Balancing the Force: Part 2
Sebrani found a comfortable location in the corner of the room, and watched as Edranus gently laid Mana's form upon a bunk. He held her cautiously, treating her body as if it were a fragile child. Sebrani could only watch, as pain continuously shot up and down her leg. The blaster wounds would need to be dealt with, yet now was not the time to worry her master over such trivial matters. His heart had been broken… again. She opened the emergency med kit she had picked up on the way to the cabin, and began to treat the wounds herself. Across the room, Edranus seemed distant, distracted, as if he were talking to someone, but Sebrani let it pass. She turned her attention back to her wounds.
The thin gel layer she covered her wound with, instantly began to heal the seared flesh, however the pain was tremendous. Field med kits were not designed for comfort; they were designed to get you on your feet, fast. Sebrani swore that she could hear her skin sizzle. She grunted under the pain and hadn't noticed that Edranus was slowly approaching her. She had only noticed him when he touched her; placing his hand upon her exposed skin. She glared at him sternly as he examined her wound.
This was her master. This was a man of many sides, and none seemed to fit him. Was he good or bad? What made him so special to her? Twice she had tried to escape his will, and twice she had failed. However, during each instance of attempting to escape from Edranus, she had found herself running back to him. She ran away when he vanished in the dark depths of the forest on New Cathoria, and she turned against him when Captain Bellmore attempted turned the crew against him. But each time… each time she found herself pulled back to his side.
She needed him, and she did not understand why.
Edranus's hand gently slid up the inside of her thigh, and the gesture sent a warm sensation throughout Sebrani's body. Edranus was merely examining her wound, yet Sebrani felt as though she could become lost in the moment. She was young and had never known the touch of male in this way; she had not yet reached the desired age for breeding amongst her people. Although she was considered an adult, Sebrani was still a few years away from being a 'desirable' mate, as male Cathar liked for females to be older, feral, aggressive, and fully independent. Other than physical appearances, the Cathar shared many similar human traits and cross breeding had been documented; however this would not be the case.
Sebrani placed her hand upon Edranus's and slowly pushed it away. As attractive as he was, Edranus was her master and could be nothing more.
"Are there any other wounds?" He questioned.
Still slightly stimulated from Edranus's simple gesture, "No, master. That is the only one." She adjusted her cloak, and covered herself respectfully. Her eyes then turned to Mana's lifeless form across the room. "I am sorry I could not stop this from happening. I broke my vow and my trust to you, and because of it…"
"Don't trouble yourself." Edranus stood and picked her up from the floor. Cradling her in his arms, Edranus carried her to a nearby bunk and gently placed her upon it. "Rest. I'll take Mana's body to the medical bay and place her in hibernation. Also, be prepared because we are no longer going to the Star Forge."
"Master?"
"We're going to Malachor 5." Edranus gently lifted Mana and carried her out of the room. Sebrani hated to see him leave, yet she had to deny her own feelings. Edranus loved Mana, and she loved him in return. Sebrani accepted this and she knew that she was only a servant; nothing more. Yet with Mana's death came the hope that perhaps Edranus would find a new place in his heart for her.
"Stop this." She muttered aloud in the empty cabin. She curled up into a ball and buried her head into the corner of her pillow. "I am his servant, he is my master. Whatever he commands I will do and that is the way it must be." Mana's body had not yet been buried, but Sebrani was already thinking of taking her place at Edranus's side. She did not want the thoughts, or the desire, of replacing Mana. However, the soft sensation of Edranus's hand touching her thigh once again surfaced in her mind. His warm, gentle gesture swirled throughout her and she smiled as she drifted off to sleep.
- - - - - - - -
Edranus pulled the thin sheet over Mana's head and stared at her for a moment. He leaned over her body and placed his forehead to hers. Through the thin covering he could still feel her weight as he lifted her head slightly. This would be his last moment to touch her and to feel her body against his. He gently laid her head back upon the table and looked around the medical room. The medical bay was small and only two beds occupied it. It was a small shuttle, but the room was adequate. On the opposite side lay a young Sith Assassin, wounded and connected to a life support unit. Edranus had almost forgotten about the one survivor from New Cathoria. He did not know the young man, but he only knew that he was amongst the Sith he had sent to search for the Tarentatek on Cathoria.
