Guys, I have to thank you. My story is in top 100 (amount of reviews, favorites and follows) stories of the Old Republic world for 1305 stories overall. This is a milestone for me and I thank you for your support. I haven't expected that my first fanfic will be so good. Meanwhile, I invite you to read another chapter.

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Chapter 23

Revan cursed silently. He was sitting in his quarters in the Jedi Academy on Dantooine. The former Dark Lord was eyeing his right shoulder carefully. The wound was growing. Around the gash, his skin was fiercely red and in some spots even black. Around him were laying bandages, that were soaked up with his blood, and body fluids. It hurt when he was taking off his patches. With them came out a piece of his coalesced scab. From the opened wound a fresh blood has drained. Revan used some of the not used bandages to stop the bleeding.

And now he was eyeing his shoulder with a concern in his eyes. A small scratch has almost tripled in size. The former Dark Lord applied some of the Kolto on the wound. He had to clench his teeth in order to not scream in pain. The substation caused the gash to sting uncontrollably. But after a moment, he felt the pain subsiding. He unclenched his teeth and opened his eyes.

He didn't expect the pain to be so big to make him cry. But it happened. Revan felt small tears running down his cheeks. He pulled out a small leather strap from his mouth. It was supposed to nullify his screams, as well as provide his teeth from breaking. And it has done its job.

Even if Kolto caused his wound to sting in the beginning, the feeling was gone now. The relief took its place. He sighed slightly. He felt the pain lessening. After a moment he was able to gather his thoughts again.

From what he understood from the datapads in the archives, he had little over a month before the transformation begins. Till this time, he had to gather all the ingredients. Fortunately, they were on the same planets as the Star Maps, so this wouldn't collide with his quest for the Star Forge. Officially, he still didn't receive Council's permission to find Malak's weapon, but he knew that he would go for it.

Revan put on the fresh bandages that were soaked up with Kolto on his right shoulder. He tied them up securely, being careful to not do it too strong. With his wound somewhat cleaned he stood up from the bed. The former Dark Lord picked up the used patches and cast them into the trash. He put on his brown Jedi cloak on the black tunic he wore and left his quarters. He was supposed to meet with the Council not long after the sunrise.

He walked through the halls of the Enclave without hurry. This place somehow always soothed him. He closed his eyes and in his imagination appeared the flashbacks of his childhood. He remembered countless times when he and Alek were running through these corridors, escaping after making a prank on someone. Or simply, they were enjoying their free time. He sighed and smiled slightly. Things were much easier then.

But he had to abandon these thoughts, as he approached the Council chambers. He felt an extremely enraged person not so far from here. His smile only grew wider. Vrook truly had a problem with hiding his emotions. He was emanating with bigger hatred than even Malak. And that was actually difficult to pass by his former in this.

He opened his eyes as he entered the chambers. As he expected, except four Masters he also noticed Bastila at her usual spot.

"You have done well, my pupil" Zhar greeted him. "The Ancient Grove has been purified and Juhani's journey down the dark path has been halted. Because of you, she walks once more in the light. But though she was saved, do not dismiss what happened to her. Juhani is both dedicated and true to the ideals of the Order, yet she was still vulnerable to the Dark Side. As are we all. She struck her master in anger during training and injured her greatly. But it was Quatra's choice to test Juhani this way, and it seems to have made its point. Juhani has been redeemed, and you have passed your final test. Congratulations, apprentice. Or should I say congratulations, Padawan? You have proven yourself worthy of joining the Jedi. Let me be the first to welcome you as a full-fledged member of our Order!" the purple Twi'lek finished with a slight bow. Revan returned the gesture. He saw with a corner of his eye Vrook rolling his eyes.

