The Force's Shepherds

Chapter 117

The Monster and the Little Green Man

Noire knew she should probably be practicing with her force powers and lightsaber. Her skills with those were shoddy at best, abysmal at worst, and generally terrible most of the time. Everytime she sparred with her father, he would soundly best her within a few moves. Of course, he always interjected instruction into their sparring; giving her advice and corrections after each successive mistake she made, but it was still deflating to know just how poorly she fared with the supposed gifts her father's blood gave her.

When she felt defeated like that, she liked to grab her bow and quiver, find a spot far away from everyone else, and let arrows fly into a target. It could be any target. An actual bullseye painted onto a straw circle, a practice dummy, a tree, it did not matter. As long as her arrows could sink into them with each snap of her bowstring, she would use it as the target of her frustration. Frustration that compounded even more today due to the battle that took place not long ago.

It had to be the most terrifying thing Noire had ever taken part in. Battles in the future were horrifying, but in a different way than at Demon's Ingle. Grima's hordes were numerous and deadly, but the Risen themselves, unless led by a Deadlord, were usually not too difficult to handle in small numbers. It was when they came at her in large packs that she really started to worry. Otherwise, she could handle Risen grunts. A quick arrow between the eyes, a dagger to their where their brain or heart should be, and they were done.

But fighting other humans… that was something she had not done to such an extent before. Sure, she had engaged bandits and other brigands since coming to the past. Hell, she saved Cynthia and Luke from a group of slavers when she first arrived over a year ago. But to fight an entire army hellbent on ending her life and the lives of her friends; it made her both furious and terrified.

She nocked another arrow and took aim at the target. A lone, scraggly tree sticking out of the plains. A lonesome, sickly looking thing that desperately needed water rather than her arrows peppering its bark.

She exhaled, focusing her sights on the thin tree trunk. As soon as she finished slowly exhaling, she let the arrow loose, bowstring thwacking forward with a loud twang. Her black arrow hissed towards the tree. Just before it touched the bark, it froze mid air.

Noire looked at the floating arrow, perplexed. In the back of her mind, she sensed someone nearby. A bright presence she recognized.

"What do you want, Luci?" She asked, quickly nocking another arrow and aiming at the same spot her previous arrow hovered in front of.

Lucina strode up to her, her missing arm hidden beneath her red cape. Her other hand rested on what remained of Falchion's pommel.

"The others were concerned about you." Lucina muttered, "You've been away all day."

Noire exhaled and let the arrow fly. Her black arrow shot through the air, drove through the first arrow, splitting it in two and smacking into the tree with a loud whack.

"I'm fine." Noire grumbled, reaching for another arrow in her quiver. She nocked it on the bowstring and moved to pull it back.

Lucina nodded and watched as Noire fired another arrow. The arrow slammed into a spot just a few inches below the second one. A curse slipped from Noire's lips.

"Impressive shot." Lucina remarked.

"Not where I wanted it to go." Noire muttered, shaking her head, "I've been so busy trying to get my force powers developed that I have neglected what I'm already good at."

Lucina furrowed her brow, "I don't see how that is a bad thing."

Noire drew back on her bowstring, testing it's tension before lowered her bow and turning to Lucina, "Skills can slip. I remember my father telling you that. What was his favorite saying to you?"

Lucina pursed her lips, "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."

Noire nodded, "Exactly." She drew another arrow and nocked it on the string, taking aim at the tree once more, "I'm not good at the Force. I'm abysmal with a sword, much less a lightsaber. If there is one thing I excel at-" She exhaled quickly and let the arrow fly. Her eyes lit up as the arrow burrowed into the third arrow, splitting it in two.

"I think Virion would even be impressed." Lucina smiled.

"He better be. He taught me after all." Noire sighed, reaching for a small skin of water on her hip. She took a long gulp, then took a small sip, swigged it, and spat the water out.

Lucina furrowed her brow. She eyed the arrows sticking from the small tree, "Still, I don't think you should be so hard on yourself." Noire sighed as Lucina spoke, "Everyone has to start somewhere, Noire. Especially when it comes to using the Force."

"Says the one with talent." Noire remarked, "That's the reason my father chose you over me after all."

Lucina frowned, "You sound quite bitter about that."

Noire shrugged, "I was at first." She plucked her bowstring as she thought for a moment, "Maybe I'm still a little bit."

"You shouldn't be." Lucina replied, "Noire, you are the daughter of one of the greatest Jedi Masters. Did he ever tell you how he started out?"

Noire shrugged, "I know I get my lack of confidence from him."

Lucina raised her brow, "Lack of confidence from Master Kenobi? Surely you're joking?"

A small laugh left Noire's lips, "I wish. Apparently mother thinks that's where it comes from."

"You're talking about the king of banter." Lucina remarked before thinking a moment, "Well, second maybe to Gaius. But Gaius doesn't have a filter most of the time."

"You forgot Anna." Noire pointed out.

"Her too. Imagine the battle of wits if all three of them decided to have a debate."

"Imagine the headache." Noire snickered.

Lucina smiled, "But seriously, did he ever tell you?"

