And now we've arrived at Chapter Ten. And this is where our heroes make a journey to somewhere a lot of Star Wars fans hold dearly in their hearts.

Chapter Ten

Ahsoka danced, side to side, striking at Kyra. The Togruta spun, twirled, leaped, and attacked, but nothing got past Kyra's defense. Her impeccable footwork and technique, supplemented by her improved control of the force made her beyond formidable. And the young Togruta, though tenacious and unrelenting, could not overtake her any longer. Though, as friends they had grown even closer now, Kyra wouldn't let that temper her training, she darted forward, playing her blade in a circle, displacing Ahsoka's defenses, and struck high on the arm.

Ahsoka cursed, and dropped her blade. "How swift your blade is," she said, quoting the famous Amaxine poem.

Kyra deactivated her blade, "Sorry," she said, "Was that too much?"

Ahsoka smiled, "Not at all. I can't keep up with you anymore," she said, shaking her head. "What on Shili changed? Your skills have really taken off."

Kyra shrugged, "I don't know. Aedan has really helped me a lot lately."

The Togruta nodded, "He seems...different," then bit her lip, and whispered, "No longer grumpy."

Kyra smiled, and nodded, "He's no longer the droid-like drill instructor, and has opened my eyes to things that were holding me back."

Ahsoka couldn't help but grin, and then throw her arm around Kyra. "I'm so happy for you."

Kyra returned the embrace. "Thanks. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Good luck with your afternoon session," Ahsoka said.

Kyra shook her head, "I still can't even scratch him with a lightsaber."

Ahsoka laughed, "The two of us together couldn't touch him, so that's not something to worry about."

"Right. "I'll see you for dinner again?"

Ahsoka grinned, "You got it. It's Nuna Sliders tonight."

Kyra laughed, "Perfect."

Ahsoka left the sparring room, while Kyra began going through some stretches to stay limber for the afternoon session with Aedan.

A few minutes later, Aedan walked into the sparring room. "Good afternoon, Master." she said, with a smile.

"Same to you, Padawan," he said. "I wanted to discuss something with you. Take a seat."

"Okay," Kyra said, and sat down in front of him.

"I believe you're finally finding your stride, and are well on your way to becoming truly great. And to ensure that, I was thinking we may want a change of scenery for the next few months."

"Really, Master?" Kyra asked, unable to hid her excitement. "Where would we go?"

Aedan smiled, "Well, I'm thinking of keeping that a surprise, but it is a beautiful place, strong in the force, and almost no civilization on it."

"Oh, Master, please tell me," She nearly begged.

"Nope, you'll just have to see," Aedan replied, "But I want to ask, are you ok with that? Going to a planet for a few months to train? We'll have the ship for the refresher, supplies, and shelter, if need be, but we most likely won't be sleeping in it."

"Yes, of course," she said almost too quickly. "What about my classes though?"

"That's what you'll be doing today. Gathering up class assignments and syllabuses for next three months. Just so you don't get too far behind."

"Will do," she said.

"So, you're okay with it?"

"I'm great with it."

"Perfect. Take the rest of the day for whatever you want to do. We'll leave tomorrow morning."

Sounds good, Master. Thank you."

"See you tomorrow at the Guile at 0900."

"Roger that."

They came out of hyperspace and made their descent down to a vibrantly green planet. Kyra's excitement and joy, at their current extended excursion was bursting through her face in the form of a smile. "Master, I have no idea even what system we're in."

Aedan just smiled, "Notice the two moons orbiting the planet."

"Yes."

"The light one is Ashla and the dark one is Bogan."

"No," Kyra gasped. "No way."

"Way. Welcome to Tython."

Aedan brought the ship down through the atmosphere, and Kyra stared in absolute awe at the landscape below. It looked something out of a dream, with dense forests covering rolling hills, and lakes and rivers interlacing the landmass. Aedan flew the Guile in a circle so she could see all of it. There, close to a huge body of water, apparently an ocean, was what looked like a fortress. A natural one. A high rock wall made a jagged oval perimeter spanning at least a few kilometers in circumference. With one end of the stronghold ending at the cliff face that overlooked the ocean. Here the rock wall was highest and thickest, and a stone temple had been carved into the formation. Within the rocky perimeter were the ruins of an old village. The rest of the interior was covered in grass, trees, streams, boulders and even a lake.

"Master, this is incredible."

"It sure is something," Aedan said.

