Chapter 14, Ghosts of Mortis…
Obi-Wan, Anakin, Ahsoka and Lirlia returned to the ship. Thanks to Anakin's flying experience, the ship needs to be repaired. Ahsoka started repairing it with the knowledge she got at the Temple and from Anakin. Obi-Wan, Anakin and Lirlia discussed what needed to be done next.
"Are you feeling alright?" Obi-Wan asked the Huntress.
"Don't know. I feel… empty would be the a closer word for it. But it's not something I can't handle."
"Well, it'd be best if you stay here while me and Anakin solve this with the Father."
Lirlia only nodded, sitting on a rock outside the ship as Ahsoka works.
The feeling of emptiness changed to one of uneasiness and cold. But the cold is not physical. It's something else that she doesn't understand. Unconsciously, she shrugged.
"The Father said something about the 'Primal Force'. Do you know something about it, Lirlia?" Ahsoka suddenly asked, taking her attention and the Jedi outside.
"Only that it used to be what the Force was once. The Father told me that it was extremely chaotic, unbalanced and conflicted, said that my world once feed from it, creating the creatures and elements I told you about."
"Then… you must be extremely old…" the padawan commented.
"I do not want to think about it right now, or ever."
"I see… well, I can't imagine how this will affect you." The younger one spoke before continuing to repair the for transport.
Lirlia only sighed, taking her head into her hands. Whatever is going on right now, it's exhausting her. Soon enough, she nodded off to a quick nap.
Obi-Wan sighed, having Force Suggested to sleep Lirlia. He's not fan of using it, but Lirlia's uneasiness is a huge disturbance on her felt by the three of them.
"I'm worried about her." Anakin walked to his master.
"Yes. It wasn't nothing at first, but the Force feels… stranger than we have ever felt before… chaotic. The Force in her feels like there is a never-ending battle between two strengths."
"We should ask guide from the Father, then." Anakin walked to the speeders.
"Yeah, probably you are right. But try not to fall for the Son's ways. We must be cautious." Obi-Wan warned his former padawan. He nodded and left the place.
Anakin approached the Father after he just finished mourning and burying Daughter. They spoke, with Father being upset that they haven't left yet. Anakin replying that the ship needs repairs before Father decided to kill his son. Anakin was against it, claiming that he was too powerful for him. Father dismissed it, leaving fate to the Force. Anakin tried to convince him to let them aid him. Father only answered that he must find another way.
"Is there anything else?"
"It's about Lirlia."
"Oh? What about your hunter friend?"
"The Force feels stranger this time within her. The first time I felt it, it was somehow full of life, and pure. Now… it feels… conflicted. Chaotic as my master called it."
"She's from a place where the Force did not have a will yet. Her presence here makes conflict between that estate of the Force and the current of the present time."
"I… I don't understand…"
"You only need to know that she's the most affected now that balance has been broken." He stared into the horizon. "Many things have been set into motion. Chaos will happen. Only her can fix it."
"How can we help her?"
"Our fates are unknown. The Force is abundant in this place. Darkness shall not win here." He pointed with his arm to the field. "Go. Ask. And you will know what to do."
Anakin walked away from the small structure Daughter rests in peace. He heard a voice calling him.
"You've become strong and powerful. Just as I imagined." Qui Gon's spirit appeared.
"Master…?"
"Do you believe you are the Chosen One?"
"How… would I know?"
"I'll tell you what I think. I believe that you will bring balance to the Force. That you will face your demons and will help the Hunter in saving the galaxy."
"How can I help Lirlia? And what about this creature of darkness? Do I leave or stay and kill it?"
"None of that. To help Lirlia, you must search inside of you. You will find a way."
"I don't understand."
"In this place, there is place where the Dark Side reaches its peak. You must go there. Use your instincts to help the Hunter."
Anakin looked down, trying to get what he was told. When he looked up to speak with Qi Gon again, he was alone.
Anakin used his speeder to reach the place Master Gon told him, using his senses as guides. He slowed down his speed, maneuvering through the pit to land on the depth of it.
Anakin got out from his vehicle. He felt someone behind him.
"Welcome!" Son said as he approached Anakin with a friendly gesture. "It seems that there was a misunderstanding. We mustn't be enemies
"You murdered your sister!" Anakin pointed his finger to Son. "There is no balance in the Force. Lirlia is affected the most. I must stop you."
