All credit to respective owners.
-Y.A.R.N.
Jerserra had not been too interested in being an inquisitor after she so easily killed her master, and she had no interest in being a jedi either. Instead she became a mercenary, taking whatever jobs and and hits she could, wielding a lightsaber that blazed a crimson red. She was surprised that The Empire hadn't hunted her down and tried to kill or enslave her, she was sure she was strong enough to be an inquisitor (especially after all the practice and murder she committed, each one feeding the darkness inside her). Each death made her feel more powerful, each kill and hunt only increased her skill, and her confidence grew and grew. But hunting down the same boring fools who committed some perceived wrongdoing was boring. There was no thrill to their death, to tracking them down and ending them to receive a sum of money. Deflecting blaster bolts were not difficult at all to her anymore, she did relish the fear when those who ran saw how a blaster wouldn't help them.
She craved the challenge, the true thrill to test herself.
She wanted to find a true jedi or sith to kill.
It was what she had initially been trained for, to face force-users in combat when her master intended to challenge the other inquisitors.
She guided her ship towards the farmland planet, it would take some time to get there, but the anticipation made it all the sweeter. Jerserra wasn't stupid to think she could march up to someone like Darth Vader — even without the rumors that were about the 'right-hand' of the Emperor, the man was someone she had researched all she could after searching her former master's archives — and defeat him, and that was discounting all the troops and forces he had defending him. She was nowhere near strong enough and it burned to admit that shortcoming on her part. She needed actual experience in lightsaber combat and Force combat, she has gone as far as she could without more knowledge. Even if there were no Jedi on the planet, she could see if an apprentice could be found and trained. Either way, Jerserra had plans to become a true ruler, and whatever she found on Dantooine would only further them.
In time, she intended for her shadow to stretch over the entire galaxy.
Cal had been worried over the past few days when his groups teachers immediately doubled down on their lessons, cramming as much skill and power they could into Cal and his companions as they days. Zhar and Vandar emphasis on Cal's defenses became the near-singular point of his studies as soon as his Niman offense was deemed enough to grow on his own so long as he had time and experience (much to Cal's initial confusion). Then they refined his Jar'Kai until they both agreed this was as good as they could make it in the time they had, the rest was left up to him. He was noticeably stronger and better skilled for their intensity, but Cal knew there was a reason.
Then came Revan.
As much as Revan was a grueling trainer, he knew Cal's limit's very well and never pushed him harder than he needed to. But Revan's attitude had shifted from having fun to becoming something more stern and never joking. Every lesson was quick and to the point, twining his force presence with Cal's to guide him how to do something. After that, he would test Ca;'s grasp of the ability until he was sure Cal had the basics and mechanics down. Something had come to his attention and Revan was suddenly aware that he no longer had the time to keep to his usual personality; Cal didn't know what it could be but he didn't need to complain and threw himself into his lessons with all his resolve.
Cal hands were held out in front of him, face screwed up in concentration and sweat beading his brow as he caught the arcs of green lightning coming out from Revan's hand with his, a swirl of blue light around his hands that were dissipating or absorbing the power. The lightning flared like a twisted cage around the two and Cal could barely maintain his footing as the sheer energy output Revan was letting out was making Cal slide backwards. Revan was holding back so much power and even then the little bit he was using had Cal at his limit. Revan watched impassively and pushed a little harder, lightning flaring brighter and filling the air with the sharp scent of ozone. With a sound like shattering glass, Cal's Tutaminis was overwhelmed and he was sent flying across the room. He hit the wall of the training atrium with a loud thud and groaned as residual lightning flickered from his body and smoke smoldered. Revan slowly approached and Cal staggered to his feet, hand once again held out in front of him as he panted. He channeled the small fraction of energy he managed absorb to reenergize himself and took a deep breath.
Cal's force bubble — the technique he learned from Cere that blocked Vader's lightsaber strike— was an all around defense that was meant to protect from all sides, and while it could block Force Lightning, it was inefficient to do so. It was more akin to forcefully empowering a jedi's force barrier against other force attacks, which is why it could block force based abilities. Force Absorb and Deflection were abilities that were much more energy efficient and precise to use in a situation like redirecting a blaster bolt or reflecting it back. One skilled in Tutaminis could even absorb the power to energize the user but it wasn't at all easy. It often required years of practice to perfect it and learn how to fully channel the energy to manipulate to that degree.
