This chapter picks up where the last one left off. Sorry about the cliffhanger on the last chapter, but it seemed like a good stopping point.
Disclaimer: All the Jedi Apprentice characters belong to Jude Watson, only the plot belongs to me.
Can Sins Ever Be Forgiven
Chapter 8: Lost and Found
"Here began the circle, and here it will end." The wind carried Xanatos' somber voice to Qui-Gon's ears. Stepping forward in slow fluid strides Xanatos came to stand a few meters in front of Qui-Gon. Pulling his cloaked hood back to reveal flowing long black hair and the scar on his cheek Xanatos shocking blue eyes stared into those of his former master.
"Your qualm is with me. Why have you involved Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon's stance appeared calm and relaxed but on the inside he was tense and ready to sprang into action should the need arise. The fight was imminent but one thing about Xanatos is he loves to talk, he loves to intimidate his foes with words.
"I didn't wish to involve the boy, that was your decision when you failed to heed my warning." The smile that played mischievously on his lips was just how Qui-Gon had remembered it, haunting yet strangely captivating. "Did you not think that I was serious? Old friend, I am always serious, dead serious."
"I received no warning from you, the only thing I received from you was a message that you had taken Obi-Wan hostage." Perhaps now he would get to the bottom of this warning he was supposed to be given.
Xanatos' response was preceded by an eerie laugh as the smile widened. "So, the boy did not deliver the message. My, my that one has a lot of spirit, or rather had a lot of spirit. Why do you suppose he would let himself be taken to pay for your crimes?"
Obi-Wan had been there in his room to deliver the message and he had turned him away. Had spirit? Surely Xanatos hasn't killed the boy, Qui-Gon would have felt him go. "What have you done with him?" Qui-Gon struggled to force down his anger as he spoke. He let his hand fall to rest on the hilt of his light saber, his placid eyes now burning with anticipation to end this so that he might find Obi-Wan.
Xanatos folded his arms nonchalantly as he took a step forward. "It doesn't matter because here you are and soon you shall perish by my hand as my father fell to yours. But don't expect to leave this world alone, for when I'm done with you I'll send your boy to join you." Xanatos let his hand fall to his light saber as well but his stance remained neutral. "I must commend you. You did well by him, it took quite a while before I finally broke him. As you die I want you to remember that I made him scream and cry and beg for you and he will die knowing that he was meaningless to you."
In a flash so sudden it nearly caught Qui-Gon off guard, Xanatos sprang forward the burning red blade whizzing past his head as Qui-Gon rolled out of the way powering up his own weapon. "Still nimble in your old age, I see." Xanatos lunged forward once again, this time Qui-Gon was prepared and parried the attack with ease spinning around to perform an attack of his own. Slashing within mere centimeters of Xanatos' face a lock of black hair was carried away on the wind leaving behind its burning scent.
Qui-Gon's next strike came down to meet Xanatos' blade sputtering as they locked together, he was knocked back as Xanatos kicked him in the side. Quickly he recovered and charged back into the battle successfully landing a heavy blow to Xanatos' shoulder. The younger combatant howled in pain, Qui-Gon could feel the dark ripples emanating from him as his anger grew. Through the Force he saw a slight muscle twitch to the left signaling him to move to the right landing a less effective blow to Xanatos' hand.
Retaking his grip on the hilt of his lightsabor Xanatos spun around slashing across Qui-Gon's chest. He was able to resist the urge to call out in pain as the smell of blood and sizzling flesh drifted to his nostrils, instead he gave himself completely to the dance not letting his anger over take him. He parried another move, then another until he gained control of the duel.
He pushed Xanatos back closer to the mansion, he could feel his former apprentice
weakening under the strength of his blows and the burden of his own injuries. Qui-Gon new better then to underestimate his foe for in an instance the table could be turned. Xanatos was a very skilled fighter, he had excelled in lightsabor training as an apprentice at the Temple, his skill had impressed many and gave many a reason for caution. He was being fueled by anger and the urge to seek vengeance, both were very powerful driving forces.