"You must?"
Anakin activated his lightsaber, preparing to defeat the Son. But he took it away from his hands.
"These little toys have no use here." He walks around him. "I've a gift for you."
"I'm done with your tricks."
"Oh, but you will love this gift." He walked around Anakin. "I can show you… the future."
It is then that Anakin started to have a headache, on his vision appeared blurred images of people.
"No… no… stop!"
"Know the future. Know what the Hunter shall bring!" Son spoke loudly.
Anakin put his hands on each side of his head, trying in vain to stop the images. He saw fire, destruction, people he cares about injured or dying.
"You shall be strong! Stronger than any Jedi!" lighting was directed to him.
"Anakin! Run!" He saw Padme being hit by some creature. He saw a strange sword, purple-reddish mist coming from it as it was brutally brought down to the ground, hitting someone.
A scream.
"Watch out!" Lirlia appearing and using her body to block the blow of a lightsaber.
The Jedi Temple in ruins.
Worlds destroyed. Clones dying from a creature's attack.
Lirlia standing in front of a creature, facing it. A dark beam being fired to countless of people.
"No… no! … NOOOO!" a last image of Lirlia standing behind a wall of flame, her expressionless eyes pierced him as she brought down a sword. Worlds in darkness and the galaxy a struggling place. Anakin supported himself with his hands and knees as the images stopped.
"Terrible things will happen…" Anakin sobbed.
"Yes. But it doesn't have to be in that way. The decision is still yours."
"How… how can we stop it?" He asked looking to the Son.
"Only the Chosen one can stop this from happening. But it must be done now."
"How? How can I stop it?"
"Join me, and together, we will destroy the creature that will attack your Hunter friend, saving the galaxy from its rage and destructive power. We will protect your Hunter friend from setting the galaxy into darkness. And with it all, we will also destroy corruption and the evil that exists here. And together, we will fulfill the promise to return the Hunter to her home."
"We will bring… peace?"
"Of course." Son handed Anakin his ligthsaber.
Obi-Wan descended to the pit of the Dark Side, keeping himself on guard. He received word from the Father that Anakin went to the pit of darkness. Lirlia left before Father came to them, so he knows that she was safe. He told Ahsoka to stay at the ship while he went to Anakin. Upon landing, he stepped away from the speeder and looked around for his padawan. When he turned around, he saw him safe and sound.
"Anakin. You are alright."
"There was a change of plans." He coldly said, using the Force to sank the speeder that brought Obi-Wan.
"I'm sorry. You wouldn't understand what I must do to stop the Clone Wars and to protect Lirlia."
Obi-Wan wanted to move to his former padawan.
"Will you try to stop me?" before Obi-Wan could take a step forward, the Son got behind him and attacked him with Lighting, moving him to the side.
"Anakin, why?"
"I had a vision. And the Jedi are an obstacle to bring peace and to protect Lirlia." He simply said, sitting on the remaining speeder and flying upwards the pit. The Son looked down to Obi-Wan.
"Now he's mine. And soon the Hunter too!" Son changed to his beast form as he laughed, leaving Obi-Wan in the pit.
A few moments ago, after Anakin left to see the Father…
Lirlia walked away the ship, leaving Ahsoka to do the repairs. She didn't have a pleasant nap, so she decided to walk around. Obi-Wan offered to walk with her, but she politely refused. As she walked, she realized that her hands started to massage themselves, as if to keep her warm, even though she physically is warm enough. She walked around for a bit, finding a place that somehow feels familiar to her.
"What brings you here?" She heard the Father approaching.
"Oh! I was just walking around. Tried to sleep but couldn't."
"Hm… not much time has passed, but the Primal Force is already screaming and acting."
"Acting?" Lirlia looked up to him as he walked beside her.
"It is affecting you. In doing that, creatures shall awaken. They will bring chaos around the galaxy."
"As if… the three Dragons as you said earlier?"
"No. Those will awaken when one of them arrive. Other creatures will awaken."
"How can we stop it?"
"Not we, but you, can stop them." Father looked away. "You need to get stronger. Your current equipment is not enough."
"I've faced and defeated monsters before with this set."
