Chapter 2

The beautiful planet of Equilibrium was said to be the safest planet in the galaxy. Many thought it was because of the self-government that this planet had. As some people well know, the planet was not under the republic rule; it had its own democracy. The most strangest and hardest to belief of all this was who controlled it. Throughout the universe, Jedi and Sith have been both feared and blessed, in this planet, however, a combination of the two sides made a race so different and unique that even both the Jedi and the Sith thought to be a myth. Over its vast surface of green trees, blue seas and a magnificent sky, civilization was at its best. Man lived in perfect harmony with other races and both nature and animals were both safe under the great rule of the Fates.

The Fates. This was the name of those who ruled this world; they gave their people freedom, and everything they needed, like a good government should. Unlike the republic, where it has favoritism involved, no one was said to be higher then anyone, unless they deserved it. Any corruption in this planet was exterminated on the dot for both the people and the government knew there was no time for that. In the center of the capitol city, Cathedres, the temple of the fates stood with all its splendor and magnificence. The walls of pure white marble rose into the clear sky, making it even grander, it was both large in height and width and on the very top, overlooking the whole city and its suburbs, was the main room of the high rulers. At this precise moment a figure dressed in all white was facing one of the windows towards the setting sun. Her eyes were closed and the brim of her hood covered her eyes and threw them into shadow. The warm sensation of the sun touched her skin and she felt calm. The force was at work as well; she slowly raised her gloved hand and let the force flow through it. Arith, of only 17, had been nominated three years ago as supreme leader, known as the Prophet. Her purple eyes opened and looked onto the city the people and them have made. It was grand, filled with prosperity. She sighed, somehow not feeling worthy of this. For years she had tried and tried to feel proud and honored to be chosen as The Prophet but somehow, she never found that honor in her, she had even consulted the high Wiseman, one of her best friends, Ayame. She had said that it would come in time, that Arith should look unto the force to guide her. Arith tried, really she did, but maybe she was looking for something else in the force.

The door slid open and Arith used the force to see who it was, she didn't feel like turning from the beauty she was looking at. Kimni came in and saw that Arith was once again in her usual spot of meditation. She walked to her, her white cloak, similar to the one that Arith wore, flowed gently, showing the grace that few fates were known to have, and gently placed her gloved hand on Arith's shoulder.

"Are you all right? It seems something is troubling you, Arith." Kimni spoke smoothly like one would do to a sister. Arith turned to her and smiled, and simply nodded and turned away from the city. Kimni looked out to the city now and sighed. "The city has grown prosperous because of you, Arith." Arith gave a small snort and walked to the door. Kimni's green eyes had a sort of spark of sadness seeing Arith so down, she turned and followed Arith out and spoke slowly.

"I wanted to ask you if you could help me with something."

Arith turned to Kimni and nodded. "With what?"

Kimni turned slightly and sighed, "My sister. I wanted to ask you if you could help me look to see if my sister was all right." Kimni was holding her hands together and Arith noticed they were shaking slightly; she smiled kindly and walked forward. "I perceive your sister to be all right. But…"

"But?"

Arith looked at Kimni and nodded. "Not only are you one of my best friends for years, you are my most trusted co-worker. There was a reason why you were chosen to be the Elder." Kimni laughed and started walking down the hall again. "Because I'm old?" Arith laughed with her and frowned. "If your old, I'm old, we're the same damn age!" Kimni frowned, She realized they had gone off subject and interrogated Arith a bit more. Arith laughed seeing that Kimni realized this and then walked to the council room. In this room, the six Wiseman had their council. People from town and even those who were part of the system always went to them to consult their wisdom. As Arith and Kimni entered, Ayame and the rest of the council were in session. They seemed to be preoccupied and in the sight of Kimni, Ayame hushed the others. Kimni looked at the council and bowed, but seemed to have seen this quick haste to hush in her presence. Ayame stood from her chair and bowed to both Arith and Kimni.

