Chapter Fourteen

Thanks to the Force and the Kashi Mer Talisman, Arden knew that Savage and Maul had fallen before the might of Lord Sidious on Mandalore. She also knew that Savage was the first to fall and as such, immediately began transferring Savage's power into Depa as that would be easiest for Arden. The Talisman lit up in response to the chanted incantations that Arden recited to it with telepathy eight beams of green energy scattered in all directions. That was before Arden's chants brought them into one focused beam straight at Depa's chest and shot balls of whitish-light green light at her.

The balls were focused bits of Savage's power and at first, Arden had a little conflict bringing the power into order seeing as Savage was transformed from one form into the one she knew. This also confused her because when she took the power from his spirit, all she was left with was a normal man. Normal of course, for a Dathomiri Zabrak in height, body tone, with his fighting prowess being the only thing that stood out about him. Are these midichlorians artificial implants of Mother Talzin or had they just been dormant in him until she transformed him into the beast I knew? Arden asked quietly.

All the sons of Kycina of Dathomir are Force-Sensitive, it's just Maul was the first one to discover his power and the only one to succeed in refining it the Talisman answered. That definitely did explain a lot of things, Arden knew this so she didn't press the matter further. The transfer was slow so as to give Arden time to adjust to the conditions of the ceremony that she was conducting. But finally, when she did succeed, she told her apprentice to check her bloodstream again to see the results.

Then she went back into the trance to conduct the ceremony on herself although this would be much more extensive than doing it to her apprentice. I demand a portion of this transferred power in order to allow you to be able to conduct the ceremony on yourself. The only reason I let you conduct it on your apprentice is because there is no demand on you or me the Talisman warned. You will give me the power regardless of what you wish for yourself Arden hissed.

The Talisman warned that it would not be so easy to fight its will and asked how else it was that Xendor sometimes had fits of raving madness after using it too much. As if that isn't bad enough, why else do you think his physical toll wasn't exactly the best towards the end of his life? it asked her. Arden's hand clenched until bone cracked when she heard that about her husband who had been the dream of her old life. Oh yes Arden Lyn, your husband was not quite as perfect as you thought he was.

I only let you think of him as perfect because it would satisfy my need to slowly heal your madness from the realization that he is long dead. Now that you are healed as best a pawn of mine can be from such a revelation, allow me to reveal the truth of your beloved man Xendor. Yes, you are innocent of your so-called crimes and the Jedi did you a valid injustice but that cannot be said for him. In fact, though Loki the Destroyer was not exactly the best means for it to be done or the cleanest, the Jedi did your husband far more justice in his fate than you.

When those first Jedi imprisoned you all those years ago, as written in the will of the Chronicler, out of pity for you. You fervently followed a cause that was doomed but you did so not because of your greed and selfishness but because of love for Xendor the Talisman said, mocking her. Enough, what does Xendor have to do with the power with you exacting a price from me? she asked. That can be explained with two words: your innocence; reason being that it makes you far more gullible.

I deliberately let you think you could just demand power from me and expect it to be used for your purpose. Now, I will extract the full price which shall be Lord Maul's midichlorians and possibly your life depending on how much you fight me the Talisman said. During this conversation, Depa noticed the Talisman's light blinking almost sporadically and Arden recoiling her head in pain. She almost wanted to stop her Mistress from continuing with the ceremony as she guessed it was fighting.

However, she wanted to be sure that it was fighting her before she did anything though she would regret having done nothing. Xendor was hardly any fun in regards to his gullibility and knew from the get-go that I extracted a price thanks to his family lineage. However, you were new and unaccustomed to the way of the Talisman which was a celebrated advantage of my creator's line. I was counting on blind dependence such as yours to make my plans for longevity succeed for in the longevity, my creator's spirit survives the Talisman continued. So you used Xendor as your first pawn in this plan and you decided to include me as your next just because you want to survive? Arden asked.

Xendor was not my first, more like my one hundred twenty-seventh since my original creator but yes it answered. Hundred twenty-seventh? Had it really been one hundred twenty-seven generations by the time of Xendor since this artifact's creation? But this gave her a revelation: the Talisman was not acting on its own sentience, its Master was still in it.

