Back again for more! I worked on this chapter quite a lot and even ended up rewriting it twice (partially). Some of you may have noticed I changed the story summary with the last update but anyways I felt it needed a change.

The first part is a bit of a side liner to show the other characters and their points of view.

Then, never forgetting the whole Jacen/Tenel Ka "action" for fans

And you get to learn about what Jacen has been doing ever since his "freedom"

I've had nothing to do for the past few days so i've already started chapter 7 and you should expect it out soon.

Keep reading, enjoying and reviewing, and i'll keep writing. (sorry for the few, if not many, typing mistakes)

Chapter 6: Warmth of an Invincible Heart

Luke Skywalker opened his eyes in shock as he was forced out of his dream by his consciousness waking up. He looked around him in the dark room; he was sweating but troubled enough not to notice. The room was dark and hadn't changed at all since he had closed his eyes. Mara was still sleeping peacefully right next to him, undisturbed by him. He took a good look around to make sure nothing had changed and laid down on his back. Staring at the ceiling, he began thinking, remembering his dream. He wondered what could have forced out of his sleep like that. What could have make him panic enough that his own body needed to wake him up? He sighted, too tired to wonder around the question for more than a few minutes, he fell back a sleep.

Something is going to happen

Vergere heard the warning in the force and stood fully alerted to her surrounding. She wandered the hallways of Shimmra's citadel without being noticed, invisible to all who wouldn't pay attention to servants. She was heading towards a room known to only a few people.

As she entered through the secret passageway, she noticed a vilip. Drawn to it, she established its link with the other owner.

Fenix

"Commander Fenix, what a surprise."

"Vergere, the Arbiter sends word. We have found the mighty warriors you have spoken of. It would appear they have willingly joined our lord."

Quite a move, young Jacen Solo, charisma has not escaped you it would seem.

"Transmit my congratulations to the Arbiter."

"Prepare yourselves for the final step of preparations; we will end this charade soon."

"I stand ready, Fenix. I will inform the supreme Executor to begin his part."

Fenix nodded and cut off the connection, leaving Vergere in darkness, but not alone. She turned slowly towards the other person in the room, Nom Anor.

"Well, supreme executor, it would appear everything is working out as we had hoped."

Nom Anor frowned "Convincing Shimmra to take immediate actions on the fleet will be difficult."

"Difficult? Impossible? Perhaps, but it has to be done regardless."

"What is he thinking?"

"Who, Shimmra?" she asked innocently

"Don't play with me Vergere." Warned Nom Anor. "Jacen Solo is playing a very dangerous game and if he is not careful he will fall, most likely dragging us down with him."

"Precisely, Supreme Executor, and that is exactly why we are here to make sure this never happens."

Nom Anor sighted slowly but drained of anger.

He looked at the black entrance and without turning to Vergere he added "I will do what I can to convince Shimmra into sending his fleet into our trap, but there is something else that bothers me."

"His familiar," interrupted Vergere "Onimi."

"Correct, he is a sneaky one, just like you. I have a feeling he is up to something."

"Worry not, Supreme Executor, I am already watching Onimi's movements to find out his purpose."

Nom Anor nodded and left the room, wordlessly. Vergere stared at him then at the emptiness of the room for a few more seconds.

Yes, very soon all this will end and when it does, Jacen Solo, you will become beyond anything imaginable.

Vergere left the empty room, wondering where her next lunch might be.

Jaina Solo sighted as her X-wing landed inside a Hangar. She opened the hatch and climbed out. Her Astromech droid chimed happily making her smile for a fraction of a second. Her feet touched the ground and she had to take a second to readjust herself to the gravity. Not far, Zekk was exiting his own X-wing and Lowbacca was doing the same a few meters away.

"Well that was boring" she began telling Zekk as he approached. "We didn't even see a single enemy."

"Yea, the first time it was boring, the second time it was fun, the third it was weird but this is the fourth time we don't encounter a single Yuuzhan Vong craft out there."

She frowned "You think they're up to something?"

"Everybody's thinking it, I'm just saying it."

Lowbacca growled something from their side.

"I know they're always up to something, but I mean maybe this time it's really big, like the attack on Mon Calamari." Replied the young man

"That one wasn't big" replied Jaina. "It was only surprising and came close to being destructive."

"Most people think it was Jacen that saved the capital city, him and the black Yuuzhan Vong with him. Come to think of it, where is he anyway?

Jaina sighted "I haven't got a clue," she passed a hand in her hair to straighten it a bit "He vanished a few weeks ago and no one's seen him ever since."

Lowbacca frowned and replied to her.

"I don't know Lowie, I mean I still feel him through our twin bond so I know he's okay and I guess it's all that really matters right? Besides, knowing him, he's still looking for a solution to end the war."