"It is always a pleasure to have the high Fates pay us a visit. How may we be of assistance?" Arith walked forward to the circle and spoke smoothly but importantly.

"Has any word from the apprentice Kyra come to you?"

At this, Kimni turned to the back of Ariths head, her cloak was still up and Kimni sensed that Arith was blocking her from using the force to read her mind. Kimni turned to Ayame and bit her bottom lip. Why was Arith asking Ayame, wasn't it Arith who was 'in-the-force' all the time? That was her job.

A few of the Wiseman looked uneasy at each other but Ayame just looked down. She raised her face, letting the brown hood fall to reveal her face filled with sadness. Kimni didn't like this one bit.

"It seems you have found out about the latest news, Prophet."

"That is the only reason why I don't tell Elder the truth. You are the 'wise one'." Kimni walked forward now angry at being left out. "What's going on here? What is it that you're not telling me?" Ayame turned her blue eyes towards Kimni. She took a deep breath and spoke.

"While your sister was in the mission, her and other apprentices were ambushed. From what we have perceived, the reason they took so long in coming back home was, one, there ship was destroyed…"

"And two," Added Arith, " Most of the apprentices were killed thus, made the rest go into hiding." Kimni gasped, covering her mouth with her gloved hands. She didn't believe this, had this been the reason of Arith's Passovers? Sometimes, when Arith was in the force and she sensed something either dreadful or evil, she would pass out for hours, days or even weeks. From what the old rulers had written in records, and older ones too, this was said to be called the Passover, where the one in the force tries to fix what has happened with the force. Kimni turned to Arith, who was looking at her worried. "I tried my best, but I couldn't find all of them. A search party was sent 2 days ago to look for them. Along with the party were the ambassadors."

The ambassadors. They were the royal guards and 'assassins' as some liked to call them. The last person of the best friends squad was Aranell, she was by terms the meanest of the four. It wasn't that she hated everyone; she was just an expert in killing. Both Arith and Kimni feared this could lead Aranell to close to the dark side and tried their best to make her take it one step at a time. Kimni turned to Arith. "Are you sure you haven't felt her alive?" Arith sighed and raised her hand to her head as if recalling something. "I did sense her, but only for a brief moment. She was moving fast, as if being pursued. That is what I wanted to tell you."

Ayame sat back down and starred thoughtfully at Arith. The rest of the council did the same, Arith was pacing now, and keeping her eyes closed in concentration.

"It was odd. At first, I thought it was a machine, considering I couldn't read any vital signs from it. I heard a heartbeat, then a felt a barrier." She stopped and opened her eyes, starring to a blank spot in the sunset. "It was a force barrier. I was guessing the person was trying to keep the apprentice from knowing his next move. I felt a great deal of fear from the apprentice… there is only one race who uses the force that has fear as their allies."

"The Sith."

Everyone but Arith said this, faces around the room became stern and bodies became up right, Kimni walked a step toward Arith and knew the conflict that was going on inside of Arith. "But, how can that be? It is a known fact that you are the only one left with their blood and…"

"The sith of this time," Interrupted Arith, "Are not real Sith, but followers of an ideal. Still, they should not be ignored. Never let your guard down, even with things as trivial as this." She stated the last part to everyone so that she could make a point. Everyone nodded and Arith started pacing again. "Since the end of the Mandalorian War, Sith seized to be, or so the Jedi said. Academy's started and the great lords of there times were the teachers. There no doubt that, like me, another Sith may be about." Ayame rose. "We will do our best to find answers to this 'Sith' you speak of. Until then, Kimni," Her voice turned sooth and caring, "You must not give up hope on your sister and the others. They will make it." Kimni bowed at Ayame and Ayame did too." Arith bowed her head and then was about to walk out of the door when a human boy known as Mekel rose up and walked to Arith, she was taken aback by his sudden appearance and tried not to laugh. He had a sad face and was clutching his hands just like Kimni had done; he spoke with true feeling and hopefulness that totally caught Arith and Kimni off guard.