His cautions were correct, Xanatos somersaulted over Qui-Gon's head slicing with his lightsabor, he barely had time to move, he could feel the heat of the blade brush his face as Xanatos landed behind him. Spinning around to meet the nest attack Qui-Gon swung his own weapon, the blade slicing open Xanatos' side causing him to fall back. As quickly as he hit the ground he was back up again, Qui-Gon driving him back easily fending off his weak blows.
Farther and farther back he forced the young man until he reached the wall. Qui-Gon stood ready to deliver the final blow if need be but to his surprise a smile appeared on Xanatos' face as he powered down his lightsabor. "I always have a back door." The wall behind him disappeared revealing a speeder. "This isn't over." In a quick move Xanatos jumped in and sped away, the image of his former master's green lightsabor disappeared as he gained distance.
Xanatos' escape was the least of Qui-Gon's worries. He powered down his lightsabor and reached out to the Force to feel for Obi-Wan. He felt his energy, but it was weak almost nonexistent. Relief flooded over Qui-Gon, the boy was still alive. The door to the mansion was locked, using his lightsabor he cut through and stepped inside.
The room he walked into was filled with elegant statues and tapestries with a lavish blue rug extending from the door to the next room. Qui-Gon didn't pause to look at these things, instead he let the Force guide him through the myriad of hallways and rooms down into a lower level. Unlike the previous rooms he had been through this part was dark and moist, he could smell the mildew hanging in the stale air.
Stopping in front of one of the rooms he could feel a slight ripple in the Force. The doors slide open as he approached. The sight inside sickened him, a torture chamber full of devices to inflict great pain, he hoped that this wasn't what the boy had been subjected to but he knew that the blood that stained the floor belonged to Obi-Wan. All this pain and suffering, Qui-Gon couldn't understand why Obi-Wan would have allowed Xanatos to have taken him. From the way Xanatos spoke it sounded like Obi-Wan had voluntarily gone with him to this place to be punished for Qui-Gon's mistake.
He left the room continuing his search for the boy, he stopped at a door a few meters down the hall. Reaching out he could feel Obi-Wan's weak life energy coming from the room. Using the panel beside the door he was able to open it without much resistance. The cell was dark but the light from the hallway bleed in allowing him to see inside. Obi-Wan lay in the middle of the cell on his side.
Quickly Qui-Gon stepped in and knelt down beside the still boy. As his hand came to rest on Obi-Wan's arm he recoiled away from Qui-Gon to the corner of the cell, hugging his knees to his chest. He was covered in blood both new and old, the only clean flesh that could be seen was where the tears had washed the blood away from beneath his eyes. "Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon tried to keep his voice as calm and soothing as possible but it still trembled as he spoke. "It's me, it's Qui-Gon. I've come to take you home."
Once again Qui-Gon reached his hand out to the boy who only hugged himself tighter. He let his hand drop and moved closer to him. "He's gone, he's not going to hurt you anymore. Give me your hand let me help you."
"No." Obi-Wan's voice trembled as tears started falling from his eyes. "You're not real. Go away." His cerulean eyes were void of emotion or anything resembling life. Qui-Gon could remember how they blazed with life and curiosity and hope, now they were hollow.
"Obi-Wan, listen to me, I'm here, I'm real and I'm going to take you home. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you before, I'll listen to every word just as soon as I get you out of here." Qui-Gon placed a comforting hand on his arm, there was no room for him to back away from it, he thought maybe the physical contact would help him realize that he was here to help him and not a hallucination.
Obi-Wan clamped his eyes shut and put his hands over his ears and started sobbing. "Harvey, please make it go away. I don't want to see him, please stop." He cried through tortured breath.
Harvey, again came the name from his dream. Who was this Harvey and why was Obi-Wan calling for him? Seeing nothing else he could do he scooped Obi-Wan up into his arms, worried at how light he felt. The boy struggled weakly but resigned himself to sobbing and begging Harvey to take him away. Qui-Gon tried to sooth him as best he could as he quickly made his way out of the mansion.
Tbc.