Noire pursed her lips, "I don't believe so." She slung her bow over her shoulder and strode over to the tree. Lucina followed her, "You seem to forget, father was never very forthcoming with me about his past." She wrenched one of her arrows free from the tree's grip, checked the head, then placed it back in her quiver. "Although, from what I gather, that has changed quite a bit thanks to our actions?"

Lucina nodded, "It has. I'll admit though, I was not expecting that his origins and history were of the more… fantastical kind." She shook her head quickly, "But that is not the point. The point is, that Master Ben was also not very talented when he was young."

Noire furrowed her brow as she yanked a second arrow free from the tree with a small grunt. She flashed a doubtful look at Lucina.

"I'm serious." Lucina insisted.

Noire snorted, "Sure, Master Ben Kenobi, the greatest swordsman in all of Ylisse; the Bane of Grima's Hordes, was not talented at my age?"

Lucina nodded, "He has not gone into detail with me, but he did say that he was nearly passed over for padawan status. I'm not sure what that would have led to for him, but that has to mean he struggled as well when he was young. So don't be discouraged Noire, if you work hard enough-"

"I'll get good." Noire interrupted, pulling her third and final arrow free. She glanced at the tip of that one and grimaced at the bent head. She tossed it to the ground and glanced over her shoulder at Lucina, "But I will never come close to you or…" She snarled a little bit, "or Luke."

Lucina sighed, "Is it really a competition?"

"It isn't. It's just-" Noire huffed, shoulders sagging as she struggled to figure out what to say, "I'm a Kenobi, Luci. My mother told me that all the time in the future. I had to be strong, like a Kenobi. And I can't even live up to that. I never will be able to."

Lucina pressed her lips into a thin line. A gentle breeze swept down from the mountains, carrying a heavy scent of brimstone with it. Demon's Ingle still rumbled, days after its initial eruption, but the tremors happened less frequently now.

"Perhaps." Lucina admitted, "I can't predict how strong you can become, Noire. I can't even predict how powerful I will become, or Luke even. Luke has…" Lucina snorted, "We were even in the future. But now, he has surpassed me in almost every way. I might match him with blades but having only one arm presents one hell of a disadvantage."

Noire rolled her eyes, "I bet you can still beat him. You'd rile him up somehow, throw him off balance, then best him."

Lucina shook her head, "I'm not sure I can do that anymore. He's-"

"Oh don't tell me you've fallen for it too." Noire groaned, undoing the cap to her waterskin and taking another sip.

Lucina blinked in confusion, "Fallen for what?"

Noire pulled her waterskin from her lips, "His reformed crap." Lucina closed her eyes, suddenly exasperated. Noire shook her head, "I don't buy it for a second. He is still the same dastard that betrayed and abandoned us all those years ago. Only now that dastard has an army he commands and he is in Cynthia's pants."

"Watch it." Lucina growled, making Noire gulp.

"Sorry." Noire muttered. She bowed her head and kicked a loose pebble towards Lucina's feet, "It's just… if he hadn't done what he did we-"

Lucina raised her hand, silencing Noire. The blue haired princess took a deep breath.

"We would have still lost." Lucina exhaled. She did not miss the sudden flash of disbelief in Noire's gaze, "Think about it Noire. Master Ben, Maul, Luke; they are only three men. Three very powerful men, but still only three. Eventually even they would have been overwhelmed."

"But we could have-"

"In all likelihood held out for another year… maybe two. Then we'd be where we are now anyways, only with the risk of losing some of our friends instead of just our parents." Lucina continued, "I have been doing a lot of reflecting about all of this. Trust me, I held the same animosity towards Luke as you for a while. Especially after the Plegian war. I-" Lucina let out a shuddering breath, "I still cannot fully understand why he did what he did. But, if there is one thing I have learned since going through this entire ordeal; coming back to the past and fighting a harder fight than almost anything we have ever faced, I have learned that we cannot dwell on the past. We cannot allow the feelings we have towards the previous actions of others cloud our judgement on what we must do right now." Noire lowered her gaze, contemplating what Lucina told her, "Luke may have done some terrible things in the past. But before he did those things, he was as close to us as anyone. And he has made a tremendous effort to do better today. The Dark Side of the Force is not an easy thing to turn away from. It is addictive."

"How do you know?"

"What do you think vengeance is?" Lucina retorted, drawing silence from Noire, "I won't deny it. I wanted revenge for what Luke did to us, to me. More than anything else, I wanted to understand. Even if I got the explanation through violence and running my blade through his heart, at least I would have understood. The feeling, the drive revenge gives you, is… powerful. To be honest I should not have even been up and moving so soon after the Plegian war."

Noire gave Lucina a concerned look, "The injuries were that bad?"

Lucina grimaced, "I was dead, Noire." Noire paled when Lucina's words sank in, "I don't know how I came back. Maul killed me. I should have been in bed, resting for weeks after the war. Instead, I left and searched for vengeance. Anger drove my actions, gave me a power that felt… intoxicating. If Cynthia had not been with Luke when we finally ran into each other, I don't know what would have happened. But she saved me from taking a step down a very dark path. So yes, I do know what the dark side feels like, even if it is only slightly."

Noire nodded her head.

"It's really that difficult?" She asked, voice quiet.

"The fact that Luke has come as far as he has amazes me." Lucina admitted, "Now, do I trust him?" Lucina thought for a moment, hand tapping against her hip, "Well… I have no choice but to now. He commands the backbone of our forces."

