Masters Yoda, Mace Windu and Yan Dooku were walking through the room of a Thousand Fountains. Yan had decided to seek out the wisdom of his former master and the head of the council. He recounted them the brief discussion he had with Nathrrya.
"Something troubles you it does." Yoda observed, looking up at Dooku.
Before Yan could answer there was a sudden surge in the Dark Side as anger, rage and hate spilled into the Force. Beneath that, he also felt sorrow, heartbreak, disappointment and an overwhelming sense of loss and failure.
The three masters exchanged knowing looks. They all knew without a doubt, that it had come from Nathrrya.
"That cannot be good." Mace observed frowning. Though the Jedi master would not call the Sith woman a friend, he had come to respect her. Nathrrya did not shy away from what she was and made no apology for it.
Mace had spent the trip back to Coruscant speaking at length with both Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi about their interactions with her. He was also reviewing what footage there was from the battle within the Theed royal palace which showed Nathrrya was an experienced combatant and leader. By the time they'd arrived back at the Jedi temple, Mace Windu had a much better understanding of the Sith Lord that was within their midst.
"Upset she is. Trained to channel emotions differently Sith are." Yoda said, "Investigate we must, talk on the way we shall."
Initiate Ashoka Tano looked around at her confused classmates as they felt the sudden surge in the Dark Side. The master who had been teaching them didn't hide the worried look on their face. Ashoka suspected she was the only one in the room who had any idea what had happened. The red-haired woman she'd met in hallway was upset and sad about something deeply personal. The young girl didn't know why she knew this, she simply did.
Ashoka thought it best to keep quiet but the next time she had a class with Master Yoda she would be sure to tell him. She closed her eyes briefly and listened to the Force, it seemed to agree that talking to Master Yoda would be the best thing for her to do.
Obi-Wan had left Nathrrya's room to find himself being confronted by Cin Drallig and several members of the Jedi Temple Guard. No one had their sabres drawn but the four Jedi were clearly on edge.
"Master Drallig?" the padawan asked a little concerned as to the master's presence. It can't have been that bad, could it? He thought.
"Obi-Wan, I think everyone in the temple felt the sudden surge in the Dark Side, we came to investigate..." Cin explained.
"Ah, I see." Obi-Wan said glancing back over his shoulder at the Sith's door. "It'll come as no surprise that Nathrrya was the one responsible." He said turning back to face the Jedi master.
"We guessed as much." Cin replied with dry humour. "What happened? Are you alright? Is Nathrrya alright?" the concern for both clear in his voice.
The padawan ran a hand through his hair "I believe we're both fine Master Drallig. As to what happened... That I'm less sure about." Obi-Wan admitted just as the door opened and Nathrrya stepped through.
"So, my little display didn't go unnoticed." The Sith stated dryly.
"If that was a little display I don't want to contemplate a large one, Nathrrya." Cin said concerned.
"Neither do I, Master Drallig." Nathrrya admitted "I suspect I'd destroy about half the temple."
"You could do that?" one of the temple guards asked shocked at the thought that one person could have such power.
"Potentially although something would have to push me into doing so not unlike what happened here." Nathrrya said indicating her closed door.
"What exactly did happen, Nathrrya?" Cin asked worried.
"See for yourselves, it's easier than any explanation I could offer." The Sith said as she turned around and opened the door.
"I have spoken to Nathrrya." Dooku said as he, Mace and Yoda made their way through the temple to where the Sith was staying. "What she told me has... unsettled me greatly."
"What do you mean?" Mace asked frowning.
"As you know I have made a study of a number of the Sith artefacts the Order holds. I was not as careful as I had thought. Nathrrya told me that I am tainted by the Dark Side and it will not take much before I fall." Yan explained.
Yoda's ears drooped "Troubling this is."
"Perhaps it is not as dire as it sounds master for Nathrrya suggested two ways that might help with my predicament." Dooku said "One was to inform the Council and ask for help in removing the taint, however I expressed the possibility of being dismissed from the order."