Something they didn't have.
"Again." Cal said firmly, he needed the basics down at least.
Approval flashed across Revan's face and he once again fired a barrage of emerald lighting at Cal, who raised his hands to catch the lightning in his palms. Cal wasn't under any delusions when it came to Tutaminis and/or Force Deflection level. It was laughably underdeveloped, he could use his lightsaber for blocking blaster-fire, but if he lost it or was disarmed, this was his back up and it couldn't afford to be mediocre. If Revan wanted him dead from this, he would be overwhelmed by lightning in a split second with no chance to even block it. As much as Revan's usual style of teaching was 'kick-into-water-to-teach-how-to-swim', he couldn't do that with this technique. He had to ease into this as the first few attempts had Cal crumpling in pain as lightning seared him. It took days of meditation, training, and trial-and-error and getting a grasp on Force Deflection before Cal managed his first success. After days of doing this for hours on end, only now was Cal able to absorb a fraction of the energy Revan was outputting in this attack, whereas before the lighting would carve gouges in the area around Cal as he simply couldn't absorb it but could only direct it away for a split second before it overwhelmed him. Revan would only be satisfied with a full absorption, he wasn't going to go all out but he wasn't only give it the level of a regular blaster bolt.
Revan had told Cal he could just use his lightsaber to block lighting, but the moment Cal tried to 'catch' the blast of lightning, his lightsaber was ripped from his grasp from the sheer force and he was struck with the electricity. It was grueling work, painful and difficult, but one of the most versatile abilities a Jedi could use, and if Cal was ever without his saber or a makeshift weapon to imbue with the force, having a reliable offense and defense against most conventional weapons was beyond invaluable. But Revan wasn't going to teach him the light variant of Force Lightning — which was and lost and hidden technique known as Emerald Lightning — until he could had a defense against powered blast of lightning reliably. And that was also being able to hold onto his lightsaber in order to block a barrage of lightning instead of it flying out of his hand.
But Cal could live with that, he wanted his defenses to be ironclad before perfecting his offense.
Landing on the planet's landing pad was disappointing in all honesty. She already been unimpressed by the faming planet, it looked so mundane. Weren't the Jedi supposed to be hiding out on dangerous planets where only they could survive? Well, then again it was a fantastic hiding spot if most people thought that way. She had expected a Jedi to be waiting for her, lightsaber in hand and in a ready stance. Instead all she got were a few people milling about and some giving her a disinterred glance until their eyes landed on her lightsaber.
"Another Jedi..." One farmer whispered.
Jerserra scowled and reached out with the force to grab the man by his throat, "You think I am a Jedi?"
The people screamed as she raised her saber and ignited its glowing red blade, holding it an inch from her captive's throat, a flicker away from beheading him. The area cleared out as people ran back to whatever hole they had crawled out of.
"I'll let you live if you point me in the direction of these 'Jedi' you mentioned." She asked, smile feral.
"They are in the fields west of here!" He cried, "Please don't kill me!"
"Do you have a speeder?"
"Yes!"
She pressed her free hand against his forehead and he cried out in pain as she carelessly ripped the speeder's activation codes out of his head, not caring about the damage to his mind.
She crushed his throat with the force and he fell lifelessly to the floor, "Then you are more useful to me dead."
Merrin, Cal, Cere, and Xavier all froze mid-conversation as they felt the sensation that only came when a dark-side force-wielder came closer. Greeze noticed the expression on their face and began running for the Mantis and diving into his seat.
Cold.
Icy embers of cold.
Nothing the cold that grasped their hearts as Vader arrived on Nur, holding Trilla in place as she realized who had arrived, that was a glacial ice that was worse than falling in the icy waters on Illum. Like their bones had been replaced with ice and their blood was cooling in their veins.
This wasn't even a fraction of that experience, but was still unmistakable as someone who carried the feeling of The Dark Side.
Without thinking the group drew their lightsabers and turned to scan the horizon, focusing on the darkness approaching.
"Xavier." Cere said, voice sharp, "You need to get to your house and gather what you need or want, you'll take the Mercenary Star, we'll take the Mantis."
Xavier nodded and sprinted over to his speeder before speeding off in the direction of his house. They didn't have to wait long as a speck appeared on the horizon and slowly took the form of a speeder.
It undoubtedly was carrying the dark-sider.
