I'm sorry about the delay, but I wasn't quite sure how I wanted to progress this story any further. I've decided I wanted to show much more of Alora's past, otherwise some of her comments in the next chapter won't make any sense. I just wanted to reveal some of the first days of Alora's captivity in order to give a sense of what her life was like and what ultimately lead her to discovering the Force for herself. The next chapter I hope will finish this part of the story... everyone already knows how that ends.

I don't own Star Wars or its characters. Please R&R.

Shattered Soul

Alora: Seven Years Ago

After having been bought and paid for, my life was over. No longer was I a person, but property. My flesh from that point on belonged to someone else. My new master didn't speak to me... he just lead me on. Each time he glanced back, it was like he knew just how to pierce into my soul. Nothing spoken, yet he said so much just in the way he looked at me.

'This would not be over quickly. You will not enjoy this.' Those thoughts seemed to echo in my mind. If he had spoken, those would have been his words. I was so scared... I had no idea why I didn't just break down in tears. I guess I knew in my heart that he would show no sympathy for my loss. Everyone I loved had been taken away and I was left completely on my own. No mercy. No comfort. Just orders.

I wanted to die... but I didn't have the courage to take my own life.

Not long after that was I put aboard a ship and taken to another world. Escorted to what appeared to be a luxury hotel complex, my new master lead me to one of the suites. After removing the chains from my neck and wrists, Master Seldon introduced me to my new life. I had originally feared that I might've been sold into the service of a Hutt, but my accommodations seemed too nice.

Seldon smiled and gestured to the room. "These will serve as your quarters. You will not be locked in, but you are not to leave unless explicitly ordered so by me. The guards stationed outside are for your protection."

The second reason was quite obvious, but I instinctively spoke out of term. "And to keep us from leaving?"

He looked at me as though I had gone mad, but then raised his hand to slap me across the face.

Almost the instant he raised his hand, I realized my mistake. Head bowed and descending to my knee, I played my role as best I could. "I apologize- Master. I spoke out of term."

I waited for an uncomfortably long moment as he studied me. He probably could tell how raw a servant I was, as to make such a basic mistake as talking back without permission. Not that it mattered. The man leaned down and gently placed his hand under my chin to help me to my feet. "You were merely asking a question. I'm sure you're anxious to know what will be expected of you. Yes, the guards are stationed outside to keep intruders out... and to watch over you. If you are caught outside without an escort, you will be punished. If you try to escape..." He extended his arm towards my shoulder and took my right lekku in his hand.

When I felt his opposite hand at the root of my head tail, massaging it, I gasped in what seemed a mix of pleasure and absolute horror. He held that lekku with both hands in a manner that terrified me... I closed my eyes and tried to imagine that I were somewhere else.

But then his voice forced me back into the moment. As he drove fear into my soul, he clenched my lekku in his grip to remind me how powerful a motivator pain really was. "If you try to escape, I will cut off this lovely lekku... and feed it to my Kath hound."

As the pain became too much, I whimpered in torment. My sobbing and cries of agony were exactly what he sought, but he also tugged it downward until I was again on my knees. Only then did he let go.

Not even giving me a moment to recover, he ordered me to get up and follow him into the next room. I had some trouble with my balance, as often happened with trauma to a lekku; but I stumbled to my feet and made it to the doorway just before he turned around to give me further instructions. The room had the appearance of a dance studio, with a small stage and a variety of instruments for the lighting and music. My heart sank when I realized what he expected of me. The worst part was that I couldn't dance!

No, the worst part was yet to come!

"Remove your clothes." He ordered in a very intimidating manner.

It took me a moment to get my head around what he had commanded of me, but I pretty much knew exactly what I had to do. My clothing had been traditional twi'lek, which left some skin exposed; but my attire was composed of three layers of which had to be removed. I didn't question him... I just started peeling everything away. He gestured me to move it along. By the way his brow furrowed, I knew he meant for me to undress myself as fast as possible. I had gotten down to my undergarments, slipping off my skirt, when I felt him undo both my bra and panties from the back.

I had hoped for at least a few seconds to prepare myself emotionally before completely revealing everything, but the bastard didn't even allow me that. The instant that I felt my panties slide down my legs, I shot myself around and held my arms at my sides like a soldier or something. Never had I been completely exposed like that, which was why I closed my eyes and tried to block everything out.

