Disclaimer: I own nothing by LucasArts, Bioware or Disney but I do own Samirah and her quirkyness!

Hello my devoted readers (if you are still with me!)

I apologize once more for the delayed chapter. Life, school and "the force" had a way of impeding my ability to finish this chapter. Consequently, this was a hard chapter for me to write. I say this because each time I wrote it, I was unhappy with how it came out so I would start again until I had some shodding draft that I believed to be workable. I was finally able to turn several horrific drafts into a final chapter that I can quite say I am much happier with. There was a part or two in which I call "eh" but I'm assuming that's because I'm OCD about that lol Who knows?

Well, you have all graciously kept up with me and have patiently awaited my update on this story. Fear not, as promised, I have not given up on it!

To my dearest Athena Sapphire, I wanted to extend my thanks to you for checking up on me and ensuring I hadn't been eaten by a black hole ^-^ I really did appreciate the message and the vote of confidence! I apologize for not responding as of yet but know that your encouragement was much appreciated and in part, the reason I was able to make this chapter as I did!

And a big thank you to everyone who still sticks by me! I appreciate everything you guys give me and the big uplift in spirits I get when you all read my chapters :) you have no idea what it means to me and I'm only sorry that I can't update as fast as I wish but I will continue to try, Force willing!

Enjoy!


The Legacy

"Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you."


The stage was set.

The pieces were all falling into place as they should. It was only a matter of how, when and if this bode well for Chuundar at all. He sat in his throne, the hilt of Bacca's blade at the tips of his fingers. According to his spies, the humans had failed him. Never trust a human. They deliberately disobeyed him and to a certain degree, he knew they would when he looked into that one human's eyes. Samirah Noval Alda, as he had been informed by outside sources... the thorn in his side. The moment they had made their terms, he saw the defiance in her eyes... subtle but ever so present.

Don't worry Big Z! We'll be back, I promise!

He gripped the hilt tightly with his claws.

Her final words before disappearing into the depths of this worthless forest. A forest to which he had mildly hoped would devour her whole along with those she called allies. It had failed him as well. Though the idea of her returning- successful or a failure- did not make him happy. It rather infuriated him. He gritted his teeth, the broken metal of the hilt scraping against the chair he sat in as he raked it against the wood. His upper lip quivered in anger. She would not best him. She would not fulfill this promise. She would not come back alive.

"Shorwarr... " He beckoned one of his tenants, a fast and resourceful Wookiee to his side. The fair-haired Wook came to him swiftly, kneeling beside the throne at his call. He dare not even look upon Chuundar and this made him feel smug. Made him feel powerful."Go to Gorwooken and inform him of this human's treachery... do not allow her to leave the forest. Kill her. Kill them all."

The Wookiee nodded, needing nothing else from his leader before he got up and was gone from the room in moments. This pleased Chuundar. He wanted the entirety of Zaalbar's crew all to vanish from Kashyyyk and for them to cause him no more distress.

Zaalbar roared out in anger upon hearing this from the corner where he was kept. The two guarding him had chained him to prevent him from making things difficult as Chuundar went about his daily business. He pulled against the chains, causing his guards to hold him back and restrain him from moving at all. The few Czerka men Chuundar allowed in the camp became skittish as they tried to ignore him. This amused Chuundar.

"You cannot! Leave her be! They have nothing-" Chuundar bolted up from the his seat, taking no time at all to hit Zaalbar with the hilt of the blade. The jagged edges of the broken blade pulling across Zaalbar's cheek and only causing him to cry out louder. A mark was left in its wake, a trickle of blood falling freely down his face.

"Silence, madclaw."He growled. "Your words hold no weight here any longer... be silent! I hold Bacca's hilt... what I say, goes."

He was going to sell Zaalbar into slavery. Let him suffer. Chuundar didn't care, this was his kingdom now. Not his. Not his fathers. It was his. Chuundar circled the room, his anger and rage simmering out to nothing but satisfaction. He could imagine Zaalbar, defiant to his new master no matter what the punishment. He would most likely enrage the human until the human saw fit to kill him and Chuundar hoped it was something awful. The abhorrence he had for Zaalbar was so great... nothing else would fill this void.

"Chuundar..." Zaalbar spoke, earning the full gaze of his once brother.

"You will regret ever coming back..." Chuundar muttered as he gazed at Zaalbar with nothing more than loathing. "You should have never returned to ruin me..."

There was a knock, redirecting Chuundar's attention to the entrance as a Wookiee stationed at the gate strode in.

"Forgive me, Chieftain, for disturbing you..." He began urgently and quietly. "But there seems to be an interruption that I must bring to your attention..."

As the Wookiee spoke, Chuundar's face became a mixture of emotions. He finally settled on a smile that curled up at the edges. No, by the end of this day, he would end up on top. He would be the victor of this game. The pieces were being set up. The game was beginning and he got to set the rules. He looked over to Zaalbar, who sat speechless, with a sardonic smile. He would be the conqueror of this day.

It was his playing field.


Samirah was becoming frustrated as she stood before Gorwooken and the two Wookiees that flanked him. Her lightsaber already in her hand as it hummed a brilliant green color. The air around them was bitterly cold and she shivered instinctively as the breeze brushed against her. Their entire adventure down here was cold, dark, obscure and every inch of it seemed to linger on in her soul. It left an imprint on her. She knew it had, everything she had faced thus far was leaving a small mark on her soul and she wondered if this was what being a Jedi was. Being affected by everything you saw, everything you did and everything you touched but never allowing it to change you. Could she be strong enough to not let the Shadowlands change her? An important question, she thought, but one to be answered later when she wasn't being confronted by angry Wookiees with an intent to kill.

They were in her way and purposefully. Gorwooken had confronted her about allowing Freyyr to live as opposed to killing him as Chuundar had demanded. Now, they were going to make their attempt at slaying her to prevent her from helping out in the village where Freyyr had already gone. She had enough of these delays, she wasn't about to come this far and go through all the trouble she had endured from that terminal to be thwarted here.

Thinking back to it, she still didn't understand that terminal. Her brow furrowed at the thought. It was an evaluation that she apparently couldn't answer right, according to the terminal. The answers it wanted from her weren't the ones she gave and when she fought with the terminal about it, it simply stated that she could not go against the pattern it was comparing her against- a memory to which it would not explain to her. She gave it answers and after answering the first question, realized what kind of answers it wanted from her but at the same time... it wanted her to be honest.

Something was off. Something wasn't right.

When she gave it her honest answers and she ended up right, she explained her reasoning to which the terminal would argue saying her choice was right but her reasoning did not match. It infuriated her. It wanted her to be ruthless. It wanted her to not care about anything else except for the end result and that was not in her. She was rejected. At first, her heart stopped at the idea of being kept from the map until droids rolled out to eliminate her and the others. By the end of the battle, her only injury was a miniscule burn on her left shoulder which was hardly noticeable. Before she could utter a word to the terminal, it declared her as a match due to its analysis of the battle and her fighting technique. Whatever parameters were installed prior to their meeting, she fit the pattern by some miracle of the Force.