"Do you think she will be all right? Are you positively sure that I will get to see her beautiful smiling face once again, just once?" Arith placed her hand on his shoulder and smiled. "What does your heart tell you?" She said this so that only he could hear but Kimni and Ayame were smarter then that. Ayame started giggling, her 18-year-old-self coming into play.

"Yes."

"There is your answer. Remember, let the force mingle inside you, let it control your mind body and spirit. It will not lie to you… so don't lie to them." Arith walked out of the door with Ayame and Kimni behind her. Kimni still had the image of that one empty chair in the council room where her sister was always in, empty…forever. Someone then held on to her shoulder and squeezed it gently.

"Come on Kimni, in two hours your sister will be here safe and sound. Have faith in Aranell, she won't let her get hurt." Arith nodded as well, showing Kimni that they were here to help her; Kimni smiled and hugged them both in turn.

"I'm starting to have second thoughts of having become a Fate." Arith looked at her then at Ayame, Ayame also had shifty eyes and all three sighed. Arith frowned and looked up to a clock, it was getting late. She turned to get the elevator. "I'm off."

"Where to? Aren't you going to wait for Kyra?" Ayame protested, pulling locks of golden hair behind her. Arith closed her eyes showing fatigue. "I'm going to keep an eye out so that if Aranell finds herself trapped, which we all know she has no patience, I can lead her in the right direction."

Ayame looked at her and frowned.

"Just say you're going to meditate, were not in front of the council anymore." Kimni and Arith laughed at this. They had to admit, being young and being proper was not a good combination. It took practice to make people trust you or at least think of you not as a child who's ignorant, but as a leader with all the wisdom in the world. The three girls said their farewells, two of the three headed to the ship ports and one headed to the main tower to continue meditation. By now the sun was set and the city lights were making it look as if the stars were upside down. Ayame looked tentatively at Kimni, waiting for her to cry so that she could comfort her. At the moment Kimni was looking up at the sky.

What Arith had said was bouncing around in her mind, and not even the force could calm her down. This showed her lack of trust in the force. Many of them died, was what Arith had said. Somehow, she felt regret, here she was, about to cry because of her sister probably dead. Arith cared for everyone it was her job. She cried for everyone, not for just one person. The pain on Ariths chest must be greater, considering she has other matters to attend to. Kimni felt miserable now, she would never make it as a leader; she cared too much for her sister. Was that bad? She was her own flesh and bone. Why should she care for people she didn't even know? The force then reminded her to watch her thoughts.

Kimni's great fear was fear itself. The Sith had fear as their ally and Kimni felt as if fear wanted her to join it. That's right. Kimni felt as if the Dark Side was pulling her towards it. She new that if she wasn't careful, the dark could consume her side…something she wanted the least. Kimni then got another realization. She was thinking of herself instead of thinking of her sister. Without noticing, tears started to pour down her cheeks and Ayame was now hugging her in comfort. Kimni cried, something she hadn't done in a while.

Ayame felt the conflict within her. Kimni had let her guard down. She didn't blame her. Her sister was a great person and finally, when she was taking her test to become a master, the unthinkable happens. Ayame looked up into the sky hopping for the ship to hurry. She felt the thoughts going through Kimni's mind and they were scary. Ayame didn't do anything just held her.

Before she new it, Arith reappeared with a slight smile even after seeing the crying girl in Ayame's arms. Kimni turned to her a bit confused but then, without reading her thoughts, she new it was time. And, like always, Arith was right. An Imperial drop ship appeared and hovered onto the landing platform. The council and a few of the other Fate Masters appeared to welcome back the apprentices. Once the hanger was open Kyra was the first one out. Her head was shifting here and there trying to spot her sister and finally, they both met eyes. Kimni ran to Kyra and held her stroking her head and crying some more, Kyra let out her tears as well.