Edranus looked to his monitor, checking the man's vitals, and saw that he was healing; however very slowly. He turned and walked out of the room, leaving Mana's body and the wounded Sith Assassin to lay in peace.
Edranus made his way to the cockpit as Tredmond and Devin sat quietly. "Corporal, we'll need to change our heading."
Tredmond looked at Edranus awkwardly. "I thought we were going back to the Star Forge, General?"
"Plans have changed. We need to go to Malachor 5."
Devin's heart sank and Tredmond simply stared at Edranus blankly. "General, there's nothing on Malachor 5. It's a dead rock. Revan's command team made sure of that."
Devin looked up. "I was with Bao-Dur when we set the Mass Shadow Generator. We watched that world die, General. There is no need to go there. I suggest we head back to the Star Forge and rejoin the armada, Sir."
"The armada we left is no longer the same. Malak is in command now, and he would sooner kill us than welcome us back. No, gentlemen, our next stop will need to be Malachor 5… the planet still lives, if only partially."
"Why Malachor, sir?" Devin questioned.
"Because the Force wills it." Edranus stated with a heavy sigh. "Something major is about to happen, and I fear it will begin there."
Tredmond huffed. "So we're headed toward trouble, and not away from it?" He leaned over the controls and programmed the navigational computer. "Tell me again, why did I become a Sith Trooper?"
Devin chuckled. "You became a Sith Trooper because Revan made a very good speech."
- - - - - - - -
Time seemed to pass quickly as the small crew of the Telosian long range Shuttle sped through hyperspace. It was plenty of time for Sebrani to heal her wounds and once again become fully aligned with Edranus. She was now as neutral to the Force as she was when she trained in the forest of her home, no longer Dark or Light. Edranus spent many days in meditation, attempting to understand what he was and who the mysterious woman, Traya, was. Why had she helped him? How was he able to contact her? Questions he could not answer, yet Traya said she could.
After seven days of flight, the tiny shuttle emerged from Hyperspace in the center of what was once a major Mandalorian stronghold. The ship soared quickly toward the only inhabitable planet in the system, Malachor 5. Once it was a glorious temperate world, revered by the Mandalorians, but during the war Revan had pushed them back to this world and they made it there last stand. The battle upon Malachor 5 lasted for weeks, countless died, and even though Revan's forces continuously pushed the Mandalorians to their breaking point, they never folded. The last option for Revan was to smash the world and every Mandalorian upon it. Now, Malachor 5 was nothing more than a floating husk. Random discharges of dark energy swirled across its shattered face, tattered battle ships lingered in its decade orbit, planetary fragments floated erratically around the dusty storm driven space, and the lives of the dead echoed from unmarked graves. Millions died here, their deaths and screams were carved into the memories of everyone that fought and survived the final battle of the Mandalorian Wars.
"My god." Tredmond gasped as he gazed out the forward window. "This is the result of the Mass Shadow Generator?"
Devin commented. "Gravity became a weapon. The Mass Shadow Generator collapsed the planets core upon itself, and increased the planets gravity nearly ten fold. The only creatures that survived were those that lived deep within the planets crust. My Commanding Officer at that time… lost it. The General kept screaming about 'the pain of the world'. Watching a Jedi lose its senses is not a comforting sight."
Edranus could not comprehend what he was seeing as peered toward the distant world. "I heard stories, but never imagined. This is what was done to the world? How can something like this still contain life?" Edranus peered into the eerie silhouette of the planet. The massive hull of several ships drifted ghostly in the distance, locked in an eternal holding position within the planets gravity well, while lightning coursed for hundreds of miles across its surface.
"That ship." Edranus pointed in shock. "That damaged Republic Capital ship; it's the Ravager. It has some serious hull damage, but it's still in tact. That's the ship I landed on when I first came here, when I was nothing but a soldier."
Sebrani watched in quiet horror.
Devin fumbled with the course settings, "I'm looking for a place to land. But, the navigational charts are useless. I can't even detect if there are any other ships down there."
Edranus placed his hand on the image of Malachor 5, and then suddenly pointed to a location. "There. Take us there."
