Disclaimer: Same as always, but the Saterin and Austral are my characters.
A/N: Yeah for all the reviews! I'm sorry if it's getting complicating but rest assure I hope to explain it all in this chapter.
Chapter 5
Family HistoryObi-Wan staggered against the wall. It was getting harder to breath and his vision was fading. All around him, fellow miners collapsed to the ground from the gas being pumped through the air vents. Any chance of rescue went out the window the moment the blast shields closed off the elevator lift. They were trapped.
Obi-Wan's body racked with coughs. He didn't want to die. He still had so much to do, so much to give. Drawing up his knees under his chin, Obi-Wan could no longer prevent the tears from falling.
"And here I thought Xanatos wanted me alive," joked Obi-Wan himself, a weak laugh turning into a cough. The guards were killing them slowly and most likely it was for their sick enjoyment to watch the miners squirm on the floor, like fish out of water. Anger burned in his eyes, but it was fear that squeezed at the young boy's heart. Fear froze Obi-Wan to his lying position on the floor and made the boy shiver despite the tunnel being warm. If only he had the Force, he would be able to will his body to shut down and pretend to be dead…if only.
"Do not be afraid."
The man's voice echoed inside Obi-Wan's head and sense of peace started to melt the cold claws of fear. Shutting his eyes, Obi-Wan tried to remember the field that his vision had shown him. He wanted to be anywhere but in the tunnel at his moment of death, and the field was the only place his mind could seek asylum without the burden of guilt that the Jedi Temple held for him now.
Obi-Wan found himself standing in the field, its' green grass tickling his bare feet. Remembering his Jedi training, Obi-Wan let go of all his fear and anger. He might not have access to the Force but at least he could die like a Jedi.
"Silly boy, we can never lose our touch with the Force."
Obi-Wan spun around and saw that girl who looked so much like him stare back, a smile dancing on her face.
"You."
"Yes. My name is Austral and in your case, I'm your distant Aunt Austral."
Obi-Wan shook his head, "What? I don't get it! I mean, yes, we look the same but why am I seeing you now?"
Austral nodded, placed her hands behind her back, and locked eyes with her nephew, "It's funny how only in the face of death, do humans let go everything and allow us ghosts to finally establish communication. I've been trying to talk to you ever since your parents gave you to the Jedi. But your mind was always clouded in fear and anger, and I barely could reach you. But, despite his downfall into the Dark Side, it seems that Xanatos was useful in providing me a way to communicate to you."
Obi-Wan snarled, "I knew Xanatos had something to do with the vision. With this!" Spreading his arms to encompass the field, Obi-Wan glared at Austral, "So, let me guess, you're here as a final resort to turn me to the Dark Side and to use the Force to escape the tunnel. Ha, everything makes sense now, Xanatos riggers the tunnel to create a situation where if I use the Dark Side, I can live and if I don't well…I die."
Austral narrowed her eyes at the boy and soon her visage of the teenage girl morphed into a woman of 20, her once shoulder length hair was now cropped and her cheerful blue-green eyes had turned to ice.
"Xanatos had nothing to do with my plans. If anything, I used the boy to take an interest in you and create this." With a flick of her wrist, a dim red string of light appeared in the air as the environment around the two faded into space.
Obi-Wan took a step forward, totally unaware of the change, his shoes creating a slight click on the stone floor. "A bond…"
"Yes, a bond. But ithas not taken the form of a Master, Padawan bond. As of right now, it is more a blood bond than anything else. The only wayXanatos could create such a link and your mind accepting it, was to keep you dead for a couple of seconds."
Obi-Wan staggered backwards, eyes wide in disbelief. "You…you killed me! You, you can't bethe samegirl! She was happy, good…you're…you're a Sith!"
Austral's cold eyes seemed to soften as she looked down at the ground, "War can do that to the most kind-hearted person. But I am not Sith." Anger lit her eyes as she glanced back up at Obi-Wan, "Do not ever compare me to those fallen Jedi!"