Mace nodded slowly, given the uncertainty that still surrounded the Sith woman Dooku's fears were not unfounded. "And the second?"
"That was considerably more radical." Yan admitted "Nathrrya offered to train me in the Dark Side so I would not fall."
Mace and Yoda stopped short at that, both turned to face Dooku "She what?" the dark-skinned master asked in disbelief.
Despite himself Yan Dooku smiled slightly "I too was taken by surprise for I had not expected her to be so bold. No trying to temp me, no deception just an offer of training."
Mace and Yoda looked at each other communicating silently for Nathrrya's offer would not be as straight forward as it seemed. "More to this there is." Yoda said at last.
"Undoubtedly." Dooku agreed as he was well aware that Nathrrya would have had a reason to make the offer she had, what that was remained to be seen.
Nathrrya had a somewhat bemused expression as she watched Master Drallig and the three temple guards take in the sight of her partly destroyed room.
"I see it, but I still can't quite believe it." Cin said at last "What happened to make you do this?" he gestured about the room.
Nathrrya smiled sadly "I learned about some of the events that took place after I was frozen." She looked about the room as she spoke "It was the fate of the girl who was like a daughter to me that pushed me over the edge. I'm trained to channel emotions differently. Sometimes I have to release those emotions in a hurry, that's what happened here."
"Who was she?" Obi-Wan asked, curious
"Her name was Tara, we got into all sorts of misadventures together as we were sometimes called the troublesome twosome." Nathrrya grinned remembering some of their crazier stunts. "Her mother, Darth Nox, and I did not get along but when I learned of the circumstances that led to Nox giving birth to Tara, I badly wanted to murder the woman on the spot."
Obi-Wan and the other Jedi looked horrified. The padawan frowned as he thought why Nathrrya would have such a strong reaction. "Tara's father... was he your lover, Malavai Quinn?" he asked, almost afraid of the answer.
The Sith nodded "Yes. I will not go into what happened, but it left Quinn with a lot of emotional baggage he had to deal with before he could admit that he was truly in love with me." Nathrrya began to pace "When Nox learned that the man she'd... convinced to help her conceive a child was genuinely in love with me and that love was genuinely returned... she did not take it well."
Cin Drallig massaged his temples, Sith history classes had not covered anything like this. "It sounds more like a really bad holo-soap than actual events."
Nathrrya chuckled "I'm sure the producers of Dark Shadows would have used it for a plot line had they known the details." She said with ironic humour in her voice.
"You watched holo-soaps?" Obi-Wan asked bewildered.
"Force, no!" Nathrrya exclaimed laughing "Dark Shadows was mum's passion, she loved it. Dad always complained he felt dumber after watching. He said he could feel his brain cells committing suicide whenever he watched it with her, which was almost daily."
The five Jedi didn't know what to make of Nathrrya's answer, but it was clear to them that her upbringing was vastly different than their own. Obi-Wan had some insight into this already but the way she talked about something as normal as holo-soaps drove home the point that Nathrrya been raised by her birth parents, something few Jedi could claim.
Masters Yoda, Windu and Dooku made their way into Nathrrya's quarters to find several droids beginning repairs. Master Drallig was overseeing the reconstruction.
"Where is Nathrrya?" Windu asked, looking around, frowning. "What pushed her to use the Dark Side?"
"Apparently some histories from those are to blame for the damage," Drallig replied, pointing to several holocrons sitting on a low sitting table. "Padawan Kenobi determined she needed a change of environment and some good food. They went to Dex's for a few hours while I complete the repairs."
"I recognize these," Dooku said. "I was with her when she found them within the vault. The Sith holocron was made by her former apprentice and the Jedi holocrons were made by her cousin and his former padawan, if I recall correctly."
Yoda slowly made his way over to the table which looked to be a regular sized surface compared to the small Jedi Master. He held his walking stick with both hands as he considered the Sith holocron for a while. "Activate this holocron, I shall."
