Part 6
The tall Jedi Master ran full speed through the Temple's corridors,
completely ignoring the surprised and curious looks thrown his way by
startled Knights and Masters.
Qui-Gon knew it was imperative that he reach Skyla's quarters. And quickly. That was all his mind could register. Obi-Wan's life was in grave danger, and nothing - neither inquiring looks nor friendly greetings - mattered.
Quickly rounding a corner, Qui-Gon ran headlong into very solid and muscular form.
"Qui?" Mace Windu exclaimed in surprise, giving his fallen friend a hand up, "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be on Fendar!"
"Obi-Wan...," Qui-Gon choked out, coughing as he accepted the Council
member's arm as support, "Danger...Master Yoda....please....quick!"
"Danger? What danger? Qui, what are you talking about?"
"Get Master Yoda. Kiza is back!". Leaving his stunned friend standing in mute surprise, Qui-Gon set off at a dead run toward Skyla's quarters.
*****
Qui-Gon raced through the familiar Temple corridors. Corridors which now seemed to stretch out infinitely in front of him. It took him only minutes to reach Skyla's quarters, but for Qui-Gon, those few precious minutes represented too much time. Time that his Padawan could not afford.
Why hadn't he been aware of the strange coincidences? The sudden delays during the meetings, his inability to contact the Temple, and the strangely silent bond. Everything had been so obvious! The Master cursed himself inwardly. How could he have been so distracted, so blind?
Once in front of Skyla's door, Qui-Gon took a moment to take a deep breath in order to control his rising anger. Calling on the Force, the Jedi Master concentrated, pushed, and tore the door from its hinges. Hurrying inside, he stopped abruptly as he looked at the changes in the rooms. The walls, once beige and smooth, were now completely covered in rough, dark-gray stone, giving the Creche Master's quarters a cave-like appearance. Qui-Gon slowly approached one of the walls and placed a hand on the rough surface. He jerked his hand away quickly as freezing cold began climbing from his hand
and up his arm. Backing up, he looked around and noticed a strange yellow glow emanating from one of the bed chambers.
Quickly igniting his lightsaber, Qui-Gon headed in the direction of the glow.
Once inside the threshold, the Master stopped in surprise. Not only had the walls been transformed into the same gray stone, but the roof had been completely torn away, large ragged chunks missing from all four walls. A large flat stone had been placed in the middle of the room, acting as some type of altar. Qui-Gon caught his breath as he recognized the small, pale form laying on the stone slab.
Obi-Wan lay unconscious, dressed only in his leggings and with his chest exposed. The Master could see a multitude of bruises and cuts on his apprentice's pale skin; blue, black and dark-red streaks criss-crossed the young boy's hands, arms and torso. Obi-Wan's skin was ashen white in color, and his chest rose and fell in unusually quick, shallow breaths. Qui-Gon's eyes narrowed in fury, angry in the knowledge that someone would treat his Padawan in this manner. He strode quickly to Obi-Wan's side.
"You are too late, Qui-Gon," a deep, raspy voice echoed menacingly in the cave-like room, stopping the Master in mid-stride.
"Kiza!" Qui-Gon angrily hissed through clenched teeth, his blue eyes
blazing. Tightening his grip on his lightsaber, the Master quickly looked around and began extending his senses, searching for the source of the voice. As he watched, a dark figure with yellow glowing eyes steadily materialized from one of the room's dark corners. It then slowly began approaching the unconscious Padawan. The Master held his ground, staring back at the wicked glowing gaze, not wanting to make any sudden move least he endanger Obi-Wan further.
Kiza stopped at the side of the stone altar, his gaze falling on the small, vulnerable form. With a wicked smile, he began running long, dark fingers through the soft, spiky hair. "You have quite a apprentice, Qui-Gon. He's extremely focused and, for one so young, has remarkable control over his fears. With any other creature, it would have taken me less than a day to finalize the ceremony. But, with this boy," the creature ran a finger lightly over Obi-Wan's forehead, "it took me longer to prepare. And, as you can see, I had to 'convince' him on a few fine points. So, I hope you understand why I had to use special treatment on him. He was very persistent,
headstrong and inquisitive. But he was also very foolish - just like his Master," Kiza finished as he cupped his hands on either side of Obi-Wan's head.
