Author's Note: First half of the chapter was written straight after chapter 9 and the second half was written with the help of a friend since I am no good at writing lightsaber battle scenes.

Chapter 10:

Eliza's eyes slowly opened, though everything was blurry and out of focus. She half sat up and blinked rapidly several times, trying to get her sight clear. She groaned faintly and it was heard by the other person in the room.

She heard nothing as the person approached and sat down beside her bed. Eliza looked up and her eyes met with Obi-Wan Kenobi. She gave him a small smile and sat up a little more and leaned back against the pillow. She exhaled sharply, ignoring the slight pain she still felt.

'How are you feeling?' asked Obi-Wan, giving her a small smile.

'I feel ... alright,' she said eventually. 'Where is this pain coming from?' she added, confused.

Obi-Wan chuckled slightly. 'Well, your hand suffered a blaster shot and your jaw is bruised from being hit and you had been knocked out cold and I think you may have been a little injured when you feel to the ground unconscious and you were thrown into freezing cold water.'

Eliza nodded and she closed her eyes as she breathed slowly. When she opened them, Obi-Wan was still there. She looked around the medical room. It was a room that drowned in white. It made Eliza feel a little better somehow but there was someone missing.

'Where is Master Fisto?' she asked, a slight frown on her face.

'He was asked to go to back to Manaan and help with the capturing of the Bounty Hunter you were both there to see,' he replied. 'He should be back within a few days. The Council wanted someone to be here when you woke up and I offered.'

'Thanks,' said Eliza quietly.

'For now you should relax and get a good rest,' advised Obi-Wan. 'You may still need a couple days to heal.'

Eliza nodded. Obi-Wan stayed with her for a little longer. After he left, Eliza was alone in the room and it was the first time in a while that she felt more than alone. She remembered what happened on Manaan and what her Master had to do to save her. She felt a slight sinking feeling when she thought about it.

She was grateful he had saved her life but ... it was the way it happened that bothered her. She had questions and she was unsure if she could face her Master again.

After a couple of days Eliza was allowed to leave the medical room. She felt almost back to complete health. She had been told to meet with the Council when she felt able and she was now, so she made her way there, but slowly.

She waited outside the Council chambers and entered when the doors opened. She once again faced Master Yoda and bowed lightly to the Council. They all looked upon her and Eliza's eyes found one of the chairs empty, the one that belonged to her Master. She looked away quickly, shielding the thoughts and feelings she had.

'How are you feeling, Padawan?' asked Mace Windu.

'I feel good,' she said quickly.

'Good,' said Yoda quietly. 'Like to tell us what happened, would you?' he added.

She hesitated and it was noticed. 'Is there something wrong, Padawan?' asked Luminara Unduli.

'Didn't Master Fisto already inform you of what happened?'

'Yes, he did,' replied Eeth Koth. 'Though, we would like to hear your version of the events.'

'Alright,' said Eliza inaudibly. 'When we arrived on Manaan we went straight to the cantina to meet with Montross. He was there, waiting for us. He told us of a plot to kill the Jedi off and we listened though I'm not sure I believed it and neither did Master Fisto, but he asked about it nonetheless. Once he told us what he knew we spoke to you and then we waited for a while before going back.

'But when returning to the cantina Montross wasn't there. Master Fisto suggested that we wait and I silently agreed. Hours later Montross still hadn't returned and I was beginning to lose my patience but I asked if we could just look for him and that our back up should be arriving soon anyway. Master Fisto eventually agreed and we went searching for him throughout the city.

'We arrived at the last section of the city and by then it was almost dark and Master Fisto almost immediately felt that something was wrong. I had felt it too but not immediately. I looked to him to sort of see what we should do and I asked if we should head back to the cantina but he said it was too late. Before long, several figures came out from the direction of the old Sith base there and surrounded us.

'We ignited our lightsabers and Montross revealed himself to us. He and Master Fisto exchanged words and we were quickly drawn into a fight with them. While fending off four them all I hoped was for our back up to arrive. There were too many of them for us to take on alone and I'm sure Montross knew it.

