Author's note: Due to popular demand, and a sudden touch of inspiration, here is the next chapter XD
...
Though few would ever had dared to have accused him of cowardice, whether during his tenure as a Jedi Knight or the Emperor's most powerful enforcer, the black armored Force user felt himself hesitate as he approached the threshold of his anxious looking companion's home.
If he was still the glorified slave of Sidious, he would have clung to the cold persona that he had developed since his...reconstruction, and have demanded the practitioners of the facility to operate on him at once.
But since his son had managed to reawaken the light that had slumbered within his soul, though he often noted that it hadn't been enough to purge the darkness from him, Vader experienced the same type of hesitant hope that he had last felt when enquiring of his mother's fate after his Jedi savior had told him he had been freed.
For while he had long accepted that his broken body would never be healed, something which had no doubt pleased his sadistic and pragmatic Sith master, and something that he himself had deemed to be acceptable given his actions towards his beloved wife, the former Jedi had nevertheless dreamed what it would be like if he hadn't descended into the molten rivers of Mustafar.
The ability to breath fresh air without the aid of machinery.
Being able to move his body without the now familiar sensation of pain.
The ability to eat properly.
The list was nearly endless,
And now, thanks to the selfless and innocent nature of a girl who was scarcely older than his Padawan had been when she rightfully recognised the flaws in the Jedi Order, he might just have a chance to restore some of what had been lost for decades.
The only things standing in his way were his fear that this would not work, and the fact that the Girl had led him to a place that had never before been stained by the touch of evil.
In fact, the energy that flowed through and around this stone constructed building reminded Vader of how the Jedi Temple had felt before the onset of the Clone Wars, but at the same time was both purer and yet more welcoming in nature.
He did not deserve to step into such a place.
But while he did his best to smother his fears, the decision to either accept or deny this precious gift was taken from him thanks to the understandably anxious tone of his shorter companion.
"Now when we get in there, please let me do all the talking. The Sisters and Abbot Mother are decent people, and are always willing to extend their help to those in need, but they might be a bit...taken back by your appearance. So again please, don't do anything to scare them".
Though believing that such an event was inevitable, for Sidious had ensured that his mobile prison was as terrifying as it was painful, Vader nevertheless nodded his head as he sensed the approach of an already anxious welcoming committee.
...
Pleased though she was at receiving her companion's agreement to let her take the lead, Priestess nevertheless still felt a degree of understandable nervousness as she addressed the woman who practically raised her.
"Mother Abbess. How delightful it is to see yo...".
"BEGONE FOUL DEMON. REMOVE THYSELF FROM THESE GROUNDS LEST I CALL UPON THE HOLY EARTH MOTHER TO SMI...".
"WAIT! Mother Abbess, I assure you that this man is not a demon. I have brought him here because I believe that the Merciful Earth Mother can help him".
Praying that her hurried explanation had put the older woman into a more considerate mood, for she knew first hand what Vader was capable of when he was in a bad mood, Priestess let out a slightly terrified squeak as her towering companion abandoned his former silence.
"I would advise you to listen to your young disciple madam. For while I will refrain from being the first to act violently, know that I am more than capable of ensuring that you will not have long to regret your actions should you instigate hostilities".
Doing her best to maintain her composure, something that was rather hard to do since the Abbess seemed on the verge of doing exactly what Vader had suggested, the blond haired cleric summoned her courage to charge of the situation.
"THATS ENOUGH VADER. You said you wanted to be healed? Your going to lose your chance if you keep antagonizing the ones with the ability to do so. I can only ask the Earth Mother to allow me to cast minor healing miracles, and since you indicated that your wounds are more serious than a stab wound, I suggest you stop being...well you".
For a moment, the only sound that could be heard was the metallic rasp of Vader's breathing. For Priestess's unexpected rant, long building since she had started hanging out with a certain silver ranked adventurer, had managed to shock not only the black monolith she called a companion, but also the woman who had instructed her in the teachings of her chosen deity.
However, like all things, it quickly came to an end.
"I suppose I was a tad...hasty in my conclusions. When you had announced your intensions to take a more...uncertain path to spread the teachings of the Earth Mother, I knew that you would eventually associate with the more...unique individuals that traverse our lands. However, I hope you don't mind me saying so, I had never dreamed that you would ever be in the company of one whose appearance is, to say the least, rather menacing".
Pleased at the Abbess's willingness to at least try to look past her prejudices, something that had been rather difficult for even the more experienced members of the Adventurers Guild, Priestess quickly answered her former teacher before Vader could respond.