"Unfortunately." Noire huffed, "But, I see your point. I won't put an arrow in his heart, yet."

Lucina smirked, "Thanks."

"That doesn't mean I won't ask my mother for a hex." Noire remarked, "I may be terrible at the force, and equally crappy with magic, but I can cast a damn good runny nose hex."

Lucina chuckled, enjoying her friend's slowly building confidence. Ever since she started training with Ben, and rebuilding her relationship with her parents, she became far less timid and more sure of herself.

"I'm sure you can. But I urge you to give him a chance. Who knows, maybe he shows you a few pointers."

Noire shrugged, "Maybe." She rocked back and forth on her heels.

Before Noire could say anything else, the sound of marching feet drew their attention. Both of their gazes snapped to the north, fearing the approach of yet another Valmese army. Noire was already on her toes, ready to sprint back to the camp and raise the alarm.

A Ylissean banner crested over a small hill, carried by a Pegasus knight. An entire row of white Pegasi appeared on the plains, trotting over the small hill. Behind them marched thousands of soldiers. Most wore the red armor of Valm. Some wore the gold and green garb of Ylisse. Very few wore the rust colors of Regna Ferox. Queen Sumia rode at the head of the column, making Lucina's heart soar.

"Mother." She breathed, a broad smile forming on her lips.

Sumia slowly trotted up to the two girls. The Queen of Ylisse looked exhausted. Heavy bags sat under her eyes, but they did not hide the happiness in her gaze at seeing both Lucina and Noire unharmed. As soon as she drew near Lucina, Sumia jumped down from her steed and wrapped her future daughter in a tight embrace. One that Lucina eagerly returned.

"Thank Naga." Sumia breathed, "When we met no messengers on the road south, I feared the worst."

Lucina uttered a choking sound, "We feared the worst as well." She pulled back, resting her hand on her mother's shoulder, "You're here now. Both Father and Cynthia will be eager to see you."

Sumia nodded, "Yes, your father is alright?"

"He is safe." Lucina replied as Sumia grabbed the reins to her pegasus and guided it towards camp.

Both Noire and Lucina walked alongside the queen. Out of the corner of her eye, Lucina noticed Dooku and Mustafa walking alongside a middle aged blonde woman in Valmese red. Khan Flavia trudged alongside Raimi and the Feroxi Lancers. Every single one of them looked weary.

"How fast did you march?" Lucina asked.

"Too fast. But it was necessary." Sumia admitted as they entered the camp.

While the column moved into the camp, the Chon'sin soldiers stopped what they were doing and gawked at the large force peacefully entering the newly combined army camp. Sumia nervously eyed the Chon'sin soldiers as they emerged from their tents.

"On our side?" She whispered.

Lucina nodded, "General Yen'fay abdicated command upon the death of-" She trailed off. Sumia stopped walking, allowing the rest of their column to march past her. The Valmese woman glanced in their direction briefly before striding away, with Mustafa in tow.

"Death of who?" Sumia asked.

Lucina swallowed hard, "Both Say'ri and Robin perished."

Sumia's face turned ashen, "Then what Dooku sensed is true." She sniffled, "Naga, what are we going to do?"

"Keep fighting." Noire muttered, speaking up for the first time since Sumia's arrival, "That's all we can do now."

Sumia gulped and nodded, "More fighting, as always. Will it ever end?"

"Only when the Conqueror is deposed from power."

Sumia, Lucina, and Noire all looked to see Ben emerge from one of the Ylissean tents. Alongside him was Chrom. Chrom locked eyes with Sumia then sprinted up to her, wrapping her up in a tight embrace, spinning around, then kissing her.

"Thank Naga you're alright." Chrom breathed, breaking off the kiss.

Sumia beamed and pecked his lips again, "I feel the same way."

Ben quietly approached, one hand brushing his mustache. He flashed a bright smirk at Noire. Noire gave him a small smile in return.

"Go find your mother." He told her, "I'm sure I'm about to be caught up in more meetings."

Chrom let out a dry laugh, "Unfortunately yes." He gave Sumia an apologetic look, "No rest yet."

"I expected that." Sumia sighed, "I am looking forward to sleeping on a bedroll instead of on pegasus back for a night." She took Chrom's arm and handed the reins to her Pegasus off to one of her knights, "Shall we get started?"

"I think we shall."

Chrom nodded at Ben, beckoning the Jedi Master to follow. Ben glanced over at Lucina, who shook her head.

"You all deal with the strategy. I will gather the others and see how they're doing."

"Alright. Come find one of us once you are done." Ben told her, "I want you to remain in the loop."

"So do I." Chrom called back as he, Sumia, and Ben strode towards the Chon'sin command tent, or rather the coalition command tent, where Dooku already waited for them; arms folded over his chest, scowl on his face.

Grumpy as ever. Lucina thought. She glanced at Noire, "Go find the others, we'll meet at my tent."

Noire nodded, "Sounds like a plan."

Luke knew there were different kinds of exhaustion. There was training exhaustion, the kind that felt good. Where his muscles would ache, but it would also give him a sort of high that left a smile on his face. That kind of exhaustion was his favorite kind.