Kyra continued to evaluate the layout as Aedan began to bring the ship in for a landing. There seemed to be a few pathways or walkways within the crater and one appeared to lead out beyond the fifty-foot sheer rock walls, as there was a circular passageway going through the foundation. Next to the opening was a giant boulder. Perhaps that was moved in front of the entrance to act as a door. But who could move something that large?

Of course, she thought. A Jedi could.

Aedan set the ship down close to a set of winding steps that lead up to the stone structure at the East end of the compound. This stone platform, roughly half the size of one of the sparring rooms, then had a set of winding steps that lead up to a temple structure. And this old ziggurat overlooked the ocean. It was beautiful.

Kyra could feel her heart pounding in excitement. She wanted to see it all. Yes, she'd been on missions to other worlds, and she'd loved every minute of it. Frankly, she didn't think she'd ever get tired of seeing new places.

Kyra got out of her seat, "Come on, Master," she said, "Let's go see it."

"One moment, Padawan," he said. "First, close your eyes."

"But Master-"

"Padawan…"

"Okay, okay," Kyra said, and closed her eyes.

"What do you feel?"

The moment she sank into the force she felt it. She wondered how she didn't sense it sooner. There was a palpable, audible vibration to the planet. It was…strange. Simultaneously pleasing and painful. Light and dark. Pull and push. It was so odd, and confusing. Perfectly ambivalent.

"What is that?" she asked.

"That is the pull of Ashla and Bogan on the planet. The light and the dark side," he said. "The force is strong here, as you can tell. Be mindful at all times. Because of the pull of both moons, the planet will respond to what you bring with you." He looked pointedly at her, "Do you understand?"

She did. Aedan's words of 'The Force responds in Kind,' echoed in her head. "Yes, Master, I do."

"Good," he said, "Now search the surrounding area with your senses."

She closed her eyes and reached out with the force almost immediately she felt them. "Life forms," she exclaimed, opening her eyes, "What are they?"

"They are the evolution of an experiment gone wrong long ago," Aedan said, and began to shake his head. "I was hoping the area would be closed off and we wouldn't have to…deal with them just yet."

"Deal with them?" Kyra asked, "What do you mean?"

Aedan looked regretful, worried, and even avoided Kyra's eyes. "Seek them out in the force again. Go deeper."

Without responding, Kyra sank into the force, her curiosity mounting. Then she felt them. Felt it. Darkness. Coldness. Evil. They were grotesque creatures, whose thoughts only revolved around malice and violence. She shuddered, and opened her eyes. "What are they?"

"Flesh raiders," Aedan said, "Abominations from a long-lost civilization. All they do is kill and feast. Millenia ago they were perhaps a decent species, but now they are simply atrocities, twisted and evil."

"What do we do?" Kyra asked.

"That is actually a great question as we have a dilemma here," he said. "We can either destroy them and then seal up the wall so we don't have to deal with them while we stay. Or we can avoid the fight, and maybe find somewhere else to train. Both choices have pros and cons. If we stay and fight, we will have to kill some, maybe many. If we leave, then yes, we are being peaceful, but we are also allowing evil to flourish. They continue to populate here, making Tython at times difficult place to live. There are hardly any settlements on this continent because of the abundance of Flesh Raiders. And if colonizers or travelers do come here, they will be in danger because of this threat. So, what should we do?"

"We'll have to kill them?" Kyra asked.

Aedan nodded, "I sense a dozen, and while they are not the most formidable opponent, they are blinded by their fury and hunger for flesh. Essentially, they're fearless, and will not stop until we are digesting in their stomachs."

"Can we use the force to get them to move, like a mindtrick or something?"

"No, they were created with dark side powers, which apparently made them immune."

"Is there any way to help them or change them back?"

He shook his head, "It can't be undone."

Kyra sat in silence for a long while, contemplating their dilemma. "Master, I want to leave. To avoid this conflict," she said, and then whispered, "I don't want to kill."

"I understand," Aedan said, "We'll find somewhere-"

"But," she interrupted, "I can feel them. I can sense what they are. Isn't it our job to hold the dark at bay, and vanquish evil? If we leave, and let them fester here, they will still attack the next beings who come here. And then their blood will be on us. I think we have to destroy them."

Aedan nodded slowly. "We do," he said with finality. "As Jedi, it's an absolute last resort to kill, but sometimes we have to. And this is one of those times. But I'm not sure how I feel about you having to experience this."

"This will not be the first evil I've encountered. But more importantly, it will be far from the last. As much as I hate to admit it, I need to have this experience."