Master Drallig looked concerned. "Are you sure that's wise, Master?" He didn't doubt the Grand Master's ability to open the device; rather he was more concerned for the reaction Nathrrya would have if she found out about it. She was amicable about most things, but this was personal property and she may not take lightly to such a breech.
"It may not be wise but these holocrons may have the answers we seek." Windu looked between Drallig and Dooku before turning his attention back to Yoda. Drallig still didn't agree fully – he felt it would be better to just ask the woman instead of going behind her back.
Without additional talk or collaboration Master Yoda closed his eyes and touched the holocron with the Force. The holocron activated and the image of a woman wearing dark coloured robes and under armour appeared. She held out her arms and bowed slightly in greeting.
"Greetings. I am Sith Master Jaesa Willsaam, former apprentice of Darth Avarice, Emperor's Wrath."
Dooku was surprised. "You do not have a Darth title?"
"I never took one even though I was eligible to do so. My master always told me it would be my decision to take one or not. She was called for a mission by Darth Marr and never saw me accept my master status. She disappeared when it was bestowed upon me." Jaesa had always hoped Nathrrya would be the one to give her the master title, but the honour had fallen to Darth Vowrawn when Marr had been killed and Nathrrya disappeared.
"Jedi you were." Yoda said.
"Nathrrya told you, then."
"Only the basics," Windu responded. "We were surprised to learn that Nathrrya had turned a Jedi to the Dark Side."
Jaesa smiled pleasantly. "No, she did not turn me against my will. It was my choice. I had found myself in a complex situation and it's something I will not share without Nathrrya present."
The four Jedi masters looked between one another stunned.
"Welcome to the Collective Commerce District, or CoCo Town, Nathrrya." Obi-Wan said as they walked down one of the districts back streets.
"Your friend Dex has his diner here?" the Sith asked curiously as she looked around. Where they were could be considered a rough part of town with older buildings, warehouses, beat up speeders and transporter rigs with the occasional newer freighter mixed in.
Obi-Wan grinned "Yes, Dex has a colourful past, from what Qui-Gon and I have been able to gather. He's had numerous jobs, some of them, one would not call legal. He's a good friend and an even better cook."
"What do you mean by 'not legal'?" Nathrrya asked intrigued.
"Well, he once told us a story when he was gun running. He's been a prospector, a smuggler and several other things I'd wager." The padawan answered.
"So, he's liable to have some more... unusual contacts?" The Sith asked, an idea forming in her mind.
"I'd imagine so, why do you ask?" Obi-Wan was curious though he wondered at the wisdom in that.
"While an official ID hasn't been much of a problem thus far it's going to be a real barrier to me soon enough. After all, my Imperial ID is going to raise far too many questions. I need a Republic ID."
"And even attempting to get a Republic ID is going to be... problematic." Obi-Wan concluded. "Dex will, I suspect, be able to help you but do me a favour Nathrrya, ask him when I'm not around."
"Plausible deniability." Nathrrya said with a smirk.
"Exactly."
Darth Sidious was angry; no, he was livid. He'd planned to recover the Scimitar, Darth Maul's ship but that hadn't happened. The Royal Naboo Security Force had found it first. This should have been nothing more than a minor inconvenience, however, the Force seemed to have it in for him as Sidious soon discovered that the Scimitar was legally registered to the Royal House of Naboo making it all but impossible for him to claim the vessel without causing a lot of very awkward questions.
The final insult was learning that the Queen had gifted the ship, now named the Indigo Rose, to the Hero of Naboo who was none other than Darth Avarice. It had also been gifted in such a way that the Jedi would be unable to confiscate the craft. What kind of name for a Sith vessel was Indigo Rose anyway? What was the woman going to do, paint it bright purple!?
Sidious smiled remembering that Maul had never found all the bugs and tracking devices. His smile quickly faded when he realized that he was dealing with another Lord of the Sith. The first thing Avarice would do, would be to search the ship from stem to stern.
Kelborn looked across the table at Keelu as she worked on cleaning some of his weapons. "What do you think about what Watto told us about this Darjetii, Nathrrya, that wants to free you?"