"While it is true that Vader's appearance is somewhat...intimidating, and is no stranger to the ways of violence, I assure you that he is a true champion when it comes to fighting the forces of evil. Even if his preferred method of doing so is a bit...unorthodox. Which is why I am hoping you can help him Mother Abbess. For it is my belief that his ability to resist the temptations of the Forces of Darkness will be enhanced if he receives proper treatment for the wounds he has suffered".
Hoping her little pitch would work, for she strongly suspected that Vader would greatly resent having to repeat what had been a tense, yet oddly incomplete explanation of the state of his body, the blond haired cleric sighed in relief as her former teacher gave a slow, yet nevertheless accepting nod as she gestured for the duo to follow her.
"Then we will do our utmost to ensure that this happens. Though I warn you mister...no...Sir Vader, that while our healers are quite skilled, depending on the state of your injuries, we might not be able to fully restore you to what you once were. So long as you accept this, I will gladly order the preparations to begin".
For a moment, Priestess thought that her towering companion would reject the offer. If only because she felt that Vader somewhat believed her was unworthy of help.
However, that thought quickly evaporated in the face of his rather blunt reply.
"Do it".
...
Cheerfully humming a tune as she finished putting away the rest of the evening's dishes, Cow Girl turned towards her childhood friend with a smile as she took a seat across from him.
"You know this was nice. Normally when you go out on a quest you don't get back until after dinner. I take it your latest adventure went well"?
Receiving a nod from the still armored Goblin Slayer, the busty red head maintained her smile as she received her expectedly short answer.
"It did. All the Goblins were killed. And my party barely sustained any injury".
Tilting her head as she considered his answer, Cow Girl's smile became a tiny bit wider as she commented on the change in her childhood friend's usual style of questing.
"Well that's good. I mean, with more people watching your back, that means that you have a better chance of coming home safe and sound".
Earning a non committal grunt from the armored adventurer, the busty red head's expression morphed into one of carefully guarded concern as she asked her next question.
"Are...are you going to keep adventuring with a group? Cause...I worry you know".
Though his eyes were hidden by that helm of his, Cow Girl could nevertheless feel the weight of his stare as he answered her question.
"So long as they want to kill Goblins, I see no reason not too".
Knowing that was his equivalent of saying 'yes he would, for now at least', the red head nodded her head in acceptance as she waged an internal battle with herself.
On one hand, she could use her friendly connections with the Guild staff to find out all there was to know about the people her friend surrounded himself with. Specifically if her friend had formed any more than professional relationships with his so called colleagues.
Though considering the barely concealed feelings of a certain blond haired receptionist, she was uncertain if she would discover anything useful or not.
But on the other hand, if she was to interfere in this part of his life, there was a possibility, however remote, that he would resent her for it.
It had taken 5 years of constant patience to reach the point where she could still see some of the boy he had once been before their fateful argument. And she wasn't going to jeopardize it for some childish bit of jealousy.
For the moment, it was enough to know that her friend cared for her, albeit in his own, non verbal way. And knew that he always had a place to call home.
And should the time come when he finally developed the kind of... appetite she had read about in the books she had been careful to hide away from her Uncle, she was confident that she could more than hold her own against any potential competition.
The blond cleric she had seen him with was too young to pose much a threat in the immediate future. Not to mention that questing in a group limited the ability to become intimate in the wild.
And as for the receptionist, while giving off an air of maturity, not to mention possessing a body that was only slightly less developed than hers, seemed to lack any ability in the homemaking arts.
Which gave her the advantage.
...
Though he could still sense the disproving glare of his companion, something that was slightly understandable given his decision to reject the advise of his healers, Vader easily ignored the annoyed girl as he enjoyed the first meaningful improvement to his health in decades.
While the healers, or more specifically the deity from which their power descended lacked the ability to regrow his limbs, or even rid himself of the need to rely on his respirator, the former Jedi was impressed with what they had managed to accomplish.
His skin no longer bore the constantly pain filled reminder of his time on the lava banks of Mustafar. For the group of understandably horrified women had not removed any trace of his burns, but they had also managed to ensure that the previously scratchy synthetic skin was properly accepted by his body.
Which would ensure that he wouldn't need to undergo the understandably unpleasant sensation of having necrotic flesh being scraped away from his battered body.
Vader was already enjoying his new found freedom from the constant burning and itching he had been forced to endure, but his new found transformation did not stop there.
For while he refused to allow his healers to try and heal his lungs, if only because he doubted their deity granted them the ability to purify the air to the same degree as his sealed meditation chambers, they had been able to cure the constant pain he had been forced to endure ever since Sidious's droids had repaired his spinal cord.