And then... when she touched the map, it was just the same as Dantooine. She was flooded with images and... screams. Her chest ached and her body crumpled to the ground. The cries, the faces, the terror- she felt it all as if they were all a punch to her gut. It took both Jolee and Bastila to reassure her that everything was not as she saw it. That there were no actual screams aside from the ones ringing in her ears...

Undeniable... power...

She flinched at the memory, a whirlwind of questions. She had been told the Force had an odd way of working but this felt different to her. It just didn't feel right. Something was wrong and no matter how she tried, she couldn't shake that feeling that she was missing something. Like it was staring her in the face but she couldn't recognize it. She didn't understand her role but all that mattered was that she now had the map, Freyyr was heading back to the village and Gorwooken was in her way. She needed to make him move and she needed to hurry. Carth and Canderous had rejoined them now since Freyyr climbed through the trees so as to move faster. He was in a hurry to stop his son.

"If you value anything here, Gorwooken, you will step aside and allow us through. Chuundar is nothing but a slaver, selling you all to-" Gorwooken roared.

"You are not to speak as if you know! You are not one of us! You will pay for your human arrogance!" And just like that, the talking portion was over. He wanted to speak no more.

He lunged at them, the two Wookiees beside him following was instantly put on the defensive and was well aware of the fact that time was not on their side. She dodged to the left, pulling her free hand back and channeled as much force power as she could at Gorwooken. In one swift motion, she threw her hand forward, knocking a wall comprised of the Force at the Wookiee.

His body twisted unnaturally through the air before rolling across the grass into a nearby tree. Her attention was fully on Gorwooken, allowing her companions to work on the other two Wookiees. Out of the corner of her eye, she noted that Bastila and Carth focused on one Wookiee while Canderous and Jolee focused on the other. The roar of Gorwooken drew her completely back to him as he got up, his teeth bared at her. With her free hand again, she lifted a nearby branch- again, the branches on Kashyyyk were more like trees themselves- and flung it towards the Wookiee.

With a quick motion, the Wookiee decimated the branch with his right forearm, breaking the branch into several pieces. In that moment, Samirah took the offensive and rushed in, using the debris as her brief cover. She jumped up, using her left foot to push against the chest of Gorwooken for momentum as she swung her right foot straight up in the air and connecting it with his chin. She allowed her body to flip back into the air, landing in a crouching position as he reeled his head backwards from impact. He stumbled back, regaining composure as he swung around his blade in his hands.

She mirrored him, standing up. She didn't want to have to kill him if she didn't have too but...

He rushed at her, roaring loudly as she charged at him in response. He lifted his right arm, preparing to slash down at her with his blade when they neared each other. She held her hand up quickly, holding his blade in place with the Force as he tried to pull down his blade on her but finding he was unable to. In that moment, she moved her lightsaber from her right hand to her left. Thatbroke her hold on his sword as she grabbed his right bicep, used it to swing herself under him and up onto his back where she clung to him tightly. He tried to shake her off but she wouldn't allow it, quickly changing which hand held her lightsaber one last time.

Her left arm was now wrapped tightly around his neck, forcing Gorwooken to claw madly at it in his attempt to free himself from her. With the other arm now in possession of her lightsaber, she plunged it's blade into his back. The green energy slid straight through his chest and his guttural cry rang loudly in her ears as she was forced to release her hold on his neck at last, falling hard on her back. Gorwooken fell to his knees slowly, the lightsaber disengaging and falling freely from him. He looked over his shoulder at her as she pushed herself up on her elbows to look at him, staring into his wrath filled eyes.

"His legacy... will not end here..." He roared in agony, coughing up spews of blood. "His legacy is... unstoppable. It will... live on." He cried before falling forward, his movements ceasing.

She had killed him. She had won. He had left her no other choice. She felt as his body left this world... it left its mark on the Force. She couldn't help the tears that welled up in her eyes as she felt him along with the two others, dying in sync. She had become so sensitive to the force all of a sudden... was it her encounter with the map? This forest? She felt that stabbing feeling in her cut that made her want to curl up into a ball. It was this intense emotion that touched her core, soaring through her veins like a cold touch of the finger against her skin. It sent chills through her body and she couldn't find the words to speak for several moments. She needed to cleanse herself of this feeling. It didn't feel right. It felt wrong.

There is no emotion...

She sat up fully, looking at her left arm to see the fabric of her robe torn to shreds and her arm covered in scrapes and blood. It wasn't the worst wound she'd ever received and because of her adrenaline rush, she barely even felt the sting. Perhaps the cold air made her body numb. Was that it or was it something else?

"Lass..." She looked up at Jolee as he knelt down, taking her arm slowly and cautiously. "You got yourself a nasty looking wound here."

He ripped her sleeve, using the cloth to clean her gashes and yet... she didn't flinch once. Why had their deaths impacted her so much? It felt like the moment Taris cried out in anguish as the Sith eradicated the life there. The cry of pain that echoed through the Force, leaving its own wound on her. Jolee began wrapping her arm with a freshly cut piece of cloth as the others checked the fallen Wookiees just to be sure that they were truly dead. When they were certain, they gathered what materials they could from them before rejoining them.

"Samirah, are you all right?" Carth's worry was evident in his voice but he also seemed cautious as he approached. Could they see how it affected her? Was it that obvious? She was starting to feel rough around the edges and couldn't wait for a shower. Her head felt cloudy and it was taking everything she had to keep going. This needed to get finished before she ran out of energy.

"Yeah, I'm fine... it doesn't really hurt. We have to keep moving or it'll be too late to help Freyyr. We can't be delayed any longer." She explained almost as if she wasn't hurt at all. She was starting to be overwhelmed with this feeling or need to get off this planet. Something wasn't right with the place after all. The dark side. The vision she got when she touched that map... it was just like Dantooine, except she was prepared this time. Though it didn't make the image any less horrifying. It didn't make the feelings any less real.

As Jolee finished the bandage and did a simple heal on her arm- not completely healed but healed enough to allow her to finish what they'd started- she hoisted herself up from the ground.

"Are you sure?" Carth asked, stepping closer but she nodded her head, smiling numbly at him. She had no time to let these things affect her as they had. The taint of the dark side was so thick here; it waited in the shadows for a weak moment in her to strike and she vowed to show it none.

"Positive Carth, let's go. We have a village to save." She promptly turned, pushing all of her concerns to the back of her mind as she retrieved her lightsaber before they approached the basket. She needed to focus on finishing this.

