Chapter 2: The Warning

Though surely not forgotten, no one spoke of the incident the next day. Into its halls and chambers of great learning, the Temple was welcoming the esteemed daughters of Naboo. All exceptionally talented and coming with the highest of recommendations, they were to remain guests at the Temple as they expanded their knowledge.

After a solemn dinner, it was proposed that a young Knight, Ferus Olin, lead them through the ancient spires on a tour.

Most of the young women were overwhelmed by their surroundings and thus remained silent until their guide came to an abrupt stop at the beginning of a passageway. All stared at him curiously before following his uneasy gaze to the locked doors looming before them.

"This hallway and especially that room yonder are off limits," Ferus said in a hushed voice, his dark eyes never blinking.

Inquisitive by nature, a young woman by the name of Sabé raised her hand. When he nodded for her to speak, she quietly asked, "Why is it forbidden?"

"It is the Forbidden Room," he said gravely, something in his tone filling them with trepidation. He slowly turned around and fixed the blond-headed girl with a heavy look but, by his jitteriness, it was apparent that he didn't feel comfortable leaving his back exposed to the unknown.

"Is there something in there?" another young woman, Padmé asked. Being Sabé's best friend and confidant, she was concerned by how pale her companion had become.

"Have you not heard of the Temple's phantom?" he whispered, hands clasped behind his back as he paced back and forth among them.

Padmé noted that he uneasily rested his hand on the hilt of his lightsaber.

They all shook their heads and held their breath in anticipation.

"There's a phantom here, in that room?" Sabé asked rather loudly, causing all the ladies to protest.

"Yes," Ferus said with an odd gleam in his narrow eyes. "He watches our every move. He's there when we feel an odd sensation course through our unsuspecting selves and it is he who watches us when we think we're alone. At night," Ferus paused to lick his lips, "he escapes that room and wanders about the Temple."

Suddenly, no one felt tired anymore.

A shiver went up Padmé's spine and she could have sworn she felt unfriendly eyes watching her every move. Frightened, she grabbed ahold of Sabé's arm and moved close to her friend.

"W… what is he?" another girl stammered.

Suddenly, they were all huddled around Ferus.

With an aura of mysticism about him, Ferus said slowly, "It was once a human like us." An odd smile formed on his thin lips, almost making him seem as sinister as the being he was describing. "Whoever it is should have long been dead."

A loud shriek caused everyone to jump. "Ah!" a girl screamed, running to Ferus for protection, "He's got me!"

Whipping out his lightsaber, Ferus held her close, his face gone white.

"It was just me," a young woman laughed.

No one thought she was funny.

"Have you seen him?"

"No," Ferus said flatly, disengaging the beam of his sword. "I fortunately have not. No, he slithers about in a long black cloak with the hood pulled over his face. A mask- a mask in a semblance of a skull, they say- covers his disfigured face." When he saw that they were all too petrified to ask the question that was on their lips, he leaned in close and whispered, "He uses his cloak to distract his prey before…" He trailed off uncertainly after seeing their frightened faces.

"What is underneath the mask?"

Shooting another nervous glance at the door, he replied, "They say a corpse. Where there should have been eyes," he said, pointing to his own dark ones, "there are just black holes. Slits are where a nose never grew." Even he shivered at the thought. "They say that anyone who sees his face will surely die."

Quaking in fright, they all moved closer to their armed guide.

"How do you know what his face looks like if everyone who saw it died?" Padmé pointed out, sounding much braver than she felt.

Ferus shrugged. "I am merely telling you what I've heard."

"Is he dangerous, then?" one girl squeaked.

"I wish we were back on Naboo," Padmé worriedly whispered to Sabé. Her companion heartily nodded.

"Is he dangerous?" the Knight laughed, causing all of the to jump. "Why else is the door chained shut?" He leaned forward and dropped his voice even further. "I've heard he can strangle a person by just looking at them."

Crying out, Padmé gingerly touched her slender throat.

"What are you doing here?" a gruff voice called out.

Jumping, they all turned to see a peeved Mace Windu striding towards them, his nostrils flaring.

"Master," Ferus stammered, clumsily bowing. "I was just giving them a tour…"

"Have you already forgotten what happened yesterday?" Dark eyes scrutinized the group. "You have shown them enough," he firmly told Ferus. "I do not want to catch any of you here again."

Going even paler, Ferus quickly ushered them away.

But Padmé did not move. An odd prickling sensation worked up her spine, setting the hairs on her arm on edge. Sudden coldness brushed against her as surely as an unexpected draft, leaving her trembling. The hallway went eerily silent, making her breath sound unusually loud so that she feared it would disturb the being within those walls.

Then, Padmé realized she was alone and fear overcame her.

A sudden hissing echoed through the corridor. It started faintly but became a dull roar, seemingly wrapping it's tendrils around her fragile body.

There was someone there.

Without any warning, Padmé felt something brush against her mind, paralyzing her in her place.

"Welcome," the voice hissed, causing her eyes to momentarily roll in their sockets.

A letter fell to the ground before her, a large seal in the shape of a red scull staring up at her.

"Welcome to my Temple, Miss Padmé… I have heard many things about you."
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Spoiler for the next chapter: The Mirror

"Come out!" she cried out in challenge, hoping that her air would draw out her stalker. Fear left her as anger took hold of her emotions.

The silence mocked her.

Her heart still throbbing in her chest, Padmé turned to leave.

"Wait…" the voice hissed, its inhumanness sending chills down her spine.

Paralyzed in her spot, Padmé frantically looked about, but no one was there.

"What do you want of me?" she asked, her voice catching in a sob. Hot tears rolled down her face and landed on the cool floor. "Please, tell me so I can bother you no further."