But even with my eyes closed, I could almost see him. I knew that his pupils dilated when they focused on my bare breasts. The look of slight disappointment as he examined my abdomen. He took one of my arms and pulled it from the side so that he could feel the flesh around my midsection. I could tell by the way he prodded me that I wasn't quite up to his standards. "A little too much substance, otherwise you're quite presentable." He then proceeded behind me, resetting my lekku so that he could appreciate the clean and untarnished slate of my back. I had never been whipped, which was quite unusual for a slave of my class. "I must say that I'm quite pleased with you."

As my breathing got more and more intense, I just wanted to be anywhere else. I had no idea how I expected to survive if I couldn't even make it through that inspection without breaking down in tears.

He brought himself closer to my ear and whispered to me "I just gave you a compliment."

Only then did I open my eyes. It was as though I really understood what it was like to be someone else's property. He knew that false compliment didn't make me feel better, yet he wanted me to act like his satisfaction was exactly what I sought. Unfortunately, that really wasn't too far from the truth. If I displeased him, he would punish me. So if avoiding punishment was what I sought... I had to seek to please him. "Thank-you... my Master."

Then he got in front to examine my face. Almost as if he appreciated every second of my terror, he told me to smile. I looked at him as if to wonder if it were even possible for one to smile in a time like that. Then I realized that he simply wished to inspect my teeth, so I followed through and gave him the most dazzling smile that I could manufacture.

He returned the smile and appreciated that I didn't have any missing teeth. He gently took me by the chin and admired my head from every angle. "The face... is perfect. I wouldn't change a thing."

Still holding that smile, I returned the compliment with another manufactured 'thank-you.' Only when he playfully slapped me across the face and turned away did I let the smile disappear. I knew I wasn't going to enjoy my new life and I didn't wish to pretend that I would.

He had gone into the bedroom and I somehow knew that he didn't expect me to follow him in. When he returned, my master had a replacement outfit for me... a slave bikini not unlike the attire Hutts often clad their victims in. "I have something special for you. If it doesn't fit, we'll have one made in your size."

Taking the thing and examining it, I realized it was only a little less sheer than my underwear. Still it was better than nothing. And it wasn't like I had much choice.

As I started with the lower piece, I actually found it to be more comfortable than it appeared. The entire thing was metal, but the pieces were interwoven like scale armour, as to not restrict movement. The top piece didn't quite conform to my breasts, but only because they hadn't fully developed yet. Along with the outfit was a pair of dancing slippers, of which really hurt my feet. There were also a few pieces of gold jewelry that added decoration to my wrists and triceps.

Unlike before, he seemed much more patient with me. He actually sat himself down in the only chair pointed towards the dancing floor, as if to watch me transform myself into his pleasure slave.

When my new outfit was fully assembled, I reluctantly went and stood before my master. I had never felt so embarrassed in my life! I held my hands in front, as if to try and cover what little of my nearly-naked body my arms could conceal without being too overt about it.

He rather enjoyed having me. I hated the smile on his face as he stood up and held me in his arms. "You're absolutely dazzling. It's so adorable, right?"

"Yes, Master." I forced myself to speak. "I'm glad you like it."

He chuckled and rubbed my bare back. "It certainly compliments your more- enduring features."

"Thank-you. I'm happy to wear it." I flatly answered.

"That's good to hear." Chuckling at his good fortune, Seldon then gestured to the scattered pieces of the garb I had just removed. "Now be a good girl and throw those old rags into the garbage chute."

Those clothes were the only possessions I had left at that point, which was why I hesitated to follow the order. And compared to that wretched bikini I was given... I didn't want to get rid of my clothes. I did gather them in my arms, but didn't intend to follow his order. "Permission to speak?"

"Yes, what is it?" He spoke, irritated.

"Sir, if it's all the same to you, I'd like to keep these. If you're going to throw them away in any event..."

"No." Then he stood before me in a threatening manner. I actually had been so intimidated that I backed into a wall as he approached. He didn't even come within a meter of me, and I still had been afraid. "I'm the one who decides what garb you will wear from now on. That garment is not something I would ever want to see you in again." When he moved his head to within centimeters of mine, I braced myself for a shouting match. Instead he repeated his order in a tone that was very low and very soft... one which commanded authority through fear. "You will throw it into the garbage chute. Now."

And that was exactly how it had to be. I did exactly as I was ordered without giving it a second thought. For the first time in my life, I found myself utterly powerless and alone. I had absolutely no influence on the matter and he wanted me to accept that fact. Almost instinctually, I made my way into the wash room and disposed of the last remnants of my old life.