Upon reaching the basket, the thought struck Samirah that her last encounter with this basket had not gone so smoothly. She was also reminded that Gorwooken had been the operator of it. She knew nothing of how this mechanism was to work- they nearly all plummeted to their deaths the first time due to a malfunction in the rope. How were they going to make it up?

"I'm not sure where to begin..." Samirah started, stepping forward in a daze.

They all stepped into the basket, examining all the inner workings in an attempt to discover how it worked. Jolee didn't look around too much, he knew very well he couldn't work the damnable thing. He insisted on staying in one of the corners and just watching all the other kids figure it out. Most notably, he kept his eye on Samirah. What everyone else didn't notice, he most certainly picked up on. Samirah was hesitant as she walked, very much aware of all the markings that were reminders of her fall into the depths of Kashyyyk.

She knelt down beside the spot where she had pierced her blade through the floor of the basket. She stared at the burns across the wood from her lightsaber, splintered wood, gashes and even slight scratch marks from her nails. Her desperate attempts to stay in the basket. She replayed the event in her mind: the basket swaying and tilting, her body free falling from the edge and the echoes of her name being called out. A shiver was sent through her spine. She wasn't entirely thrilled about the adventure back up. She frowned at the scene as footsteps lightly padded across the floor behind her.

"We searched for you." She looked up to see Bastila, staring at the same spot she was. "I couldn't feel you through the force... you were hidden from me. It was like you had disappeared. Like you never existed. No matter how I called out for you, no matter how hard I searched... you weren't there to answer. I couldn't find you."

Samirah furrowed her brow at Bastila before the Jedi finally pulled her eyes away to stare back at her. Samirah couldn't remember ever hearing Bastila through the force. Through the bond. She had heard nothing. The basket creaked slightly, Carth and Canderous bickering over something to do with a lever while Jolee just hovered around the edges, chuckling to himself.

"I never heard you, or even felt you for that matter... Bastila, I'm-" She waved Samirah away.

"Oh hush, I don't want to hear it." She smirked ever so slightly, the smile more rueful then anything. Despite what she was saying, Bastila was still worried. She still couldn't sense Samirah even though she stood next to her. What was it? Was Samirah somehow hiding from her? Was the forest hiding her? What was it that kept the bond so cold?

"What matters is you are safe again with us. I just wanted you to know that I did look for you and that I wasn't going to give up on that search. " Deciding that there was nothing more she could do, Bastila left it alone for now. Perhaps the shadows of the forest hid more than just its secrets. She then moved away to chastise the men bickering on the other side of the basket. They were getting them nowhere and Jolee was only amusing himself with the spectacle.

Samirah smiled as she moved to the edges of the basket, her hand brushing against the wood before searching the lever for any indication of how it worked. It seemed almost too big and too sturdy for her to move out of pure strength. Perhaps if she asked for the aid of the Force, it would move it but would that be all that was acquired in order to move the basket up. The amount of energy that would take, however, was not a luxury she could afford. She might not be able to hold it all the way to the top. Unfortunately, she had to try something at this point... anything.

"By the Force..." She whispered out of agitation. Her head was showing the beginnings of a headache. It stemmed from behind her eyes and was working its way out. She needed to focus and ignore the throbbing pain just long enough to get them home on the Ebon Hawk. Long enough to save Zaalbar...

"It would seem that you are more than I thought, human..."The roar made her freeze instantly and a loud thunk sounded behind her. She whirled around, her lightsaber ready in hand as it ignited with a vibrant green color. Then she saw the Wookiee who stood in the middle of the basket, appraising her thoughtfully as he approached. Everyone grew quiet, surprised at his sudden appearance.

"You're the..." He bowed his head in acknowledgment to her unspoken words. The Wookiee she had met before their decent. The hunting put away her weapon, letting out a sigh of relief as he spoke.

"Freyyr has come back, and told me of what you did for him. My fellow hunters split on what should be done upon this knowledge of his return."Chorrawl paused a moment, low groan escaping him."Some were loyal to Chuundar alone... we had to fight. Freyyr went to the throne room to challenge Chuundar. I will take you to him now." He turned to attend to the basket and insure there were no problems with it. Samirah moved quietly to him, touching his arm hesitantly. He stopped moving and just looked forward, refusing to look at her.

"Wait, Chorrawl... you fought your brethren? I don't understand, was there no-" He interrupted her, speaking quickly and never once looking at her as he spoke.

"We follow the Chieftain, whoever that is. If the position is in doubt, we each fight for the side we believe in. This must be decided quickly or there will be much more bloodshed. But I must ask that we hurry..." He stopped and finally turned to look at her."Things are due for a change, little Jedi."

Samirah nodded her head, noting that there really wasn't any more time to waste. She walked quickly to the edge of the basket, closing the small gate as everyone settled in. He prepped the basket and Samirah promptly sat in the middle of the basket. She crossed her legs, getting comfortable before she began to focus and concentrate on the basket itself. She reached out with the force, just enough to give her a feel of the wood. If anything did happen, she wouldn't be caught off guard and would hopefully be in a position to save them.

Force willing, nothing would go awry. She didn't think she had the strength for it. She shivered as the voices resounded in her mind. Not just screams... but someone's laughs.

"Samirah?" She looked up at Carth, startled for moment, to see him standing by one of the columns. He was relaxed, leaning against it as he watched her from the edges of the basket. Relaxed as he was, there was still a readiness about him. They hadn't really spoken since they parted ways so that she could get the map without them. When they had met up again with Freyyr, she was too engrossed by their mission that she hadn't said more than two words to him. She had all but ignored him and not by choice.

She let out a small sigh before smiling at him softly, her attempt to reassure him that she was fine. She couldn't afford to show them weakness, no matter how much she may be falling apart.

"I just need to clear my thoughts, Carth. It's nothing to worry about, I promise... just a little tired from the adventure thus far is all." She spoke softly, more so than usual. Looking at her now, that child-like smile on her face made her seem all the more fragile. She was covered in dirt from head to toe, no time to be clean of all the mud and grime thus far, only added to her childish features. He nodded slowly, not wanting to pry it out of her. She responded with a slow nod of her own, taking a few calming breaths.

He was very much aware of her distance. It wasn't intentional, but it was there. She was here but it almost seemed mechanical; her motions, her words, her eyes- as if she wasn't really aware of her surroundings but rather in a trance of sorts. He watched as she closed her eyes, going into a meditative state as the basket began its slow ascent. He watched her lips as they began to move slowly, possibly reciting one of her many mantra's in hushed tones. Mantra's she was sure to have learned from Bastila along with the influence of meditative stances. She seemed more like Bastila then her own adventurous self. Her skin seemed to be have a slight flush to it, her eyebrows knitted tightly together and he was sure she was shivering but that could be due to the cool breeze.