Tredmond guided the ship through the dense atmosphere and toward the location where Edranus had pointed. He didn't like it, but Tredmond wasn't going to disobey Edranus's orders. The ship rocked from side to side as it descended toward the surface. Lightning bolted throughout the sky as they flew, yet upon landing everything seemed to calm.
"Air is breathable, gravity is normal." Devin curiously stated. "Considering how thin and violent the atmosphere is, I didn't think the ground area would be livable."
"You have come." Traya's voice cut into Edranus's mind, startling him. She was powerful, far more powerful then he first thought, and her words nearly made him stumble.
Sebrani felt the uncomfortable chill within Edranus and looked to him consolingly. "Master? Are you alright?"
"I see. You have yet another apprentice at your side. Take heed to my warning and establish her place. Be it slave, or student, you will need to make it clear to her. Her feelings lay deep, but they do exist. She will merely hinder you if you do not address her position. As a master is to a slave, she will feed from your leadership, or it will lead her to death."
Edranus was able to tolerate her words and maintained his focus, yet he was curious as to what Traya ment. Did Sebrani hold some form of feelings he had not sensed?
"We'll, now what General?" Tredmond questioned as he spun in his chair.
"Who in the hell are they?" Devin pointed through the forward window as dozens of dark figures appeared as if from thin air.
Edranus turned and walked out of the cockpit. "Everyone stay here. Keep the engines warm. I'll go out alone."
"Sounds like a good idea." Devin exhaled.
"Master, no!" Sebrani demanded. Edranus stopped. "We don't know if their allegiance is to the Sith or the Jedi, and either way they may see you as a threat. Let me come with you. At least together… " Edranus looked over his shoulder at Sebrani and she froze. His glare was stern, cold and perfectly commanding. He had given her an order, and he was not about to change it. "Master, please. Do not leave me behind."
"Corporal Tredmond, you have command." Edranus added. He picked up a communicator and clipped it to his belt. "If I give the order to leave, do not hesitate to get out of here." He then looked to Sebrani. "Stay here. Do not disobey me. Protect Devin and Mikal in case the ship is boarded. Farewell."
"And the Tarentatek?" Traya questioned into Edranus's mind. "Revan will have no need of it. My students are ready to take it from your cargo hold."
"Devin, open the cargo hold. They will take it." Edranus walked out of the cockpit and made his way toward the ramp.
"How the hell does he know that?" Devin questioned.
Sebrani lowered her head. "Someone is talking to him; talking through the Force." Devin pressed the command and the ship shook as the lower cargo hold doors parted. Devin then looked to Sebrani, but she was gone.
Tredmond sighed. "She went after him."
Sebrani raced through the tiny interior of the ship and watched as Edranus placed his hand on the controls to the ramp. She gritted her teeth and ran to him.
Edranus heard her approach and turned to face her. "I said no …" He didn't have the chance to finish the statement as Sebrani placed her lips to his. For the past seven days she had fought against the feelings within her, telling herself that Edranus had no place for her, but she no longer cared. She surrendered to her emotions and risked it all. Edranus had told her "farewell", and that one word had filled her with so much sadness that she could not bare it. Through her lips, as they pressed against Edranus's, she could feel his mood change, his body began to warm, and his interest in her peeked. He was not rejecting her but he was struggling to understand what was happening. She stood up upon her toes and pulled him closer, kissing him ever deeper still. She was not going to let him go without him knowing what he would be leaving behind.
As suddenly as the situation had occurred, Edranus could feel that he was loosing himself to Sebrani's embrace. Mana had not been this bold, yet Sebrani's Cathar nature madder her more aggressive. As their lips locked, Edranus though of Mana, how they had spent time together yet had not openly stated their feelings. He then thought of what Traya had warned him of, and knew that he could not let Sebrani follow Mana's path. He slowly placed his hands upon hers and pulled them from around his neck. She slowly pulled away, looking up at Edranus as he looked away.
Sebrani softly stated. "I know you do not feel as I do. But I could not let you go without you knowing." Edranus pressed the ramp release and stepped upon it. He never returned his eyes toward Sebrani's and turned his back toward her. As the ramp descended, he could hear her in the background as several sniffles escaped her.