The speeder came to a stop and a woman clambered out with a inquisitor's lightsaber hanging from her belt. She was dressed in an inquisitor's clothes but wore a black cape in a style Cal had only seen one other person wear in his entire life with a gray and black mask that obscured her features. It didn't cover her pale white hair that hung in a braid from her head, but that nothing else could be discerned. Cal mouth was a thin line as he gauged the woman sauntering towards them with an air of anticipation. Her regard lingered on Merrin and shifted in surprise but she smiled a feral grin at Cere and Cal. She had definitely noticed the lightsaber hilts hanging from their belts.
"A Jedi..." She sighed, "Finally."
"Who are you?" Cere demanded.
"My name is Jerserra." The now identified force-wielder said, "Nightsister of Dathomir and former apprentice to an inquisitor."
Merrin couldn't help the breath hitching in her throat at that declaration.
Cal grimaced, he was unaware that inquisitors were even allowed padawans, the last thing he wanted was for mini-inquisitors after him for Masana or Trilla's death, "Former?"
Well actually the last thing he wanted was Vader hunting him and his family but he pushed the thought of the Sith Lord to the side.
Jerserra laughed, "Former. I killed her after all! It's how I got my lightsaber."
Merrin managed to shake herself out of her daze at that gleeful declaration, "Why are you here?"
Her hand snatched her weapon and ignited it in a flash of crimson, everyone tensing at the sound of it, "Using The Force to hunt down targets and murder my way to fortune and power was fun for the first few years. My former master's teachings served me well in that aspect, but it started to lose some of its appeal after some time. I wanted to really test myself against a Jedi, and prove that I am stronger, prove that I could do what my master could and more. My red blade made people think I was an inquisitor, and therefore many never bothered to report me or watch what I was doing to closely. It was especially useful. Finding you was hard, but you gave off just enough light that I could pinpoint it."
Cal's blood froze at that, their growth in The Force had finally overwhelmed the shadow of darkness that loomed over Dantooine. Dantooine's natural shadow wasn't enough to cover them anymore, they needed to figure out what to do after this encounter was over. Cal's training with Revan, Zhar, and Vandar was still incomplete, but between his strength and his family's safety it wasn't even a choice. Part of him had been dreading this since the beginning, but it was still a hard pill to swallow that their temporary home was once again lost to them. Cal knew that Dantooine was a neutral nexus in The Force, which made it easy for his current-former masters to reach out to him. He'd have to figure the rest of his abilities out on his own once they left the planet and they found a new place to hide.
He supposed it was luck that Jerserra had been the one to find them and it wasn't The Empire.
He cast aside all those thoughts and stepped forward, deciding that those matters could be handled after this encounter, "We don't want to fight you."
He honestly gave it a 50-50 chance that she would just leave if she wasn't getting paid for this; Sorc Tomo's goons only hunted him because he escaped and they were being paid very handsomely. If she followed the same mentality, then she might just leave since there was no benefit but her own self-validation. He had no desire to fight what basically amounted to a force-wielding bounty hunter. Then again, she was looking for a challenge,a chance to be an inquisitor, so she probably only cared about the self-validation. Whatever her aims and whatever the outcome, Cal and his merry band of misfits would be leaving Dantooine soon.
She sneered, "Unfortunately, I don't intend to give you a choice, Jedi."
She lunged forwards and Cal immediately shifted out of the way of her strike, igniting his blade in a flash of light. She turned to follow him when she was hit with a wave of green fire and howled in pain. She called on her magicks an dispersed the flames with a sweep of her free hand, glaring at Merrin who hand was outstretched and trailing wisps of flame. Jersenna reached out with the force to crush her throat, but reeled as her grasp was shattered with a sharp wave of Merrin's hand. Her flinch cost her as a telekinetic wave sent her flying into the speeder she arrived on. She glared at the three Jedi who were already moving into formation, boxing her in and cutting offer her escape routes. She made to move when the lady wielding the green lightsaber caught her in a force-conjured hold, her strength enough to overwhelm her force barrier.
"Fight me one on one you cowards!" She demanded, squirming in place as she tried to get free.
"Like you would extend the same courtesy if we were outnumbered?" Cere retorted, hand still outstretched.
"I will fight her one on one if she wishes." Merrin replied instantly.
"Merrin?" Cal sputtered, "Why?"