The girl put down the blaster she was working on and frowned "I don't know, it sounds like a very un-sithy thing to do. I mean didn't the Sith practice slavery?"
The bounty hunter nodded "Clan lore says they did." He seemed to consider something. "My ship has been handed down since the days of the Sith Empire, but there is nothing left of the original Mantis after so many rebuilds. Clan lore states it was once used by Leyland Ordo winner of the Great Hunt. He fell for a Darjetii woman and she gave up her lightsabre to marry him. They had a child a daughter and she was named in honour of the mother's Darjetii mentor."
"That almost sounds romantic." Keelu admitted. "What was the child's name?"
Kelborn smiled. This will be interesting. "Natalie, named in honour of the Darjetii, Nathrrya."
The girl's eyes widened in surprise "You mean the Sith that wants to free me?"
The bounty hunter shook his head "I don't know. We'll find that out when she comes to free you. If she is who I think she is, how the kriff is she alive after so long?"
"Here we are Nathrrya." Obi-Wan said as they entered the diner. The establishment was much what the Sith expected to see, a counter with stools and a serving hatch behind that, with a line of booths along the wall by the window. There were several customers eating their meals.
What Nathrrya hadn't expected to see was the two-meter-tall, several hundred kilos, four-armed alien behind the counter. She had never seen anything remotely like him before. Obi-Wan had some explaining to do.
"Obi-Wan!" Dexter Jettster cried pleased to see his friend. The Besalisk raised an eyebrow at the woman who was with the Jedi. He noted the Trade Federation blaster and what was clearly the hilt of a lightsabre on her belt not to mention her outfit. There was obviously a story behind her presence.
"Hey, Dex." Turning to the woman at his side he commented without cracking a smile, "Dex is quite handy."
Nathrrya managed to giggle and snort at the same time. "Kenobi, that's terrible!" she said trying to contain her laughter at such a bad joke.
"It made you laugh, couldn't have been that bad."
"Ha! Your humour has always been horrid Obi." Dex replied as he placed his upper two arms on the counter top. "So, what's brought you and your friend down here to see 'ol Dex?"
"This is Master Nathrrya, she's been helping Qui-Gon and I with a mission." The padawan said introducing the Sith.
Dex grinned "That explains the Federation blaster, but I thought you Jedi considered them uncivilised?"
"I'm not your typical Jedi, Dex." Nathrrya said smirking. I'm not a Jedi at all.
"Indeed. That's my cue to order our food." Obi-Wan replied seeing Dex's human waitress Hermione Bagwa several booths down from where they stood. "Join me when you're done talking to Dex." He said to Nathrrya before he walked away.
Hermione was wiping off a tabletop when she heard Obi-Wan's voice. Looking up she grinned, seeing him always brightened her day.
"Obi, haven't seen ya in ages." She said with a bright smile which dimmed slightly seeing the red-haired woman that had accompanied him into the establishment. "Who's your pretty friend?"
"That's Master Nathrrya." Obi-Wan replied.
Hermione's eyebrows threatened to crawl off her forehead "She's a Jedi?" the girl asked shocked. It explained the lightsabre hilt she had seen but what about the blaster and the outfit? An undercover Jedi?
"You could say so." Obi-Wan replied mysteriously as he sat down.
"So, what can I get the two of you?" Hermione asked, her notepad at the ready.
Obi-Wan thought for a moment then grinned. "Two nerf burgers a side of potato wedges and two glasses of Jawa Juice."
Hermione nodded as she left to get the order filled.
"Not that subtle but I'm guessing you need something from old Dex and Obi doesn't need to know." The Besalisk asked.
"Something like that." Nathrrya said as she pulled her ID from one of the pouches on her belt. "This should explain a few things." She said handing it to Dex.
The Besalisk held up the ID and blinked. He may not be overly familiar with galactic history, but he knew a fake when he saw it and what he held was no fake. "It does, it also means you have quite the story, Nathrrya, one I hope to hear someday." He said handing it back "I'm guessing you need a Republic ID and official channels aren't really an option."