The hell happened to her? She was fine when they parted ways but now... now she seemed shaken. It was unnerving to know that she had come across something that made her uneasy. She wasn't one to just drop down into a mediation like this or to try and clear her thoughts. Clear her thoughts? No. That was Bastila. The prim and proper star pupil of the Jedi Council. Not Samirah, the Republic scout with a penchant for getting into trouble. What had she seen? What was disturbing her so much that she had to bunker down like that. Carth gripped the arm of his jacket as her lips moved faster and only a few words being loud enough to be barely heard. Words like strength and peace echoing out.

What she needs is support. Someone who has faith in her...

The words echoed in his head like a virus and her frowned.

Carth looked over at Canderous as he paced back and forth. His eyes looking over into the expanse of the forest and at the darkness that enveloped it. He stopped momentarily to glance at Carth and their eyes met. Canderous gave him half a smile before looking away and continuing his slow pace. It was like he knew what Carth was thinking and the influence he had had on him. Carth breathed out in frustration, turning around to look over the railing. He fingers wrapped around the wood and he squeezed it, his fingers twisting over the wood and producing splinters in his hand. He didn't care. Canderous was right. He needed to give her his strength and his faith. It was what she needed.

Not more distrust and uncertainty.

Look, I am not going to betray you! What's it going to take to prove to you that I won't betray you! I am not Saul!

Well, we'll just see about that, won't we?

He gritted his teeth as the memory brushed through his mind. He hadn't really been by her side at all. He had been nothing but a burden to her, spouting at her about his distrust and pushing all his problems on her when she didn't need any more. She wasn't exactly having a hell of a time herself. Her life was changing. She was being thrust into matters that didn't concern her, didn't involve her and was by no means her problem. She should have been able to walk away freely but a force beyond them compelled her to stay. She was made to be a major piece in a war she never wanted to be in and he, not once, gave her any strength. Not once did he make her feel needed. Not once did her make her feel like she belonged.

He was despicable for it. He felt like a wretched human being.

He looked up at the expanse above him. The sky was just a speck of light amongst the trees. He saw nothing more than the canopies and the wood that blocked the way. He let out a shaky breath. He needed help from somewhere he was not accustomed to asking it from.

"I-I don't know if this is how it works," he whispered to himself, "or-or if there is some kind of ritual I need to go through. Sacrifice a Bantha or something... but whatever is out there, whatever it is that Samirah draws her strength from and believes in... she needs you. I need you. This... Force... that she depends on, you are- you are exactly what she needs and I..." He paused, looking down to shake his head. What was he doing? Speaking to something that was far beyond him and his own being?

Was the Force, this entity that surrounded Jedi, sentient? Could it hear him? Help him? Perhaps he had just gone mad. This forest they had just finished trekking through... he felt as if at every turn, there was something that watched them. Whether it was his own paranoia, the dark side or simply the Force- hell, he didn't know. He couldn't even pretend to understand it. Samirah understood though. Samirah relied on it. It was her strength so whether he understood it or not... it was not meant for him. He sighed again, running his hand through his hair, all covered in dirt and leaves. He looked up at the canopy of trees to which they grew closer too once more.

"Whatever you are, whatever powers you posses... I need you to help her. I need you to keep her... strong. Watch out for her, protect her- hell, I don't know. Just don't let this mission be the end of her. She deserves so much more than this... I just need to let her know, somehow... that I do trust her. I do have faith in her. I do..." He stopped, allowing his words to fall on deaf ears. He waited for a moment, wondering if a sign would present itself but nothing happened. All her heard was the wind whistling by.

He chuckled to himself. Being lost in the woods for too long... Jolee was right. It does make you mad.


The ascent back up seemed to last much longer than their earlier journey into the depths of Kashyyyk. Samirah didn't move in the slightest bit during the venture. When the basket came to a halt, Chorrawl opened to gate and ushered everyone out except for Samirah. She was the only one who had yet to move. She remained frozen in her meditative state, her lips moving quickly but no words could be heard. Bastila walked back slowly, coming to a stop before her. She could sense her faintly through the force and what she sensed was troublesome. Turmoil, pain, and pure exhaustion extending throughout her body. She seemed to be shivering, a cold sweat breaking out across her forehead and a flush across her cheeks.

Power. More power. An endless supply... within my reach.

No! No! No! Please! Noooo!

Their screams...

Bastila placed a timid hand on the young Jedi's shoulder, gently shaking her. Samirah's eyes shot open immediately and she smacked Bastila's hand away with one hand and quickly grabbing hold of her neck with the other. Bastila sucked in air, her eyes growing wide as Samirah's hold on her neck grew tight. Her breathing was hitched, her eyes wide and her paled skin was riddled with beads of sweat. When Bastila looked into her frantic eyes, there was something that was buried in their depths that both worried and disturbed her. What was going on inside of her head? What was troubling her so?

"S-S-Samirah!" Bastila choked before Samirah blinked in comprehension.

When Samirah realized where she was and who with, she quickly let go of Bastila and flinched away as if her fingers had been burned. Bastila grasped her neck, rubbing at the spot absent-mindedly as she kept her eyes on Samirah. Samirah allowed her body to relax, forcibly pushing that moment of fear from her features. She looked around quickly before pressing her fingers to her forehead.

"F-forgive me, Bastila… I didn't mean… I just... you don't... W-We need to keep moving." She breathed out slowly. "Freyyr… he's... he's waiting…" She got up from the basket's floor slowly, Bastila mimicking her motions with caution.

"Samirah, are you alright?" Despite asking the question, Bastila knew she was far from it. Something was off and something was plaguing her. Her mind and her heart was disturbed… but more than that, she was falling apart.

Samirah nodded her head, not meeting Bastila's eyes as she straightened her robes. She took a few centering breaths, closing her eyes and allowing the Force to encompass her. When she was ready, she walked to join the others who had waited outside the basket for them. To no one's surprise, Carth and Canderous where whispering furiously at each other. Presumably about what to do or perhaps trivial matters. Neither of which was productive. Upon the approach of Samirah, the two men stopped their squabble and stepped aside.

"Samirah, you don't—"Carth started but she interrupted him quickly as she scoped the area.

"Where's Chorrawl?" She asked quickly, looking around and for all intents and purposes—magically seemed ok again. For the moment at least. She drew strength from the Force, hoping it would help her prevail to Chuundar. Canderous and Carth didn't say anything as scoped the area for Chorrawl.

Chorrawl dropped from the branches, landing with a quiet thud but a loud growl.

"We must waste no more time… I have word from the village and all is not well. We must move quickly or lose the footing we had gained."

"Wait, what's going on?" Samirah persisted, holding her hands out in front of her to ease him but Chorrawl shook his head.