"Get away from him!" Qui-Gon ordered in a low, dangerous tone. He calmed himself as he continued to gain control over his growing alarm. He gritted his teeth as he observed Kiza run a long, thin finger from Obi-Wan's head to his bare and injured chest. The dark creature before him held no uniform shape. It appeared as a long shadow, a pair of yellow glowing eyes a stark contrast against the blackness of his form. The Master observed that he shadowy body was surrounded by a strong, and very bright, yellow aura. Qui-Gon noticed that Obi-Wan's body, too, was glowing. Only the boy's aura was pale blue, it appeared unstable, and quickly fading. The Jedi Master knew
that auras represented life-forces, and that they surrounded every living thing. If Obi-Wan's aura was fading, this clearly was not a good sign.
"You should not speak to me in that manner, Qui-Gon," the dark creature glared at the Master, a venomous smile visible against his dark form as he extended both hands above Obi-Wan's chest.
Qui-Gon's body straightened in alarm as he observed his apprentice's body arch up involuntarily. His fists clenched when he heard Obi-Wan wailing outin pain as Kiza forcibly drained his life-force.
"No!" Qui-Gon yelled. Throwing caution to the wind, he lifted his free hand and directed a Force wave in the creature's direction.
Kiza quickly raised his hands from Obi-Wan's chest, causing the exhausted Padawan to limply fall back against the stone. He effortlessly captured the energy wave between his palms, turning it into a green ball of energy.
"You shouldn't have done that, Qui-Gon. You might have accidentally harmed the boy," he spoke slowly, smiling wickedly as he shook his head in mock admonishment. Then, to the Master's horror, he re-directed the ball down towards Obi-Wan.
Qui-Gon watched helplessly as the full power of the orb rippled through the weakened body, causing his Padawan to cry out again helplessly. Again, Obi-Wan arched from the stone altar, small muscles cording as the energy wave racked through his battered body. As the power dissipated, he collapsed back onto the stone altar, his head lolling wearily to the side. Obi-Wan's body was now tinged with a gray pallor. He lay so still that the worried Master was unable to clearly make out if he was breathing.
"It's too late for him, Qui-Gon," the voice turned sickeningly sweet, "You failed him," Kiza taunted him, "just like you failed your last apprentice," Yellow orbs began glowing brightly as his voice softened and began to take on a dream-like quality.
Stung by the words, Qui-Gon began to shiver as a wave of cold fear began creeping up his back, paralyzing him in both body and mind. Dark and painful memories began invading his mind.
/You failed him. It's too late. It's all *your* fault. He's dead, Qui-Gon, dead because you weren't a good enough Master./ The words continued to repeat in his mind, releasing his worst fears and hidden doubts.
"No!" the tall Master yelled, falling to his knees as he pressed both hands to his ears. His lightsaber clattered uselessly to the floor.
A satisfied grin appeared across the creature's shadowy face. Now, there was nothing to stop him. He had Qui-Gon were he wanted him, trapped between his own deep fears and private nightmares.
Shifting his gaze from the distressed Master to the lightly illuminated sky, he noticed that Coruscant's second moon would soon be setting. He had to hurry in order to finish with the ceremony, he had to finish absorbing the boy's energy in his own body. If he did not, he would fall to the same fate that had claimed his entire race. And, this time, he wanted Qui-Gon not only to witness his victory, but he would forcibly make the Master watch his own Padawan's destruction. After all, it was Qui-Gon who had interfered with his ceremonial feeding once before, almost killing him. This time, it was Kiza who would succeed, and Qui-Gon the one destroyed, along with his worthless apprentice!