The force of her voice rooted Obi-Wan to his spot. This woman who claimed to be his lost relative was powerful and the Force bended to her will for just a split second enough to strike fear and awe into the boy.
Austral looked off into the distance, "We don't have much time. The gas is starting to slow down your blood flow." Sighing the woman looked at Obi-Wan and with another motion of her hand, a lush planet appeared between them.
"As I have said before, I am Austral Van form the planet Saterina. Our people were called Saterins and we were a gifted species with the Force. Centuries ago, we had reached the peak of our civilization. Our crops flourished andpeace was established between the light and dark users of the Force. Such a peace brought an intermingling of the two aspects of the Force and childrenwere trained in the both sides of the Force formed the noble households of Saterina. Inside this union, we learned how to operate the Force beyond that of standard conventions. Those of the noble familieshad foresight far into the future. In order to keep this valuable tool on Saterina, the noble families began to marry within their stature. As this went on, people of lesser status began to learn new forms of fighting. All in all, we were a peaceful people, relishing in the light of this union between ancient enemies.
However, on a different planet, a growing society that called themselves the Jedi Order was spreading fast through the galaxy. When they stumbled upon our planet, they yearned to learn our ways and to take some of our children to train at their temple. We would not allow that, but we did grant them aid in their understanding of the Force. This new alliance did not last long however. An elder, my grandfather, had a terrible vision. He predicated that the Jedi would come and kill us all, but that through this act they would divide and the Sith would rise. Wars would arise from this strife, but the Jedi would prevail and soon peace would return once again to the galaxy."
Obi-Wan stood quietly staring at the floating planet. He had learned about the Sith Wars since he was a child and how countless planets fell to the Sith. Grief began to fill Obi-Wan's soul. To know that your entire species was going to die…
"Soon after, my grandfather died. Everyone was shaken up, but my brother-"a smile tugged at Austral's lips, "Your so many times grandfather calmed everyone downed and said that we mustaccept the will of the Force. The Force gave us this prosperity and now it was time to pay back in full amount. But, my brother said that they would make sure somehow that our species would live on. He and a couple of other nobles and those of the lower class began marrying other women from outside of our planet. We kept the hybrids a secret from both the rest of the Saterins and the Jedi. But you cannot hide from the Force. Later on that year, a disease swept over our planet and drastically weakened our defenses. I lost my own parents to the disease and on that night, I had my first vision."
The planet disappeared to be replaced by a crying Austral and the man Obi-Wan had seen on the lake, her brother…his ancestor. Obi-Wan gulped, "What was the vision?"
"I foresaw the coming of the Chosen One. I thought that by telling the Jedi of the Chosen One whowould bring balance to the Force would somehow persuade the Jedi that we were a useful alley and not bring about the genocide. Instead it, among many other reasons, made the Jedi jealous of us and soon after the war started."
The scene changed again and off to the side, the lake shore that Obi-Wan had seen twice now appeared.
"My brother died on that lake shore. I felt and saw everything in his last moments. I was surprised to see a young boy flickering before my brother. At first, I thought it was just an illusion brought upon my brother's yearning to never his son or wife ever again. But then, I got to thinking that maybe it was a vision into the future and maybe this boy would be our last hope." Austral paused and took a deep breath to prevent the tears from falling. "I had always felt that in some way, I was the one who started the genocide of my people. So, when I recognized the clothing on the boy as that of the Jedi, I knew that I had to find some way to reach him and remind him of his heritage. So, I found a way to keep my spirit self waiting here between the realm of the living and dead, waiting for the boy, waiting for you."
Obi-Wan sighed and ran a hand through his hair. This was way too much information to absorb all at once. To find out that you are a descendant of a once presumed dead species and to be talking to a ghost that had foreseen your coming centuries ago was enough to convince Obi-Wan that this allbrouhgt on by his brain that was slowly dying and creating this hallucination. But then why, did it feel right?