'I was pushed to one side of the railing by four of them and Montross made his way to me. He was the one who shot my hand and I dropped my lightsaber. I knew I should have taken them out but I panicked and I was not quick enough. Montross hit me a couple of times and I was knocked unconscious. From what I can gather I was thrown into the water and Master Fisto eventually came after me.

'I'm sure it happened after the other Jedi arrived and Master Fisto brought me back and I immediately began to drown further. He took me to the surface and we spoke briefly before I fell unconscious again. After that I woke up here a few days ago.'

Eliza finished speaking and she looked around the Council slowly. A couple of them exchanged glances. It seemed they knew. 'And how did you get to the surface without drowning?' asked Luminara quietly.

Eliza hesitated for a moment before speaking. Did I really have to admit this? She licked her lips lightly and her mouth turned dry. 'Master Fisto helped me breathe. Since he can breathe underwater he gave me oxygen as we rose to the water's surface.'

'You mean he put his mouth on yours?' asked Ki-Adi-Mundi.

'Yes,' replied Eliza. 'But it was only to save me,' she added quickly.

'Confused, you feel,' said Yoda. Again this was a statement, not a question.

Eliza half shrugged. 'I feel a little confused, I think,' she said with much uncertainty. 'But I'm sure once I speak with Master Fisto, I should be fine.'

Yoda and Mace Windu exchanged a look of doubt but they did not voice their concern but they did have something else in mind to share with her.

'Master Fisto expressed his feelings on you,' said Eeth Koth. 'He believes you are ready to take the trials and the Council will take it into consideration but first we are wondering how you feel about that?'

'I am ... not sure,' replied Eliza hesitantly. 'I never received any indication that I was ready and I am not sure that I am ready,' she added honestly.

They exchanged looks again but this time it seemed different but Eliza couldn't quite figure out why. She waited patiently before she was told she could leave. She left the Council chambers and returned to her quarters.

She felt unable to relax as there were many questions running through her mind; would she be expelled for this? Would Master Fisto be in trouble for saving her life the way he did? Had he told them how he saved her? Or was it she that gave it away?

She walked onto the balcony of her quarters and watched as the sun set on Coruscant. The orange horizon glowed strongly and it was beautiful but it did nothing to help Eliza's mood. She did care about her Master and she was sure there was an attachment there but wasn't attachment between Master and Padawan normal? Didn't it happen to all of them at some point?

Eliza put her head in her hands and took several deep breaths. She was nervous about seeing her Master again. What would he say to her? Would he be angry? Eliza looked back up and watched the sunset. Once the sun had disappeared and the stars came out Eliza went to her bedroom and lay down on her bed and cleared her mind. She gradually fell asleep.

The next day in the afternoon Eliza made her way to the mediation room but she stopped as she felt a familiar presence. She walked to one of the front windows in the Temple and she watched as a ship landed nearby. Eliza watched as the doors opened and several Jedi exited the ship including her Master. They had Montross and were escorting him towards the Temple.

Once they were out of sight Eliza looked away and resumed her course to the mediation room. She knew her Master would be busy for a little while longer so she would wait until he was completely free before speaking with him.

She entered the small room and sat down on a small chair near a dark corner. There was only one other person in the room. It was someone she hadn't seen before but she could tell he was a Padawan himself. Maybe his Master wasn't around at the moment either. He didn't seem disturbed by Eliza's presence.

She crossed her legs, closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She was unsure of how much time had passed before the door to the room opened. It went unnoticed to Eliza who remained unmoving where she was. The other Padawan in the room left and a person moved a small chair beside Eliza and sat down.

'Padawan.'

Eliza opened her eyes and she jumped slightly as her eyes landed on her Master. He smiled at her and she slowly returned it. It was good to see him and he looked well. 'I didn't notice your presence.'

'You were mediating properly then,' commented Kit.

Eliza smiled and rolled her eyes but Kit only laughed before standing. 'Come, walk with me.'

Eliza nodded and stood up also. They left the room together. They walked through the halls of the Jedi Temple silently at first. Eliza could sense Kit's hesitation. She had a pretty good idea what he wanted to talk about but she wasn't sure she really wanted to hear any of it.

'About what happened on Manaan...'