The Jedi Master continued to kneel on the floor as he held his hands tightly against his head, fighting against his own demons, struggling with his hidden nightmares. He had failed Obi-Wan! His innocent Padawan had died because of him. He should have been aware of the threat to his apprentice, should have paid attention to his istincts, should never allowed past anger and ear to blind and control him.
In his solitary turmoil, Qui-Gon reached within his mind to touch what was left of the bond with his Padawan, and was joyously surprised to feel it vibrate in response. /Obi-Wan is not dead!/ Qui-Gon took a deep breath and opened his eyes. Although weak and tenuous, Obi-Wan's life force was continuing to vibrate and respond. But, in his weakened condition, the boy's grip on life was rapidly fading.
Even so, the faint sign of life was enough to pull the Master out of his darkness, and back up on his feet as he called his lightsaber to his hand. His deep blue eyes darkened as he stood and slowly approached Kiza, lightsaber once again glowing vibrantly green. Qui-Gon assumed a fighting stance, eyes fixed steadily on his opponent, feet spaced apart in readiness, his lightsaber held firmly to the side of his shoulder.
"It seems that I have underestimated you, Master Jedi,' Kiza stated
venomously, "You are not as foolish or as weak as I thought you were. But it's still too late. Your pathetic pupil is already mine!"
Qui-Gon slowly shook his head, eye shining brightly as he allowed a smile to curl in one corner of his lips, "No, he is *not*," Qui-Gon stated calmly. He stood on the opposite side of the altar and lowered his lightsaber, mere inches away from Obi-Wan's neck. "If he dies before the moon sets, Kiza, you are going to die with him."
The Master's words made Kiza's eyes go wide in astonishment. "You're
bluffing. You wouldn't dare!"
"If you continue to feed off his life force, he will be lost to me," Qui-Gon answered back, trying to sound convincing, "And if he dies, the moment he joins the Force, I will cut you down and you will die along with him."
For a moment, Kiza was taken back by Qui-Gon's steely determination. His glowing eyes narrowed in suspicion as he stared back angrily at the Master's intense blue eyes. Qui-Gon indeed looked as if he were determined to carry out his actions. The creature hesitated a moment, but then, as Qui-Gon began to raise his lightsaber in preparation to deliver the final blow, he acquiesced and quickly yelled out, "Wait!"
Qui-Gon kept his lightsaber were it was, and looked up at Kiza's dark form.
"You don't have to kill the boy," Kiza said, his glowing eyes steadily
meeting the Jedi's blue determined ones.
Qui-Gon slowly allowed himself a sigh of relief. He would never have been able to live in peace knowing that he had willingly killed his own apprentice. But Kiza had no way of knowing this. Slowly, carefully, he began withdrawing his lightsaber away from the small, fragile form. He had just lowered his 'saber and was looking at his still Padawan, when he heard the deep, raspy voice suddenly whisper, "I'll do it for you!"
The Master's eyes angrily shot up, just in time to see Kiza's hand directing a powerful Force push at him. The Jedi was forced backwards, causing him to crash violently against a wall.
"I was mistaken, Qui-Gon!" Kiza shouted in smug victory as he placed both hands on top of Obi-Wan's pale chest, "You are weak! You are a fool!"
Qui-Gon, dazed and injured, flinched as he heard the creature's cruel and distant laughter. /Get up, Jinn!/ he told himself, but the force of the impact had drained his strength. He was unable to move, unable to fight, or unable even to concentrate.
Kiza had won.
The dark creature continued to laugh, drunk with the knowledge that he had outwitted the Jedi Master. But, soon, his laughter stopped when he realized that he was not absorbing the boy's energy. He increased his efforts, but ended up with the same results. It appeared that some type of shielding was protecting the unconscious boy. But where was it coming from? Who was doing it? Qui-Gon was almost unconscious and unable to interfere, there was no possible way he could be erecting such a strong shield. And it couldn't be
the boy , he was almost drained!