"It is good to see Juhani returned to the way of the light" Vandar added. "You are to be commended for your role in this. Your actions give us great hope for the future. Your training is now complete, young Padawan. And perhaps now it is the time we dealt with the matter of the dream you and Bastila shared. When we heard of the ruins in your dreams, Master Dorak recognized it as one of a series of ancient structures here on Dantooine. This one in particular lies to the east of this Enclave. We sent a Jedi to investigate… but he has not returned. Perhaps sending him in the first place was a mistake. The Force is guiding you through your visions; it may be that exploring the ruins is a task tied to your destiny. That is why the Council has now decided you should be the one to investigate this. The secrets to stopping Malak may be hidden within those ruins. You must investigate them and find what Revan and Malak were looking for" the small Master explained. Revan's left corner of his lips drifted upwards a little. Vandar has played his role perfectly.

"I'll investigate these ruins right away" he replied with another bow.

"Be sure to bring Bastila with you" the green alien added. "There is a powerful link between you, and you will need to draw strength from each other during the trials ahead."

"But be careful, Padawan" Vrook interjected. "This task may prove itself too difficult for you," he said with frowned brows, as usual. Revan almost laughed. This old fool had something in his mind, and he knew it.

"I'll do my best, Masters," he said in a mocking tone. Dorak, Vandar, and Zhar replied nothing at that, while Vrook became even more enraged. His veins started to show up on his skull and his skin turned into a red color. "Be careful, Master, not to explode" he added and turned to leave the chambers. Behind him, he heard laughs from other Masters, though nothing from Vrook. He smiled not looking back.

He and Bastila quickly left the Enclave. It was still morning on this side of Dantooine. The sun was shining right in their eyes, so they had to cover them with their hands.

After a moment their orbs adjusted to the brightness. Bastila shivered a little. It was still quite early and the air was cold. She put her hands on her arms in order to warm herself up.

She felt something being pressed into her chest. She lifted her eyelids only to see Revan offering her his cloak. She gladly accepted the gift and wrapped herself tightly with it. Bastila murmured silent 'thanks'.

"Do you want to talk, Bastila?" he asked, breaking the awkward silence between them.

"How can I help?" she replied with a question, willing to enter some conversation.

"You look like something's bothering you," Revan said, walking closer to her.

"No, not bothering me" she answered. "Not exactly. I've been thinking about what the Jedi Council said about the two of us" Bastila added. "There is a Bond between us, I do not dispute that. I can feel it, as I'm sure you can. The nature of that bond and its effect on our mission remain in question" she said with a perfectly faked tone. Revan smirked at that. She certainly knew how to lie.

"I think you're interested in more than just the 'bond' between us" he replied, teasing her. Bastila blushed slightly.

"Please! I'm a Jedi" she replied in an offended tone. "Such feelings, such attractions are… well, they're beneath me, quite frankly" Bastila said. Revan smiled at that. A few years ago she had no problems with showing these feelings, as she used to snuggle with him. "I admit, I find you intriguing" she continued. "Uh… I mean, I find your command of the Force intriguing" she corrected herself with another blush. "But my interest in you is purely academic. Surely you can understand why" she explained, trying to fight away the blush on her cheeks. Revan smiled even wider. "Our fates are strongly connected; so connected that a literal bond has been forged between us" she continued further on. "I saw your service records when you were transferred aboard the Endar Spire, but nothing beyond that. I know very little about you. I'd like to ask you some questions, given our relationship."

"Our… relationship?" he asked with a small chuckle. "That's so cute, I've never been hit on by a Jedi before," Revan said, laughing uncontrollably, as Bastila's face went an even deeper shade of red.

"I was referring to the bond we share" she replied with an angry tone. "The one the Jedi Council spoke of. If I actually was interested in you, rest assured I could come up with a better approach than this!" she said annoyed.

"Woah, guess I touched a nerve there, huh?" Revan asked with another small chuckle.

"Touched a nerve, no" Bastila replied in a mocking tone. "Getting on my nerves most definitely. I suppose this is what you men consider being witty" she added with a sigh. "Now, are you going to answer my questions? Or would you rather just keep annoying me?" she asked with a neutral tone.

