The last hour he was on the Ebonhawk went away like rain on the mountain. Darius and Brianna talked to each other forever in the Crew Quarters while Atton and Bao-Dur worked on the Hyperdrive.
And at last it was time for him to part ways. Such a thing was so hard to do. The Jedi reclined in the Starboard room, listening for Atton and his message. "Hey," The Scoundrel said quietly. "Were on Telos."
Darius sighed and nodded. "Very good."
This would be the last time he would see or ride the Ebonhawk. The Jedi stood up, bowed his head walked into the Main Hold. He called Atton, Bao-Dur and Brianna through their Force Bonds.
The three stood at attention in front of the Exile, Darius smiled at his friends emotion deep in his eyes. "I came here," He began slowly. "To give you my last command."
It was obvious none of them understood what he meant. "Idiots." He thought bitterly. The Jedi sighed as Bao-Dur spoke up. "We do not understand General. Last command?"
"You are correct. I have decided… to follow Revan, once more." He noticed the enthusiasm on their faces. It broke his heart to say this, especially to Brianna. "But I can't take any of you with me."
Now the brightness in their eyes dimmed at his words. Atton cleared his throat and stepped forward towards him. "Who's going to pilot the Ebonhawk?"
Bao-Dur said nothing as tears streamed down Brianna's face. His heart burned with pain to see her in tears. Darius walked up to her and embraced her, but she pushed away. "Leave me alone." She said sadly, running to the Cargo Hold.
The Jedi sighed and looked at Bao-Dur and Atton who bore a look of shock. "I need to go and see her." He said, throwing his hands up.
"Brianna." He said compassionately as he walked towards her, slumped down on the ground and crying her heart out.
"Leave me alone!" She yelled at him.
Darius touched her shoulder but all the same she recoiled from his touch. "Please don't cry and make my leaving harder than it is." He whispered.
She shook her head, not paying attention to a word he said. Heaving his chest, the Jedi squatted next to her and held her. She didn't fight to get away from his arms, she just rested in them and put her head on his chest still sobbing.
Darius rubbed his back in a circular motion. "This is so hard."
Hold me even though I know your leaving
And show me all the reasons you would stay.
It's just enough to feel your breath on mine
To warm my soul and ease my life.
You've gotta hole in me show me now.
He closed his eyes, not dare letting go. He stood up with her, her arms around his neck. There was passion, meaning and love between the two and their hearts entwined in each others. Darius broke away.
"I have to go." He whispered. "And I don't want you to cry." He wiped a few tears out of her eyes. "Be strong."
With that he left, going back to the Main Hold for Atton and Bao-Dur who were just chatting nicely. "Welcome back." Atton said sadly.
"This is our parting of way. So before I go, I want to give you these." He dug into the pocket of his robes, pulling out fifteen-thousand credits giving each of them five-thousand. "I want each of you to swear to me that you will help those who need your help and rebuild the Jedi order. Go to the Polar Region and use Atris's academy. She is waiting for you."
They docked in Citadel Station, the three of them walked out of the ship and went to the Cantina to celebrate together. They each played each other in Pazaak, had some Tarisian Ale spoke of their experiences, past and their hopes for the future.
It wasn't like usual that Darius would open up like this but it was necessary. This was the last time, possibly forever that he would see those three again. "In the future," Atton said cocking his head. "I don't know. I'll probably just do what our buddy said." He slapped Darius on the back who grinned. "Just rebuild the Jedi Order."
The rest agreed to do the same. "I'm going after Revan." Darius said quietly. "He needs my help to defeat the true Sith."
"Still going on your own?" Atton asked hopefully.
Darius nodded sheepishly. He didn't want another outburst that had happened on their way to the Cantina. They were begging to follow. "Will we see you again?" Brianna asked.
"I don't know." He didn't want her to get excited and then die in battle.
"Give me four years guys. If I'm not back by then, do as you will. If I'm back in five I will contact you through our bonds and summon you to Telos. We'll meet here."
And so the trio agreed that their parting of ways was final. There was no if ands or buts about it, Darius was going on his own. Seven hours passed and Darius finally decided it was time to go. The Jedi stood up, walking back to the ship. It was a scary thing, to be in the company of his friends for the last time.
He noticed the laughter in their hearts had died out as they walked to the ship. Atton offered another round of Pazaak just to keep him for another day. But he refused.
Once at the ship, Darius walked on the loading ramp and turned back. "I love all of you and when I return, it will be the same."
And with that, the Jedi didn't look back.