She was young, she would live and she would discover these feelings again, but Edranus could not stand to see someone else he cared for pass away. He sensed her pain, her struggle to contain her feelings, but ultimately he felt her loyalty. Their bond needed to be severed, how it would be broken was a mystery even to Edranus, but it had to happen. If he stayed with Sebrani she would eventually die.
The ramp completely lowered and he stepped off. It began to rise back into the ship and Edranus watched as the mysteriously dressed group began to carry the Tatek's husk away. He walked from beneath the ship, and watched as his feet brushed through the thin top soil of sandy rock. It was so familiar, yet completely alien. This world was where he died. This world was where he was born to serve Revan.
Revan.
Edranus needed to know what had become of his master; his leader. He walked to the front of the ship and looked up at the cockpit. There were only three of them left, and of the thousands of Sith Troopers under his command, only those three remained; Devin, Mikal, and the unknown Sith Assassin that lay near death in the medical bay. And then there was Sebrani, the young Cathar that he had enslaved, and bonded with him. Her loyalty was questionable, maintained only by their Force bond. The four lives upon the shuttle were all he had left of his once great mission to find the Tarentatek, and he was not going to let their fate follow that of Mana's.
Edranus lifted the communicator. "Tredmond, I wish you all good luck. Get out of here. Do not go to the Star Forge, but find someplace safe… and live." The engines throttled to life and the Telosian shuttle rose into the sky. Edranus watched as the ship darted through the overhanging clouds and vanished from sight.
He turned and began to follow the group carrying the Tarentatek husk. The massive creature lay upon a metal flatbed, and floated across the ground. The group of people displayed no form of Force powers, yet oddly, they seemed to display a unique ability to exist within the Force. Edranus continued to follow them through several canyon passes. A strange creature attack the group from the front, Edranus prepared to attack it, but the warriors defeated it quickly, and even though a few of their members were killed, none seemed affected by it. They marched on, stepping over the dead body of one of their own.
After a few moments they came to a descending path, which led to a bridge. The bridge seemed man made and unaffected by the devastation which had taken place on the world. It was polished stone, perfectly forged together with metal, and beyond the bridge was a temple carved into the rock face. Spires darted upward along the mountain wall and the bridge and temple seemed to meld together in one flow of architectural design.
"Welcome." Traya stated as she approached Edranus from behind. He looked down upon the aging woman in dark clothing as she stood at his side. They both peered at the temple and marveled. "Though shrouded by the death and destruction upon this world, this seems almost perfectly set against it. It appears to resist the call of destruction, and welcomes you."
"What is this place?" Edranus questioned. He watched as the group of shrouded warriors lowered the Tarentatek's body at the door of the temple and then back away. They each knelt in the corner with their heads low.
Traya began to walk forward, crossing the bridge and heading toward the Tarentatek. "Come with me, and I shall explain." They neared the body and Traya touched it. "This place, is the Trayus Academy. This place is where I train more servants of the Force."
"More Sith and Dark Jedi." A statement Edranus added.
"Sith?" Traya questioned in return. "And what is the Sith? The true Sith died years ago. What remains is a disreputable attempt to follow their teachings and belief. No. I see more than Sith and Jedi, light and dark." Traya walked around the husk, her hand slowly guiding upon its flesh. "What I see is not sight, it is truth. Have you not yet learned that there is no difference between the Dark Side and the Light Side? It is merely names given to extremists. Even within you I see the Truth." She lifted her head, shrouded from a hood, and smiled at Edranus. "Balance. This creature, its echo in the Force, still lingers around its dead body. Even after days of being devoid of its living host, the echo of its power still fills it; yet it slowly fades. With these old and faded eyes, I can see the truth."
Edranus looked into he eyes, yet saw only darkness. "Your eyes?"
"Do you pity me for my lack of vision?" She questioned quickly. "If I wanted to see, then I would have my eyes fixed, repaired by the technology of such a gracious time. Yet my vision is fine. I see all because I can see the truth. Everything within the Force is about Balance, young man. And everything I see, tells me what needs to be done."
Edranus sighed tiredly. "Very well, but I came here to know the Fate of Revan. What has become of my master?" The doors to the Trayus Academy parted and two individuals walked from within.