"No time, we must hurry. Something has happened…"


Chuundar sat on his throne, the smile on his face clear to Zaalbar as he sat in the corner. His face was bruised and he was scuffed up rather badly but that would hardly be enough to dim the fire of his hatred. Given the chance, he would rip Chuundar, limb from limb. His gaze was cold as he watched his brother sully the title his father had carried so honorably. He pulled on the chains slightly, the sound of the metal across the floor alerting the Czerka man beside him. The man promptly hit him with the butt of his gun, hissing at him to stay still and keep quiet.

Zaalbar grumbled in displeasure, which only made the man feign another blow to his head.

"Shut-up, you stupid creature…" The man growled at him. "I'll hit you again if you provoke me."

"Orin, enough…" Zaalbar looked to see the Czerka man in charge standing beside Chuundar. His eyes narrowing at Zaalbar carefully before looking to the man named Orin. "He has to be in well enough shape to be sold. Touch him no more." Orin just nodded, a grimace in place as he resumed his place beside Zaalbar. Big Z couldn't help the snarl that escaped his lips and the anger that radiated from him. The sound of the Czerka Officer clearing his throat made Zaalbar look at him as the man glared from across the room.

"Do not misunderstand, beast. I care not for your welfare, only the price your head will get us. If you prove more trouble then you're worth..." He left the threat open ended as he smirked at Zaalbar.

Zaalbar bowed his head. As time progressed, he grew angrier and yet he also grew more tired. Where were the others? Where was Mission? The Jedi named Samirah? Where was the entirety of the crew who ventured to the Shadowlands. As a child, it was a place his father would send him to prove his worth to the village. His father would tell him that as the son of the Chieftain, he had more to prove to the village. He had to show strength. He had to show courage. He had to show that he was worthy to be the son of the great Chieftain.

When you entered that forest, however... you didn't come back the same, if you ever came back at all. Zaalbar knew all too well the mysteries of that place... the darkness that dwelled there. By Bacca, he prayed that they would come back and come back unscathed. If Mission was safe, they didn't need to come back for him...

Chuundar barely even paid any mind to Zaalbar and the Czerka agents as his eyes were set on that one entrance. His spies had been in place. He knew, without a doubt, that his father was coming back for his throne. Poor old Freyyr thought he could best Chuundar and win back the village. Old Wook must have been much farther gone down the path of madness than Chuundar had first anticipated. He had no chance of reclaiming any of this. It was no longer his to reclaim. The people would never accept him back: The Madclaw.

There was a clamor outside the door that drew his attention and he smirked.

Chuundar got up from his throne, standing tall as a small fight ensued before the door swung open to reveal Freyyr. His personal guard stood on the ready to strike down the old Wook but Chuundar signaled for them to stay their hands. He was not ready to strike him down just yet. As his father entered, Chuundar saw that he was not alone. So he regained some followers? It didn't matter. They wouldn't be enough.

"So you live, father. Welcome to the family reunion. How many years has it been since our family fell to ruin? Zaalbar the first to fall due to madness and then you, our Chieftain to follow suit. Must I be the one to end your reign of terror?" He let out a small chuckle-like roar as he smiled smugly at him.

Freyyr slowly approached his son, well aware of the eyes on him. All but the eyes of Zaalbar, who sat quietly in the corner, at a loss. Where were the others? Where was Samirah Alda? What had happened? They were supposed to be with him...

"It is I who will end this, my son. By the blade of Bacca's sword, I have come to end this treachery you have brought to our village!" He held the broken sword high above his head, earning the silence of the room. A few of Chuundar's personal guard slowly lowered their weapons as they looked to Chuundar. He snarled at Freyyr.

"You... you have Bacca's blade?" His body tensed, the anger radiating through him as Freyyr flaunted the revered artifact. How dare he. He would not lose this. "So what! I have the hilt, held by each true Chieftain in recent memory! Even you claimed it was all-important, father!"

This declaration seemed to split the occupants of this small throne room. Several whispered furiously to each other while some hardly said a word, waiting to see what was decided. Chuundar refused to let this old Wook best him. He needed to win the people to his side.

"We both have our ancient trinkets, so who will the people follow now? You? You are old and weak! You are a Madclaw!"He cried, a few loyal followers roaring in agreement. Those that backed Chuundar moved closer to him while those loyal to Freyyr backed him up. The room was split, Freyyr wielding Bacca's blade and Chuundar holding the hilt.

Zaalbar watched from his corner as the two exchanged words, roaring angrily as the respective sides were on the verge of ripping each other apart. Rwookrrorro was on the verge of a civil war now. If this persisted, the village would suffer. He noted that the Czerka man in charge of watching him had moved away from the fight, his eyes watching the angry Wookiees timidly while the Wookiee guards had moved to protect Chuundar. This provided an advantage for him. No one was paying him any mind now.

Zaalbar stood up quickly, not waiting a moment before swinging his arms into the Czerka man who had struck him. Orin was caught off guard and flung against the walls effortlessly. His cry of pain alerted the others of Zaalbar's momentary freedom. The chains still bound him, however, so he only had so much of it.

"Enough!" He cried out at them. "I will not sit idly by as you two tear Rwookrrorro apart! This village will not suffer anymore! It cannot! Stop this fight!" He protested.

Freyyr, having set eyes on his exiled son for the first time since his banishment, was at a momentary loss. This was his son. A son he had wronged.

"Silence!"Chuundar roared. "You do not have permission to speak here, Madclaw! Restrain him!" He ordered as two of his personal guards moved to quell him. He went into a defensive stand, prepared to take them on while his father started to move to help his son quickly. However, he was stopped as both guards were hoisted into the air and were sent sailing across the room in a violent manner. They slammed into the walls, collapsing to the floor with a thud before going still.

"Lay another finger on him and I swear by the Force, you'll regret I ever came to this planet."

All eyes turned to the door where the voice rang loud and clear. Zaalbar, most of all, cried out in joy upon hearing her voice.

"Samirah!" She stood at the door, her lightsaber drawn and ready as she stared down Chuundar.

However, upon further inspection, something wasn't right about her. Her skin seemed lighter to him, paler, and her stance was all wrong to him. In his mind, Samirah appeared to him as a kind-hearted human. Subtle in movements, careful, calm, sensitive, a smile always in place and a protective nature for all who followed her. This woman before him did not exhibit these traits he had come to know. This one was... angry, troubled, distressed and determined. Familiar and yet foreign. Zaalbar could see that something had happened. Behind her stood Carth and Canderous, their weapons drawn and each pointed at different Wookiees while Bastila stood by Samirah. There was another, an old man Zaalbar couldn't recall from recent memory.

The crazy old hermit? No... he would be long dead by now, surely.

Chuundar roared angrily.

"Will. You. Not. Die!" He exclaimed, using all his might to topple the throne he once sat upon.

"It's over, Chuundar. Let this go. There is no more need for bloodshed. You were wrong and you are beaten." She declared, taking a step forward as her green blade hummed. Her eyes were narrowed and focused intently on him as he moved. Chuundar only shook his head, an eerie roar rumbling in his chest. A laugh.