Kiza quickly looked up at the sky and saw the first rays of the morning sun coloring the tall buildings of Coruscant. In less than three minutes, the moon would set. He would have to hurry. If he didn't finish with the ceremony, his life-force it would be at an end! In desperation, Kiza called upon all his dark powers to break quickly through the shielding, but was unsuccessful. He was not going to breach it in time. He was going to die!
As the moon finished setting, a sudden realization struck Kiza. Quickly, he turned his angry glowing eyes in the direction of the doorway. There, just inside the entryway, stood a diminutive green figure dressed in a brown robe, one hand extending in Obi-Wan's direction, his large eyes closed in concentration. Yoda!
"NO!" a long, maniacal cry tore through the room and echoed up into
Coruscant's sky as the warm light of dawn flooded the chamber, turning Kiza into ashes.
Qui-Gon quickly covered his eyes with both arms, preventing dust from flying into his face. After a few seconds, he opened them once again and saw only a soft morning breeze blowing at a small pile of ashes.
It was over.
Qui-Gon sighed and thankfully closed his eyes, relieved to allow his large frame rest for a few moments. Opening them once again, the Master's gaze fell on the unmoving form of his apprentice lying quietly on the altar.
"Obi-Wan!" Qui-Gon called out as he unsteadily got to his feet and quickly stumbled to his Padawan's side. As he knelt at the altar, the Master gently placed a shaking hand on the boy's head. "Obi-Wan", he softly whispered, smiling in happiness and relief, his voice and thoughts calling out calmly once more. He was thankful that everything was finally over.
"Obi-Wan?" he whispered again as he gently rested two fingers on the boy's cold, pale cheek, stroking it with his finger tips.
But his Padawan didn't responding. A feeling of cold dread began to permeate through Qui-Gon's mind as he realized just how truly pale Obi-Wan looked.
//Padawan!// he called out urgently through their bond, with no results.
Gently, he placed a his head on Obi-Wan's bare chest, holding his breath as he listened. Qui-Gon quickly looked up into Obi-Wan's face. He was unable to detect any pulse, and his Padawan had ceased breathing.
"Obi-Wan!"
**********
The tall Jedi Master ran full speed through the Temple's corridors,
completely ignoring the surprised and curious looks thrown his way by
startled Knights and Masters.
Qui-Gon knew it was imperative that he reach Skyla's quarters. And quickly. That was all his mind could register. Obi-Wan's life was in grave danger, and nothing - neither inquiring looks nor friendly greetings - mattered.
Quickly rounding a corner, Qui-Gon ran headlong into very solid and muscular form.
"Qui?" Mace Windu exclaimed in surprise, giving his fallen friend a hand up, "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be on Fendar!"
"Obi-Wan...," Qui-Gon choked out, coughing as he accepted the Council
member's arm as support, "Danger...Master Yoda....please....quick!"
"Danger? What danger? Qui, what are you talking about?"
"Get Master Yoda. Kiza is back!". Leaving his stunned friend standing in mute surprise, Qui-Gon set off at a dead run toward Skyla's quarters.
*****
Qui-Gon raced through the familiar Temple corridors. Corridors which now seemed to stretch out infinitely in front of him. It took him only minutes to reach Skyla's quarters, but for Qui-Gon, those few precious minutes represented too much time. Time that his Padawan could not afford.
Why hadn't he been aware of the strange coincidences? The sudden delays during the meetings, his inability to contact the Temple, and the strangely silent bond. Everything had been so obvious! The Master cursed himself inwardly. How could he have been so distracted, so blind?
Once in front of Skyla's door, Qui-Gon took a moment to take a deep breath in order to control his rising anger. Calling on the Force, the Jedi Master concentrated, pushed, and tore the door from its hinges. Hurrying inside, he stopped abruptly as he looked at the changes in the rooms. The walls, once beige and smooth, were now completely covered in rough, dark-gray stone, giving the Creche Master's quarters a cave-like appearance. Qui-Gon slowly approached one of the walls and placed a hand on the rough surface. He jerked his hand away quickly as freezing cold began climbing from his hand
and up his arm. Backing up, he looked around and noticed a strange yellow glow emanating from one of the bed chambers.