You are Kashi Mer trapped in an artifact until such time as you can possess a soul and escape from the artifact. If you were to do that, you would be omnipotent and far more so than you already are she said. Your insight serves you well, yes I am Kashi Mer trapped in a Talisman from which power can be withdrawn for personal use. But I grow tired of being a genie for those who possess the Talisman the voice of the Talisman admitted.

Then why do you need Maul's power if you are already omnipotent without it? Arden asked. Ah, the gullible little girl is finally learning. The sacrifice of another Force user is what I need to transfer my consciousness onto the soul of someone or something living. Maul's life is the sacrifice and you are the body I will transfer my soul into Kashi Mer answered. Arden knew she needed to stop this from happening and as such, began to make destructive pushes of telepathy toward the Talisman.

Unfortunately, this provoked it into striking back at her harder than she had ever been able to hit it herself. But Arden Lyn was never known for quitting and struck back with her full fury, exhausting her body and her mind as she did so. Depa saw the signs of a struggle and knew there was nothing she could do now. This was especially confirmed when she decided to attempt to cut the Talisman in pieces only for it to deflect her blow and repel her away from it.

If you survive, you will do good to tell your apprentice to never interfere in your affairs with me again Kashi Mer warned. Oh not to worry asshole, you won't even need to worry about whether I tell her or not! Arden replied. Then she summoned enough energy to nearly tear Kashi Mer's spirit from the Talisman though it exhausted her like hell to do that spell which required her all. She could hear her enemy straining and pulling with all his might to keep his soul bound to the Talisman for without it, he would be cast into oblivion.

No, no, no, no! Without me, the Talisman has no power and loses its indestructibility. You will also lose the midichlorians you need from Darth Maul's soul! Kashi shouted. Give them to me and I will not try to tear you out of your little shell again Arden ordered. I cannot be controlled by a naive little girl who only exists because of my good grace! Kashi boomed.

Then he tried one last time to repel her and keep the midichlorians for himself but she fought back and even had her telepathic phantom bring up her sword for use. She conjured an energy blade which he had not expected to see in this confrontation and was so overwhelmed, he yielded. The midichlorians are yours and I will never demand a price again he said when he finally did that. As promised, he yielded the midichlorians and the transfer was complete.

With that, the Talisman died down and Arden Lyn awoke from her terrifying trance to find Depa Billaba hovering over her in fright. "Are you alright, Mistress?" she asked. "I'm fine, why would I be?" Arden asked. "Well your nose is bleeding for one thing and out of both nostrils; not to worry, it started just as you were awakening," Depa answered.

"Then what are you waiting for: extract some of the blood before I attend to it," Arden ordered. Depa smirked at the genius of her Mistress and did as she was told to do by her. After that, a Sorcerer came and healed the bloodied nose down to having the lost blood raise itself back into her veins. However, the humor of the moment when Depa brought back the results and her face looked grim as could be.

"What is it from both of us?" Arden asked. "Before we conducted the ceremony, I had fourteen thousand and you had fifteen. Now that the transfer is complete... I have twenty-eight thousand and you have thirty thousand. Even with this transfer, you are still more powerful than I but now even more so," Depa answered.

"Don't you fret, my apprentice. I am mortal like you and unless I learn how the Jedi placed me in hibernation, I could never hope to avoid growing old and weak. That is, unless I am killed in combat during my youth which I hope never does happen," Arden said. "So that part of the Sith Codex is not one we will agree to?" Depa asked, her eyes lighting up with cheer.

"It's a stupid, trivial display of wanton power and anarchic deception anyway," Arden answered, placing a hand on Depa's shoulder as she spoke. Depa smiled and Arden also made the additional point that they would already be in violation of the Sith Rule of Two as it was. "Look at how we surround ourselves with the Sorcerers of Tund and the Ember of Vahla. We would be a more rogue version of the Jedi Order at best if we tried adhering to more Sith principles," Arden added.

