Two entities of the galaxy, one ancient that was reawakened thanks to a presence brought to this era, and the one ruling over the current time, the Primal Force and the Force, fought over the control of the last Hunter. Primal Force does its best to keep the Force away from what belongs to the past. Its Will, small as it may, the Primal Force knows it cannot let the Hunter from its era to be affected by the current Force. While the Force attempts to get rid of the Primal Force and stabilize Lirlia's chaotic presence.
At some point, a spiritual being was formed by both of their actions. It is the one that maintains balance between the two Entities. Should that not to happen, Lirlia and her equipment would provoke chaos around the galaxy. Due to the broken balance between them both, creatures that survived thanks to adaptation shall be awakened. Especially the one which origins is unknown.
The Hunter does not know about it, nor any living being sensible to the Force. The balance now is not between Dark and Light, but between Past and Present, the Primal Force and the Force.
Though, as it happened recently on Mortis, any change between Dark and Light on both opponents affect the flow of Life, only manifesting onto the being that is provoking all the chaos.
The Huntress' armor, made of a creature that gave life in the past, answers to these changes by supporting her life, as if it knows that its master cannot live without it. So do the rest of the armors that she will find.
At the beginning, the Primal Force remained idle, only acting whenever the Huntress used her training and the Elemental bullets from her weapon, as well as with the special shot. But soon, it had to act once again since the Force started to act into her being, attempting to cleanse her from the influence of the past.
The Force tried to manifest itself once onto Lirlia, a direct action to finally cleanse her. But it received a strong defense and offense from the Primal Force, expelling it from her, affecting her body for a few minutes.
The being born from their interaction managed to keep peace between them. But only for a period. It won't be long before the fragile balance, now partially broken due to what happened on Mortis, is fully broken and chaos spread across the galaxy. The being only hopes that the Last Hunter can find what she needs to find in time…
They arrived to Coruscant soon after. Lirlia asked Anakin to drop her at the Senate Building, saying that she needs to ask Padme something. Anakin did as she asked and the three of them returned to the Jedi Temple.
She walked through the building, searching for Padme's office. After her time on Mortis, she needs someone to speak, and a shoulder to hug. Don't get her wrong, she knows she has the Jedi too, but right now, she feels the need to go to Padme and not the Jedi. Her instinct has never failed her, so she follows it.
Arriving, she knocks on the door a few times, with Sabè answering.
"Miss Lirlia. Good to see you. Do you wish to see Miss Padme, yes?" The servant spoke, already knowing the Hunter from her visit for Padme's aid during her studies.
"Y-yes. Is she available now?" Lirlia spoke, her voice shattering a bit.
"She's busy at the moment, but I can tell her that you wish to see her urgently." Dabè offered, noting the woman's shattering voice.
The Hunter only nodded, failing to find her voice. Sabè entered, and Lirlia could barely hear her voice speaking to Padme. She could only hear 'Lirlia', 'urgent' and 'cry'. A few seconds later, Padme was at the entrance, a concerned expression on her face.
"Lirlia? What happened? Sabè told me that you needed to see me urgently. Let's get inside." The Senator brought Lirlia inside. When they sat at her couch, Lirlia couldn't help it anymore. She hugged the older woman and broke down in sobs and cries. Padme, Captain Tanaka and Sabè were shocked at her, but Padme hugged Lirlia back, already thinking that something bad must have happened for Lirlia to act this way. She's known the Hunter for a time now, but she knows that Lirlia is a strong woman, both physically and emotionally. She could only caress her back as the young female cried, shoulders shaking and sobs coming from her. She could feel her clothes getting wet with her tears, but she didn't mind.
"Sabè, can you bring us some water, please? Captain, make sure that we are not disturbed." They both nodded and left to do what they were ordered. Sabè returned a few moments later with a tray with two glasses and a jug with water.
After 10 or so minutes, Lirlia's sobs diminished until only a few tears fell from her blue eyes. Her face is red as her eyes, her cheeks puffed after crying. All the emotions she's been holding back until she could arrive to her friend's house were too much for her to hold. She's grateful that, even when she was busy, and probably because of her, Padme could fall behind her schedule, she still received her with open arms.
"Lirlia, how are you feeling now?" The older woman asks. Lirlia let go of their embrace, sniffing and cleaning her eyes with her gloved gauntlets.
"A bit better… still saddened, though..."
"Why? What happened?" Concerned filled Padme's being for her friend.