"You could say that." The Sith replied as she put her ID away. "Can you help me?"
Dex nodded slowly "Yeah I might be able to arrange the help you need. Give me a few days. You're staying at the temple?"
"Yes, contact Obi-Wan or Qui-Gon, they'll be able to find me easy enough."
Qui-Gon Jinn let out a sigh as he paced the quarters he shared with Obi-Wan. He knew his padawan had taken Nathrrya to Dex's after her... emotional breakdown? Perhaps time away from the temple is what the woman needed. The Jedi master kept going back over the very frank discussion he'd had with the Sith woman regarding Obi-Wan, even now he felt as if he were missing something important.
Nathrrya was an emotional person, she lived for and thrived on emotions both good and bad. That was clear during the battle of Naboo. Her command of the Dark Side was not in doubt nor her skill with the lightsabre. She had effortlessly switched between a blend of Shii-Cho and Juyo, which she seemed to favour given her more aggressive combat style and Soresu when she needed to deflect heavy blaster fire.
It was a misconception that Jedi were emotionless, they were trained to control their emotions and ever since meeting Nathrrya, Qui-Gon had been wondering if the Jedi were trained to control their emotions too much. After all, Jedi did form attachments as they made friends with other Jedi and sometimes people they encountered on missions. The Sith woman's views regarding the subject of romantic attachments was unsurprisingly the opposite of the Jedi Code.
Nathrrya sat down across from Obi-Wan before she started interrogating him about the diner's owner.
"With a name like Dex I was expecting someone more... human." She said "What species is Dex? I don't think I've ever seen anyone quite like him before."
Obi-Wan smiled "He's a Besalisk and hails from the world of Ojom in the Deep Core which was discovered after the Ruusan Reformation." The padawan explained.
"I see." Nathrrya replied thoughtfully. "That explains why I've never seen, much less heard of, a Besalisk before now. What did you want to talk to me about?" she asked.
"Ah yes the reason I was outside your door to begin with." The padawan said awkwardly "It seems Siri is jealous of you because you are a very attractive looking woman."
Nathrrya leaned back in her seat steepling her hands under her chin, a slight frown marring her features "She sees me as a rival for your affections, doesn't she?"
"I hadn't thought of that..." Obi-Wan admitted. "But why? I know you like to flirt but Siri has never witnessed it."
Nathrrya leaned forward "You said it yourself Obi-Wan that I'm attractive. If Siri still has strong feelings for you then it wouldn't be hard for her to believe that I'm a threat to her chances. Whether I am or not doesn't matter, being in love with someone isn't logical."
Obi-Wan sighed "This isn't going to be that easy is it? I was hoping we could come up with a way to deal with Siri's jealousy before it gets out of hand."
Before Nathrrya could answer Hermione arrived with their orders and as the waitress placed the nerf burgers before them. Nathrrya couldn't help but smile, as the last time she'd had anything remotely as greasy and unhealthy as this would have been with Vette and her treasure hunting friends. She couldn't wait to dig in.
"This has to be the greasiest and unhealthiest burger I've ever seen." Nathrrya said as she picked hers up with both hands "I'm going to enjoy every bite."
Obi-Wan chuckled as he enjoyed watching Nathrrya eat her burger for a few moments before starting on his own. As they ate in relative silence, the Palawan's mind wondered as he thought how the Sith would react if her burger dripped where it shouldn't... Obi-Wan mentally facepalmed realising where his thoughts were headed.
A deep chuckle came from Nathrrya. The padawan looked up in time to see Nathrrya's eyes sparkling with mischief as she smirked wickedly. "I didn't know you found that sort of thing such a turn on Obi-Wan. You need to work on your shielding."
Obi-wan blushed with embarrassment. He had been found out though he noted that Nathrrya wasn't the least bit offended by his wondering mind.
Clearing his throat, he took a drink of his Jawa Juice. "I have an idea, it may help with Siri and the Order in general. You're an unknown to many and as much as I hate to say it, the Sith are, for want of a better word, the boogieman of the order. We haven't seen any in almost a thousand years and now there's a Sith Lord staying in the Jedi Temple who isn't hostile. The order doesn't know how to react to you. I propose you become more visible around the temple, perhaps teach some classes?"
