Chapter 12

We had landed in the Yavin swamps near three days ago. We've been traveling ever since walking in random directions and circles. I'm beginning to wonder if Master really is going insane like the brothers say. Perhaps the heat and humidity is starting to affect his judgment. But I am not a worthy judge of my master. He has lived for centuries, holds great power, and has done many great and terrible deeds. He is a great man. But, the older I grow and the more I learn, the more I fear that perhaps this is not the path I'm supposed to follow. I keep hearing the words "demon," "monster," and, ultimately, "evil." I can't shake the feeling that Master has been lying to me. I feel like everything I've done is wrong and that everything I'm about to do will make me evil. Forever.

"Kowachi."

"Yes, Master?"

"How are you holding, Kowachi?"

"Well, Master. And you? Would you like me to fetch you something?"

"No, Kowachi. I am all right. It is I who will fetch you something."

"What, Master?"

"Knowledge, child. Knowledge of what is about to take place, what your role is, and what you will become."

"I am eager to learn, Master."

"You know why we are making this journey, Kowachi? This pilgrimage?"

"No, Master."

"This is the final rite, Kowachi. This is the last test you must pass. This is the last time you will be my apprentice."

"Master, what are you talking about?"

"This is your passing right. This will make you an equal among the rest of the Sith. And, as my apprentice, this will make you their superior. This is when you become me successor."

"Master, I am greatly honored, but I am not worthy. I have much to learn."

"No, Kowachi. You know as much as any Sith could ask for. And you are very powerful. In due time, you will surpass even me. You are ready, Apprentice."

"My thanks, Master. I shall do as you ask."

In the darkest part of the swamp on Yavin IV stood the two dark cloaked figures of the rumored-dead Sith.

"This is it, Kowachi," said the slightly bent shadow. "This is your last step to becoming a true Sith. Today, you will drink the blood of the Mardo and become my heir."

"And for what, Master?" asked the taller shadow. "For what purpose shall I drink this blood?"

"I have told you, Kowachi. You know why you are here. You will soon rule with an iron fist!

"But first, you must strike down the Mardo. He lives in this hole." The bent shadow pointed towards a gap in the muck and algae. "He should be asleep at this moment. Enjoy your kill, Apprentice."

The tall shadow bowed low once and silently flew into the hole. A VROOM echoed from underneath, and a terrible scream pierced the deadly WHOOSH of the blade. Moments later, the shadow emerged with the head of the beast.

"Now, Apprentice, take your prize. Take the eye, crush it, and drink. Drink of the power of the Sith!"

The shadow sheathed his lightsaber and held the head high. It suddenly thrust its hand into the beast's eye and tore it from the socket, blood and brain matter oozing over the shadow's hand. The shadow crushed the eye, sending matter flying in all directions. It brought its hand slowly to the hood of its cloak and drank eagerly of its prize.

"You are now complete, Apprentice. You are now a Sith, Kowachi."

Arbinger awoke with a gasp and looked around wildly at his surroundings. At first, he did not know where he was. But when the clink of his chain reached his ears, he recalled the events that led him here, and sighed in despair.

Another day in the life of my former self's crimes.

"Bastard Sith."

"Now, now, now! You shouldn't say such things about your own kind." Malic stepped forth from the shadows, his cloak folded back over his lightsaber.

"They are mine no more, Malic. I am now a child of the light."

"Now, why would you forsake your own family like that? Without us, you'd be dead already."

"I consider the Sith only a bridge from my infancy to adulthood, and I have come to a crossroad. To continue down the path of darkness, or to die a repentant man. And I tell you now, strike me down so I may join my ancestors in peace."

Malic slowly walked towards Arbinger, taking his own pace and time. "Now, Kowachi, why would I do such a thing? I still have a use for you, oh yes. You see, your precious partner in crime, Deltina, is on her way here. Oh, don't look so sad, Kowachi. After all, she is coming to see you."

"Don't you touch her, Malic!" Arbinger lunged against his restraints at Malic, rage reflecting in his eyes. "If you lay a hand on her, not even the entire universe can put enough distance between you and my lightsaber."

"Calm yourself, Kowachi. I will not lay a hand on her, provided you follow instructions. You see, I'm actually doing you a great kindness. I am going to let you die in each other's arms." Malic drew his lightsaber and put the hilt against Arbinger's stomach. "But, there is a price. There is always a price. And that price is: I will make you suffer hell for her!" And he activated his lightsaber.

Three hours later, scars made, healed, opened, and left to bleed, Arbinger was a ravaged skeleton of sweat, pain, and fear.

She's coming. She can't be coming. "She cannot die!"

A tear fell from his eye and splashed on the cold cave floor. From the tear sprang a small rainbow of light, and a clear and strong voice rang out in the darkness, one of beauty, peace, and salvation.

"And so she shall live, Arbinger."

"You return to me."

"Yes, Kowachi," said the female shadow. "I return to you with hope and despair, life and death. I return to you with a choice. It is for you to decide which you shall live with."

"I don't want your riddles, I don't want your flowery speech, and I don't want your damn choices! All I want is what will save her? What should I do to save her life?"

The shadow moved towards Arbinger and reached out to touch his face. The hand that emerged from the shadow was a pale hand, and it passed right through Arbinger's face.

"You must give up your own, Arbinger. She will die in the place where death is forbidden, unless you sacrifice yourself for her."

"But how? What place where death is forbidden? What are you talking about? Speak to me!"

The shadow pulled back from Arbinger's harsh tone and shaken form. "Patience, Kowachi. I will tell you everything, in due time. For now, I ask only for your decision. Will you die for her, or will you let her, and this planet, crumble under the iron fist of Malic and the Sith?"

Arbinger regained his composer, standing tall and defiant. "My answer, spirit, is that I will fight. I will not die, nor will I let her or anyone else die. I will fight to save Deltina. I will fight for this planet. And most important, I will fight Malic. And if won't help me, I will fight my way from this prison as well. That is my answer. What is your choice?"

The spirit stepped back into the shadows from whence she came. "Then I will leave you to fight, Arbinger, son of the Jedi. You were born from this world, and so you shall end this world. And so we near the end of the transformation. From Sith to savior to destroyer. You have decided your role, Arbinger. You have decided your role, Kowachi. And you have decided all our fates, destined." The voice began to thin as the shadows all melded into one. A shining tear formed on her eye as she spoke her final words. "All I ask is what role will you play, my son." She vanished, and the tear fell and broke, but no rainbow came this time.