"Uh… The second one" he said, raising his brow in a cocky way. His lips again curled in a smile.

"I see you intend to be childish about this. I guess I won't get anywhere continuing our discussion right now, will I?" she asked in an annoyed tone. "I suppose I'll just have to speak to you again later. Hopefully, you'll behave a little less like a little boy and a little more like a… like a man!" she spat.

"Oh come on I'm just teasing you!" he exclaimed. "I try to lighten somehow your mood and you are greatly offended. This is what I meant back on Taris, that you are a spoiled girl. Open up a little to me! Don't be stuck up!" he added looking at her. In response, she let out a sigh. "And besides, your face is all scrunched up like a kinrath pup" he added, earning a shocked expression from her.

"Seriously? A kinrath pup?" she asked, not believing what she has just heard. She let out another sigh. "I guess, I will have to get used to you childish behavior" she complained. Revan smiled widely at that.

"So, you said you wanted to ask me some questions?" he urged her. She nodded her head.

"Yes I did" she replied. "Don't worry, these are simple questions" she added quickly. "Nothing too intrusive. First, what kind of background do you have?" she asked.

"Nothing extravagant. I'm just a simple soldier" he answered. "Or I used to, as now I'm part of the Jedi Order" he added.

"Good" Bastila commented. "On which planet were you born?" she asked.

Revan searched through the memories of his false identity. He had to hurry, he couldn't think about that so much.

"Deralia" she answered after a moment. Bastila eyed him carefully, noticing his hesitation. "It's in a remote system. Why?"

"Excellent" she replied, ignoring his question. "Your current age is?" she continued to ask him.

Revan let out a sigh. Bastila truly could be annoying. These questions were… for nothing. Was she supposed to find out if his false identity still was in him? He decided to tease her a little.

"Three thousand and twelve" he replied after a moment. "Healthy living, you know" he added with a small smile. He didn't expect Bastila to actually chuckle at that. He smiled. That was a good direction of their reunion.

"Yeah, I wouldn't say that" she replied, deciding to tease him back. "You're actually quite clumsy and your breath stinks like bantha," she said with a playful tone. Revan faked an offended look.

"My breath really stinks?" he asked, acting as he was on the edge of tears. He even wiped the non-existing tear out of his eye. Bastila laughed at that. Revan didn't hold for long and also burst into laughter.

In their state, they haven't noticed how quickly they've reached the Ancient Ruins. Due to Revan's actions, the kath hounds were calm now. The two of them came closer to the doors, and they opened automatically.

"Be cautious" Revan warned her, entering as the first one. Something wasn't right. He remembered quite exactly these ruins from the first time when he was here. But something seemed… different. The Force was telling him that there was some kind of a surprise inside. But he couldn't understand what it was.

Once they've entered, they found themselves in a cold, stone structure. Bastila shivered again. They looked around, igniting their lightsabers.

The area around them wasn't high, but it was wide. The walls and the ceiling were all black. Small columns were supporting the ceiling. Everywhere were the spider webs. They encased the floor and some of the walls.

Revan took a step forward. As he expected, nothing happened. He started walking cautiously ahead with Bastila following him closely behind. Eventually, they reached another pair of doors. The former Dark Lord opened them with the Force.

As he recalled, there was standing an old droid. It was built in an ancient fashion and in nothing resembled the machines, that were being produced nowadays. It was standing on four, spider-like legs and had a longitudinal torso. It also had a small gun under something, that probably was meant to be a head.

The droid let out a series of different words. Revan recognized them. It was a dialect of the Rakatans.

"What is it saying?" Bastila asked a rhetorical question. She was eyeing the droid carefully as in fear, that it might attack us.

"It says that we are allowed to go" Revan answered. That was… partially true. The droid remembered him and it said, that it's been some time since he was there. But he couldn't say that to Bastila, could he?