Then there was exhaustion that lingered in the wake of a battle. Depending on the battle, and how it went, it would either feel like the highest of highs, or the lowest of lows. Maul taught him to take advantage of post battle pain. To use it as fuel to grow. Part of Luke still hesitated to follow the wisdom of that monster, but that may have been one of the few lessons imparted on him that he could still implement. In a way, it was a lesson that forced him to learn from mistakes in battle. Only now, he had to implement that lesson in a less… evil way. The exhaustion in the wake of a battle was usually all consuming. Every ounce of adrenaline and energy spent fighting to survive, rendering the body entirely useless. The kind of exhaustion that demanded immediate rest.

Then there was this exhaustion. The type he was feeling right now. Where none of his normal muscles ached, but his neck throbbed and his head pounded. Even though he had done nothing but talk to other people all day, his body still felt weary. His eyes were heavy. Each step felt difficult to take. None of it felt good. There was no high with this exhaustion, no thrill attached to it. Stress and worry replaced that high. Because now Luke was in charge of an entire army. Nearly fifty thousand soldiers looked to him to lead them. Fifty thousand souls were in his care.

He ran a hand over his eyes as he paused in front of his new tent. A tent given to him by the Chon'sin army so that the Captains could easily find him. A long groan left his lips and he rolled his shoulders.

Before he could open the entry to his tent, it opened for him. Cynthia poked her head out, a wide grin on her lips.

"About time." She smiled.

Instantly, most of Luke's aches and pains evaporated. He chuckled and shook his head.

"You know, if the rest of the army finds out you're here they'll-"

"Be jealous?" Cynthia finished for him, "I bet. Get in here already."

She disappeared back into the tent. Luke stared at the tent doorway, slack jawed.

"That's not what I was going to-" He sighed and shook his head, "No point now."

He entered the tent. Before he could even shut the doorway behind him, Cynthia surged towards him, wrapping her arms tight around him.

"You're sooooo late." Cynthia hummed as she rested her head against his chest.

Luke chuckled lightly, kicking the tent door shut behind him, "Comes with running an army now." He grimaced a little bit as he said that. It was still sinking in form him. He was in charge of Chon'sin's army. With Yen'fay giving up command, he was technically King of Chon'sin.

How the hell did this happen?

"Hey." Cynthia rested her chin against his chest and looked up at him with her large eyes, "You're being grumpy quiet again."

Luke snorted and ran a hand through her blue hair, "Grumpy quiet? You mean brooding?"

"That's the word." Cynthia snickered, "I knew it was a big one like that." She took him by the hand and skipped her way through the large tent, passing by a large table laden with papers and maps, a few chests with even more things a general had to keep track of, until eventually reaching the back of the tent, where the bedroll was located. That was where she let go of his hand.

Cynthia spun back around. Her smile faded when she saw Luke sink slowly down onto a stool, eyes closed and mouth drawn tight, as if he was in pain.

"Luke?" She quickly shuffled up to him and pressed a hand to his forehead, "You aren't sick, are you?"

"No." Luke breathed, he gave her a weary look, "Just tired."

Cynthia raised her brow, concerned. Before Luke could stop her she sank down and sat in his lap, arms wrapped around his neck. She pecked his lips with hers as her fingers undid the clasp to his black cloak.

"You look it." She snickered, "Good thing I'm here to help you rest up."

"Oh yeah, sure. Because you always help me relax." Luke answered sarcastically, a smile twitched on his lips though.

Cynthia chuckled, "Absolutely." She kissed his on the cheek, "I always put your mind at ease."

"Even when you are being kidnapped by slavers?"

Cynthia paused, "Well-"

"And being kidnapped by mercenaries?"

"Priam's a good guy now." Cynthia quickly pointed out.

"And flying into battle without me nearby."

Cynthia furrowed her brow, "You're nearby. Just not right next to me." She put a finger to his lips as Luke opened his mouth to reply, "Strategy didn't call for it, so you couldn't."

Luke quietly laughed to himself, "Point is, you manage to both relax me and give me a heart attack no matter what."

"Well that's what love is, isn't it?" Cynthia asked with a broad smile.

Luke thought for a moment, "I have absolutely no idea."

"Ha!" Cynthia declared jumping to her feet.

She danced around in a circle for a moment, bounced up and down twice, before rushing at Luke and kissing him deep. Luke's eyes widened for a moment before he returned the kiss. Once they separated, he gave her an incredulous look.

"I normally regret asking this, but what was that all about?" He asked, laughing a little bit as Cynthia beamed.

"You admitted it."

Luke arched an eyebrow, "Admitted what?"

"You know, the 'L' word." Cynthia teased as she stood in front of Luke.

She yelped as Luke wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into his lap again. A loud laugh lept from her lips as he planted a kiss on her cheek and smiled.

"Figured you already knew." He smiled.

"Well it's not like you to admit it." Cynthia chuckled back.

"Is so." Luke muttered, "I can admit things."

"You usually only do so when you're hurt or… or hurting… or in danger." Cynthia pursed her lips as she retreated deep into thought. She gave Luke a worried glance, "You sure you aren't sick?"

Luke shook his head as he laughed at her, "I'm not sick. I am just going to admit that you are absolutely beautiful and I have no idea how I got this lucky."