Quickly igniting his lightsaber, Qui-Gon headed in the direction of the glow.
Once inside the threshold, the Master stopped in surprise. Not only had the walls been transformed into the same gray stone, but the roof had been completely torn away, large ragged chunks missing from all four walls. A large flat stone had been placed in the middle of the room, acting as some type of altar. Qui-Gon caught his breath as he recognized the small, pale form laying on the stone slab.
Obi-Wan lay unconscious, dressed only in his leggings and with his chest exposed. The Master could see a multitude of bruises and cuts on his apprentice's pale skin; blue, black and dark-red streaks criss-crossed the young boy's hands, arms and torso. Obi-Wan's skin was ashen white in color, and his chest rose and fell in unusually quick, shallow breaths. Qui-Gon's eyes narrowed in fury, angry in the knowledge that someone would treat his Padawan in this manner. He strode quickly to Obi-Wan's side.
"You are too late, Qui-Gon," a deep, raspy voice echoed menacingly in the cave-like room, stopping the Master in mid-stride.
"Kiza!" Qui-Gon angrily hissed through clenched teeth, his blue eyes
blazing. Tightening his grip on his lightsaber, the Master quickly looked around and began extending his senses, searching for the source of the voice. As he watched, a dark figure with yellow glowing eyes steadily materialized from one of the room's dark corners. It then slowly began approaching the unconscious Padawan. The Master held his ground, staring back at the wicked glowing gaze, not wanting to make any sudden move least he endanger Obi-Wan further.
Kiza stopped at the side of the stone altar, his gaze falling on the small, vulnerable form. With a wicked smile, he began running long, dark fingers through the soft, spiky hair. "You have quite a apprentice, Qui-Gon. He's extremely focused and, for one so young, has remarkable control over his fears. With any other creature, it would have taken me less than a day to finalize the ceremony. But, with this boy," the creature ran a finger lightly over Obi-Wan's forehead, "it took me longer to prepare. And, as you can see, I had to 'convince' him on a few fine points. So, I hope you understand why I had to use special treatment on him. He was very persistent,
headstrong and inquisitive. But he was also very foolish - just like his Master," Kiza finished as he cupped his hands on either side of Obi-Wan's head.
"Get away from him!" Qui-Gon ordered in a low, dangerous tone. He calmed himself as he continued to gain control over his growing alarm. He gritted his teeth as he observed Kiza run a long, thin finger from Obi-Wan's head to his bare and injured chest. The dark creature before him held no uniform shape. It appeared as a long shadow, a pair of yellow glowing eyes a stark contrast against the blackness of his form. The Master observed that he shadowy body was surrounded by a strong, and very bright, yellow aura. Qui-Gon noticed that Obi-Wan's body, too, was glowing. Only the boy's aura was pale blue, it appeared unstable, and quickly fading. The Jedi Master knew
that auras represented life-forces, and that they surrounded every living thing. If Obi-Wan's aura was fading, this clearly was not a good sign.
"You should not speak to me in that manner, Qui-Gon," the dark creature glared at the Master, a venomous smile visible against his dark form as he extended both hands above Obi-Wan's chest.
Qui-Gon's body straightened in alarm as he observed his apprentice's body arch up involuntarily. His fists clenched when he heard Obi-Wan wailing outin pain as Kiza forcibly drained his life-force.
"No!" Qui-Gon yelled. Throwing caution to the wind, he lifted his free hand and directed a Force wave in the creature's direction.
Kiza quickly raised his hands from Obi-Wan's chest, causing the exhausted Padawan to limply fall back against the stone. He effortlessly captured the energy wave between his palms, turning it into a green ball of energy.
"You shouldn't have done that, Qui-Gon. You might have accidentally harmed the boy," he spoke slowly, smiling wickedly as he shook his head in mock admonishment. Then, to the Master's horror, he re-directed the ball down towards Obi-Wan.
