. She stopped and looked around.
Around her were pilots talking with each other, as well as Jedi, chatting about the upcoming events.
She sighed, wondering when she might ever see this planet again.
She looked up. Yes, it was time.
She pressed a couple of buttons, moving the ship out of port and into space. She didn't look back, punching in the coordinates to the Wellspring of Life and to her father, to whom she missed.
"Father, I'm coming," Katrina said, jumping into hyperspace.
.
Katrina jumped out of hyperspace, sighing in relief to see the planet with its glowing light. She made sure to land in a safe area, before turning her ship's engine off and stepping outside her vehicle.
All around her was golden skies and blackened ground. She sighed, wishing she had come here a lot sooner.
Just the very thought of home, reminded her of Scar-ra and their family. But also, Frodo, Bethany, and Parker Dooley. Frodo, Bethany, and Parker were vampires. She sighed, wondering if there was a way to help them.
But where did Parker go?
The last she heard from Scar-ra, Scar-ra told her that Parker was nowhere to be found. Oh great! Parker wasn't even on the Second Seven Realms! Then, where was he? And Eliza! Oh Eliza! Where were they?
She glanced up as the Shaman of the Whills approached her. She smiled, hugging him. "Oh Father, it's so good to see you. I've missed you."
The Shaman of the Whills chuckled, releasing her. "You've come a long way. What do you need?"
"Home," Katrina said, concerned.
"Our home was destroyed. The First World is gone. Surely, you must know that we cannot bring it back," the Shaman of the Whills said. Katrina wept.
"Please," Katrina collapsed on her knees, in tears. "Please, take me home!"
"This girl misses home," one of the Whills spoke up.
"She misses home," a second Whills said.
"But we cannot bring it back," a third Whills said. "It's just a memory."
"Yes. This is true," the Shaman of the Whills said, helping Katrina stand. "You cannot have something we've already lost. Surely, you must know there is no going back to the First World."
Katrina wept, calming down. "But if we could bring the First World back! Surely, that would help."
"It's a selfish move," a fourth Whills spoke up.
"On the contrary," the Shaman of the Whills spoke up. "Nathema was destroyed, as was the First World. Bringing both those planets back might restore what we lost." The Shaman of the Whills nodded, turning to Katrina. "Katrina, you may be onto something. The Force has been a mystical thing. To bring back life to what was once lost may turn out in our favor.
"Katrina, I have a job for you. Go to Nathema and the place where the First World was. Inside the First World's black hole is the key to unlocking its past, its present, and its future. Go. Your mission is about to begin," the Shaman of the Whills said, giving her a job to do.
Katrina nodded, a joyous smile on her face. "Then I'll make sure to bring the First World back and Nathema."
"Good luck," the Shaman of the Whills said, delighted. He stared at her as she took off, determined to complete this deed.
"She will complete it, won't she?" the third Whills said.
"I don't understand," the fourth Whills said.
"She will," the Shaman of the Whills said, with a smile.
.
Katrina punched in the coordinates. She looked at the Wellspring of Life one last time. Yes, she would miss this planet, but if it meant she would need to find the First World's black hole, and Nathema, then she would do it.
She checked the coordinates, making sure she had them right.
"All right. Time to go," Katrina said, jumping into hyperspace.
The trip was short. By the time, she came out of hyperspace, she stared at the brown planet. It seemed so void of life. It even felt void of life. Katrina checked her heart, placing her hand on her chest. Yes, this was not the planet she wanted to be at right now. But she had to, even if it meant checking on it to see what she could do to restore it. To restore life to this dead planet.
Granted, it might make Valkorion angry, even Vitiate angry, but Katrina had to do it. She had to set things right.
Creak!
"What the—oh!" Katrina looked up. A cargo ship moved in, with a light red dragonoid painted on the cargo ship's brown shield plating. She recognized that symbol. "It's Parker's colors! Oh no!"
She knew he was a vampire. How did she get caught up in this mess? Still, she waited until she was inside the cargo ship, the hatch closed, before heading outside. How did she do this? This wasn't good!
Still, she got out of her ship, raising her hands up in the air. Yes, there was Parker and Eliza, looking at her right now. Parker was donned in black Jedi robes, complete with his own black leather tabard, resting over his shoulders. Eliza was dressed in a flowing red gown. Frankly, she looked exquisite in Parker's eyes, as he eyed her coyly. Katrina didn't think so, thinking that Eliza should have worn something more comfortable for a space journey.