"Why are you crying, you're the elder…"

"Why are you crying then, you're suppose to be wise…"

They laughed and went back to hugging each other. Arith walked to the Apprentices and welcomed them back and reassured them they would be rewarded. She then went off to talk to the Masters who were present at the incident. Along one was Aranell. Kyra pointed at her and whispered to Kimni.

"She saved me from the sith."

Kimni turned her head and back, thinking of this. "Are you sure the attacker was a sith?"

Definitely…" Kyra sobbed remembering the man's horrible red eyes. Kimni turned and Arith was looking at her, she nodded and started leading the masters and ambassadors into council. Kimni kissed her sister and bid her to wait there or go off to play, there was a meeting being held and this one was important. Kyra did as she was told and Kimni, trying to dry her cheeks as best she could, made her way towards the council Room. When she did enter the council was seated and so was Arith, there was an empty chair for her and she took it listening to the ambassadors as they spoke…it seemed the talk had started with out her.

"We have a very serious situation. We might have two enemies against us. The Sith and the Jedi." Ayame was speaking turning to all in turn. "It is impossible to think that both races are working together. I can not picture it…"

"I do not think The Jedi and Sith are working together. The point is that our enemy obviously already had this planned, considering they executed the plan without flaw. I am sure that If I had not felt any disturbance in the force, there would have been more deaths…" Arith sighed and bowed her head in shame. Aranell took off her hood showing the curly black locks of hair she had and, with a face of determination, stepped forward towards Arith. "Prophet…this is not your fault, this is the Jedi's fault. We trusted the Jedi…it was they who gave us authority to do the testing on Dantooine. We got ambushed by a single Sith a freaking single sith. How did they know we were there and why are they attacking us? Jealousy or a grudge, point is…they have to pay and so do the Jedi…"

Before everyone could protest, a messenger entered with a telegram. He handed it to Arith whom took it and read it in silence. Everyone was quite until she finally spoke.

"The Jedi wish a council with us. They heard of these incidents and are claiming to be fully responsible of what happened. They want us to travel to Courascant and there, they will support us on a fight against the Sith." Once she finished everyone was quiet. Aranell twitched and shook her head. "Will you except it?"

"We must… we don't want to seem rude. Besides, we will see who are enemies are in the end. I am quite looking forward o seeing the head chancellor." Arith spoke leaning her head on her hand, her eyes were darting through the letter and she sighed. "Elder…"

"Yes…Prophet?" Kimni spoke shyly but with dignity.

"Your sister, Kyra, will have to come with us. She saw the attacker face to face. Maybe they will be able to determine such a persons identity." Kimni nodded and everyone stood. Ayame frowned and bowed her head in respect. "I shall get everything prepared. 2 ships will do fine. The ambassadors, Prophet and Elder on one ship, the other, the council and some spare Masters." Arith nodded and started walking out the door with Kimni behind her. "Very well…. we leave tomorrow. Get rest because I assure you, once we get in republic space, don't expect warm welcomes." Aranell smirked and gritted her teeth. "Let them come. No one will touch an of the Fate leaders of Council. You can sleep well that's for sure." Arith turned and laughed. "Patience ambassador Constantine… time will tell." With these last words Arith and Kimni left the room. The council went off to ready everything for this and the ambassadors went off to choose worthy masters of coming on the trip.

The only one who was feeling left out was Kyra. She was sitting on a pillar outside the Fates main building and was looking at it with sadness. To think that she wouldn't have come back was a scary thought. Truth was, she didn't want to go to Courascant because something told her she'd find that red-eyed man there again. Even from here she could read what Arith was thinking. It was true, she was the only one who saw him but she didn't want to see him again, they couldn't make her! With a last sigh and a look towards the setting sun, she hoped off the pillar and headed towards the tower and into her room, not wanting to think of what was to come next.