Cynthia's eyes widened as she froze in his arms, "If you're not sick then you really are very tired."

"Oh, I definitely am." Luke sighed.

Cyntthia took him by the hand and dragged him down to the bedroll. Once Luke laid down on his back, Cynthia curled up beside him, one hand twisting curls into his blonde hair. Luke remained quiet, staring up at the ceiling.

"I forgot to put the lanterns out." He sighed.

"I'll get it!" Cynthia chirped, jumping to her feet and moving around the tent. One by one, the lanterns were snuffed out, until she got to the last one, hanging over the stool. She hesitated and glanced back at Luke, who was still wide awake, watching her.

"You need to just close your eyes and rest." Cynthia pointed out, "First step to sleeping is not seeing stuff."

Luke snorted, "Tell that to a force sensitive."

Cynthia frowned as she watched Luke glance around the tent, his gaze lingering on the maps strewn out on the table before moving back to her.

"You're more than tired." Cynthia sighed, taking the last lit lantern with her towards the bedroll and setting it down to the side.

Luke closed his eyes, uttering another long sigh as she sat down next to him.

"C'mon, talk to me." Cynthia said, fingers drawing light trails on his left arm, "Lucina made us all talk to her. Well, all of us except you. Because you were sorta busy with army stuff… and that's it, isn't it?"

Luke looked at her with half lidded eyes, "Very perceptive of you."

Cynthia rolled her eyes, "You know I have my moments. Admittedly, they're a little few and far between." She took a breath, "So, you're worried about the army. Why?"

Luke worked his jaw back and forth.

"What did Luci talk to you guys about?" He asked.

Cynthia blinked, "Oh well, you know Luci, she gathered us all together in order to help us regroup, vent, put together a plan of action, and- and you are trying to change the topic. Not happening buster!"

"Buster?" Luke replied with a slight laugh.

"Nope." Her finger jabbed his chest, "Not happening. You need to talk about it."

Luke let out a long sigh, "What about? The fact that I am now the General of an army. A position that I am not only wholly unqualified for, but also am nowhere near worthy of."

"Worthy?" Cynthia furrowed her brow, "Is that what you're worried about? You don't think you're good enough to lead the Chon'sin army?"

Luke shrugged, "Maybe. I mean… look at Lucina. Now that I am in charge of others, I wonder how the hell she ever did it on her own in the future. I mean, yeah she had Kenobi by her side, but that Kenobi was a broken man. She had to rule a nation on the brink of decimation daily. I see her qualities as a leader whenever she gathers us for our little meetings. How she is able to get everyone to open up and speak their minds, without any fear or hesitation. How she can simultaneously plan out solutions to whatever problems pop up, even if they aren't the best, she can still do it without breaking a sweat. And-"

"And, little secret," Cynthia interrupted, "Lucina relies on you more than you think."

Luke raised his brow, "I doubt that."

"She does, at least recently." She nodded back, "Notice how whenever things get tense in those meetings, she lets you speak up. She allows you to be the forceful voice she needs to cut through the panic that we are all feeling right now, given how many people have died to get to this point. She was missing that today, and it took her a moment to regain our attention once we starting asking who could-" She took a shaky breath, "Who could die next."

"No one. I won't let it happen." Luke said sharply.

"See, that." Cynthia gestured at him, "That is what I am talking about. If you were there to say that in the meeting, it would have cut off everyone's worrying and, at the very least, made everyone look at you like you were being an asshole again."

"Glowing review of my 'leadership' there." Luke muttered.

Cynthia pushed him lightly, "You know what I meant. You've got this… toughness to you. A mentality of: Enough whining, we've got a job to do. You're so good at refocusing everyone on the fact that we need to keep fighting. Luci relies on that a lot now." Cynthia shrugged, "So… are you a leader like Lucina? No. You are a different kind of leader. So stop trying to compare yourself to her." Cynthia flopped down beside him and brushed her fingers along his cheek, "You are more than able to lead the army. I don't doubt that for a second."

Luke allowed a soft smile to cross his lips. He placed a soft kiss on Cynthia's forehead and gently rubbed her shoulder.

"Thanks." He whispered.

"No problem." Cynthia smiled, "Now, you need to rest."

Luke let his head fall back, "I'm trying."

"Need my help?" Cynthia asked as she moved away from his side and snaked down towards his waist without him noticing

"I don't need any help to-" Luke's eyes widened, "Actually-" He shuddered, "I could use a lot of help right about now."

Luke slowly opened his eyes. Bright sunlight bombarded his sight, forcing him to squeeze his eyes shut. A cool autumn breeze brushed over his still waking form. Soft grass brushed against his palms as he lay still on his back. He forced his eyes open again and stared up, not at the ceiling of his tent, but at a crystal clear sky. Not a cloud in sight. Cynthia was not lying beside him. He was alone.

His brow furrowed as he glanced around him. He looked to his left and saw a very familiar trail leading into a bright forest. When he looked to his right, his breath got caught in his throat.

Ylisstol's white walls towered nearby. It had been years since he had seen them like this, full of strength and majesty. A structure nearly as awe inspiring as the Exalt's Palace. When he was a boy, he always thought those walls were impenetrable. Nothing could bring them down, no army could break them. Growing up in their shadow gave him a sense of security, even if it was mostly false.