Traya welcomed them. "Ah, I see that they have come. My two finest pupils."
The two men approached Traya and lowered to a knee. One man, horribly disfigured and covered in wounds, stood as Traya placed her hand upon his shoulder.
"This is Darth Sion. A follower of the Dark Side, but soon he will learn that the Force is more than what he thinks. He comes from the Academy on Korriban. He is the reason why I know of Revan's fate. Sion, tell him of his Master's folly."
Sion stepped forward. "Revan leads a group to the Star Forge." His voice was heavy and grimacing. He spoke as if he was pain. "Revan seeks vengeance, or justice, against my master, Malak. With a fleet of Republic ships, they have made their way to the Star Forge and a battle has begun. Malak's rule was just; power over weakness, but that fate has yet to be decided. Near death, Revan left me upon Korriban's dusty plane, yet my pain is my ally, and in it I find life. Darkness drives me, it holds me, and I shall not die."
Edranus curiously looked to this man, he bore the wounds of numerous blaster and swords scars, but it appeared as though his skin had been healed numerous times. He talked as if he were a follower of Malak, and a believer in Malak's ways, but this would mean that there was a division between Revan and Malak. This didn't surprise Edranus as he knew that Malak would not stay under Revan's watchful gaze for long.
Traya then walked to the other man, and he stood. "This man perhaps you have not heard of, yet for Revan he stood loyal. His name is Darth Rigul." Rigul stood and his long flowing dark cloak drifted behind him. The man was completely shrouded in darkness, all but his face, which was clean shaven and twisted by the Dark Side.
Rigul spoke clearly. "Revan was tricked by Malak, deceived and ambushed. Many weeks ago, Lord Revan went to face the Republic and the Jedi, yet a trap was sprung to kill my Lord. I fought valiantly for Revan but nothing could be done. I escaped, determined not to side with Malak and his traitorous ways. Malak could not, can not, lead the way Revan had. I desire to know the result of this battle at the Star Forge, and to see Malak dead for this betrayal."
It was clear to Edranus that this man truly favored Revan, and in that Edranus found a common bond. But the news he had just be given was most staggering. Betrayal, revenge, justice; what was happening to Lord Revan?
Edranus turned to Traya. "What more can you tell me?"
Traya returned, "What more would you know? Would you know that Revan has been in the company of many? Can I share with you that the memories that Revan had have been shattered? The Jedi order sought to eliminate Revan's mind, yet at the same time they sought to hold on to Revan's power. Brainwashed and lied to, Revan returned to power, and to regain what was once lost. Malak and Revan will collide, the Force wills it, but none of us are sure of Revan's allegiance. The battle at the Star Forge will determine Revan's fate."
"We must go to aid Revan." Edranus pleaded.
"Revan?" Traya smiled. "Did I not tell you that you have no place at Revan's side? I called you hear to join me, against the Jedi order, but not at Revan's side or for Revan's benefit." Traya stood between the three men. "I brought this academy together to begin training warriors to balance the Force. On one side we have a follower of Malak."
Traya pointed to Sion. "Power, aggression, little thought of consequences or strategy."
She then turned to Rigul. "And the other side, a follower of Revan: calculating, patient, defensive, and cunning. However …" She looked to Edranus. "There are two followers of Revan. How can this be in the universe we will make? Balance can not be gained this way. For four weeks we have been together upon this world, brought here in the aftermath of Revan's actions, yet now a new face comes. A face that disrupts the balance we make. Though I teach balance, it is Sith Law that exists here."
Edranus tensed. "And Sith Law is Power."
"You know the code well." Traya smirked. Traya stepped away and stood at Sion's side. Edranus and Rigul stepped away and watched each other cautiously.
Edranus then looked to Traya, "I know what you are thinking, and I will not do it. I did not come here to fight needlessly."
"You know what I am thinking?" Traya scuffed. "To put you at odds against another, to test you, to see if you are worth the effort of keeping; this is trivial and anyone would know this. However, do you know the end result?" Traya glanced at Edranus and froze as his eyes peered sternly into her. "Trying to read my thoughts? You are much too young to try such a foolish thing. However, my curiosity is now peeked."