"No, human. I am not." He backed up slowly. "Shorwarr... why don't you join us with the guest..." From a door that was off to the side, presumably Chuundar's quarters, a Wookiee appeared.

He surveyed the room before tossing a small, blue Twi'lek before Chuundar. For a moment, she didn't move and Samirah's breath caught in her throat. Zaalbar bellowed out in anger, pulling as hard as he could against his restraints while calling out his friend's name. Chuundar reached down and picked her up by the back of her jacket, holding her out to show that her hands were bound in the front.

"Mission..." Samirah breathed, her temper rising with each passing moment. Bastila placed a hand on her shoulder but Samirah didn't register it. She didn't care. Right now, her only focus was Mission.

"This child was snooping about... not a place for a kid." Chuundar taunted. "Had to put an end to her rambling temper too. Better teach her better manners next time." Samirah reached out with the Force and could feel Mission's presence. She was alive, for now. She seemed hurt but fortunately, nothing badly. That, however, did nothing to alleviate the rage that was building up inside of Samirah.

"Put. Her. Down." Samirah said slowly. Chuundar only chuckled, the rumble in his chest shaking Mission slowly. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, her head swaying a bit as she tried to regain consciousness. Chuundar held a blade to Mission's throat, jerking her conscious as the tip was pressed against her blue skin.

Immediately, Mission found Samirah and their eyes were locked. Samirah saw the fear that held tightly to Mission for a brief moment before she tried to remain defiant.

"You are in no position to give me orders..."

"Chuundar!"Freyyr yelled. "This is over, do not be a fool!"

"A fool? A fool! Would a fool be able to build an empire? Would a fool be able to do the things I've done!"

"You've done nothing but destroy this village! Betrayed us all!"

As Freyyr and Chuundar yelled at one another, all the sound seemed to grow distant to Samirah as she watched Mission. In that moment, Samirah felt nothing. Zaalbar roared in the corner, aimlessly pulling at his chains; Mission shaken with fear as Chuundar's blade was pushed to her throat, her eyes stuck on Samirah and of course, the father and the son at war. The village was pulling itself apart and she'd be damned if she allowed them to pull her crew down with them.

This was never their fight and yet they always got mixed in to other people's qualms. Could nothing ever be easy? Could nothing ever be straight forward enough for them to do what they had set out to do?

Her free hand was balled into a fist as the Force thickened around her.

Bastila felt it first. It was like a tidal wave of power forming at Samirah's finger tips. Her anger combined with the power of the force was a dangerous combination. She needed to stop her but before she could react, Samirah's hand shot forward at Chuundar. His body was propelled upward, his hold on Mission and the blade releasing as he hit the ceiling before being flung to the floor. In that instant, the battle was started. Each side baring arms against the other. Carth and Canderous spread out and began fire against Czerka agents stationed inside. Bastila and Jolee moved quickly to free Zaalbar while Samirah aimed her sights on Chuundar. He immediately scrambled to his feet as she flourished her blade.

His nostrils flared as he lurched towards her only to be thwarted by a flick of her wrist. He was sent sailing into a wall behind him as she kept coming closer. When he looked up again, she was in front of him, reeling her hand back and hitting him across the face. He retaliated instantly by swinging at her as she ducked, launching a side kick into his gut. What she didn't anticipate due to her focus on Chuundar was his lackey, Shorwarr, catching her from behind. He had his arms wrapped around her and was squeezing the air out of her as Chuundar quickly got to his feet. Samirah squirmed before changing her hold of her lightsaber and stabbing it into his leg.

He howled in pain, dropping her and allowing her the freedom to swing a swift kick to his jaw. She followed up with a quick plunging motion of her lightsaber, straight through his chest and yanking it out roughly. She gave him no second thought as she heard his body thump against the floor. That Wookiee was just another upstart and not the focus of her attention any longer. She looked back to Chuundar, repositioning herself into an offensive form and holding her lightsaber accordingly. She wasn't letting him go anywhere. He crossed the line when he threatened Mission.

Jolee had pulled Mission out of the fight and was tending to her off to the side. Carth and Canderous maneuvered themselves between the fight and the two behind them in an effort to keep them safe from any malicious intent. He cut the ropes binding her hands and checked her for any other wounds not immediately obvious to them. For the most part, she seemed to only be shaken up a bit.

"T-thanks..." She muttered, still trying to get a hold of her surroundings. Bastila, who had gone to free Zaalbar, was now fighting off a Wookiee holding a vibroblade while Big Z was tackling a group of Czerka with ease.

Carth and Canderous were providing cover fire as best they could, focusing their shots where they could best help their comrades in the fight. For once, Mission wasn't arguing about being kept out of it. The events of the past hour were like a blur to her and she felt like she was forgetting something. For the most part, Czerka seemed intent on protecting Chuundar as best they could since he was the puppeteer of this outfit. Without him, Czerka had no hopes of continuing their slave trade on Kashyyyk. They were finding it difficult, however, since Freyyr was keeping them at bay.

Bastila and Zaalbar seemed to be holding their own off to the far corner of the room. Bastila was swinging her double-bladed lightsaber around, the yellow blade humming sharply with each swing and Zaalbar backing her up with a vibroblade he had acquired. Carth wasn't really that worried about those two; they made a rather good team. The one he was most worried about was obviously Samirah. She went straight for Chuundar. Carth couldn't focus too much on their battle as some of the Czerka men armed with blasters hid behind the throne and took shots at them, their only cover a wicker basket. Not exactly an ideal situation.

"Hey, Soldier boy! You mind picking up the heat a bit? I don't want to take all the credit for these kills!" Canderous taunted, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest as blaster fire soared by his head. Carth sighed, nearly exasperated at the Mandalorian's carefree nature.

"I'm not here to satisfy you or to compete for-" Canderous let out a roaring laugh, quickly moving out from cover to let loose a couple of shots. To Carth's surprise, the shots hit their marks and two of the Czerka men fell. Only one was left, stunned by the sudden attack and slack-jawed as he stared at his comrades.

"I don't blame you... from the looks of it boy, you're falling behind. Not much of a competition is there?" He remarked with a grin.

Carth just shook his head, not wanting to enable him any further. The lone Czerka man left standing behind the throne started to stumble backwards, dropping his blaster. When Carth looked to his side, Bastila was disengaging her lightsaber and Zaalbar dropping the blade as if it burned his hand to hold it. For a moment, he didn't move. Then, without a second thought, he crossed the room in quick strides until he was at Missions side.

"Mission, I-" He started but she shushed him with her hand.

"Aw, don't get all emotional on me Big Z. I'm just glad you aren't hurt. What would I do without you?" She joked as if there was never any danger to start with. "And would it kill ya to give a girl a heads up when you plan on being kidnapped? I mean, sheesh! It would save me from a little worry." She rolled her eyes in mock irritation, grinning when Big Z just groaned.