'Master,' Eliza interrupted. 'I'm sure nothing really needs to be said. I mean, you saved my life and regardless of how it looked and what you had to do, I'm glad you did. If you hadn't I probably wouldn't be here.'

'Are you sure, Padawan?' asked Kit slowly, watching her carefully. 'I could sense your nervousness about seeing me and I can still sense confusion within you.'

'Master, I will admit that it did confuse even though I know you only did it to save my life,' she said quickly. 'And I know I have a ... an attachment to you but I know it will have to end. I thought it would complicate things between us but I actually feel alright about it, especially now that it has been mentioned.'

'Good to hear,' said Kit with a small smile. 'And I feel the attachment as well,' he added casually.

They continued walking through the corridors and Eliza watched, amused, as a group of younglings passed between and around them. She remembered being that age and being here. It was new, and fun and exciting. She had just wished she knew what would've been in store for her later in her training.

'There is still something wrong,' commented Kit.

Eliza mentally kicked herself for letting her guard down. Kit could sense she wanted to ask him something but she didn't want to bring it up so soon.

'I'm just curious as to why you told the Council that I am ready for the trials?' she asked tentatively.

Eliza stopped midway in the corridor they were in and Kit gradually came to a stop also. He walked over and stood in front of her. He looked down at her, searching her for signs of something more wrong but there was nothing there.

'I told the Council that because it is what I genuinely believed,' he said slowly. 'Do you not believe yourself to be ready?'

'No,' said Eliza quickly. 'I don't think I'm ready and I had thought you would discuss it with me first, to see if I actually was ready.'

'I do not need to speak with you to know if you are ready,' said Kit firmly. 'I can tell by your training and by how far you've come.'

There was a slight pause. 'I had thought you told that I was ready because of what happened on Manaan,' she said steadily.

'No,' said Kit plainly. 'It had nothing to do with that. I am sorry if I made you feel as though I put you on the spot with the Council, it was not what I had intended. If you feel you are not ready then I will not force you to take the trials but I would like you keep it in mind.'

'I shall,' said Eliza quietly.

'Good.'

They continued their walk throughout the Temple together.

Several days later Eliza sat in the mediation room as she waited for her Master to join her. She momentarily let her mind linger on the past, wondering if things could have been different or better in any way. She knew dwelling on such things would never change any of it but sometimes she still couldn't help but wonder.

The door to the mediation room opened and Eliza relaxed her pose and opened her eyes and watched as Kit sat beside her. He gave her a small smile although Eliza could tell he had something to say.

'We have to leave on a mission, now,' he said eventually.

'Where to?' asked Eliza quickly.

'To Lehon,' Kit replied. 'Or Rakata Prime,' he added.

'Why?' asked Eliza with a slight frown. 'Isn't that planet just a graveyard now?'

'Yes, but it is also the place that Darth Desaevio has fled to,' said Kit with a grin.

'Why would he go there?'

'He must have been out of options,' said Kit with a small shrug. 'A couple of Jedi spotted him on Nar Shaddaa and then on Tatooine but we now have reports that he has gone to Lehon.'

'That's a fair distance to travel in a short time,' said Eliza quickly.

'That it is,' agreed Kit quietly.

They both stood and Eliza followed Kit down to the hangar. She could many Jedi there. 'We're not going alone?' she asked, slightly surprised.

'No, of course not,' said Kit quickly. 'We also think he may not be there alone.'

Eliza nodded. She felt quite happy that they weren't going alone. There were many Jedi that stood before her, including a few other Padawan's.

When they arrived on Lehon, Eliza stepped off the ship and looked around. This placed was just ... magnificent. It looked like a pure tropical paradise. The island they on seemed quite large. They had landed on a beach and Eliza could see the wreckage of many other ships which looked quite old and most lay in the water between rocks.

All of the Jedi gathered on the beach away from the ship and the Masters discussed what they should do. Eliza stood a little bit away from Kit and the others as they spoke. She looked out over the ocean water and wondered why anyone would stay away from this planet. What was wrong with it? It felt calm and serene and the views of the whole place were just breathtaking.