But those walls were not what made fear grip him by the throat. No, it was the monster standing before the walls, back turned to him. A monster in black robes, similar to the ones he was wearing now. A deep hood was drawn over the monster's head. Parts of the hood protruded higher thanks to the horns hidden beneath it.

Luke swallowed hard. As carefully and quietly as he could, he reached for his hip. His fingers brushed against his father's lightsaber, a still unfamiliar sensation to him. Yet, it gave him some comfort knowing that a blade meant for him was now in his possession. It was a small comfort in the face of seeing the monster again, but it was better than nothing.

He drew the hilt from his hip, teeth clenched as he stared at the back of the monster. His thumb hovered over the ignition, trembling with rage. Too late, he realized he needed to rein himself in before the monster sensed him. Just as he regained his composure, the monster's head twitched.

A soft, mocking laugh floated through the space between Luke and Maul.

"You try so hard to keep the rage at bay, but you and I both know that it is still there." The Sith Lord turned around, blazing yellow eyes beneath his deep hood glowering at Luke, "You don't seem too happy to see me again."

Luke's rage boiled to the surface again. He was tempted to ignite his lightsaber and strike, but in the back of his mind, something was making him hesitate. Maybe it was the part of his mind that knew this could not be real. Maul was dead, after all. And he was supposed to be in Valm, not outside of Ylisstol.

Or maybe it was something deeper than simple logic keeping him from igniting the sapphire blade and striking the monster down once more. He could not place why he was hesitating right now, but Maul's mocking laugh nearly made that hesitation break.

"Oh, you are very enraged right now." Maul limped forward with the help of that damn cane he always had, "You are so desperate to be rid of me, but you and I both know that will never happen." He stood, posture stooped in front of Luke, "After all, I created you, boy. Everything you are is because of me and my teachings." Luke bristled as he caught a glimpse of the red and black skin beneath the hood, hidden by shadows, "I've never heard a thank you."

"You ruined my life." Luke snarled back.

Maul grinned back, "Did I? What life was there to ruin? What would you have become if not for me?" He paced back and forth in front of Luke, cane digging into the dirt with each step, betraying the actual strength the monster really possessed, "A mere knight, serving some little girl on a meaningless throne? Perhaps a shopkeeper? An even more mundane, vulnerable existence. No, that is not your destiny. I made you strong, I made you indestructible." He stopped pacing, cane digging into the dirt. Maul glowered at him, "I made you what you needed to become."

"You made me into what you wanted me to become." Luke spat back.

Maul chuckled, "I did not force you to come to me. If I recall correctly, you sought me out once Kenobi's rejection became too much to bear." He glanced at the sky above them, "On a day much like today, actually. Imagine that."

"Very funny." Luke growled, "Considering that you are nothing more than a figment of my imagination. The real you is long dead. And I have surpassed you in every way."

"Have you now?" Maul's eyes lit up.

"Yes. Or did you forget, I killed you."

Maul sighed, "In a most deceptive manner, you did. Indeed, you caught me quite off guard. In the moment, I was both very surprised and enraged. But, looking back on it now, I should have seen it coming. After all, it is the nature of the Sith for the apprentice to betray the master. As my master once told me, that is the only way we can progress, and grow stronger." Maul sniffed, "It was foolish of me to think I could avoid that fate forever."

Luke narrowed his eyes at Maul, puzzled. How was a vision speaking to him like this? Visions were not supposed to be this sentient. They were supposed to be simple glimpses of past, present, or even the future. Not an intelligent conversation with a dead man.

Maul chuckled under his breath, "Do you still think I am really dead? Do you know nothing of the force, boy? For someone who claims to be so much stronger than me, you are quite disappointing to behold."

Maul yanked his cane from the dirt and started shuffling towards the forest. Luke glared at him as he walked past. Part of him wanted to let him walk away. To completely forget about the monster and move on. But there was something else to all of this. He would not see Maul unless he needed to learn something. Would not be able to speak to Maul unless the force wanted him to. And so he reluctantly followed the Sith Lord into the forest, where the sun was slowly blocked out by the increasingly thick canopy.

Maul paused near the mouth of a small cave, burrowed into the dirt.

"Do you remember this place?" Maul asked, glancing around.

Luke gulped and nodded, "The Justice Cabal used this as a spot for a lot of our… operations."

Maul snorted, "Justice cabal, childish nonsense. Although, I wonder… is that little Cynthia as fun between your legs as she was when she was a mere playmate?"

The Dark Side flared to life around Luke, making Maul's eyes gleam with delight.

"Good," Maul continued, "You are not a lost cause after all."

Luke grit his teeth. Maul wanted him angry, wanted him to lose control and prove him right. Maul wanted him to be the apprentice once more. To be the Black Rider and wield the force as a cudgel against his enemies. Nothing had changed, as always, Maul wanted him to be a dark manifestation of who he really was. A persona that Luke wanted nothing to do with anymore.

"I've moved past all of that." Luke growled, slowly reigning himself back in once more.

"Have you?" Maul clicked his tongue, "You are lying to yourself, apprentice. The Dark Side is not so easily scorned. You know your destiny. You know what you are supposed to become, supposed to grow into."