"You think he'll really find one?" asked Zekk

"Don't know, but I get the feeling if he does somehow find a way, it's going to be too late."

"I wonder what he's doing right now," he said, looking at the black space through the shield.

Jaina grinned "Well, I'll tell you what we are going to do, were going to find ourselves a cantina and drink like there's no tomorrow."

Zekk laughed, "Aye aye Major Solo, drinking it is." He added lifting an imaginary glass.

The sun hadn't set yet, its orange colors danced wildly on the sky, mixing its colors with the pale blue. Queen Mother Tenel Ka always enjoyed watching the sun set. It always seemed to calm her mind. She let her thoughts drift freely, recalling the precedent meeting she had attended to. She didn't like politics, she probably never would. The only reason she was doing it was for her people. So that Hapes didn't fall prey to all the corrupt nobles who would do anything for their own benefits.

She sighted. The clouds seemed so much more free, not bound by anything, they simply rode the wind, going wherever they pleased. Her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar presence in the force. One she would never get tired of feeling.

Jacen Solo

She felt him clearly, as if he was standing...

Right behind me, she thought just as she turned around quickly.

She came face to face with him. He had appeared almost out of nowhere as her thoughts drifted in the clouds. He smiled at her.

"Friend Jacen, it is good to see you!"

"Hello Queen Mother," he said, accepting her embrace softly.

His heart skipped a beat as he looked at her. She looked even more beautiful than before, her golden red hair floating freely around her. She was wearing a long dress that left almost her entire back exposed, making Jacen blush for a fraction of a second. Her smile was warm and he found himself drawn to her. He could barely resist the temptation of reaching out to her and kiss her. He smiled back at her

"You seem troubled, Jacen" began Tenel Ka "Is something wrong?"

"It's alright," she noticed him staring at her dress. "It's quite different from your usual dressing." he added with a famous Solo-grin

"You like?" she asked with her own grin

"It's beautiful" he half-whispered

"Thank you" she paused "Please, come inside" she finished with a small smile.

Jacen sat down on one of the luxuriously decorated couch inside Tenel Ka's private quarters. She poured a pink drink in two glasses, one witch she handed to Jacen. He shivered at the touch of her skin. He never noticed that she had the same reaction. He stopped for a fraction of a second, wondering why he was affected like this. This was far from the first time he had come close to her. His mind came back to reality as she sat down right next to him. She raised her glass.

"This beverage is made from a plant found only on Dathomir, its quite simple and very common. Unlike those expansive liquors commonly found among nobles, I find it's simplicity very refreshing and it is strong and sweet. I'm sure you will like it."

"Only one way to find out." He said with his best Solo-grin.

He approached his glass to his lips, letting the pink liquid's smooth odor enter his nostrils, it smelled sweet, almost overwhelming. He took a sip, he instantly felt the taste. It was incredibly strong and sweet but without being too much like the smell suggested. It's texture was smooth and soft. He found it was a perfect balance of taste that left him wanting more.

While he was lost in his deep analysis she brought him back to reality by brushing his shoulder softly.

"Friend Jacen, is it not to your liking?"

"No, on the contrary, its incredibly good. Just like you described, Strong and sweet." Just like you, he felt like adding.

"I'm glad you liked it" she said "So, what brings you out here?"

"I was actually not far from here and had a little time for myself so I thought I might drop by and say hello. Especially after what happened during our last meeting."

"I heard what happened afterwards, I'm sorry I could not accompany you."

"Don't be, you had your own duties to attend to."

The fire rained on Mon Calamari, bringing destruction along it's wake. Jacen turned to face Tenel Ka's worried expression. She stared at his eyes, still held up in each other's arms.

"I have to go." he whispered in her ear.

"I know."

"I'm sorry"

"Don't be." she kissed him passionately "This time, just make sure you come back to me." she added, the sadness of her memories filling her voice.

"I promise you, I will come back this time."

Letting her embrace go, he turned around towards the balcony and jumped in the fire filled streets. He let the Force guide him on his path towards the ground. He would bring down the wrath of a God on the Yuuzhan Vong warriors, even if he had to become a God himself, he would do it for that woman, no matter what,

Somewhere up in the apartments, armed with a new resolve, Queen Mother Tenel Ka bursted out, issuing orders to her guards and maids. Hell was breaking loose all around her, but she knew she would be safe as long as one man was fighting to protect her. She stopped for an instant. No, she was a warrior. She would not stand by while someone risked his life for her, she would find a way to fight, using all her assets, she would help him any way she could.

She stared at the immense bay window in her chambers. Fire reflected all around in the city. Despite all that was happening, she knew the flame would soon be extinguished, by the strong and constant flow of a river that was being unleashed.

Somewhere out there.