Which meant that he no longer had to deal with the unpleasant sensation of feeling like his shoulders were about to be pulled apart.
And finally, the healing techniques of the nuns had begun the process of ensuring that he wouldn't have to rely on his suit's life support systems.
His lungs of course would remained damaged until he found a way to ensure that he could breathe without using the Force to draw in oxygen. But his heart would soon be capable of regulating his blood flow without the use of machines.
Which meant that he could extend the life of the power cells that enabled his suit to function.
But if what his bearded companion had told him was true, even this would prove to be a minor problem.
His healing was still incomplete. But having existed in a state of perpetual pain for 24 years, Vader was unwilling to follow the advice of his healers to rest, for he wanted to revel in his new found freedom.
Something which his companion understood, but greatly disproved of.
"I have to say that I'm still against this decision. Considering what you had just gone through, I would have expected you to take at least a day off to get used to your new...condition".
Acknowledging the point with a nod of his helmet, and reveling in the fact that the act of doing so brought him no pain, the partially restored Force User gave a more verbal response.
"If you had been forced to endure what I have had to for over 2 decades, you too would lack the patience to enjoy the benefits of an improved state of health. Besides, considering the relative scarcity of willing and competent...adventurers, I suspect that my absence would increase the work load of the one they call Goblin Slayer".
Though fully aware of the shocked, but appreciative smile that had come over the girl's face at this declaration, in truth Vader had no strong feelings for the silver ranked specialist for either good or bad.
Yes he was a competent enough fighter. And lacked the usual arrogance that usually stemmed from personal acknowledgement of this fact.
And yes he was willing to do whatever it took to destroy an enemy that few people took seriously.
But in truth, at this point of time, his only real interest in Goblin Slayer, mild though it was, was caused by the fact that he acted like how a Jedi Knight should be.
Selflessly risking their life to keep the people safe. Willing to use any means at their disposal to do so. And uncaring of any thing remotely related to politics.
All that mattered to the Silver Ranked adventurer was that he accomplished his mission of ensuring the safety of others.
A trait that was not held by every member of the organization in which they belonged to.
Some were in it for the glory.
Others truly wished to help people, but lacked the ability to recognize what could truly help those that could not protected themselves.
And some, not only lacked the ability to care for people other than themselves, but also hid their less than pleasant personas behind a mask of cheerful civility.
Like the furious stunted boy that was currently coming down the stairs of the Guild building right as he and Priestess stepped in from outside.
...
Though he would have liked nothing better than to have driven his dagger into the neck of that Goblin obsessed streak, if only because his presence had ensured that he couldn't teach that blond haired bitch a lesson she would never forget, the disgraced Rhea knew that he would have to bide his time until a more opportune moment arrived to have his revenge.
However, while he was able to ignore the questions of his former party members, who all desperately wanted to see if Guild Girl was in a promoting mood, Rhea Scout was unable to hide the anger he felt at his humiliation.
To be banned from adventuring in this dirt poor frontier town was one thing. But to be demoted to the same rank as the rookies who could barely survive simple Goblin slaying quests, that was, in his mind, unforgiveable.
Especially since the latest members who had decided to follow in the footsteps of Goblin Slayer had been promoted for their efforts.
That, was too much for him to take.
And thus, instead of ignoring the oddly matched duo that had just arrived, the dishonest Rhea angrily turned towards the blond haired cleric as she expressed her concern for his current state.
"Are you alright"?
If he had been a less volatile state of mind, he would have chosen to give an acknowledging grunt to such a stupid question. For he had seen first hand what had happened to those that annoyed the towering monolith that seemed to now be part of Goblin Slayer's gang.
But unfortunately for him, he allowed his anger to cloud his judgment.
"Mind your own business you stupid bit...GRKKKK".
Uselessly clawing at the invisible fingers that had enclosed around his neck, the newly demoted Porcelain ranked adventurer was hoisted into the air until he was staring directly into the reflective lens of the towering magic user.
"Your disrespect is as unwelcome as it is unwarranted. If you wish to retain the ability to use all of your limbs, I suggest you apologize to the one who did nothing to deserve your scorn".
...
Relaxing his invisible choke hold so the ill tempered adventurer could comply with his order, Vader remained silent as the latest victim of his irritation gasped out his apology.
"I...I'm sorry...fo...for insulting you".
Immediately releasing his grip, the towering Force user formed a small frown beneath his helmet as his young companion decided to speak up after her fleeing 'attacker' was out of sight.