"I don't doubt it. And probably you will have no trouble with some of the creatures awakening now. But others, you can't face them currently. At least not now. You need certain equipment first."
"You've already mentioned that the day we met."
"I did so, true."
"And a First Wyverian also told me too.
"A Wyverian?" Father asked, looking at her.
"Yes. He told me to find you, and that I must find two sets of equipment, one of them will help me find the second set to fight an incoming storm. Then you mentioned that I needed to find it too."
Father remained silent for a moment. "Hm… I know nothing about what you say. But it is true that you need new equipment. Get stronger. But… where to find it, I don't know."
"Where am I supposed to search or to even look for?"
"That, only the Force can show you."
Lirlia sighed irritably. "I can't even communicate with it. I know it wants me to do something, but I can't go aimlessly looking for something that'll help me to do what I need if I don't know where to look."
"The Force usually does not provide answers in a direct way. But, due to this turns of events, you can try to ask for those. It may listen to you and give you direct answers this time." He looked away. "You ought to return with your friends."
"Can't you just give me a clear answer?" Father didn't say anything after that, with Lirlia sighing and walking away mumbling in her breath. As she walked, she found that her body feels strange and wrong. Unconsciously, she shrugged and gasped, as if the air suddenly became chill and she needed air.
She had to sit down on a rock to calm down her heart. Her whole body feels like two powerful entities are trying to pull her into opposite directions. And her mind was filled with whispers, shouts, screams. She didn't realize that the glowing marks on her armor and Bowgun started to shine brighter and rapidly. On her skin, different marks of yore times appeared.
"Gk…!" she gasped, but just as quickly it arrived, it was gone. Lirlia fell to the ground on her side, panting. It too her a few minutes to calm herself again.
Standing, she sat on the same rock as before.
"What…?" she tried to speak more, but couldn't
"Glad to see that you are doing well, Hunter. Despite the Primal Force and the Force affecting you." A gentle voice spoke on her side, Lirlia looked to find a man in a bluish body.
"Who… are you?" Lirlia asked slowly, still recovering from what happened.
"Who am I is not important. I am only a guide"
"What… happened to me?"
"A side effect of both estates of the Force fighting for dominance. In an attempt, your body nullified them. But it may happen again in the future."
"How… how do you know that?"
"…" the man stayed silent for a few seconds. "I was chosen to guide others. And because of that, I was taught different things." He looked to her. "Especially the past of the Force. But enough of that, Hunter. I am here to guide you. It seems that you are in dire need of answers."
"I… yeah. I have been told that I need to find two sets of equipment to fight creatures."
"Hmm… indeed, that's true."
"Where do I look for them?"
"That, I can't provide since I know nothing of it." At her frustrated face, he added. "But you can ask both Primal Force and the Force."
"How? I can't use neither."
"If your sole focus is the problem, you won't see the solution." He explained. "Look at what you have at your disposal. You are connected to both the Force and Primal. Tell me, when you had that episode of chaotic reaction in your body, what did you feel?"
Lirlia thought for a few seconds. "As if half of my body was being pulled in one direction and the other on the opposite."
"What else?"
"Um… like… people screaming at me."
"I see." The man stared into the depth.
"Can I get your name?"
"I was once a Jedi Master. Though that was a long time ago. My name is Qui Gon Jin."
"Ok, Qui Go. What should I do?"
"I don't know. I am only here to guide you. You have everything you need for now. You need to search for the answers you seek. Speak, ask. And you may get answers."
She stared to the ground, not sure what she needed to do. "Then how can… I…" upon looking to Qui Gon, he was no longer with her. She sighed and kept staring her hands before giving a groan of frustration. Staring at the sky, she started speaking her mind aloud.
"If you want me to do what I'm supposed to do, then I'd like for you to tell me how. At least a glimpse of where I should start looking for the equipment that I need." She waited for a few seconds, nothing happening nor someone to speak to her. "Please. You brought me here for a reason. Stripped me from what I once knew. At least help me with what I must find." Another round of silence followed. She sighed and stood.
"I feel like an idiot, talking to two things that can't or do not want to answer me." She sighed. "Guess that I'll need to-" her vision changed from Mortis to a strange temple. In it, she saw a purplish glow and strange marks that she recognized. On her side, she saw a cloaked man speaking to her, but she can't make what he's saying. Then, the view changed to a tall tower. The tower was damaged, shouldn't even be able to stand its ground. She saw some being flying around her, its form not completely defined. Before she could think or say something, the view changed again back to Mortis. She fell to the ground panting of what she just observed.