It was in this moment that a Sorcerer of Tund who ranked just beneath the Nero brothers told her something she would never forget. "None of us Dark Side users have ever known compassion such as yours. Most will follow you better than they did their previous leaders because of it but there are those who feel the need to adhere to tradition rather than adapt to change. Be warned that this crowd may eventually become the undoing of all you desire to do if left unattended to," he said.

"Is everything ready for our trip to Yuuzhan Vong territory?" Arden asked. She wasn't ignoring this statement that the Sorcerer made and told him as much in her body language. However, there were more pressing concerns than a few staunch traditionalists in her new army. When she was answered, they were clear to go and Arden made the order for the jump which was obeyed immediately.

Czulkang Lah had followed Nom Anor to his private headquarters in the floating city of the Yuuzhan Vong and was baffled. Initially, he saw the sight of a typical Intendant residence back on the old homeworld of his people. However, when he came upon the lower levels, the scene changed from glamorous wealth to dark, danky laboratories. He even voiced as much to Anor who told him not to fret as it was perfectly normal for it to be a little confusing to most.

"That doesn't make me feel any more comfortable about this! You indicated that you knew something about Quoreal that I don't and I want to know now that we're safe!" Czulkang ordered. "Don't fret, I have not forgotten my promise to tell you what I mean or should I say, show you what I mean?" Nom Anor asked. Before Czulkang could inquire as to what he was talking about, Nom Anor did precisely that.

In a tube of liquid unlike any that Czulkang had seen in Yuuzhan Vong technology before, was the mutilated remains of Quoreal the previous Supreme Overlord. "What... what have you done, Nom Anor?" Czulkang demanded in a hushed whisper. "I have kept our true Supreme Overlord in a non-biomechanical design called suspended animation. With this, I can preserve the pulse of his heart even if it's very minimal but I do not have the means to restore him myself," Nom Anor answered.

"And why would you need him?" Czulkang inquired. "Easy, his return would spark the religious fanaticism of those who still hate Shimrra for what he did. Just because he rightfully usurped the throne from Quoreal, he did not do so in support of Yuuzhan Vong tradition. Nor would I have done that in his place, for that matter," Nom Anor explained.

"And I am guessing you're waiting for the day when someone comes along who can help you for your own purposes?" Czulkang asked. "No, not for my purpose but for the purpose of Yuuzhan Vong survival. Quoreal never invaded the galaxy because of the prophecy of a living planet besides our own which was actually found and dubbed 'Zonama Sekot' by our enemies," Nom answered.

"And Shimrra doesn't know this?" Czulkang asked. He too was a traditionalist and if Quoreal had indeed found the prophesied planet of Yuuzhan Vong destruction... The disaster waiting for the rest of the species was beyond measure in its significance. "You hope to restore Quoreal's reign and incite the longevity of our people?" Czulkang guessed.

"Indeed I do for without it, my own designs would all fall to ruin as well. And it would be too soon in the development of my plans for that to happen," Nom admitted. "So what do we do? Do we apply the artificial replacements we have and hope he can rally a crowd against Shimrra?" Czulkang asked.

"No, we will be patient in that regard. We can heal Quoreal's physical body if we acted quickly enough after taking him out of the tank but his mind is far too damaged for our technology. No, we need some of that magic that our enemies call 'the Force' in order to restore Quoreal's mind. Onimi has demonstrated proficiency in it and our people were connected to it millenniums ago.

"If what the legends about the Force can be trusted, it is both a subsistence provider and a destroyer of worlds. As such, it will be the best medicine we can hope to have to truly remedy Quoreal's cunning mind. By the way, you might want to check with your son on how he survived his crash on Irkalla. His story, assuming he tells you the truth, may give us a key to finding our healer," Nom answered.

"What has you so certain my son can be of help to us?" Czulkang demanded, suspicious of what Nom Anor wanted with his son. If he intends to groom him into his pawn, I will have none of it. In fact, he will die before the next snap of his fingers if that's his intention he thought, angrily. "Your son has more insight than anyone about how those attuned to the Force can use it for their benefit and/or the benefit of others; his input will be the most reliable we have ever had," Nom Anor replied.