Once again, Aedan nodded. "Kyra, your wisdom is," he shook his head in disbelief, "impressive."

Kyra blushed at that, and looked away.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"No," she said, "But let's go anyway."

They both stood outside the boarding ramp hatchway. "Find your peace, Padawan."

Kyra looked distinctly at Aedan for a moment, closed her eyes, and sank into the force. She was surprised by how easily she fell into it, and how easily it came rushing to her, like an old friend embracing her after a long time apart. She opened her eyes, "Let's go."

Aedan hit the button, and the hatch slid open. They walked down the ramp, and onto Tython ground. Goodness the force was strong here, Kyra thought. She could feel the quantum currents brimming from the ground, and from the sky. The air they were breathing felt charged. They walked a few paces from the ship, but no adversaries attacked. In fact, none were even in sight. But they both could sense them. And it was an ominous feeling.

"While they are not entirely sentient, they are cunning," Aedan whispered. "They're going to ambush us. It seems they've done this many times before. I do think we've made the right decision to fight. They've killed far too many."

Kyra just agreed through the force. While she was focused, she was still tense. Still nervous. Fear was knocking at the door, but she kept her concentration.

"Let's go to the platform above, and take the high ground. There we'll pretend to meditate, and they should come running recklessly toward us."

They moved up onto the stone plateau, and then they both sat down a few meters away from the top of the stairs, the backs exposed to the lower ground. Kyra was amazed at how calm Aedan was. At twenty-two did he have any right to be so cool and confident? He had the visage of a Jedi Master, and once again Kyra found herself so blessed to be his student.

A chorus of roars startled her out of her meditation. She sprang up, igniting her lightsaber, and witnessed the flesh raiders with her own eyes. She took a step backwards. Her stomach lurched at the sight. They were grotesque, monstrous creatures of pink oily skin fused with mechanical parts. Standing a half meter taller than an average human and far stockier, with a wide mouth of sharp teeth that stretched across the bottom of their face, while black beady eyes on short external protrusions jutted out from either side of their head. She was knocked out of her focus as fear invaded, filling the void.

Find your peace, Aedan said through the bond, and ran towards the dozen or so monsters. They wielded big, seemingly blunted swords and knives, as well as big wooden clubs with pieces of metal sticking out of the shafts. There was no hesitancy among the raiders. No fear. Just fury. And they looked on Aedan's lesser form compared to theirs, and licked their chops at the meal to come.

The first swung his heavy sword at Aedan as hard as he could. The jedi merely ducked the blow and countered with a high, lightning-fast cut. The big, meaty head of the flesh raider fell to the ground, and rolled down the stairs to the oncoming horde. There was a moment of deliberation, of near fear, but that turned to anger at the sight of their fallen kin. Aedan sliced through them, dancing, spinning in and out of range, dicing them to pieces. Kyra tried to regain her composure, but still couldn't manage to get a hold on her emotions. She was hesitant, and maybe even afraid. She panicked. Jedi aren't supposed to fear, she berated herself. What a waste she was.

Find your peace, Aedan had said.

That rocked her. His words piercing her. His previous lessons coming to the forefront of her mind. It's not about being without fear, but overcoming that fear. That is courage.

Aedan stood atop the stairwell fending off the ascenders, but a few of the flesh raiders had decided to climb up onto the plateau and flank the formidable foe. Aedan was completely unaware of this movement, and would have no defense for the three monsters attacking his rear. Kyra knew she had to intervene.

She ran forward and intercepted the three flesh raiders, the first, once again, taking a wide looping strike. It was so slow, so telegraphed, and so imprecise that she didn't even step to the side, she just brought her blade through his wrist, and disarmed him. Well, dishanded him. The next came forward in a stabbing motion, which she spun around letting it pass right by her side, and continuing her pirouette into a backhanded slice, cutting into her attackers back. It shrieked in agony and fell forward. This pain she inflicted caused her to pause. It made her feel horrible, and almost cost her her life, as she felt the third monster behind her drawing near. She turned, sweeping the lightsaber around and cutting the club in half, neutralizing the weapon, but not the threat, as the weaponless creature slammed into her and knocked her to the ground. Its bulk smothered her, and it immediately moved to sink its teeth into her neck. Kyra, faster than the monster, quickly brought her forearm up into its throat, momentarily stopping the gnashing fangs mere centimeters from her face. Saliva dripped onto her eyes. Its odor made her gag, and its putrid breath wafted into her face. The mass of the monster weighed heavily on her muscles, and the horror of the situation nearly sent her cowering. But that would mean her death. And she wasn't ready for that yet. The Force still had plans for her. So, she used it.

