Ilza had expected to fight Vrook. Hell, she'd looked forward to it. But she hadn't expected him to initiate the fight. All things considered, it was understandable, but rather un-Jedi nonetheless.

He'd started off with his predictable windbaggery, going on about the dark side, and her corruption, and how he would put a stop to her evil once and for all. Offering her no chance to explain(all well and good, as she would have attacked him anyway), he'd activated his lightsaber and gone on the offensive.

Ilza had been unconcerned. A master he may have been, but he had spent too much time devoting himself to the mysteries of the Force, allowing his physical skills to wilt. The battle was intense, but brief. She was, after all, young and vital, with a powerful connection to the dark side. In no time whatsoever, Vrook was dead, nailed to the wall of the ruined enclave by her silver lightsaber.

"And so, it is over."

Ilza spun around to face Kreia. The old woman was standing in the entrance to the council chamber.

"You have done better than I had hoped. You have conquered the best of the Order, and now you are victorious. But before you celebrate this victory, I must ask you something. I need to know if killing these Jedi had brought you the peace you so desired when I first met you."

Ilza was annoyed. She had just gotten her revenge, and this old woman was spoiling her victory with a bunch of "philosophy."

"And why does it matter so much to you? I would think you'd be happy to see them die."

Kreia sighed, and for just a moment, she looked her age. "Because, these Jedi were arrogant. All I have ever trained have been failures to them, those who fell to the dark side, who left to fight the Mandalorians. Seeing one with the power to best them is something I will never forget.

"But despite that, no, I did not want them to die. I merely wished them to see that they were wrong. That one could not truely understand the Force by rigid adherence to their Jedi code. To defeat one in combat is one thing, but to gain victory without striking a blow, that had been my goal.

"So again, I ask. Did killing these Jedi calm you? I must know, did it bring you any measure of peace?"

Ilza frowned. She'd gotten her vengeance, regained the Force. She was more powerful than she'd ever been. But there was something...

"No." She said resoloutly. "My revenge is not complete yet. Atris still lives."

That, apparently, was the wrong answer. "Then it is as I thought. You have failed me, completely and utterly." Kreia raised her hand, and Ilza suddenly felt the strength leave her body, and she collapsed to the ground. "I taught you to hear the Force again, shown you the contrast.But for all I have taught, you have learned nothing. After all I have said, you never learned to listen."

She began to approach Ilza. "Vrook was right to came here, though he did not realize the connection until too late. These places are a part of you, weak in the force. They are touched by the ravages of war, of suffering.

"Know that for all you have ignored, I have still learned from you. Your actions have crippled the Order. They may have very well led to the death of all Jedi, all Sith, and all who can hear the Force.

She turned, and walked out of the chamber. "Our bond remains, but that is all. Stay here and die, apprentice. It is a fitting grave until the Sith come to end you, to end everything. And perhaps, you will finally see..."

---

Kriea left the council chamber, dejected. Ilza had been a failure, just like the rest. But now that she understood the echoes... There was still hope. Kreia knew what she had to do.

She looked toward the Echani woman blocking her path. It was that same one. Kae's daughter.

"It is done, she is no more. Take me to Atris. She will have the strength to do what the council can not."