"But why me?"
Austral smiled sadly, "I do not know. Maybe it is because over the centuries, the remaining descendents tried to keep our bloodline pure as possible through marriage. Maybe it is the will of the Force, or maybe it is the coming of the Chosen One."
"The coming of the Chosen One?"
"At first I hated the Jedi, I wanted you to embrace the Dark Side. In my long state of isolation, when I felt the Jedi accept one of the Saterin descendents, I thought it was you right away and began to weave dark thoughts in his mind. Alas, Xanatos was not the one I had been looking for and when he turned I had a vision of how the Chosen One would bring balance. Let's just say I no longer hate the Jedi but pity them."
Obi-Wan stepped forward and grabbed Austral's arm, "What's going to happen? Why are you sounding so sad?"
Austral looked deep into Obi-Wan's troubled eyes, "You have already caught a glimpse of it, Obi-Wan. You know of the pain that waits the Jedi."
Obi-Wan felt his knees give out as the screams that had first plagued his vision came thundering back, "Anakin…" Looking up at Austral, who had placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder, Obi-Wan dared himself to ask another question, "You said that you mistook Xanatos for me and that we now share a blood bond. Does that mean-"
"Yes, Obi-Wan. Xanatos is also a descendant of the Saterin species. But unlike you, his blood is no longer pure and his powers are only revealed in his usage of the Dark Side in order to manipulate people to his own greedy causes. I know that in some manner I am also responsible for his fall, but those seeds of darkness were already present in him long before I made contact with him. Besides," a smirk from Austral made Obi-Wan listen harder for the next words, "the Jedi never listened to our visions and advice, so maybe seeing how a light and dark side user of the Force workingtogether, they might finally change their minds and ways and walk away from the path of destruction that they are now on."
Obi-Wan nodded numbly. Whoever would have thought that Xanatos and him would have such a common history? "He left me just as he left you…Qui-Gon holds the seeds of betrayal, Obi-Wan. I'm just warning you, I don't want another helpless boy throw away their life at the feet of a cold-heatedMaster." A shudder ran down Obi-Wan 's back at Xanatos' words when the two were in the storage unit, right before his abduction. Now, the similarities between the Dark Jedi and ex-Jedi ran beyond circumstance and into blood.
Austral kneeled in front of Obi-Wan and cupped his chin. "Obi-Wan, I wish there was more time for you to ponder over all this information. But, in order to do that you must live. I can give access to all my memories and you'll be able to use the level of existence that the Saterins used of the Force to live."
"But the collar?" Obi-Wan's quiet voice could be barely heard above the rising thunderstorm that was silhouetted by lightening. A painful death was awaiting the young boy.
"The collar only works on the standard Jedi usage of the Force. Remember, Obi-Wan that us Saterins operate outside the laws of the Jedi Order. Now close your eyes," instructed Austral.
"But, I don't know how to! Even if I have your memories, I won't master them and who am I going to turn to for help?" Fear was rising in Obi-Wan and he pleaded at Austral. He felt like a 4-year-old child, but he couldn't help it with death breathing down his neck. Not wanting to waste another minute, the boy blurted out his last question, "And if I do have all this power, what am I suppose to do with it? What's my destiny?"
Austral hugged Obi-Wan and rubbed his back, "After this Obi-Wan, I will finally be able to join our ancestors. But do not worry, information on our culture and methods of how to use the Force is scattered across the galaxy. You just have to find it. And to do that, just follow your instincts." Pulling back, Austral kissed Obi-Wan's cheek, "I do not know what will become of you Obi-Wan Kenobi. All I know is that the Force granted me this redemption and granted you freedom." Leaning forward till their foreheads meet, Austral stared lovingly into eyes that were her own but sparkled with her brother's determination, "Just remember and do not be afraid." With that both family members closed their eyes as the storm slammed into them full force.