"I will seek out his input but if he honestly has nothing, I will be sure to let you know that," Czulkang said after a moment of pause. There is no reason why that would be the case but fortune has given us worse hands if it's so Nom thought but didn't say. "Thank you for coming here but I need your promise you relate none of this to anyone except your son," he said aloud. Czulkang gave his inviolable word as Warmaster that he would do that and Anor let him go, smiling as he did so.

"Shall I send someone to follow him and make sure his son is the only one he tells, sir?" one of his servants asked. "No, let him be. He's already suspicious enough of my plans without adding a supposed paranoia upon that," Nom replied, shaking his head. Plus, it would give him less compulsion to come back to me with the information his son has to offer he silently added.

Tsavong Lah was not expecting his father to be back from conferences as soon as he was. Thus, their home was not the tidiest when Czulkang did arrive from speaking with Anor. "Sorry father, had I expected you back so soon, I would have begun cleaning efforts quickly," he stated at the door. "No need to worry about that, I probably won't be here very long anyhow and you can have time to clean up," Czulkang said.

That's odd, he's usually very strict about that formality... Did Anor say something that gave him a reason to change this? Tsavong asked himself. "Son, I need to ask you: when you crashed on Irkalla: how were you able to escape?" Czulkang asked suddenly. At first, Tsavong was at a loss for words

Did he tell his father the truth about what happened with Arden Lyn or would he fabricate a story? He couldn't decide what was right and what wasn't, causing him to almost panic which his father could easily observe. "Just tell me the truth and tell it to me straight: Nom Anor has a plan that may make your story very beneficial," his father said. A benefit... to Nom Anor the untraditional Intendant benefitting from a tradition-raised Warmaster's son?

Under those circumstances, the decision was both swift and painless with no difficulty or hesitation. "To start off with, I'm surprised I managed to place myself in that situation in the first place," he admitted. His father chuckled at that and had to admit he could hardly blame his son for being surprised about that. "But to continue the story, I managed to land the ship in a manner that allowed everyone to survive and the ship remained very much intact except where it had been hit.

"I decided to try and see if I could make communications with one of your officers so as to get a rescue party organized. However, I was immediately met by a woman named Arden Lyn who was dressed from head to toe in black and carried a sword of some sort," he began. "Wait, a sword and not one of these?" Czulkang asked, indicating his staff. Tsavong shook his head and reminded his father that the amphistaff didn't exist in the enemy galaxy as far as the Yuuzhan Vong had determined.

His father nodded as the revelation hit him and he beckoned his son to continue with the story. "In my arrogance and impatience, I ordered my men to dispose of her while I ordered a rescue team. However, she dispatched them with almost no effort and soon, I was left to fight her myself. After a short duel, I myself was defeated and I begged her to end my life but she didn't," he continued.

Czulkang did admit he found it strange that a warrior such as this Arden Lyn would spare his life but he would have to delve into it further when he had time. "So she let you come back to me alive, why?" he asked suspiciously. "She said that her ally planned to ransom me to you and the Supreme Overlord in exchange for the peace we've already come to. I guess she did me a greater honor by sparing me and letting me leave than obeying her superior's orders," Tsavong answered.

Indeed, ransoming is never a good situation to be in if you're the victim Czulkang thought silently as his son concluded his story. But then the Warmaster asked Tsavong if he had seen anything unusual about how she fought and he nodded immediately. "She used an energy-based magic of some sort from her sword and I knew it to be only coming from her connection to the Force," Tsavong said. Anor was right: my son's story does have benefits for us and this Arden Lyn might be the answer to Quoreal's damage mind Czulkang thought but didn't say.

"Thank you son, you have done well to attempt to keep our name honorable. I can forgive your failure to defeat Arden Lyn with this knowledge and permit you your life," Czulkang confessed. "Thank you father, you are wise as you are generous and I assure you I will train so I never fail again," Tsavong said. "Even the best of us fail from time to time, it's a matter of how we act in the face of a failure in proportion to its severity that determines our future," Czulkang replied. With that, he left his son to resume training and actually decided to go back to Anor while the story was fresh in his mind.