I didn't have enough time to properly appreciate the consequences of my actions until they were gone. For reasons I couldn't explain, losing that garment seemed almost as devastating as losing my Mother. Maybe it was because those clothes were the last thing of my old life... and I had nothing left after that. Only memories.

I remembered a time when I might have believed one's experiences were the most important possession you could hold onto... something that no one could touch. As I stood there, I realized just how hollow all of it really could be. It didn't take me long to realize I died that day. The love of my father gone. My mother's fate uncertain. My future destroyed. I felt as though I had awoken from a pleasant dream and plummeted into the depths of a nightmare. Only there would have been no waking up from that terrible hell. That was to be where I would remain the rest of my life. No longer was I a person... I would then and forever be someone else's property.

When I lifted my head and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I felt as though I couldn't even recognize my own reflection anymore. It wasn't just the bikini... it was something about me that had changed. I was only 16 years old, but I wasn't a little girl anymore. I stared at a grown woman looking back at me... the terror in her soul was ever so visible. And that outfit she wore... I was a whore! Even my body seemed unfamiliar to me. As if learning the truth about Raken wasn't enough, I felt as though my soul had been destroyed and replaced by the essence of someone else.

Seldon followed me into the wash room and wrapped his arm around my waist to tickle my exposed abdomen. Unfortunately, I had a tendency to squeal whenever... Raken rubbed me in such ways. My master took the sound I made as physical affection. "There, you see? A bikini is far more appropriate for one such as you. I like to show off my possessions for all their beauty." His hand trailed up to the top piece and slipped under my bra and over my right breast. "But not too much. I like leaving a few things to the imagination, right?"

I didn't really acknowledge what he told me; I just agreed with him. "Yes, Master."

Guided back to the dance studio, I had never felt so vulnerable and helpless. Having been the daughter of a clan leader only two days ago, I seemed to have accepted my new place very easily. I also knew that any tears I shed would earn no sympathy from my Master, so I held them back with all my might. Although I didn't show it, I felt my soul shatter a little more with each passing moment. I almost wanted him to just rape me and be done with it, but he wanted more from me before that happened.

Sitting in the chair before the stage, he naturally wanted me in front. "Alright, now let's see you dance."

Everything turned out much worse than I'd ever imagined. Given as I couldn't dance, my Master was most angry. Having bought an expensive slave that couldn't dance... it was so rare in female twi'leks that he called me defective. A part of me felt like stepping up and telling him that I would learn it, but the better option was to just wait and hope the deal my master had made to buy me could be reversed. At least then, I could've escaped that horrible place.

***(The Present)***

That was exactly how I felt when Korr had bested me in combat. I felt weak, impotent, and helpless. It was always fun to ruin other people's lives, but it was never something you wanted to have happen to yourself. I used to be happy. I used to have a life. I had a loving family. And then that bastard took it all away from me.

When Tavion gave me the chance to learn the Force, she told me that I would never have to live like that again. With the Dark Side as an ally, I could fight back and make them pay for what they've done to me.

I loved it. Each time that I saw that same fear in my victim's eyes as the young slave I used to be... it gave me great pleasure. I had become the master. I was the executioner. I was the bane of their existence. I loved driving fear into people, even when they didn't deserve it... it made me feel the same way my owner did when he took such pleasure in tormenting me.

But it got old... very old. And I soon found that the same process with the same outcome just got monotonous. Not everyone died like cowards... some genuinely were willing to give their lives to protect something they valued more than themselves. And even as I watched them die at my hand... their final thoughts were of their loved ones. I remembered when I watched one Republic soldier speaking the name of his wife just before dying... I almost felt envious of him. I wished I had someone or something I loved more than myself.

I can't say I ever really felt guilty for any of my deeds. It was the way of the galaxy for cruelty to be passed from one sin to another. For everything my father had done to me, my anger towards him was quite deserved. For what happened to me while I was in captivity, I took out my anger on everyone else. And then the cycle was supposed to start over again with the oppressed becoming the new oppressors. If I weren't abused while in captivity, I wouldn't have discovered my Force potential.

But if I were to really consider whether I were happy with the way my life had turned out, I suppose that I really just wanted to leave the Cult behind forever. I couldn't say that I ever really enjoyed having power, as it just encouraged competition for others to try and take my place as Tavion's second. I also got tired having to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life.

As we dropped out of hyerspace and Korriban rotated below, I looked over to Korr and found her asleep. The girl just looked so peaceful... I gently rubbed her shoulder. "We're there."

As she slowly came to, Jaden didn't seemed alarmed by my presence. The girl just rubbed her eyes and stretched herself out. "Alright. This ends here."