"The last journey… with Obi-Wan, Anakin and Ahsoka… well, let's say that I found certain things of my home… of my planet…" Lirlia's eyes met Padme's. "Padme… I'm from the past… and my world… it was destroyed…" she said and buried her face into Padme's shoulder again. She didn't want to tell this to Master Yoda, or any Jedi. Didn't feel like telling it to the Chancellor either. She felt the need to tell it to Padme, since she's shown her that she can keep secrets.
"Oh, Lirlia… I don't know what to say. I'm sorry to hear that." Padme comforted the Hunter, now realizing that Lirlia is probably older than her. 'And probably older than anyone in the galaxy.'
"I was too… overwhelmed by it… I'm older that the Force, Padme…"
"Sshh… is ok. Let it out Lirlia." Padme stated, rubbing her friend's back, overwhelmed by what she just heard.
Lirlia doesn't know when it happened, but somehow, she was resting on a bed, her head laying on Padme's lap and her friend caressing her head. Soon after, she fell asleep.
After helping Lirlia to get to bed, Padme talked with Captain Tanaka and Sabè.
"This is something that must not leave this room. I know that it's something hard to believe, but we must trust Lirlia about it."
"But my lady, older than the Force? Is that even possible?" Tanaka asked bewildered. "If so, she's older than the Republic!"
"That could explain why there are no information about her world or her armor and gun. Someone from such an ancient age surely would not leave any tracks." Sabè spoke.
"That could be the case." Padme sighed and went to her desk.
"My lady, shouldn't we tell the Jedi about this?" Tanaka approached her. "They could know more about what to do."
"I can see your reasoning, Captain, but I don't Lirlia has told anyone but us. I don't want to betray her trust."
"But…"
"I know that the Jedi could help her more, but she must be the one to tell. Not us. All we can do is to be there for her and provide as much support as we can."
"I understand, my lady."
Unbeknownst to the four of them, Sidious heard everything that was told. In the past, he realized that Lirlia hangs out a lot with Padme Amidala, so he ordered to be placed hidden cameras and microphones in her office in secret. But still, hearing Lirlia's revelation about her age…
"Older than the Force… what kind of life was there before the Force existed, I wonder…" he spoke softly. "That explains why she can't use the Force as the Jedi or Sith, and why she can use techniques so unknown." A smile formed on his lips. "She's the perfect subject if I can control her. I could extract that ancient knowledge from before the existence of the Force."
Earlier, before Lirlia went to Padme's apartment…
M aster Yoda was seated on the council, thinking as the recent session took place. He wasn't happy with what was discussed. It divided the council completely. Lirlia's question about a dark user doing good was an interrogative that shook the members. A few even said that she was under dark suggestion, and that she must be watched close. Some remained silent, listening and thinking. Others defended her posture, claiming that it can be the case if the person is trained properly. The rest thought that it can be hard. Living for almost a thousand years, he thought that he understood most of what was asked, yet he was proven wrong.
"Master Yoda, anything that you'd like to say?" Master Kenobi asked.
"There is nothing to add. A dark user cannot do good. Lirlia must be watched close." Master Windu said.
"Her question is an innocent one. She didn't mean any harm. She was just curious about it. She doesn't need us to be on her 24/7." Shaak Ti added.
"I cannot find an answer for that question. It's left me in a stalemate." Master Plo give his thoughts.
"Hmm… meaning harm, Lirlia did not." Yoda said finally. "Curious about the duality of the Force, she was. Good on evil? Hard to say in our view, that is. Jedi we are. Used to see the evil, to see through the dark, and to use the light for good, that's what we do. But, about the Sith? We do not know."
"You cannot imply that we have to ask a Sith about the good they did?" Mace asked shocked at what the elder was saying.
"Implying that, I am not. Different views, Jedi and Sith, each have. Use the Light Side of the Force, the Jedi do. Use the Dark Side of the Force, the Sith do. See emotions differently, the Sith do. Seen emotions as weakness, the Sith do. Seeing emotions to turn to the Dark Side, the Jedi do." He looked at each member of the Council before continuing. "Bonds, a weapon and a weakness, considered they are. Learn to control our bonds, we must. Possible good on evil? Be the case, it can. But difficult, also."
"But the user can fall and do evil things instead." Mace said.
"True, that is. With the proper company, prevent that, it can be." Yoda said, leaving the council silent. "Made a mistake, we have. Teaching our way in the wrong way, we may have. Made me realize it, Lirlia did. Change our ways, we must." He spoke.