The tables quickly turned. Eranus felt enormous pressure within his mind, gripping his consciousness and twisting it in every form. He could not resist, her power was beyond his own.
"Should I tell you that I was once a Jedi Master? Could you comprehend that I once set upon the Jedi Order as one of its former greats? The power of a Jedi Master is great, young one, and now you understand. You have much strength, far more powerful than I imagined, but have faith that you are still years away from reaching my level." She tore down any remaining mental walls Edranus had, and pulled back all of his memories. She saw his life, his pains, his happiness, his affairs, his loves, and his loss. "You have buried much, young one, and there is now two things you will never sacrifice. They both loved you, and you feel as though you failed them."
Edranus gripped his head, using everything he could to keep her out of his head. The pain of loosing Mana and Karen was being forced to the forefront of his mind.
Traya poured deeper. "Anger and heartache, much like the Sith, It can be your strength. Understand that the will of the Force has brought you here. The Force that has given you this power has given you it for a purpose, yet now you must show your worth. Will you live on for the memory of those you lost, or will you fall here? If Revan can no longer achieve the goals you believe to be right… than who will?"
Traya ended her probe, releasing his mind and freeing Edranus from her grip. Edranus snapped to attention and glared at Rigul, "My path can not end here."
Rigul glared back at him, "Nor mine."
Traya smiled wickedly. "One from the will of Malak, and two from the will of Revan; balance is the true will of the Force. Only one of you can take the helm that Revan has left behind."
The hiss of two lightsabers echoed under a crash of lighting. Traya's wicked gleam seemed to expand by the second.
- - - - - - - -
Devin leaned over the controls and exhaled, "We'll go to Korriban. We can meet up with some friends of mine there at the academy. We can find out what to do from there."
Tredmond accessed the navigational computer. "Sebrani, if there's anyplace we can take you. But I doubt you'll want to go back home … Sebrani?" Tredmond stood from his seat and walked out of the cockpit. He scanned the ship as he walked back to the cabin and the medical bay. Mana's body and the unconscious Sith Assassin still lay motionless. He then opened the hatch to the engine section. "PD-Y3, have you seen Sebrani?"
The droid beeped a solid reply of no.
Tredmond walked back to the cockpit and sat in the command chair. "Good luck, Sebrani. I hope he's worth it." Devin looked at him, but returned his gaze to the council. "Coordinates set for Korriban."
"You sure about that, sir?" Devin questioned. "We can go back."
Tredmond lowered his head in thought.
- - - - - - - -
Back and forth they dueled, neither gaining ground. Rigul was as skilled with the lightsaber as Edranus was. So perfectly matched were they that neither dared to use Force powers, any attempt would surely be a waste of energy and effort.
Traya watched them and found a small joy in the stalemate. "You hold back, and why is this?" She mumbled to herself. "Your power lies deeper, yet you fear to summon it… ah. I see." Traya looked to Sion.
"I sense it, my Master." Darth Sion stated as he turned and looked to the distant trails beyond the bridge.
Traya continued to watch Rigul and Edranus. "She has been watching for quite some time, but she is not sure what to do. She must enter this battle. I have foreseen it."
"Shall I bring her?" Sion questioned.
"And what good would it do to force her hand?" Traya sternly questioned. "No creature can be forced to do what they feel is right. And if we force her hand, he will not come. Simply watch and let the will of the Force be unfolded."
Edranus jumped clear of the fight as Rigul tossed his saber. The blade crashed upon the ground and Edranus attacked. Rigul summoned the Saber back to his hand and Edranus docked as it flipped toward his back. Rolling forward Edranus parried several of Rigul's swings yet once he attempted to stand, Rigul saw his opening.
Rigul's blade pierced Edranus's right shoulder and slid downward through his muscle and bone, severing his right arm.
Sebrani screamed from her watch point, and sprang forward to aid her master. She dashed across the bridge and cut the air beside Traya and Sion. She couldn't abandon him again. She couldn't leave him her master the way she had done before. Traya simply watched.
Sebrani aggressively pushed Rigul back, swinging madly at him with blind furry. She felt no satisfaction in her efforts, as she knew all too well that defeating Rigul would be next to impossible. She maintained her focus while thinking of a means to escape with Edranus.