"You understand it?" she asked intrigued. Revan smirked. Of course, she had to play this little game of the High Council that was his false identity. He decided to follow her lead.

"Actually yes" he replied. "Before I was assigned to the military, I had a contact with the smugglers on Nar Shadda. This is one of the many dialects that's in common use there" he replied. That also was partially true. At least this about his stay on the smugglers' moon. Bastila seemed to be intrigued. He knew perfectly that she understood the real reason why he was able to communicate with that droid.

Revan and Bastila went through the stone doors. Once again, they've found themselves in a long corridor. They walked cautiously forward. On the far end of the hall was standing their destination. The two Jedi Padawans approached the stone structure that was a Star Map. The device, just like in their vision, opened itself when they got close enough.

Bastila gasped slightly at the sight before her eyes while Revan stared in silence. It was something he got used to seeing. A small ball lifted itself into the air and showed a map of the entire Galaxy. But, except Dantooine and Kashyyyk, no planet was marked on the holoprojection of the Galaxy.

"This… This must be what Revan and Malak found when they entered these ruins" she said after a moment. "This must be where their journey down the Dark Side began" she added. Revan smirked at that. Our journey down the Dark Side began at Dromund Kaas, he commented in his thoughts."But something is wrong" Bastila said after a pause. "This map seems to be incomplete" she finished, resting her chin on her fist. She was in deep thoughts right now.

"You're right" Revan replied, coming closer to the Star Map. He knelt next to it and was pointing at what he was saying. "Look. This planet here, it is Dantooine. There is a visibly marked a hyperspace route to Kashyyyk. It also contains the incomplete coordinates."

"What do you think it can mean?" Bastila asked intrigued, forgetting about who the person called Alen Royce really was. She came closer and knelt next to the former Dark Lord.

"I suppose that this Star Map leads to the another one that might be located here, on Kashyyyk," he said, pointing at the small dot, which was the forest world. "Perhaps there can be found another clue about the Star Forge. Like the missing coordinates and the hyperspace routes," he explained and took off the datapad that he was carrying.

"What are you doing?" she asked, looking at him with a questioning look.

"It might be good to download these information" he explained, rolling his eyes. He loved Bastila, but sometimes she was just… uncomprehending. She said nothing in response.

Revan looked around the space they were in. Something in the Force was screaming in this place. And it wasn't the usual call of the Dark Side that always was here. It was something… different.

Revan checked his datapad. There was left a dozen or so minutes before the full content will be downloaded to it.

"Go outside, Bastila," he said, not bothering to look at her.

"What?!" she exclaimed surprised and a little enraged.

"It's cold in here" he explained, turning to her. "And it will take several more minutes before the download is finished. Besides, everything's done here" he finished. Bastila stood up unwillingly. "I'll be fine" he added, looking at her with a small smile.

"But get a move on, Alen," she said and turned to leave.

"It won't take me long" Revan replied. He watched Bastila walking out from the ruins. When he heard the doors closing behind her, he stood up.

"Was it Vrook who sent you?" he asked a question to the walls around him. Revan scanned the room with his eyes. It was covered with shadows and spider webs. But something was there, the former Dark Lord sensed it. Or more precisely, someone was out there.

As he expected, a person stepped out from the shadows. It was an old Jedi Knight. He was a male human with grey hair and eyes of the same color. His skin was light, but it had few discolorations. He was dressed in a regular, beige Jedi robe with the brown shoulder plates, belt, and armguards in the same color. A silver lightsaber handle was hanging from his belt.

The old man had a serious expression on his face. He frowned in an anger. He unclipped his lightsaber from his belt and turned it on. A blue blade sprang to in response ignited his own red and blue lightsabers.

"I see that what Vrook told about you was correct, Sith," the man said, taking a fighting stance. Revan followed his lead. He crossed his lightsabers before his chest. The blue and red lights mixed into a purple color. The former Dark Lord's expression hardened. He furrowed his brows and eyed the man carefully.