"You...you didn't have to do that you know. While I don't like it, I can understand the need to vent if someone is having a frustrating day".
Turning his helmet so he was staring into the slightly downtrodden expression of the innocent adventurer, Vader decided to offer his own opinion regarding what had just transpired.
"Perhaps. But when one has only oneself to blame for their less than favorable circumstances, the act of using others to vent these frustrations is unacceptable".
Which hadn't stopped him from lashing out at countless Imperial personnel during the years of his servitude to Sidious, but he deemed it would have been unwise to mention this to the young cleric.
In any case, Vader felt that his actions had been justified. For through his connection to the Force, which to his perception seemed a touch easier to touch since he had finally begun to accomplish what his Sith Master could, or would not implement, the slightly redeemed Sith Lord could sense in the stunted adventurer the same type of emotions he had felt in the most corrupt and self serving of politicans.
Dismissive of those that they viewed to be their inferior.
Hateful and envious to those that possess more power than they do.
And murderous when their true nature has been inadvertently revealed.
If the adventurer ever decided to act on these feelings, Vader was confident that such a confrontation would be easy enough to deal with.
Besides, he had more important things to accomplish this day.
Like testing his newly healed body against the miserable creatures that in some ways portrayed all the worst qualities of his former master.
Robbing a person of everything they held dear, and then leaving them to exist as a soulless husk that welcomed death.
...
Though she knew that the rest of the abbey's healers would be able to satisfactorily perform their duties while she rested, the Mother Abbess desperately wished she had the daily chores of her younger sisters since it would have allowed her the chance to concentrate on something that didn't have to do with what she had gone through the previous evening.
As befitting for one that belonged to an order that was dedicated to healing those that had sustained everything from the grievous of wounds to minor illnesss, the leader of the abbey had come across many individuals whose moral alignment could be, at best, be slightly questionable.
But it wasn't until her most promising pupil had brought in her rather intimidating companion that the aged healer had dealt with an individual whose spirit seemed to be almost equally divided between good and evil.
Added to that was the physical state of the man's body.
She didn't know how long he had been forced to live with those injuries, but to her experienced eye she could tell that they were not only far from recent, but that little had been done to alleviate the pain they must have been causing for the man.
Astounded by her patient's willpower to suffer such hardship, and more than a little disgusted that nothing had been to done to ease his suffering, the head of the abbey, and her most gifted pupils, had spent the entire night calling upon the Earth Mother to help this damaged, but nonetheless stubborn warrior regain some semblance of his former ability.
But this wasn't what had shocked her.
No, her unease stemmed from a vision that had been granted to her by the Earth Mother as they were healing his burnt skin.
For in this vision, she had her earlier suspicions about the man's capacity for both good and evil confirmed.
She was uncertain if Vader was aware of her newfound knowledge, but if he was, she could only be grateful that his redemption had occurred before his association with her favorite pupil
For she had been given glimpses of not only the great deeds he had accomplished while fighting against the type of injustices that sadly plagued her world, but also how he had been corrupted to the point where he was a key instrument in spreading the cause of an even greater evil.
While comforted by the fact that Vader had eventually found the strength to reject this darkness, the piercing yellow eyes and sadistic cackling of the monster that could transform such a noble hero into a villain continued to haunt her.
For it was a reminder that any hero, even one that had the purest of intentions, could eventually be corrupted and serve the very thing they had sworn to destroy.
...
ANNNNNNNNNND that's enough for now XD
Hopefully this chapter (both in length, content, and upload speed) makes up for the shortness of the last one XD Its truly amazing what can be accomplished after getting past a certain point XD
Anyway, think I did a believable 'Vader getting healed' summary. Will do more in the future, but too many stories out there where he gets healed all at once (whether its through the Force, or the use of cloning new limbs/organs, or some sort of biomechanical tech with nanites). Based my own 'healing' on a story where suited Vader is sent back to the clone wars, joins the CSI, and gets some healing at the medical asteroid XD.
Also his views for Goblin Slayer, believe are accurate enough. But will probably expand in future.
Hopefully you all enjoyed this chapter, especially the bit with Rhea Scout, one of the non Goblin characters in the series who deserves his fate. But since this is fanfic...I believe I can improve on the beat down he gets XD.
Next chapter will cover the Water town arc
Plz review. No flames.
Til next time.
Ps. Have a new poll up on my profile page to see if Vader should get a pairing in this story. Currently could go either way myself, so if you could vote either yes or no, would be appreciated :D