Eventually they all moved and walked up the small hill before them. They quickly found themselves at a point where they could go one of two ways. A couple Masters looked at each other and it was quickly decided that they would split up and one group would go one way while the other group went the other way. Eliza moved and stood beside Kit. A look passed between them.

They were sent to the right hand side path along with Kit, Luminara, Obi-Wan, Anakin, Ahsoka, Eeth and Shaak. Aalya, Mace, Agen, Yoda, Plo, Ki-Adi-Mundi and a couple other Padawan's went the other way. When the track cleared in front of them there were three Rancors standing around impressively. Eliza wondered why they managed to survive on the planet and nothing else seemed to. Kit turned to Eliza and Ahsoka. 'Stay here. We will deal with this,' he said firmly.

Both Padawan's nodded though Eliza thought Ahsoka looked a little disappointed. They waited until all three Rancors were killed. Eliza stood beside Kit again and they all looked around them. There looked to be a large building in front of them and all of them stared at it and it was a while before something was said.

'It looks like a Temple,' said Ahsoka.

A few heads turned to look at her including Anakin. 'Very perceptive Padawan,' he said quietly.

Obi-Wan gave Anakin a sharp look but he kept quiet. Eliza saw Kit smile faintly. 'Looks like the Temple of the Ancients,' said Luminara quietly.

'Temple of the Ancients?' questioned Ahsoka sceptically.

'Also known as the Temple of the Elders,' said Luminara.

'Who were the Elders?' asked Eliza curiously.

'The Rakata,' said Anakin, answering her question.

'Never heard of them,' said Ahsoka.

'That's because they are no longer with us,' said Shaak sadly. 'After his redemption, Revan was forced down to this planet on the way to the Star Forge. He met with great darkness in the Temple. The Dark Side still exudes heavily from within it.'

'Darth Revan....' said Ahsoka, trying to place the name. 'Oh, he trained Darth Malak.'

'Yes, Padawan,' said Anakin sternly. 'Can we move on now?'

Silently heads nodded and they slowly walked towards the Temple. Then, something within Eliza clicked. 'Didn't a Sith named Darth Bane once come here?'

'Yes,' said Obi-Wan looking at her. 'I've read about that in the archives as well. The front of the Temple was destroyed and the entrance blocked.'

'Then the one we're after must be here as it's now clear,' said Anakin.

As they approached the entrance the Temple doors lifted and several droids and troops ran out and began to shoot at them. All of them ignited their lightsabers instantly and attacked. As Eliza cut down two of them in front of her she moved a little closer to the Temple as she noticed more guards there that were shooting towards Kit and Shaak. Eliza quickly noticed Obi-Wan, Anakin and Ahsoka were being moved away from the Temple by too many guards to count.

Eliza watched as Luminara and Eeth ran into the Temple fighting off guards that were in the way. Eliza got rid of the guards shooting at her Master and followed the two Jedi into the Temple. Kit noticed but Eliza had disappeared by the time he went to shout something.

He shook his head irritably and fought his way towards the Temple. Eliza ran into the main room and she immediately noticed Eeth who was lying on his side. For a moment, Eliza felt like time stopped as she looked at him. He wasn't moving. She mentally shook herself and stepped further into the room. She kept her lightsaber up and at the ready as she suddenly felt a dark presence join her. A cold laugh followed and echoed around the walls of empty Temple.

'Brave of you to come alone,' said Desaevio in an amused voice. 'The other two Jedi didn't fare so well. I'm starting to wonder if Jedi discipline is slipping.'

Eliza's head snapped sharply to the side as a door slid open jaggedly. In the doorway is where Desaevio stood. He was holding his lightsaber but it stayed inactive. His face was serious but Eliza could see a twinkle in his eyes.

'Taking on a Padawan will be far too easy,' he commented smugly.

A small smile crept onto his face but slowly disappeared as a shadow formed at the entrance of the Temple. It made Eliza jump and she turned but relief washed over her when her eyes landed on Kit. His lightsaber was still active. Eliza quickly turned back to Desaevio but she yelped loudly as she was Force pushed towards Kit. She skidded across the ground, losing her grip on her lightsaber.