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Master Mace Windu strode over to the join the small green troll near the window. The thunderstorm outside crackled against the sky. Windu couldn't recall the last time he had ever seen such a strong storm before. The spirals on top of the Jedi Temple howled as another powerful gust danced between them.
"A Jedi Obi-Wan can never be. Fools we were to believe such a thing," spoke Yoda, his gaze absorbing the deadly lighting that lit up the sky.
"But, Master Yoda. Qui-Gon might still have a chance to rescue the boy from Xanatos' grasp. We must remain optimistic," argued Windu. He knew Qui-Gon was a stubborn Jedi Master and if anyone had a chance to prevent the awakening of the last pure Saterin, it would be him.
"Too late it is. Awakened the boy is. Add more security to the relic room we shall. Come here to gain information about his heritage, he will."
Mace nodded, "And when he does, we'll be ready. But must we really kill him, Master Yoda? He was such a promising student. Maybe if we placed him a deep sleep, we could slowly bring him back to our ways."
Master Yoda nodded, "Hm…Hard to see it is, the future. Mediate on it I shall."
The tall, dark skinned Master bowed and left the council chamber. He didn't want to kill a child that was once part of the Temple and he could sense that Yoda didn't want to do the same. But if Obi-Wan became such a threat, he would have to be handled like all threats, despite him once being part of the Jedi Family.
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The short, muscular captain of the guards kicked at the unmoving body of a small human boy. "Remove his collar and toss his body into the sea. This kid is dead." Another guard yelled at his captain as two new recruits picked up the boy and carried his dead body out of the tunnel.
"What is it?" yelled the Captain.
"Sir, there are two of the Boss' guards here."
"Well, what do you know, the Boss' little pet was down here? Do any of you remember what he looks like?"
Murmurs of no's ran through the small squad. The captain just shrugged, "Oh, well. It's not like we meant to poison the tunnel with gas." With a harsh laugh, the captain turned around and left the cemetery tunnel. "I want this tunnel cleaned up and put back into operation before the Boss comes back tomorrow!"
With that the elevator clattered upwards, carrying a humming captain,two shaking guardsheld a dead boy with the hair covered in mud and hints of ginger color peeking through. When the elevator reached the top floor, the two guards removed the boy's collar, placed him in a body bag, zipped it up and grunted even more as they hobbled to the side of the platform. Below them, the sea crashed against the pillars.
"One. Two. Three," counted one of the guards as threw the body over the railing and into the ocean. The youngest of the pair peered over and watched the big splash as the body bag hit the water.
"What a shame, he was so young too, like 12 or something."
"Well, too bad for him then. I ain't gonna mourn him and neither is anyone else in this galaxy, just another lost cause. Come on, we'd better head back inside and get the rest of the bodies. I swear, I'm not getting paid enough for this job," muttered the other guards as the two made their way back into inside.
The body bag sank deeper and deeper into the ocean. Water began to drip through the rubber fabric and onto the body of the boy. The arm that was draped across his chest moved. Blue-green eyes snapped open and started hard at the cloth. Obi-Wan could feel his body sinking and knew that it was now or never to cut himself free. Accessing the Force in the manner that Austral had showed him in order to keep his presence undetected from Xanatos, Obi-Wan formed an air bubble around him.
Raising his hand slightly up, the boy summoned the Force to gather into his hands and form an energy blade. Smirking, Obi-Wan, the ex-Jedi began to cut himself free and soon began his swim up towards the surface.
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A/N: Wow, well there ya go! Another chapter and this time we learned about his vision and who Austral was. If you guys are still confused, let me know and I'll try to explain it in future chapters. So, Obi-Wan has escaped for now, but will he return to the Jedi when Qui-Gon arrives or will Obi-Wan join someone else to help in his search about his ancestry and his destiny. Till next time, May the Force be with you!