He blinked, coming back to the sweet reality around him. He relaxed his body on the couch, feeling the strong effects of the drink slowly fading the tensions in his muscles. She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Everything felt so comfortable for the two of them. She looked up at him a minute later, a grin forming on her lips.

"Come to think of it." she began, while slowly approaching her head closer to his "We never finished what we started on Mon Calamari." she finished with a low whispered voice.

Following her expression, "How could I ever forget?"

He rested a hand on her hip and slowly approached her, their lips meeting once more. It tasted sweet, no doubt because of the pink drink. He loved it, every second of it, stretching longer and longer. For once in his life, he didn't have to care about responsibilities, he only enjoyed the moment, getting carried along. They lost themselves in the passion of the moment, ignoring time that kept going on around them. For them, it was simply an eternity they could enjoy together. He lost himself in the redness of her hair

Red, everything was red. He looked around him and saw dead people. Some were Yuuzhan Vong, others were armored Mandalorians. He focused on the person in front of him, but couldn't see a face. Besides him was Jaina with her lightsaber drawn. She looked injured but not seriously. On the other side was Luke, Blood was flowing down his cheek. Behind him Fenix was fighting with three Yuuzhan Vong warriors. He tried to move but couldn't. Behind the faceless person in front of him, he could see a smaller being, he couldn't tell who it was but he knew this person was dangerous, even more so than the one facing him. The edges began burning, flames were filling the room they were in and soon everything faded away.

Jacen woke up gently from his vision, as if in a trance. Something bad was going to happen, the force had warned him of this person hiding behind a giant mask. He closed his eyes and tried to recall more details. It wasn't his first vision and he had a feeling it wouldn't be his last.

He took a deep breath and exited his small room on the shuttle. Fenix was thoroughly inspecting a Mandalorian weapon, trying to familiarize himself with it's simple and deadly design. Mandalore was sitting in the pilot's seat, reviewing coordinates while the chaotic mix of the hyperspace stars filled the view bay. The three other Mandalorians on board were cleaning their armors down to any particle of dust that might somehow, though unlikely, hinder their functioning at a critical moment.

Jacen looked at the way the three warriors treated their armor. In the short time he had spent with the Mandalorians, he had learned how careful they were with details a common person would simply ignore. Their very acute observation skills gave them an edge in a battlefield where any slight information could save your life.

Jacen turned his attention to the colored stretch of Hyperspace through the bay window. He had found himself an army, another one. His thoughts drifted towards the past.

Yuuzhan Vong Arbiter Jacen Solo left Yuuzhan'tar escorted by his newly acquired personal army of Slayers. He was now free to move unrestrained among the Yuuzhan Vong, though usually preferred to do so unnoticed as his official duty as Arbiter was to observe and report any faults to the Supreme Overlord. He still found it hard to believe that Shimmra had appointed him Arbiter of the entire Yuuzhan Vong forces. His identity had remained secret to most Yuuzhan Vong. Only a select few were allowed to know of him, aside from the Slayers. Jacen contemplated the irony of things, he had become something of a symbol of hope for the master Shapers who now possessed the proof that Jeedai could indeed be turned to the light of the true way.

In the dark, cold room he stood in, Jacen began wondering of his next move. Shimmra would expect him to begin his duties by inspecting the Warmaster's entourage but he didn't want to risk his identity being revealed. During his capture time he had heard stories, rumors and even legends, some witch he was drawn to. Before making any move, he had to take a step back and glance long enough at the board of the game that was the war and begin his long and careful planning. It would take him weeks, months perhaps to assemble the requires assets but he would do as he had promised, he would deliver the light of the true way to the galaxy. Though only a few select could suspect, his true and ultimate goal was known only to himself. He would not bring about the destruction of the galaxy by spreading baseless fanaticism. He would bring back the Yuuzhan Vong into the realm of the Force, his so called light would be used to cast away the shadows of doubts that now filled so very many minds.

His journey through the land of the dead was coming to an end. Soon, he would have to walk back into the light. He wondered for a second if Vergere would follow him into the realm of the living. Perhaps he would be able to show her some of his own lies, perhaps he would simply bring her back into what she had forgotten. As his thoughts cleared into something so far away, he sighted at how little he and Vergere knew of the force. No matter how Vergere had put it in for him, he had always known, deep down inside that the force had always been everything. He just needed to open the eyes of an entire galaxy and that was why he knew it would require quite a bit of planning. But after all, he had all the time he needed, all the time in the world for at that very moment, he still walked the silent plains of the dead and would keep doing so as long as he remained a memory, an echo resonating deep inside all those he knew. Soon, that echo would become a river, memories becoming realities once more and then, he would finally return. Return to a place he had never left, back from a reality he had never entered. None of it mattered now, for in the end, he was Jacen Solo and only that mattered.