The only opposition they still faced was Chuundar and the lone Czerka man who was retreating to the back room. Carth didn't think he was worth following seeing as how the true threat was still alive- Chuundar. Freyyr stood on the sidelines, his anxious body an indicator that he hated watching the fight between his son and the Jedi girl. Carth started to move, aiming to help her when Canderous grabbed the barrel of his blaster, lowering it. When Carth looked at him to argue, he was stopped by the stern expression Canderous wore- his eyes glued to the fight.

"Not our fight, Soldier boy. There is honor to be had here." He stated quietly. "If anyone of us were to truly interfere with this fight, however, it ought to be the Wookiees. We've done our part. Let them do theirs." Carth balled his hand into a fist, sighing with a nod. He had a point. It was up to Samirah. Again.

From the looks of the fight thus far, Samirah seemed to possess the edge. Why shouldn't she? She was a mildly trained Jedi with an exceptional amount of power behind her. What was bothering him about that? She twirled her lightsaber around, circling Chuundar as he mirrored her motions, a vibroblade in his hand. Her hair had fallen free from the ribbon previously holding her hair.

Without a second more to spare, she darted for him, racing her blade up high and swinging it down in a flourish. Chuundar side stepped her, swinging his own blade for her head only to be disappointed when she moved out of the way, facing him as she prepped for another strike. He wasn't about to allow her to escape so easily and managed a hit with his elbow, catching her at the temple of her head. The force of the hit knocked her back into the wall behind her as she stumbled to stay standing. Not hesitating, Chuundar swung his fist at her head, aiming to end the fight. She slid down the wall, Chuundar punching a hole through the wooden wall above her head angrily.

With a swift movement of her hand, she slammed her palm into his knee and produced a loud audible crack from it. She had exerted just enough of her Force power into her palm to break his knee cap in one swift motion. He roared in agony, crumbling to the floor as she delivered a swift kick to his jaw. His face moved in an unnatural way as a crack followed after. He remained kneeling on the floor with his one good knee, his hand on his chin as he grumbled. He looked at her with angry eyes, the fires of his hatred staring her down. She hated those eyes. She couldn't stop herself from harnessing a ball of power in her hand and shooting it at his chest in a swift motion. His body lurched forward as he was propelled back, his body slamming into his very own throne. He coughed up blood on the floor beside him, looking up at her with a snarl.

"You never should... have interfered..." He grumbled. "Why should you, of all people... even care..." It obviously pained him to speak, his jaw impairing his ability to speak loudly. He surveyed the area, noting how he had already lost the battle. "You've ruined... it all and for what? So an old Wook... too far past his prime, can reclaim... a broken past?" He growled, coughing with a guttural chuckle.

Samirah wiped a trail of blood from her mouth, her body heaving from all the exertion of force power. She'd used way too much of it and her body was wearing down. She felt beyond exhaustion and was holding on by the sheer willpower of seeing this through. Of seeing Chuundar pay for even thinking he could threaten Mission and still live. Before long, however, she was sure she'd have no more energy left.

"You've lost..." She murmured. "Accept it." He shook his head, meeting her eyes.

"Lost? You think... this is failure?" He chuckled, coughing up more blood in response. "You don't know what I've done for my people... what I alone... started. Everyone else... too weak to do what I did... too frail. You haven't changed... anything. A Madclaw will always be... a Madclaw. An old Wook... always a fool. I regret... nothing." He spat at her and she balled her fist.

Despite her exhaustion, despite the dizziness she felt from this entire adventure... the hatred she was feeling for this Wookiee was overpowering all other emotions. The adrenaline running through her veins was enough to keep her standing and to keep the weight of everything on her shoulders at bay.

"Then I feel no sorrow for you, son." Freyyr stepped up, stopping beside Samirah as he shook his head at his boy. "You have shamed me... more so than any father should ever have to suffer."

"Ha!" Chuundar scoffed as another fit overtook him. "You are no father... of mine... I should have killed that Madclaw... and that Twi'lek..." He grinned as the anger flared up another notch in Samirah. She immediately lurched forward, her lightsaber flaring up as she intended to strike him down where he laid but the arm of Freyyr stopped her, holding her back.

"No! Young Jedi! Do not strike him out of anger!" He pleaded, agony somehow penetrating through his roaring voice. Samirah tried to fight against him but couldn't break free. She wanted so badly to end his existence. "He... He is my son! Mine! Flesh and blood, that of which I brought into this world..." Samirah ceased her movements slowly as he spoke, nearly falling limp in his arms. She wanted to scream at Chuundar. To scream at Freyyr but somehow his sorrow seeped into the Force and into her. She felt what he felt and it was enough to overpower her. "My... Son. It is my responsibility to take back that which is mine... that which is mine, though it shames me to claim him so."

"Fear not, father... for I never claimed... you... or even this... village of filth!" Chuundar spat, coughing up blood as a fit took over him. Freyyr only looked him in the eyes with more compassion then he deserved. He moved Samirah behind him, her strength slowly fading.

"You were my shame, Chuundar... my shame. You will disgrace this family, this tribe and this village no more!" He cried before lifting the blade of Bacca and plunging it through the heart of his son. Into the heart of Chuundar… an act of which felt as if it were his own heart being wounded. Chuundar gasped and grunted, fresh blood being coughed up as his father looked away, pulling the blade out quickly. "You were my blood! My blood!"He cried into Chuundar's ear.

Though he was dying, he spared one last look to Samirah and then back to his father. Freyyr slowly laid his son down against the floor, watching as his last breaths escaped his mouth and his final words.

"It was... my... legacy..."Freyyr knelt down beside the body, shaking his head.

"Yes... Chuundar... your legacy..."

Samirah didn't know what to feel. For a moment, she felt nothing... until she felt his life fade from this world and it struck her in her gut, forcing her to double over. So much death was circling around this planet. So much darkness. She was dizzy. She shook her head, refusing to look on at Chuundar. He threatened Mission. He threatened Zaalbar. She should feel nothing for him besides contempt. She should hate him. He deserved this! He deserved it! She should feel no pity for him! Let the Force take him; let him find sympathy with those like him because he'll find none from her! So why... did she still feel it?

"Samirah?" She heard them calling her name as she fell to her knees, squeezing her eyes shut. It was overwhelming. All of it. This planet was a pariah to her: sucking all her energy away and she felt it on her brow as she quivered. It was almost as if every ounce of her willpower had been swept away… why?

"Revan?"

Her eyes shot open, her head lifting slowly to see nothing but white. Her hands trembled and she felt numb, straightening to look around but seeing no one and nothing. She felt nothing. She was back in that suspended void in time…

"Revan…" The voice echoed throughout the white space before her, reaching every inch of space.