Luke clenched his jaw, "I will never become you." He raised his chin, "I am Luke-"

"A name is nothing more than a bunch of letters, jumbled into an easy to read pattern. It does not determine your destiny." Maul sneered quickly, "So you may know your lineage now, does it matter? You are still mine. You will always be mine. The Dark Side will always have a hold on your heart, and your destiny. If you do not believe me," Maul nodded towards the cave, "see for yourself."

Luke furrowed his brow, suspicious of Maul's intentions as this old master stepped out of the way and motioned towards the small cave mouth. Luke flicked his wary gaze to the cave. It was calling to him. A soft, seductive whisper, coaxing him to step forward and enter into the dark maw. He paused in the cave mouth, one hand pressed against the top of the small entrance. His yellow eyes peered inside, searching for whatever Maul wanted him to see.

There was nothing but shadows.

"Enough of the games, Maul."

The earth crumbled away beneath his feet. Luke cried out as he plummeted into the earth. He hit a chute of mud, dirt, and roots and slid to a stop inside of a cramped chamber within the cave. Luke remained still for a moment and blinked dirt out of his eyes. His vision slowly adjusted to the deep darkness around him. The air tasted stale. It felt humid in the cave, unlike how he remembered it. He also did not remember there being any underground chamber within the cave.

What the hell is going on?

He spun around to try and go back up the chute, but it was gone. Replaced by an impassable wall of rock, dirt, and thick, wet roots. The lone sign of any exit was a small hole covered in dense fog.

I guess all I can do is press for-

A low inhale, slow and steady. A sharp exhale, loud and raspy. The hairs on the back of Luke's neck stood on end as the thick, humid air turned ice cold. His breath lodged in his throat, struggling to enter and exit his lungs. The Dark Side of the Force retreated away from him and gathered around a presence slowly approaching him from behind. It was a feeling unlike any he had ever felt before. This presence commanded the dark side in a way that dwarfed Maul in every way.

He swallowed hard, dry throat aching, before he slowly turned around to face the darkness within the cave. The artificial breathing rang in his ears, bounced in his mind, pounded in his skull like the incessant beat of a drum. Growing louder to the point where he could hardly hear himself breathe, let alone think. His hand darted towards the lightsaber on his hip.

Once he yanked the hilt free from his belt, he caught a glimpse of something stalking towards him in the darkness. A tall, hulking figure, clad in inky black armor. A black cape hung by a chain around the figure's neck. It's head was hidden beneath a mask and helmet, both black and polished to such a fine shine that Luke could see his own terrified expression inside of it.

The figure paused a few feet away from Luke. It towered over him, glowering down with lidless black eyes. It felt like Luke was staring into a void in the dark side, cold and unforgiving. His hands shook as he stared back at the figure that commanded the dark side as if it was nothing more than a plaything for it to manipulate. All the while, the breathing continued.

A slow inhale. A sharp exhale. Sweat beaded down Luke's face despite the sudden cold in the air. This thing was blocking his way out of here. It needed to be removed.

He ignited his father's weapon, blue blade bursting to life; casting a sapphire glow over his enemy. The figure did nothing for a moment, simply choosing to stare down Luke further. It appeared completely undisturbed by the weapon in Luke's hand, which only antagonized Luke's fear.

His eyes widened as a red lightsaber hissed to life in the figure's gloved right hand. A deep scarlet blade that hummed with deadly intent.

So that's how it's going to be then. Luke gulped, Fine. If you will not get out of my way, then I will destroy you!

Luke swung hard at the figure's head. The monstrous figure easily parried, surprising Luke with both its speed and strength. But right away, Luke noticed its lack of mobility. He chopped at the figure's right flank, watching as the figure parried with one stiff, but powerful, motion.

It lacks mobility!

Luke twirled his lightsaber, stabbing right at the strange, lit up panel on its chest. The figure backpedaled back, tightening its defense around that panel. Just as Luke hoped It would do. As quickly as Luke could, he flicked his wrist, arcing his blue blade at the figure's neck. The blue lightsaber hissed. Sparks erupted as the figure's head was cleaved from It's shoulders. The breathing within the cave, within his mind, finally ended, and he stared down at the masked head, victorious.

The face mask burst. Luke's sense of victory evaporated as he caught a glimpse of a face within a steady stream of smoke. As the smoke dissipated, his heart jumped to his throat.

He saw his face within the mask.

Luke's thumb trembled as he deactivated his lightsaber, gaze never leaving the dead look in his own eyes within the mask. As he stared, the breathing returned.

"What is this?" Luke breathed.

Three voices erupted in his mind. One a deep rumble. The second he easily recognized as Maul. The third was a croak laced with sinister intentions.

"Your destiny!"

"No!" Luke bellowed surging over the fallen body of it and emerging out of the cave and into a dense, fog covered swamp.

He spun around, confused and disoriented. Where was Ylisstol? Where was the forrest and the cave? Where the hell was this place? There were no swamps in Ylisse. Not that he knew of at least. Fear filled each breath as he looked around the haze covered world, unsure of where to go or what to do.

Just a vision. Just a vision. Just a-

"Lost, are you?"

Luke twirled around, blade ignited, pointing right at… right at a small, green creature with pointy ears. The creature jumped and covered his bulbous eyes with his short arms.