"What… what was that?" she breathlessly spoke. She had a feeling of someone speaking to her. As if it was saying that those were the answers that she wanted.
Shakily standing, she now realized that both her armor and gun marks were glowing faster and brightly now, as if they followed her emotions.
Taking deep breaths, she managed to calm down her rapid heart, and so did the glowing marks over her current equipment.
"I guess that's how both of them answer me." She spoke to herself. "Hmm… two places, a temple with a man, and a damaged tower with a flying creature… probably I will find them in the future somehow." Looking around her, she was in the presence of the temple where the Father tested her when they arrived. "Something's happening. Better I go to there." She started climbing the building as fast as her muscles allowed her.
After Lirlia left…
Father approached Obi-Wan and Ahsoka. The Master Jedi asked where Anakin is, and the Force Wielder answered him where. Obi-Wan ordered Ahsoka to stay behind while he used the remaining speeder to go in search for his former Padawan. Before he set off, Obi-Wan asked where Lirlia is, at which the Father answered that he does not know. Obi-wan took off.
Upon finding his Padawan, Obi-Wan contacted Ahsoka, whom just managed to get the ship to work, told her to disable it. After explaining what happened to Anakin, Ahsoka took a key component from the ship, disabling it and hid from Anakin when he arrived. When he was distracted, Ahsoka ran to the speeder in search for Obi-Wan.
Anakin screamed in frustration that he was tricked by his padawan. After calming down, he tried to initiate the ship and to contact someone to no avail.
"I can't get in contact with anyone. No one will hear my signal." Anakin approached Son.
"My Father still has control of this kingdom. But soon I will bring a vessel."
"Knowing my master, he'll try to stop us. If they also tell Lirlia what happened, they'll become powerful opponents."
"I can change the odds in our favor. Wait here." He then jumped and changed to his winged form.
Anakin was left alone at the ship. He didn't realize that Father approached him until he spoke.
"What did he show you?"
"I saw what will happen if Lirlia gets out. I must avoid it."
"And for that reason, you joined him? Destiny can be changed as fast as the love one can feel in one's heart. And with her presence here, everything is altered. Nothing, is written."
"But what she will cause will provoke great chaos and sadness. I was told that I am the Chosen One. I must stop it before it happens."
"You are the Chosen One, indeed, destined to bring balance to the Force. But that is not the way that it should be done."
"Then what can I do?"
"To keep the balance, you must forget what you have seen." Father touches Anakin's forehead, and he felt extremely sleepy, falling to the ground unconscious.
When Anakin recovered his senses, he found Father sitting beside him.
"Where… am I?"
"I brought you back to my monastery."
"What happened?" He asked as he stood.
"My Son broke the rules of time. And showed you what you never should have seen."
"I… I don't remember." Anakin stood slowly.
"I erased those memories. You will never know."
"Master!" They heard Ahsoka's voice as she and Obi-Wan descended with their speeder. They exited and Obi-Wan asked.
"Are you ok?"
"I guess so. Where is Lirlia?"
"Over here." They heard as she climbed down to their position. "Got a bit lost. But the Force guided me… somehow."
"We must stop the Son once and for all."
"Time is short. And you will only have a chance." Father stood, looking to Lirlia. "You know what you must do."
"What a lovely surprise! My own personal farewell party. And the Hunter is here too. That's nice. You saved me lot of work."
"I will ask you for the last time. Do not leave, my Son."
"You do not have the power to stop me, old man. You should have understood that this planet is not my destiny!"
"What you'll do will destroy all that's good! I beg you! Control yourself and stay!"
"I can't." Son looked down.
"Then… is inevitable. I love you, my Son."
"Really?"
Anakin activated his lightsaber, trying to attack Son, but he simply blocked his attacks and grabbed him by his neck. The other two Jedi tried to help him, but Son disarmed them and pushed them back with the Force as he threw Anakin to the side. Lirlia shot a paralyzing shot. He grunted annoyed and proceeded to attack Lirlia.
He only laughed as he attacked her. She dodged it and fired more rounds, paralyzing his body bit by bit.