Edranus could feel himself going into shock and his body began to tremble. The heat from Rigul's saber seared the wound close and no blood spilled, but the pain was still there. Edranus rolled his eyes and watched as Sebrani attempted to stand toe-to-toe with the much more powerful Sith warrior.
"Se … bra … ni…" Edranus muttered as the pain filled his body.
"Will you let her fight your battle? Will you fail another? I warned you to sever your ties with her, and now she will die… just like the others." Traya's words echoed in his pain filled mind.
Sebrani spun on her heel, and flung her cape into Rigul's face. Slightly blinded, though still aware, Rigul sliced the cape but soon discovered that his new opponent was long gone.
Sebrani raced to Edranus's aid, shouldered his weight and began to move toward the bridge. Traya and Sion did not interfere. Sebrani then watched as Rigul flung her cape to the ground and began to walk toward them.
"Sebrani… run. Leave me. You shouldn't… have … you should not be here."
"I will not leave you again master." Sebrani held her saber high, aiming it at Rigul while backing away.
"How noble." Rigul smirked. "There is no need for you to die, child. Step away from him, and then I will show you the true path to darkness." Sebrani continued to back away, holding Edranus at her side while he struggled to maintain consciousness. "You can not run with him, nor can you fight. By continuing to aid him you are only sealing your own doom."
"Do as he says… Sebrani." Edranus coughed as he pulled away from her. "Live." He crumbled from his own weight and fell to his side. He could no longer bare the pain. "Karen… I'm sorry…"
Sebrani dashed toward Rigul, despite Edranus's warning. Holding her lightsaber high and determined to fight.
Rigul smirked as he looked down at Edranus. Edranus tried to reach out with his left hand, wanting to grip Rigul in stasis field, but pain filled him and he could not focus. Rigul blocked two of Sebrani's swings and swiftly cut off her hand.
Edranus could only watch in horror as she stumbled backward, screaming in agony. At that moment, time seemed to stand still.
"She will die, just as I warned you she would." Traya's words echoed in his mind. "But you can save her. Give in to your anger and let the Force fuel your body. Let the power within you come forth and save her."
Edranus snarled and gritted his teeth as a renewed anger began to fill him. "No! I won't let another die!" When he fought the Tarentatek, he was suddenly filled with a new power. That power was of he light, and it was the Force's will which was attempting to balance out his power. Once more the balance within Edranus was beginning to shift, yet this time it was the power of darkness that filled him. Consumed by his anger and determination, Edranus pushed away his patient nature and let the evil within him awaken.
Sebrani reared back and crumbled at Rigul's feet. He hovered over her and watched as she held her wrist.
Edranus clinched his left fist, forcing the pain of his missing arm to leave him. "All that have loved me … all that have been with me … not her. I will not let it happen again." Edranus grumbled as blood began to flow from his cracking teeth, yet he felt no pain. Edranus Rose from the ground and stood to one knee.
Rigul sensed the sudden change in power. The Cathar female at his feet was no longer a threat, but the power boiling within Edranus was growing exponentially. He dashed forward, passing Sebrani's cowering form, his lightsaber streaking toward Edranus's head. Beside them, a dark red glow began to swirl around the Tarentatek's form and Edranus could see it clearly. He knew what it was. He had seen it before. It was the creature which drained his power on New Cathoria. Yet it was different.
Traya felt it as well. "Feel the darkness from the beast. Feel the echo it left behind. Take it! Do what no other Force wieldier can do! Devour the Force and make it yours!"
Edranus extended his hand toward the Tarentatek and the red orb swirled into him. The sensation was mesmerizing, and filling. He had consumed the Force, using it to sustain the hate that filled him.
Rigul swung his blade and froze as a stasis field consumed him. Edranus's face began to peel away. His flesh tore from the immense dark energy that was swirling within him. His body was dieing, but life still swelled within him. He could see everything; the flow of the Force, the aura around Traya, Rigul and Sion. Even Sebrani's Force aura shined within his eyes, but he dared not to look at her. He had felt this feeling once before, it was the same as when he had escaped New Cathoria. He had not fully tasted the power of the Force, he only showed Mana and Sebrani what it was, yet now he could wield it yet again. The dark power had returned and he had tasted the Force for the first time, it was unlike anything he had imagined.