Nathrrya put down her burger and took a drink of her own Jawa Juice as she thought over what the young Jedi had said. "It has merit, but we better see what your council has to say..."
Obi-Wan's holocom beeped, both the padawan and the Sith glared at the device "I better answer this, it's Qui-Gon." The young Jedi said as he pulled the com from his belt. "Yes Master?"
"Obi-Wan, sorry to interrupt but I need you to return to the temple as we need to talk about something alone." The small image of Qui-Gon explained.
"I'm sure I'll be able to persuade Obi-Wan to tell me what the Jedi are plotting." Nathrrya replied playfully.
The Jedi Master chuckled "I'm sure you will. Palawan, return as soon as you can." He said before Qui-Gon's image faded.
"Looks like that's the end of our date." Obi-Wan said as he stood to leave.
The Sith laughed before making a shooing motion with her hand. Nathrrya was going to enjoy the rest of her nerf burger.
"What's her story Obi?" Dex asked nodding to where Nathrrya sat as he was about to leave.
"It's... complicated." Obi-Wan said. "Nathrrya is the last of her Order." The padawan was technically correct. He looked Dex in the eyes "She hides it well, but it bothers her more than she wants to admit."
The Besalisk looked thoughtful "Being the last of something would weigh heavily on anyone's mind. Could she train others, like the Jedi do?"
"She could but would the council allow it? That, I can't answer." Obi-Wan shrugged "All I ask Dex, is be her friend when she needs it. Nathrrya isn't a Jedi and she'll need somewhere to come when temple life gets too much for her."
Dex grinned "Consider it done Obi."
"Thanks, see you again."
The Besalisk stroked his chin, now seemed to be a good a time as any to get to know his newest special customer. Dex ambled over to where the mysterious woman sat quietly eating. She looked up as he approached smiling, she gestured to the seat that Obi-Wan had vacated.
"How is Dex?" Qui-Gon asked
"Good. I think he and Nathrrya will get on quite well." Obi-Wan replied "Why did you want to see me?"
"She could use another friend." The Jedi Master agreed "Here look at this and tell me what you think." Qui-Gon said passing the young man a data pad.
Obi-Wan spent a few minutes reading the contents. "So, the council is going to accept Anakin for training." He said mildly surprised "and he's going to be your new padawan learner." The young Jedi frowned "So you'll have two Padawans?"
"Yes, for a short time as you are close to taking your Trials. The council felt since Anakin is more familiar with you and I, that we would be best suited to aiding him in adjusting to temple life." Qui-Gon explained.
"I can see the rational." Obi-Wan agreed. "Nathrrya is going to be involved in the boy's training?"
"Possibly, but not for many years yet." Qui-Gon replied "There is to be a formal council meeting tomorrow."
Nathrrya sat cross legged on the floor of her room. In front of her was Darth Marr's Holocron. She hoped it would have the answer to a question she had long wanted to ask her fellow Darth but had never gotten around to, as there always seemed something more pressing to attend to.
Marr's Holocron image soon appeared and it looked surprised as much as someone can with a full-face mask. "Lady Palatine." He said inclining his head slightly.
Nathrrya smiled for Marr had been one of the few Sith who called her by her family title; Darth Vowrawn had been another. "It's good to see you again old friend, what's the last thing you have a record of?"
Marr seemed to frown as he thought it over. "Ziost and the Emperor consuming that world, the invasion of the Eternal Empire. Nothing after that."
"I see." Nathrrya said looking grim "You summoned me to your flagship as you'd found traces of the Emperor. We were attacked by part of the Eternal Fleet; the ship was destroyed, and we were both captured and brought before the Emperor. You refused to bow down to him and I watched you die before my eyes, you went down fighting."
"A warrior's death." Marr said "What of you? How are you still alive?"