"Ugh! That's it! Enough of this!" He shot lighting at her. She blocked it with her shield, but still went around her and hit her, making her fall to the ground. The dark Force Wielder lifted her from the ground, staring into her presence.
As she was stared into, Lirlia could not do anything to get away from his grasp. Even holding her Heavy Bowgun was difficult. It was happening again, the two Forces fighting each other.
The Father felt both Primal and the Force acting on Lirlia as he saw his Son with her, so he used the Force to call the Dagger to his hands. Son realized what has been done and threw Lirlia to the ground.
"What?" Son chuckled. "Are you going to kill me now, Father?" He mockingly spoke.
"I had hoped that you'd resist the Dark Side. Avoid both Primal Force and the Force from affecting the Hunter. But I see now… there is no turning back." He pointed the Dagger to his heart.
"Father…" Son looked shocked, before Father stabbed himself. Thunder was heard across the night sky as the Son screamed 'No!' And run to aid him.
"What have you done!" He took away the Dagger from the Father's body. "It did not have to be this way!"
"Yes… my child… it did… you and I are chained together… and your strength runs through me… this way… I take your power…"
"Please… don't die…" Son almost sobbing pleaded.
"I knew… there was always… good in you…" Father hugged Son, silently nodding to Liria. She managed to recover and fired a shot of Dragon Ammo. Son realized that he was tricked, but the shot of the ancient ammo, and its properties, stripped him from any way of getting away and to use the Force as it pierced through him and the Father.
"So, you have betrayed me, Father." Son said as Father looks at him with immense sadness within his eyes. Son gave away his lasts breaths before dying. Father slowly placed his body to the ground.
Lirlia knelt in front of the Father. "It is done."
"Yes… using the correct ammo… and now… I die… my heart broken… but knowing… the role you'll employ…" He looked to both Anakin and Lirlia.
"And what is that?" Anakin asked as Lirlia tried to heal him, but the Force Wielder stopped her.
"You… are… the Chosen One and the Hunter… you have brought balance to this world… stay on this path… and will do it again… to the Galaxy… stay on this path… but beware of your… heaaart…" he spoke his last words and last breath before falling to the ground. His body disappeared and every floating structure fell to the ground, the crystal over the castle also fell over the castle, breaking and destroying it.
The four watched as the castle fell and the crystal exploded, covering everything in whiteness.
They were unconscious at the ship, with Rex contacting them.
"General Skywalker, come in."
They stirred and woke. "We read you Rex; can you hear me?"
"We read you, Sir. Standing by. We were worried. You were… off our scopes there for a moment."
"A moment? We've been gone more than a moment, Rex."
"Sir, I don't understand. You'd need to explain."
The four on the ship look at each other. "You… wouldn't believe me if I told you. We're coming in now." Anakin took the controls and flew the ship back to the Cruiser.
Upon landing, they exited the ship and contacted the Council.
"We found nothing here, Masters. Probably whatever that sent the message, is already gone." Obi-Wan spoke.
"How is that possible? That kind of message hasn't been used in 2000 years." Plo Koon.
"Is that what probably happened. We will return to Coruscant now. I'm pretty sure that Lirlia wants to rest." Anakin looked to Lirlia.
"I… indeed. If possible, I'd like to return. Need to gather my thoughts for a bit in a familiar place."
"Understood."
They ended the transmission and Lirlia immediately returned to her room, ignoring the calls from the other Jedi.
She locked behind her the door, took off her Heavy Bowgun from her back and laid down on the bed.
'So much revealed. A temple and a tower. Two places where I know I will find the two sets of equipment. How do I get there, though? The voice said that it will be revealed when the time is right, but when?' her thoughts somehow lulled her to a dreamless but much needed sleep and rest.
Sorry for the delay. I decided to upload these two chapters at the same time, since I've been writing them both at the same time lol.
The story is reaching a turning point. I'd like to add a new weapon for this story, but I don't know which one. I need for you which weapon type would you like to see on this story.
You can choose any weapon as long as it isn't the Long Sword (it will be implemented later the story, don't worry), but I don't know which one to add now, so I'll leave it to your liking.
Just write which weapon you'd like to see on the story, and the one with the most votes, will be added in the future (in about a few more chapters from now on).
Anyway, stay good and see you in the next!