"I don't think that it'd be a good idea to-"
"Enough of it. Brought change, Lirlia has. Follow her pace, we need. Growing stronger, she will. Uncertainty in the future, there is. Concern me deeply, it does."
It was at that moment that Obi-Wan, Anakin and Ahsoka entered the room.
"This discussion ended has. Now, regarding Mortis, talk we will." He said as he sat on his seat.
"Obi-Wan, Skywalker, Padawan Tano. You seemed to not want to talk over our previous talk. Now, could you tell us what happened with that transmission?" Mace asked.
"Yes Master. You see…" Obi-Wan started explaining what happened on Mortis with Anakin and Ahsoka filling up some details on their part.
After their explanation, the Council was stunned to hear that there used to be there and the beings. Ahsoka then asked.
"Master Yoda, have you ever heard about the Primal Force?"
"Primal Force? What's that Little'Soka?" Plo Koon asked.
"Well… Lirlia told me that it was what the Force used to be the Force as we know it. She also said that it was chaotic and that her world feed from it."
"Then that means…" the council was yet again stunned by this revelation.
"Older that the Force, Lirlia is." Yoda finished the sentence that no one dared to end.
"How…?" Mace was speechless. "How can someone be that old? And what was before the existence of the Force as we know it?"
"Perhaps that's what allowed the existence of Lirlia's world and the creatures that she's fought in the past as well as with the Elements she's said and demonstrated." Shaak Ti reasoned.
"It makes sense. But if it is how the Force used to be… wouldn't she be affected by the present Force?" Obi-Wan added.
Silence filled the room. Everyone thinking on what could be explained.
"Getting answers, we will not. In Mysterious ways, the Force works. Know the reason as to why Lirlia is not affected, only the Force does. Leave it be, we should."
"But we could get interesting info on how to help her." Ahsoka spoke. "Shouldn't we learn more about it so we can understand Lirlia a bit better?"
"We understand your thinking, Little'Soka. But we don't think that it'd be good for us to meddle on something that we may never understand."
"Lirlia has lived her whole life as a Hunter, as she usually states. And she has her life suddenly stripped from her by a reason." Ki Adi Mundi added.
"Chosen for a reason, Lirlia was. In motion, Time is. Help her, we must."
"How can we support her, Master Yoda?" Anakin asked the question nobody wanted to say.
Yoda looked down, deep in thought. "Hmm… a good question, that is. How can we help her, knowing that what she does is not from our time? Only Time will tell."
"So, what should we do now?" Shaak ti asked.
"Starting to change our ways, we should. Convinced me, Lirlia has. The wrong path, we followed."
"Where is Lirlia right now?" Mace asked, not wanting to discuss it right
"She's at the Senate Building. Probably she went to talk to Senator Amidala."
"Why? Why didn't she come to us?" Shaak Ti asked for everyone in the room.
"Perhaps she wasn't feeling in the mood to talk to us here." Anakin answered. "She usually hangs out with Senator Amidala and needed to talk or something to get her mind away for a while. She appeared very upset as we came here to Coruscant."
"Leave her be, we should. If she wants to speak with us, come to us she will. Give her space." Yoda stated. "Asking her about Mortis, we will not. When ready, she will speak."
The Jedi accepted their Grand Master's decision and ended the meeting.
Lirlia woke up slowly, feeling somehow refresh. She sat, rubbing her eyes. Groaning, she stood and exited the room. There, she found Padme working at her desk.
"Padme?" she spoke. The Senator looked up from her work, a smile appearing in her face.
"Lirlia. How are you feeling?" she walked to her.
"Better. Thanks."
"Is no problem. Really. I worry about you." Padme then remembered something. "You know, I have a party tonight. Would you like to come?"
"I… don't know, Padme. I don't think that I could stand a large group now."
Padme smiled. "I understand Lirlia. Don't worry. I won't force you to anything. If you ever need something, you know you can count on me."
"Thank you, Padme. I've got to go." Lirlia stood and said goodbye to Padme, Sabe and Captain Tanaka.
Lirlia made her way across the Senate Building, not really caring nor paying attention to where she was going. She bumped a few people, always apologizing. Except, one of the people she bumped into was not that forgiving nor kind.
"Careful where you are walking." She recognized the man, Nix Card.
"Apologies, Senator. I wasn't watching where I was going. I shall leave you be." She tried to get away from the Senator who always gives her a sense of distrust, when she realized that another Senator also came to his side.
"Bumping into a Senator like that is not to be taken lightly, Miss Lirlia. I suggest that you compensate Senator Card for bumping into him." Lott Dod interfered.