Nathrrya grinned "I told Valkorion no as well. No doubt he would have killed me, but his son attacked him. I took the chance to put my sabre through the Emperor's back." her grin faded. "That had unforeseen consequences. Three and half thousand years would pass before I was released from my carbonite tomb."
Marr took several moments to process that. "Impressive. You've sought my Holocron out for a reason."
Nathrrya nodded "Yes, during my time as the Empire's Wrath I heard rumours concerning a backup plan for the survival of the Empire in case we lost the war with the Republic."
Marr's image seemed to smile "There was such a plan. It was implemented and saw the concealment of an entire sector army and its supporting sector fleet. If they've survived this long in carbonite is unknown. You will have to go to where they were hidden and discover that for yourself."
Nathrrya blinked. Had she heard correctly? "How the kriff did you manage to hide something that big without the Republic noticing? You're talking about at least one hundred and fifty thousand troops, all their equipment not to mention the sector fleet with three to four hundred ships and their crews."
"A few units here, a few ships there. It wasn't too hard but very time consuming." Marr replied.
"I see." Nathrrya said slowly. "I know what I'll be doing in the not so distant future, looking for a lost army." As if the list of things she had to see to wasn't long enough as it was it had just gotten longer. At least she'd be kept busy.
Nathrrya had calmed her mind and body as she sank into a deep meditative state. It was time to answer the question of the source of Dark Side power she had felt within the Jedi Temple.
As she opened herself up to the Force she could feel all the Jedi within the temple but what quickly became apparent to the Sith was just how entrenched the Dark Side was within the fabric of the building. A slight frown appeared on the woman's face. How were the Jedi not aware of the darkness within their own temple?
It was a mystery and the only way to answer it was to follow the power of the Dark Side to its source. It seemed to the Sith that is what the dark wanted her to do, so she did. Deeper and deeper she went into the very bowls of the temple until she reached the very foundations of the Jedi Temple where few people ever set foot these days. The Dark Side was much, much stronger here. To Nathrrya it felt as if whatever she could sense was below the foundations.
But that would mean... the Jedi had built their temple on top of and around an already existing structure. The Jedi temple's large foundation footprint, the four hundred steps leading up to the entrance all made sense to her now. Nathrrya knew almost instinctively what she was about to find. The Sith followed the dark power through the foundations, deeper still until she emerged into a large vaulted camber.
Nathrrya looked around slowly taking in the ancient architecture which to her was unmistakingly Sith in origin. She'd only seen architecture like this once before and that was the Dark Temple on Dromund Kaas... which was at least a thousand years old when she'd braved its depths looking for the Ravager for Darth Baras.
The Sith woman felt another presence manifest near her as she turned she saw the ghostly form of Valkorion appear "You've found the Jedi's dark little secret. Impressive isn't it?" he asked looking around "One of the earliest Sith temples in all the galaxy and the fools above have no idea it's here."
"The Jedi must have known this temple is here otherwise they wouldn't have built theirs on top of it." Nathrrya pointed out.
Valkorion chuckled "Indeed. It was the ancient Jedi that first built the structure that encases this one in the flawed belief that the presence of light side would keep the dark side contained. It worked for a time but as generations passed the knowledge that there was ever a Sith temple here faded and with it the power to keep the darkness contained. It has slowly been working its way upwards for millennia the Jedi above are so used to the darkness that taints their temple, they do not even notice it." He smiled "But you did and here we are. It would make the perfect place to rebuild the Sith Order. Getting direct access will be a challenge."
Nathrrya looked upwards, Valkorion wasn't wrong for there had to be tens of meters of duracrete above their heads and as for finding the main entrance...
"Sidious knows about this place, doesn't he?" she asked
Valkorion nodded "Yes, he may know of its existence, but you are far better placed to take advantage of this. You will have to convince the Jedi, but you always had the ability to get others to see things to your advantage."
A/N: Well chapter 23 better late than never. Mum has been diagnosed with breast caner so I've been preoccupied dealing with that. So force only knows when chapter 24 will appear... as I haven't even made a start.