Qui-Gon watched helplessly as the full power of the orb rippled through the weakened body, causing his Padawan to cry out again helplessly. Again, Obi-Wan arched from the stone altar, small muscles cording as the energy wave racked through his battered body. As the power dissipated, he collapsed back onto the stone altar, his head lolling wearily to the side. Obi-Wan's body was now tinged with a gray pallor. He lay so still that the worried Master was unable to clearly make out if he was breathing.
"It's too late for him, Qui-Gon," the voice turned sickeningly sweet, "You failed him," Kiza taunted him, "just like you failed your last apprentice," Yellow orbs began glowing brightly as his voice softened and began to take on a dream-like quality.
Stung by the words, Qui-Gon began to shiver as a wave of cold fear began creeping up his back, paralyzing him in both body and mind. Dark and painful memories began invading his mind.
/You failed him. It's too late. It's all *your* fault. He's dead, Qui-Gon, dead because you weren't a good enough Master./ The words continued to repeat in his mind, releasing his worst fears and hidden doubts.
"No!" the tall Master yelled, falling to his knees as he pressed both hands to his ears. His lightsaber clattered uselessly to the floor.
A satisfied grin appeared across the creature's shadowy face. Now, there was nothing to stop him. He had Qui-Gon were he wanted him, trapped between his own deep fears and private nightmares.
Shifting his gaze from the distressed Master to the lightly illuminated sky, he noticed that Coruscant's second moon would soon be setting. He had to hurry in order to finish with the ceremony, he had to finish absorbing the boy's energy in his own body. If he did not, he would fall to the same fate that had claimed his entire race. And, this time, he wanted Qui-Gon not only to witness his victory, but he would forcibly make the Master watch his own Padawan's destruction. After all, it was Qui-Gon who had interfered with his ceremonial feeding once before, almost killing him. This time, it was Kiza who would succeed, and Qui-Gon the one destroyed, along with his worthless apprentice!
The Jedi Master continued to kneel on the floor as he held his hands tightly against his head, fighting against his own demons, struggling with his hidden nightmares. He had failed Obi-Wan! His innocent Padawan had died because of him. He should have been aware of the threat to his apprentice, should have paid attention to his istincts, should never allowed past anger and ear to blind and control him.
In his solitary turmoil, Qui-Gon reached within his mind to touch what was left of the bond with his Padawan, and was joyously surprised to feel it vibrate in response. /Obi-Wan is not dead!/ Qui-Gon took a deep breath and opened his eyes. Although weak and tenuous, Obi-Wan's life force was continuing to vibrate and respond. But, in his weakened condition, the boy's grip on life was rapidly fading.
Even so, the faint sign of life was enough to pull the Master out of his darkness, and back up on his feet as he called his lightsaber to his hand. His deep blue eyes darkened as he stood and slowly approached Kiza, lightsaber once again glowing vibrantly green. Qui-Gon assumed a fighting stance, eyes fixed steadily on his opponent, feet spaced apart in readiness, his lightsaber held firmly to the side of his shoulder.
"It seems that I have underestimated you, Master Jedi,' Kiza stated
venomously, "You are not as foolish or as weak as I thought you were. But it's still too late. Your pathetic pupil is already mine!"
Qui-Gon slowly shook his head, eye shining brightly as he allowed a smile to curl in one corner of his lips, "No, he is *not*," Qui-Gon stated calmly. He stood on the opposite side of the altar and lowered his lightsaber, mere inches away from Obi-Wan's neck. "If he dies before the moon sets, Kiza, you are going to die with him."
The Master's words made Kiza's eyes go wide in astonishment. "You're
bluffing. You wouldn't dare!"
"If you continue to feed off his life force, he will be lost to me," Qui-Gon answered back, trying to sound convincing, "And if he dies, the moment he joins the Force, I will cut you down and you will die along with him."