She made it to a couching position and saw Kit try to retrieve her lightsaber using the Force. Desaevio did the same thing at the same time. Eliza saw her lightsaber rise into the air and move back and forwards several times as both of them attempted to hold it. Eventually Kit put more of an effort to it and Eliza quickly joined his side and helped.

Her lightsaber zoomed towards them and Eliza caught it easily. Kit smiled though Desaevio appeared not to care too much. Desaevio finally ignited his lightsaber. Both Eliza and Kit ran towards him and he ran also meeting them in middle of the room.

All three lightsabers bounced off each other several times and Kit yelped slightly as he was unexpectedly Force pushed away from them. Eliza's eyes then widened as a sudden pressure on her neck clamped down, not letting her breathe. Desaevio smiled and lifted her off the ground as he Force choked her. Eliza gasped and struggled for breath. She moved one hand her throat as though trying to release the pressure.

She was soon let go off and she fell to the ground hard as Desaevio released her and fought with Kit again. Eliza stood up, shaky at first and quickly joined the small battle. Again Kit was Force pushed away from them and Eliza's eyes followed him. Kit groaned but quickly joined Eliza's side. Eliza cursed Desaevio under her breath and turned to face him again. He had deactivated his lightsaber and he observed the two Jedi before him.

'Give up little Jedi,' he said tauntingly, his eyes firmly on Eliza.

Eliza and Kit raised their lightsabers again. Eliza felt her heart beat steadily as she slowly realised that Desaevio wanted to kill her. Desaevio stripped away his black cloak before lifting his long handled lightsaber as if offering it for inspection. Gleaming blades of red fire jutted from both ends as he ignited it again. A smile crossed his face as he swung the weapon before him in an idle, casual gesture beckoning the Jedi to him again. Moving to either side of him, Eliza and Kit advanced to meet him once more.

This time Kit was positive that he had met his match. Kit was a highly skilled Jedi within the order although this one he knew he couldn't fight alone. His Padawan, Eliza, did bring stamina and youth to the combat but she had only fought in a few contests and was not battle hardened.

The three combatants remained fighting in the room, lightsabers flashed, bringing to bear every skill they had acquired over the years. Kit quickly noticed that Desaevio was controlling the struggle.

Desaevio quickly caught Eliza off balance and with a powerful kick he knocked her to the other side of the room. Taking advantage of the Sith Lord's assault on Eliza, Kit Forced pushed Desaevio towards the opposite wall. Kit quickly followed, sensing a chance to put an end to this. But the Sith Lord struggled to his feet and quickly raced from the room, moving the battle elsewhere.

Eliza recovered swiftly and she ran in pursuit of her Master and the Sith Lord. She ran from the room and up a small ramp leading to the second level, down a long corridor and at the end she reached a large, empty room. From the doorway she could hear the sounds of lightsabers clashing nearby. She paused for a moment wondering how they got this far so quickly. She ran through the room and ended up outside. She quickly realised they were on the summit of the Temple.

Eliza sprinted down the length of the summit, lightsaber raised. All that was in her sights was the form of her Master. She needed to reach him. Eliza suddenly stopped in her tracks as Desaevio knocked Kit in the chest with his elbow and brought his lightsaber down. It connected with the side of his stomach and he fell heavily to the ground, his lightsaber falling beside him.

Eliza then thought she had heard him scream then realised it was actually her. As she watched it happen she stood motionless for an instant, shocked by the suddenness of his actions. Eliza's eyes shot to Desaevio, her body seething with rage and she rushed to her Master's rescue.

Abandoning any pretence of observing even the slightest caution, she barrelled into Darth Desaevio with such fury that she pushed both of them to one side of the summit, almost knocking both of them off the Temple. Many Jedi, including the other group that had now joined them, stopped and looked up to the summit as they heard the commotion.

Desaevio quickly tried to move backwards, away from Eliza's wild assault. He momentarily struggled to keep the young Jedi at bay, trying to open enough space between them to defend himself. Lightsabers scraped and grated against each other as the air echoed with their fury.