"Revan, what should we do with this one?" The question was followed by loud screams and cries of agony. Samirah covered her ears, shaking her head in defiance to the images despite knowing she would still hear them. She shut her eyes tightly, shutting out the white expanse of this damnable emptiness before her.

"We should destroy them… them and their council. They've hidden so much from us—they've kept us in the dark, Revan. They made us who we are. They forced us into this. Should we not show them the dangers of keeping us in dark places… we have found comfort in it, have we not? Hide someone in the darkness and one day, they will master it." Malak.

She opened her eyes slowly, seeing the ghostly image of Malak walking past her. He was pacing. His face was whole; not the mechanical substitute he had for a jaw but a jaw of a man. His voice had lost that mechanical sound and now produced a rough, huskier voice. He stopped pacing, holding his hand out in front of him and flexing his fingers. A look of awe overtook him for a moment as he examined every line and feature of his hand.

"They'll wish they'd never forced us into such a state. A pity we ever trusted them from the start. Undeniable… power…" He let the sparks fly from his fingers and directed the current forward. A moment later, another scream surfaced and Samirah pressed her palms harder against her ears. It was useless. The voices were nearly coming from inside her head. The screams, ringing in her soul each time they cried out for it to stop.

"No!" The voices screamed. "Please...Stop!" They cried but to no avail. It did not stop. It did not cease.

And then the smell. The smell of burning flesh and sweat seeping out of this vision to sweep around her in overwhelming amounts. The gurgling cries as people were dying under his power. The screams of family, friends or perhaps even foreigners- screams and pleas for the torture to stop. It didn't.

"Malak… that's enough…" This voice rang out in her ears as a saving grace. She opened her eyes for a moment, to see Malak lowering his hand as Revan swept by. The mask upon the Dark Lords face concealing the lord's face and voice. Revan was stroking the chin of the mask, hardly taking a second glance at Malak. "We have much work to do… much more to find… finish your business here. Quickly."

Malak's eyes never left the nameless victims before him. As Revan moved past him, disappearing into some other expanse of this void, Malak's face turned up into a twisted smile.

"Yes, you are right master…" He looked back to his hand, flexing it again as he chuckled to himself. Samirah saw it. Saw what perhaps Revan never did. That change in Malak, that craving for power. "We have much to discover… A legacy to create. There is much more Power to procure, this I am sure of now. An endless supply of it and all within... my... reach!"

Samirah sat there, helpless as Malak thrust his hand out with all his might and a terrible light of power shot from his hand. Samirah could do nothing as the final screams of these unknown people rang for the final time. They were dying at this man's terrible power. Malak dropped his hand, turning on his heel, and following after his master into some unknown expanse of this void. His voice echoing out behind as one particular body fell into few from the shadowy edges of this vision.

His body was mangled and burned, his eyes staring blankly back at her. It was as if he knew that she did nothing to save him. As if he knew that she just sat there and watched... listening to his screams. His body was beyond recognition and his lower lip quivered before falling still, his life slowly leaving his body but not before making him suffer. How many had just died? How many cries had she heard?

Malak's words echoed in his wake.

"A legacy to discover, I am sure. A galaxy to enslave... to conquer."

Malak was searching for a terrible power. Revan, searching for the knowledge behind it. Knowledge and Power were two forces that flirted heavily with the dark side. Samirah felt the waves of dark power roll off Malak in gushes and she shivered, falling to the floor of this void and curling up in a ball.

She started to cry into her hands.

The smell still hung in her nose, somehow stained into her clothes... or was it her memory? Why did she have to see these things? What was there for her to claim from seeing such things? Why? Why? Why!?

She was never meant to be a Jedi. This was never meant to be her destiny. They got the wrong person. They got the wrong...

Something erupted beside her, a gust of hot hair blowing in her face. She sat up slowly, looking around to see where it came from. What now? What was going on?

"...crazy?! That was dangerous!" Carth? He sounded so far away from her...

That's right... they were fighting Chuundar and trying to save Kashyyyk. What was happening now? What had she done? She was supposed... no... Freyyr killed Chuundar. So what was she doing? Another burst of hot hair whipped her hair about her face and she felt herself begin to sweat and she fell back against the white expanse of the void. This time, she fell through the floor, hovering as she slowly descended from the white expanse into the darkness. Her body was cold...

Power... A legacy... a tribe?


Samirah groaned, her body feeling heavy and weary from all the events that had transpired thus far. She noted how her body was being carried by someone, bouncing as they strode across the walkway. Her cheek was lying across their back, her arms limp and her legs being held up by their arms. Were they still on Kashyyyk? What was happening? She was struggling to open her eyes but she hardly had enough strength to do much more than that.

"That's not the point, Mission! You could have seriously been hurt?" The sound of Carth's voice made her open her eyes despite her weariness, albeit she could only do it weakly. At first, everything was blurry but eventually cleared up to reveal Carth and Mission running beside her.

"Geez, Carth. Give me a little credit! They may have caught me but not before I rigged the Czerka outposts. It was easy with T3's help, isn't that right little guy?" Their comlinks switched on as T3 chimed in response. "That's right! It's because of this that the Wookiee's will be able to reclaim their home! It's what I do, Carth. Explosions are my specialty." She said with pride, earning a groan from Carth.

"J-Just don't tell Samirah..." He shook his head, keeping up with everyone as they dashed down the walkway. From experience, she assumed it was Canderous who was carrying her and that suited her just fine.

Carth looked over at her and for a moment, her weary eyes met his. She didn't have enough strength to speak and somehow, she was sure Carth understood. He smiled softly at her and nodded in her direction.

"Rest up... you're going to be alright. We're getting off this planet... just rest easy..." He said a few other things but they were fading off into the background as she managed the tiniest of tiny smiles before closing her eyes.

Then she felt weightless. She succumbed to her state of lethargy. She felt as if she was suspended in air, floating aimlessly and flaccidly. Yes. Carth was right. In their company, she was safe for the time being. Physically, she was safe. Mentally however... she feared the worst. She feared what lied in the deep recesses of her mind... the recesses she pushed all the visions too. She whimpered silently as they re-emerged into her conscious again.

A legacy to create…

A legacy…

She would never rest...


How was it? Was it worth the wait?

Hopefully I haven't disappointed and that I delivered a good chapter!

Reviews and Comments are always appreciated! I take to heart every criticism you all provide: good or bad. (I take it all as a lesson in improving!)

Also, I think I still have the poll up for what planet they'll visit next if you guys would like a say in it :) You have until... well, until I write the chapter I suppose lol you have until then to cast a vote if you so wish! ^-^ I'll try my hardest to update soon and work my fingers like mad!

Thank you my faithful readers, for everything.

May the Force give you its guidance and me its strength,

~~SS~~