"I am NOT Sith" he replied. With that, they engaged in combat.

The lightsabers hummed, as they crashed against each other. The walls reflected the sounds, increasing their volume. Revan was the one to be in defense, as the older man was attacking him with swift blows. Despite his old age, the Jedi Knight was able to deal very quick and precise strikes. But it was the former Dark Lord who had the upper hand. For many, fighting with two lightsabers was difficult, but not for Revan.

The fallen Jedi was able to protect himself from the strikes of his enemy with one weapon and deal his own blows occasionally with the second one. This caught the older Jedi off guard. He was quickly forced to move from the offense to defense and now it was Revan being the attacker.

Revan was attacking alternately with both of his lightsabers, every time the weapons were letting out a humming noise. The older Jedi had a hard time blocking the attacks. He found himself walking backward in order to protect himself somehow from the assault.

The former Dark Lord pushed the Jedi Knight with one of his lightsabers. The red blade met the blue one. The older man had to retreat under the pressure of the younger man. Revan attacked with his second lightsaber. His opponent reacted immediately, putting up his only mean of defense against his attacker.

The fallen Jedi was now attacking with both of his lightsabers at once, adding, even more, strength to his attacks. The older man was forced to stumble backward. After few of such attacks, the Jedi Knight's lightsaber was knocked out from his hand. Revan wasn't playing any game of 'the last word' or 'showing mercy'. When the old Jedi dropped his weapon, he cut him in half.

His opponent's body fell to the floor in two pieces. A small smoke was rising from the spot where lightsaber met flesh. Revan's expression saddened a little. He didn't want to kill someone who wasn't his enemy. It wasn't the old man's fault that Vrook sent him on a certain death. The former Dark Lord came closer to his fallen opponent and his sadness went even deeper.

He recognized this man now when the heat of battle wasn't over him. Nemo. A very nice old man, who used to treat him and Alek as his grandsons when they were younger. He wasn't a Jedi Master. He was someone who knew many stories and liked to tell them to kids. Revan felt a small tear running down his cheek. He wiped it out immediately.

He couldn't allow himself for something like that. Later will be a time to mourn the dead ones. But not now. Now he had to make sure to save the Galaxy from any more deaths.

He stood up and clipped his lightsabers to his belt. He returned to the Star Map and picked up his datapad. With that in his hand, he turned to leave.


"What took you so long?!" Bastila exclaimed as she noticed Revan leaving the ruins. She wasn't wearing the cloak he gave her anymore, due to the warmth that was being given by the sun.

"Sorry, Princess" he apologized, protecting his eyes from the burning sun. "Accidentally, I've launched the security droids. I had to fight my way back" he lied. She seemed to relax after seeing that he was alright. She returned him his cloak which he gladly accepted and wrapped it around himself. Even if it was warm outside, he still was slightly shivering after these ruins.

"Let's go back," he said, beginning to walk in the direction of the Enclave.


Revan and Bastila entered the Council chambers. Vrook was the first one to notice them. If he was surprised to see the former Dark Lord alive, he didn't show it.

"Ah, you have returned, young Padawan" Vandar greeted them. "Have you discovered what it was that Revan and Malak sought in those ruins?" he asked, faking an intrigued tone. He was playing his role perfectly.

"We found an incomplete Star Map" Bastila was first one to reply. "It contained fragments of coordinates and hyperspace routes, as well as the trail to Kashyyyk. These missing coordinates might be the location of the Star Forge. But there are of no use if they remain incomplete."

"Hmm…" Vandar went silence for a moment. "If my suspicions are correct, then this must be some clue where to find another of these 'Star Maps'" he continued. "This Star Forge, have you managed to find any information about what it is?"

"Unfortunately no, Master" Bastila replied.