"She is... or rather was a nightsister of Dathomir." Merrin replied calmly, pulling out her lightsaber and activating it in a blaze of magenta light, "As a nightsister myself, I owe it to my clan and culture to honor her request."
Cal and Cere both frowned but backed off.
"If you are in trouble I wont let you get hurt." Cal warned.
Merrin let out a small laugh, "Thank you."
Cere dropped her hand and Jerserra ignited her blade before looking up at Cere, "I wish I didn't have to carve you up sister, especially in front of your lover."
Merrin and Cal flushed at that, Cere rolling her eyes at the sight.
Merrin fought down her embarrassment and took her stance before she waited patiently, "If that were true, you would not have initiated this attack."
Jerserra laughed and charged, eyes glinting with malice and swung at Merrin who blocked her strike with a quick swipe of her own lightsaber. Undaunted, Jerserra struck again and the two nightsisters began to fight, blades crackling as the blades clashed against each other. Jerserra was all ferocity and hate, pouring herself at Merrin like a roaring fire crashing down. Merrin bore the barrage very well with her training having pushed her skills quite far, giving ground to avoid the heaviest strikes and lashing out when Jerserra stalled after a burst that left her lagging. She didn't need to push herself as Jerserra flourished her attacks with spins and twirls of her lightsaber, Merrin just need to force her to chase her around before hitting back. Jerserra realized after several scorches and bruises that her usual tactic of rushing her opponent and trying to overwhelm them wasn't working.
Jerserra lashed out with a force push and Merrin crossed her arms in front of her as pulled up the force to weather the wave, while her opponent skipped back. Jerserra took a deep breath and slid into her stance again. If her previous style wasn't working, she had to adjust by trying to pace herself and not exert too much energy, she had already paid with a few wounds. It wasn't her preferred style, she hated not being able to crush her opponent and move on to the next one. It was utterly galling and unacceptable for her to have to admit she wasn't the best after all the time she spent fighting, but that was the entire reason she came to Dantooine.
To see where she fell short.
"Once more sister!" She challenged.
After Jerserra began to attack more intelligently, the battle became much less one-sided, with Merrin being forced on the defensive several times throughout the fight. Cal twitched every time Merrin seemed to struggle, but knew that Merrin wanted and in some convoluted way needed to do this. This wasn't about Jedi and Sith or Light and Dark, it was about her fighting another person just like her. One of the last of the nightsisters. Merrin was holding back, each of the scorches that she had delivered could've seriously injured or killed her opponent. But she couldn't bring herself to do it. Cere looked on in sadness, understanding how difficult it must be for Merrin to have to do this.
But as much as it hurt, it was a matter of honor to Merrin, and that was something she wouldn't give up.
Jerserra lashed out with a gout of green flames and Merrin 'caught' the flames on her lightsaber before swinging the blade over her head and reflecting the fire back at Jerserra. The fallen nightsister made a punching motion while backpedaling and the flames exploded before they could touch her. Merrin advanced through the fading flames and she bore down on her opponent. Merrin locked blades with her sister and Jerserra pressed their blades against each other.
"Sister," Merrin tried to reason with Jerserra, "We may be the last of our people, we don't need to fight. No more nightsisters need to die."
Jerserra scoffed and swung he blade up to kick Merrin in the stomach, causing her to roll away to a crouch, "I live to kill, sister. You could join me. I could show you the power I have taken for my own. I could let you have a place right next to me as I rule once I am strong enough."
Merrin closed her eyes and stood tall, eyes hard, "I've seen The Dark Side and what it does to people sister. There is no power there worth the corruption of the mind and body that is the cost. I won't persuade you to let it go, but all I ask is you leave us in peace."
Jerserra laughed, loud and belittling, raising her hand up, "Is that so? Is there no benefit? How about I show one power it does offer?"
Lightning erupted from her palm, slicing through the air as Merrin's eyes widened and she desperately threw up her arms to block, green flames trailing her hands. She wasn't fast enough and screamed in pain as the lightning blew her off her feet and onto the floor. She curled up as the lightning crawled over her, screaming as Jerserra began to laugh in triumph over her now assured victory.
"Do you see now sister?" She gloated, "The power I have?"
There was a blaze of cyan light and Cal was suddenly there, face twisted in focus as he caught the lightning with his lightsaber and stood to block Merrin's form.
"Compared to Revan?" Cal growled, "This is nothing."