Lunging and twisting, Darth Desaevio regained the offensive and counterattacked using both ends of his lightsaber in an effort to cut Eliza's legs out from under her, but Eliza, while not so experienced as Kit, was quicker. Anticipating each blow, she was able to elude her antagonist's efforts to bring her down. Twice, Eliza almost lost her footing on the rocky and rough area of the summit while once, Desaevio hammered at her with such determination that he scorched the young Jedi's tunic, shoulder to waist, and only by countering with an upthrust counter strike to the other's midsection and by rolling quickly away and back to her feet was Eliza able to escape.

They continued to fight on the top of the Temple, around Kit's still form, though Eliza was sure she had seen his head move a couple of times. She was sure that he was still alive and for a moment, Eliza was sure she could feel his eyes on her, watching.

Desaevio then began to use his command of the Force to fling any heavy object around him, many of them being rocks or boulders, trying to throw her off balance, to disable her, to disrupt the flow of her attack. Eliza responded in kind and the air is soon filled with deadly missiles. Lightsabers flicked right and left to ward off the objects.

The battle wore on and for a time it was fought evenly. But Desaevio was the stronger of the two and was driven by a frenzy that surpassed even the frantic determination that fuelled Eliza. Eventually, the Sith Lord began to wear the young Jedi down. Bit by bit, he pressed harder. Eliza could sense her body weakening and her fear of what it would mean if she, too, were to fall, began to grow.

Sensing her opportunity slipping away, Eliza's thoughts went to her Master who lay on the ground and she mounted a final assault. She rushed the Sith Lord with a series of side blows designed to bring the two-bladed lightsaber horizontal. She then feinted an attack to her enemy's left and brought her own lightsaber over and down with such force that she severed the other's weapon.

Eliza cried out in a mixer of triumph and fury and striked a killing blow at Desaevio's head although she completely missed. Desaevio, anticipating the manoeuvre, had stepped smoothly to the side. Discarding the lesser half of his severed weapon he counterattacked swiftly, striking at Eliza with enough force that he knocked her sideways and off balance.

Quickly, he struck again, harder still, and this time Eliza completely lost her footing. She stumbled backwards, losing the grip on her lightsaber and Desaevio was straight over to her, his lightsaber pointing directly at her neck, a look of complete triumphant clear on his face.

Eliza soon noticed that all the droids and guards below had been defeated and all the Jedi were rushing towards the temple to help them. Eliza quickly turned her full attention onto Desaevio and he looked back. His face was bathed in sweat; his eyes were wild and bright with joy. The battle was finished and the last Jedi within the Temple was about to be disposed of. He smiled and savoured the moment.

'It's all over, my young Jedi,' he whispered with glee.

Eliza ignored his words and her eyes remained fixed on the Sith Lord. Eliza went deep inside herself, connecting with the Force that she had worked so hard to understand. Calming herself, stilling the trembling of her heart, and brandishing her anger and fear, she called upon her reserves. With clarity and an ounce of strength she stealthily pulled one arm back and before Desaevio could react she brought it forward with fierce ferocity and Force pushed him away from her.

Desaevio's face show complete shock as he flew through the air, his lightsaber flying from him. He landed on his front several feet away from her and Eliza could hear him groan. She got to her feet swiftly and recovered her lightsaber through the Force as she ran to where Desaevio lay. She ignited her lightsaber instantly and the blue blade shone brightly. She fell to one knee beside Desaevio and without any hesitation she plunged the blade into his chest, killing him with the burning fire of her lightsaber.

Within seconds Eliza felt Desaevio die and she began to shake as she slid her blade from his now lifeless body. She dropped her lightsaber beside her foot as she had trouble keeping hold of it and she stared wide eyed down at his body. She panted and soon most of her body began to follow suit and shake. Had she really just done that?

'Padaw-'

Eliza slowly turned her head and practically crawled over to where her Master lay. She turned Kit over onto his back and leaned him against her legs. His head rested against the floor and Eliza placed one hand on his shoulder and the other remained under and around him to hold him steady.

'Master...' she breathed lightly.

Eliza slowly lifted her sight as other Jedi appeared before them, all of them looking at the scene with disbelief. Eliza didn't linger on them and looked back down at Kit as his eyes closed and his breathing turned shallow.