"We should consult the Jedi archives on Coruscant to see if there is any mention of this 'Star Forge' and what it might do" Vrook interjected. "We must learn why Revan and Malak sought it out."

The other Masters let out a collective nod. They all agreed to this matter.

"Return to your quarters, Padawans" Vandar said to them. "We will summon you when we are done."

With that, they were dismissed. Revan and Bastila left the chambers and headed towards the place where their rooms were located in.


Few hours have passed before they were summoned to the Council chambers back again. Bastila was eager to know the decision of the Masters, while Revan was eager to leave this planet.

"Padawans, you have done well in discovering the Star Map hidden within the Ancient Ruins," Vandar said as he noticed them. "But there is more you must do in the battle against Malak and the Sith. We Jedi know victory over Sith will not come through martial might. The Council has a mission for you, Padawans."

"I have consulted our vast archives in an effort to discover the nature of this 'Star Forge', but all my efforts have been in vain" Master Dorak announced.

"Still, the Council members are in agreement" Vrook interjected. "The Star Forger must be found! Revan and Malak sough it out when they began their tragic fall; the Star Forge is surely a powerful tool of the Dark Side."

You have no idea how powerful, Revan commented in his thoughts, being careful to hide them from Bastila.

"The Star Map in the ruins showed you Kashyyyk" Master Vandar continued. "As well as fragments of coordinates and the hyperspace routes, but it was incomplete. It did not show the location of the Star Forge itself. We believe there may be a similar Star Map on this planet. And the one in there might lead to yet another one. Each Star Map, depending on how many of them is somewhere out there, is likely a small piece of a larger puzzle. Find the Star Map on Kashyyyk. We believe that if it doesn't lead you to the Star Forge, it might give some clues about it."

"I am ready to do the Council's wish" Revan replied, bowing slightly.

"The Jedi numbers have been ravaged by this war, by defections to Malak's cause and by Sith assassins," Vandar said. And due to my actions, Revan added in his thoughts. "But we realize the importance of this mission. Yet if we sent a company of Jedi Knights with you we would surely draw the full attention of Malak and the Sith, dooming your efforts to failure."

"Good" Revan replied. "Others will only slow me down."

"You won't go alone, though" Vandar replied. "Secrecy is our best defense against the Sith, but it would be foolish to send you on this quest without someone to aid you, young Padawan. Bastila will accompany you, for there is a powerful connection between you two… a connection that might be the key to unraveling the mysteries uncovered by Revan. And Juhani has also asked to accompany you. After long deliberation, we have granted her request."

"Juhani nearly fell to the Dark Side" Vrook interjected. "Perhaps her presence will serve as a reminder to you of the danger of that path."

"Great" Revan sighed. "A Jedi Princess and the cat woman. Anyone else wants to stick with me?" he asked a rhetorical question, earning a slightly angered expression from Vrook.

"Of course those who aided you on Taris will also come" Vandar replied, ignoring his comment. "They possess skills you may find useful in your quest. Remember that secrecy and discretion are paramount to your success. You will not be able to hide the fact that you are a Jedi; nor should you. But the true nature of your mission must not reach Malak's ears. You may return here anytime. Dantooine will be a sanctuary for you, a safe haven. Here you can find supplies and whatever advice or other aid we may give you."

"When do I leave?" Revan simply asked. He was thankful that Master Vandar was willing to cooperate.

"Tomorrow, at the dawn" Vrook replied. "But first warning, young Padawan: the lure of the Dark Side is difficult to resist. I fear this quest to find the Star Forge could lead you down an all too familiar path" he said in a mysterious tone. Revan fought an urge to smile.

"The fate of the Galaxy is in your hands, young Padawan" Vandar added. "We pray you are up to the challenge. May the Force be with you" he ended. Revan replied with a bow and turned to leave.

More than you know, Master Vandar. More than you know, he thought, as he returned to his quarters.


Here comes another one. I hope you enjoy it and if you do then you know what to do next. See you in the next chapter!