The nothingness that once was had returned, and with it Edranus reached out with his left hand and crushed Rigul; ripping his Force powers from him. Rigul could not scream, or resist, he merely crumbled at Edranus's feet.
All around Edranus was a massive swirling dark aura. Red mists engulfed his body as whispers began to fill his ears. Edranus could feel his body beginning to shift between existences. The Force was summoning him to the other side, calling out to him, telling him to shed his body and become one with the Force.
"No! I can not go until the Jedi have paid for what they have done to me; for what they have taken from me. They will suffer… all of them will suffer!"
Sion stepped back, shocked at what he had heard. "His voice; I can not make sense of it."
Traya watched on. "What you hear is the language of the dead. It is the sound of those that walk with the Force and have become one with it. They are calling to him now, for his flesh is dead, yet the Force swells within him, maintaining his life." The words Edranus had spoken were merely scratches to their ears, yet Traya could discern what it meant.
She walked forward and stood before Edranus's tattered form as the red cloud began to fade. "Forget you shattered past. Let go of your desires and wants. From here on, anything that attempts to come close to you will only attempt to pull you away from your goals. You have gained the power you sought, and soon the Jedi will feel your wraith. Hold on to the memory of your wife, and your lover. Be mindful of the mistake of letting this Cathar into your heart. Hold this pain and remember it well. Do not let it happen to you again." Traya picked up the cloak from Rigul's form and draped it over Edranus torn form. His clothes had been ripped and his skin seemed dotted with tares. She then concealed his twisted face within the shadows of his hood.
She watched as a lone tear dripped from his eye and she softly whispered, "Let that be the last tear you ever shed. All of those you care for, all those you love must be pushed away as they will only make you weak. You have no ties to this world any longer."
Edranus walked toward his arm and picked it up, easily reattaching it beneath his dark cloak. His own power surged into the stump of flesh and gave it new life. The arm shook and once again Edranus could move it freely. This affirmed to Traya that Edranus's flesh had truly died.
"AREADGAD ADRAEADARD ARERAEA … "
Traya interrupted Edranus words, "I have not asked your name, nor do I wish to know it. The name you once called yourself has no reference to you. From here, you shall be… Nihilus. Darth Nihilus."
Nihilus, who once bore the name Edranus, approached the body of Sebrani. She still held her wrist tightly, wincing at that pain. She sat up and gazed into her master's dark shroud.
"…" She had nothing to say. The face of the man before her was nothing like the man she had seen moments ago. She knew that within him was Edranus, her master and the man she had cared for, yet his Force Aura was alien to her. Nihilus stood and hovered over her one last time.
He then looked to Traya. "CARHGAC ACCAERTA ACAREA"
"Yes, Nihilus. She is free to go and do as she pleases."
Nihilus turned and looked back at Sebrani. "CANAREEAE ADCACADE. ADAERAQP OIMA DKJ. ADOAICGVAER ARED I." Sebrani didn't understand. She looked toward Traya and the old woman approached.
Traya knelt at her side and whispered into her ear. "He says that your friends have returned. They are searching for you in the wastelands beyond this Academy. Go to them. Tell them that your master is dead. Bury this secret young one. Bury it deep within your heart. The man you knew is no more." Traya stood and began to walk away.
Sebrani tearfully stood, and ran across the bridge, cupping her wrist under her arm.
Traya looked to Nihilus and did not sense any regret in his decision to let her go. "From here on we have much to do. I will train you as you will train me. We will learn much from each other, but for now let me learn more of what you have become." Traya pointed to the door of the Temple. Nihilus hesitated at first, casting his eyes upon Sebrani as she raced out of view, he then proceeded toward the door. Sion followed close behind.
Traya smiled as she watched her two disciples walk into the Academy door. "Thank you young one. You have given me more than I had hoped for. However, the darkness within him must be tamed, or else his hunger will grow beyond my control."
To be concluded
Notes: And so we draw to the end. Nothing surprising so far... but look forward to the final chatper. Pandora's box is about to open. You're going to love it and hate it.