"Well, well. Katrina," Parker smirked a toothy grin. His teeth were pearly white. How did he do that? "You look positively exquisite. My, my, what brings you here?"
"I'm on a mission for the Shaman of the Whills," Katrina said.
Parker laughed. "Ah! Sure, you are."
Katrina looked at him, staying a couple of feet away from him, just in case he lashed out. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, just doing a little mission for Frodo. He's the Alpha Vampire," Parker said, intrigued. "Oh yes, we've got big plans ahead of us."
"Easy, dear," Eliza said, resting her hand on Parker's arm. "No need to upset the lady. She'll soon learn her place."
"Hmm," Katrina folded her arms. "And where's Maranguan? I hear you're still in the light, whereas Maranguan's in the dark."
Parker chuckled. "Maranguan's on his own mission. I have my orders from Frodo."
Katrina chuckled. "You seem to count on Frodo a lot these days."
"Yes, well he is the one who turned me," Parker said, beside himself with joyous wonder. "Ah. Shall we begin?" He snarled, crawling towards her, as Katrina backed up.
"Now, Parker. Let's not be rash!" Katrina said, retreating towards her ship.
Parker smiled a toothy grin. "Now, what's the matter? Don't you find me… mmm. Tantalizing?" He chuckled, cackling. Katrina didn't like this. This wasn't the Parker she knew! It was almost like Parker had become a villain… again.
"Not on my watch!" Katrina said, climbing into her Jedi fighter.
Parker whimpered behind her. Katrina stopped, wondering what to do. "Oh please? Don't leave me! You don't know what it's like around Frodo! Frodo's… changed." Parker whimpered loudly. Katrina gulped. She closed her eyes, hating to do this.
"I'm going to regret this, aren't I?" Katrina said, climbing down her ship. She approached Parker, grasping his shoulder, gently. "There, there. We'll fix you both up. I promise." Her eyes widened. She started backing away from Parker.
Parker put his hands down right away. His expression was cunning and aggressive. He smiled at her, wickedly. Katrina turned to run, but Parker grabbed her fast. "Oh no! You're coming with me." He bit down on the side of her neck, making Katrina whimper, as he held tightly onto her.
Soon enough, Katrina fell into a trance. Parker picked her up, carrying her out of the docking bay and away from her ship.
Katrina found herself in her own room, falling unconscious moments into Parker biting her neck and drinking some of her blood. As she fell back into consciousness, Parker looked at her, shushing her, "Now relax, my sweet. You will see things my way, or Frodo's way." Katrina relaxed, falling asleep in Parker's arms. It was so relaxing.
For a moment, Katrina saw Eliza's jealous face. But Katrina didn't care. All she knew was that Parker was watching her, drinking her blood until she fell asleep, dreaming of nothing else, except her friends, and Eliza's jealousy.
.
Parker closed the door to Katrina's room. He sighed, despair hitting him like a ton of bricks. Sure, Parker was following Frodo's orders, but he was also following Bethany's orders. Bethany wasn't too far gone. Even though she listened to Frodo, she wanted to make sure that he and Parker were okay.
Bethany had been so kind. Parker wondered why that was and why she only wanted to drink Frodo's blood and no one else's?
Then there was Eliza, Parker's turtledove. He made sure she had enough to drink. She was only half-vampire, but Parker wanted to make sure she was well fed.
He just didn't get why Eliza was so jealous of him and Katrina, when really Parker saw Katrina as a friend rather than dinner.
"Parker, do you think Katrina can do it?" Eliza asked Parker, as they walked down the hallway. "Do you think Katrina can restore the First World to its former glory?"
"It may not be back to its former glory," Parker said, facing her with a raised eyebrow. "But if there's any hope for Nathema, as well as the First World, then we wait and see." He added, "I turned Katrina into a half-vampire. She's not going to notice this until she wakes up. I'd rather her be half-vampire than fully vampire, like me. Just as you are half-vampire."
He added, calming Eliza down, "Katrina's our friend. That's what she is to me. You are my wife. You always have been." He smirked, rubbing her cheek. "Come on, Eliza. Do you really think I'd betray you?"
Eliza smirked, "No, I don't think so."
"Good. Then let's help Katrina reach her destinations. We might want to explore Nathema first, while we're here. Before Vitiate finds out about our plans," Parker said, pointing to the window, where the planet Nathema stood before them.