"I don't remember that I should compensate a Senator if I bump on them on accident, otherwise the few that I've bumped to would have said so."
Nix sweat dropped, luckily for him, Lott was prepared.
"Well, that's regarding about their own criteria, Miss Lirlia. And we should get all the respect from others. Your harsh attitude just offended Nix Card here."
Lirlia lifted her eyebrows at that. Then shook her head sighing, letting her arms to fall. "I'm not in the mood nor have the energy for some discussion or trouble. Say whatever you need this time, just say so."
"Why aren't you all that generous and give yourself to study? I'm pretty sure you'll become quite rich in no time. It's a win-win for the two of us." Nix Card
Lirlia's face was filled with a frown, an annoyed expression appeared. "Is that so? Even though Chancellor Palpatine stated that that topic shouldn't be brought again?"
"You see, the time you lent your equipment wasn't enough to get answers nor to understand how it was made. Desolè's report didn't find much about it." Nix spoke, thinking that he's won over. "So, if you let our scientist and engineers to… test you and your equipment, It'd be a good way to make amends for-"
"What a poor excuse so you can force me to lend you again my equipment. And you even are trying to force me to let some people to what? Let them explore my body? What does that even mean?" Lirlia interrupted Nix.
"It means that they'd run medical tests on you, so they can see what differentiates you from others."
"You'd be paid, of course, so you no longer have to depend on the Jedi, and you can also help to avoid more deaths from the clones." Lott continued. Both men thought that they have convinced Lirlia, especially hitting at her heart. They know that Lirlia is mostly selfless, always lending a hand to others. Using the clones as an excuse, would increase their attempts of success. They are betting lots of profit from these words.
Unfortunately for them, Lirlia has received training from Padme. The Senator taught her how to behave around these kinds of people.
"It's not my fault that your scientist or engineers can't think of new ways to protect the clones." She answered coldly. "I have said it already, but I'll say it again. The topic is over by order of Chancellor Palpatine."
"But you can also get rich this way. Surely you don't think that the Jedi can provide you with all your needs?" Nix carried on.
"I'm pretty sure that they can, thank you. If you excuse me, I need to go." Lirlia spoke annoyed at him. "And no, I don't want to become rich by 'giving myself' to some people who don't see me as a person, but as something to get profit from."
Both Nix and Lott backed down, not thinking a way to convince her like Desolè once did. They are losing lots of profit with how the outcome of the conversation went.
"Is there anything else you want me to ask?" Annoyed, with no more patience left and no more energy to continue, she spoke slowly, yet for them, it appeared to be filled with menace.
Unknown to Lirlia, she accidentally touched the Dark Side of the Force, and it answered to her by making her presence darker and menacingly. She shook her head and walked away from the stunned men, unaware that Sidious and the Jedi felt that small disturbance.
After walking for a while in the Senate Building, she received a call from Anakin saying that he'd come to take her back to the Temple. She nodded and waited his arrival. Once he arrived, he noted her annoyed expression, but didn't ask about it. Their journey to the Temple was in silence. Upon arriving, Lirlia went directly to her room, not wanting to speak with anyone.
Once inside her room, she sighed and leaned against the closed door for a few seconds before laying her Heavy Bowgun onto the ground and laying herself on the bed. In a few minutes, she fell asleep.
The Jedi Council was debating on what to do about Lirlia's sudden use of the Dark Side of the Force. But couldn't bring themselves to do it. Especially since Master Yoda already spoke his mind that they should leave her alone. Some were still concerned about her.
"Do you know what could have triggered her?" Windu asked Anakin.
"No. She appeared extremely annoyed and upset. And I felt that she'd be more annoyed if I ask her. So I left her be."
"I see."
"Perhaps we could ask her when she feels better." Plo Koon offered.
"Hm… in time, she will tell us. Wait we must. Let her be." Yoda stated, finishing the topic.
Sidious also felt the disturbance coming from Lirlia. It was so sudden, but so full of power. Her presence became darker, twisted and evil. 'Can she turn her presence twisted at will?' he thought. Then he remembered that she cannot use the Force at will. 'Perhaps she uses the Force in an unconscious way. Or… perhaps she uses what was before the Force… the Primal Force as Anakin's Padawan called it.'
A wicked smiled adorned his face, eyes turning bright yellow. "What is your true power, I wonder, Hunter?" he chuckled. "I cannot wait till my reunion with you."
I realized that I uploaded the chapter before finishing it lel. Sorry if you received the notification and found that it was deleted when you went to read it.