"Lower your weapon. No harm, I mean you." The creature quickly said.

Luke gave the creature a puzzled look, "What are you?"

"What am I?" The creature blinked back. Its short stature shuffled forward with the help of a gnarled wooden cane, "Live here, I do. Ask you that, I should."

Luke's mouth opened and closed, "W-well, I'm clearly human. And uh-"

"Your name, what is it?" The creature asked, green eyes focused on him.

Luke pressed his lips into a thin line, unsure if he should answer or not. This creature was unlike anything he had ever seen before. From the looks of him, he appeared ancient. Heavy wrinkles covered his oblong head and small face. Short wisps of white hair crowned the top of its green head. It appeared to be rather feeble, but as Luke learned long ago with Maul, looks could be deceiving.

Instead of an answer, he attempted to prod at the creature's mind with the force. He brushed against the creature's mind and recoiled as an intense light ripped through his thoughts. Luke fell backwards, stars dancing in his eyes as he struggled to recover from the sudden intense brightness.

"Mistake, you made." The creature hummed near him, "Reckless and stupid, you are."

"Tell me something I don't already know." Luke grumbled back, one hand massaging his eyes, "Seriously, what are you?"

"My question, answered you have not. Only courteous it is, for a visitor to introduce himself." The creature nodded, cane stamping the wet earth.

Luke sighed, "Luke." He breathed with a small shake of his head, "Luke of Chon-" He hesitated, "Skywalker."

The creature's eyes widened briefly, "Skywalker, hmm?" It shuffled up to Luke and jumped up onto a rotting log beside him. The creature let out a content sigh as it sat down, setting its cane to the side, "Out of cave, you came, hm?"

Luke blinked, still seeing spots, "Y-yeah. How did you-"

"Saw you, I did. Watch you rise up… yes, watch I did." The creature nodded, "In the cave, see what, did you?"

Luke furrowed his brow, "What do you know about that place?"

The creature frowned, "Ask the questions, I do. Intruder, you are still."

Luke rolled his eyes, "Clearly I'm not going to hurt you, little guy. And I doubt you could hurt me, so maybe drop the tough guy act."

That little wooden cane slammed down onto Luke's head with a hark thwack. Stars danced in Luke's eyes again as he howled and reached up for his head, already feeling a bump growing beneath his hair.

"Judge me by my size, you will not." The creature harrumphed.

"Alright, so you're insecure about how short you are, got it." Luke groaned, "Mind explaining to me-"

"In cave, see what, did you?"

Luke let out an annoyed sigh, "Do you ever talk normal?" He muttered under his breath before glaring at the little green man, "Fine. I saw… I saw what I guess is supposed to be my destiny."

The creature hummed, "Believe it, do you?"

Luke frowned, "What's that supposed to mean?"

The creature nodded towards a depression in the ground, some feet away from where they sat. A hole sat at the center of that depression, covered in vines and roots.

"Deceptive, that place can be." The creature muttered, "Much danger you were in, going there." His eyes refocused on Luke, "Destiny, what is it?"

Luke grimaced, "I'm not sure." He sighed, "Maul-" He noticed the creature frown at the mention of that name, but Luke decided not to say anything about it, "Maul said my destiny was inside of the cave. I went inside and I saw this thing… this figure, clad in all black." Luke swallowed hard, "I was terrified of it. And it stood in my way of escaping, so I attacked it. I killed it." Luke paused, eyes turning back to the cave, "When I saw its face, it was my own." He swallowed hard, "That thing was shrouded in the dark side. I am trained in the dark side, and my father fell to the dark side. Perhaps I'm destined to follow in his footsteps?"

"A name, determine destiny, it does not." The creature replied, "Name, simply letters, a pattern to read, yes?"

Luke gave the creature an incredulous look, "Maul said the same thing."

"Different meaning, he had." The creature smirked back, "Destiny, do you believe it is?"

Luke thought for a moment. Was it really his destiny to fall? To give in wholly to the dark side and embody it? He shook his head.

"I don't want it to be." Images of Cynthia, Yen'fay, Lucina, and… and Say'ri, appeared in his mind, "I can't let it happen."

The creature gave him a gentle look, "Future, never certain it is. As is destiny. Intertwined with future, destiny is. Always changing, it can be." The creature sighed, "This, too late, I learned." He cleared his throat and looked Luke once more, "Strong you will become, young Skywalker. Stronger still, you must be, for trials to come."

The little green man plucked its cane from the log and started to hobble away. Luke watched him walk away, slack jawed. He shook his head and rose from his own seat.

"Hey!" Luke shouted, causing the creature to pause and turn back to him, "Who are you?"

The creature smirked at him as the edges of his vision started to darken, "Meet you, looking forward to, I am."

Luke's vision turned blurry as he started to chase after the little green man. Before he could catch up, his sight darkened, and sleep claimed him once more.

And, Chapter! This one was really hard to write, and I struggled getting it done, but here it is, and I even feel good about the result. We see a bit more of Yoda, and some nice Luke moments. I debated whether or not to show more planning scenes, but seeing as how we're going to get a good bit of that in the upcoming chapter, I decided it was not necessary for this one. So, here we are! We're nearing the end, so buckle up! Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!

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