For a moment, Kiza was taken back by Qui-Gon's steely determination. His glowing eyes narrowed in suspicion as he stared back angrily at the Master's intense blue eyes. Qui-Gon indeed looked as if he were determined to carry out his actions. The creature hesitated a moment, but then, as Qui-Gon began to raise his lightsaber in preparation to deliver the final blow, he acquiesced and quickly yelled out, "Wait!"
Qui-Gon kept his lightsaber were it was, and looked up at Kiza's dark form.
"You don't have to kill the boy," Kiza said, his glowing eyes steadily
meeting the Jedi's blue determined ones.
Qui-Gon slowly allowed himself a sigh of relief. He would never have been able to live in peace knowing that he had willingly killed his own apprentice. But Kiza had no way of knowing this. Slowly, carefully, he began withdrawing his lightsaber away from the small, fragile form. He had just lowered his 'saber and was looking at his still Padawan, when he heard the deep, raspy voice suddenly whisper, "I'll do it for you!"
The Master's eyes angrily shot up, just in time to see Kiza's hand directing a powerful Force push at him. The Jedi was forced backwards, causing him to crash violently against a wall.
"I was mistaken, Qui-Gon!" Kiza shouted in smug victory as he placed both hands on top of Obi-Wan's pale chest, "You are weak! You are a fool!"
Qui-Gon, dazed and injured, flinched as he heard the creature's cruel and distant laughter. /Get up, Jinn!/ he told himself, but the force of the impact had drained his strength. He was unable to move, unable to fight, or unable even to concentrate.
Kiza had won.
The dark creature continued to laugh, drunk with the knowledge that he had outwitted the Jedi Master. But, soon, his laughter stopped when he realized that he was not absorbing the boy's energy. He increased his efforts, but ended up with the same results. It appeared that some type of shielding was protecting the unconscious boy. But where was it coming from? Who was doing it? Qui-Gon was almost unconscious and unable to interfere, there was no possible way he could be erecting such a strong shield. And it couldn't be
the boy , he was almost drained!
Kiza quickly looked up at the sky and saw the first rays of the morning sun coloring the tall buildings of Coruscant. In less than three minutes, the moon would set. He would have to hurry. If he didn't finish with the ceremony, his life-force it would be at an end! In desperation, Kiza called upon all his dark powers to break quickly through the shielding, but was unsuccessful. He was not going to breach it in time. He was going to die!
As the moon finished setting, a sudden realization struck Kiza. Quickly, he turned his angry glowing eyes in the direction of the doorway. There, just inside the entryway, stood a diminutive green figure dressed in a brown robe, one hand extending in Obi-Wan's direction, his large eyes closed in concentration. Yoda!
"NO!" a long, maniacal cry tore through the room and echoed up into
Coruscant's sky as the warm light of dawn flooded the chamber, turning Kiza into ashes.
Qui-Gon quickly covered his eyes with both arms, preventing dust from flying into his face. After a few seconds, he opened them once again and saw only a soft morning breeze blowing at a small pile of ashes.
It was over.
Qui-Gon sighed and thankfully closed his eyes, relieved to allow his large frame rest for a few moments. Opening them once again, the Master's gaze fell on the unmoving form of his apprentice lying quietly on the altar.
"Obi-Wan!" Qui-Gon called out as he unsteadily got to his feet and quickly stumbled to his Padawan's side. As he knelt at the altar, the Master gently placed a shaking hand on the boy's head. "Obi-Wan", he softly whispered, smiling in happiness and relief, his voice and thoughts calling out calmly once more. He was thankful that everything was finally over.
"Obi-Wan?" he whispered again as he gently rested two fingers on the boy's cold, pale cheek, stroking it with his finger tips.
But his Padawan didn't responding. A feeling of cold dread began to permeate through Qui-Gon's mind as he realized just how truly pale Obi-Wan looked.
//Padawan!// he called out urgently through their bond, with no results.
Gently, he placed a his head on Obi-Wan's bare chest, holding his breath as he listened. Qui-Gon quickly looked up into Obi-Wan's face. He was unable to detect any pulse, and his Padawan had ceased breathing.
"Obi-Wan!"
**********