The monster's violent movements stopped instantly as Kyra had a force grip on it. She hoisted him off her body, and up into the air. She extended her arm and hand, and sent him shooting up and out, and then let go. He sailed a hundred meters away from them, and landed with a splat onto one of the big boulders that littered the ground.

Aedan had finished off most of them with his swift swordplay. They didn't stand a chance. Kyra stood next to him on top of the stairs, and effectively dispatched two more flesh raiders, finishing off the attack. Aedan turned to Kyra, and nodded, "Good job, I know that was difficult for you."

"Good thing I was there, Master. I'm really surprised they were able to sneak up on you like that."

"Padawan, I knew they were approaching the whole time."

"What, but...why?" She started, then realized. "You nerf-herder!"

Aedan laughed, "I had to get you in the fight."

Kyra stomped away in the opposite direction.

"Kyra, wait. I'm sorry, but can you be mad at me later, I need your help."

Kyra, liking the idea of being needed, turned back around, and walked back to him.

"First we have to get all the bodies outside the walls. And then we have to close the opening."

"Ok, how do we remove all the bodies?"

"Great question," he said with a smirk. "This will be the last bit of training for the day. We use the force and float them out."

"All eleven of them?"

"Yes," he said, "It will be good practice."

"Fine," she said.

A half an hour later they had finished moving all the raiders outside the wall, and then Aedan produced a small vial, and poured its contents over as much of the bodies as he could. He then took out a small plasma torch, and set it to the pile, setting it ablaze, and heat up the flames caused them both to step back.

They walked back through the opening in the rock Wall, and Kyra, finally having a chance to admire her surroundings in person asked, "Master, what is this fortress? I know a lot about Tython and its ancient ruins, but not this place."

Aedan gave a knowing smile, "It's called Sentinel Fortress. Though, it's unknown who built all this. All that's clear is an unknown species was here hundreds of thousands of years ago. Later the Gree and the Kwa came. And then the Tho Yor brought the first force sensitive inhabitants to the planet."

"But no one knows for sure who built the temples?"

Aedan shook his head. "No one could prove anything. It was all so long ago. But one thing we do know is that this planet was rife with the force long before the first Tythans were here. The Je'daii, as they were called then, were drawn to this planet, lead here by the force. But the mysteries of this planet were not solved, only passed on."

Kyra glanced around in wonder at the verdant world around her. She shook her head, as if to wake up from a dream. "I can feel it, Master. The Force. It's everywhere here. And it pulls at me."

"I have no doubt. It normally does to those strong in the Force."

"It'll be dark soon, so we first need to secure the entrance, and then scope out the grounds to make sure nothing else is lurking nearby. I don't sense anything, but it's still the smart thing to make sure."

"Sounds good, Master," she said.

"First," Aedan said as they stood before the giant boulder, "see if you can move this thing on your own."

Kyra nodded and closed her eyes, letting the force flow through her. She gathered her strength, and increased her focus, and grabbed hold of the boulder. She had never tried to lift anything so big before. But as she exerted her will the huge round rock lifted off the ground and moved a few inches towards the passageway. The drain was instantaneous. Sweat glistened on her. And it just become too much of a strain. She dropped the boulder, and then sank to a knee.

"Not bad, Kyra," Aedan said.

"It's just too heavy," Kyra said.

"Only in your mind, my young apprentice. By the end of our time here you'll be able to lift it with ease. That is just one of the many goals we'll set. Deal?"

"Deal" Kyra said.

"We'll do it together," he said, and they both lifted the boulder and set it in front of the entrance, sealing it off.

They walked along the inside of the basin, checking in all the abandoned ruins, and going up through the temple as well, which consisted of a large gathering area, a sanctuary as Aedan called it, and a handful of smaller rooms underneath. They encountered no other surprises, and found that the area, for the most part was relatively clean. The vegetation had encroached somewhat on the stone, but not much. Or not so much that some lightsaber work wouldn't clear it out in no time.

"We'll have dinner and sleep in the 'Guile tonight. The fun will begin tomorrow."

"There you go again with your abstract definition of fun," Kyra said.

"In this case, I think we'll both agree."

They ate dinner and then went to separate parts of the ships where they turned in for the night.