I"m gonna start switching up POV here and there now. Keep ya on your toes. Enjoy. Thanks for reading.

Kiwiiks POV

Zanthia had been gone for over two months, which wasn't unexpected, but she had failed to check in for a full two weeks. This was not like my former Padawan. She had always met check in times. Something was wrong.

I left my new Padawan, Frendric, in the care of Master Orgus and left for Nar Shaddaa. Inquiries with Nar Shaddaa port authorities indicated Zanthia's ship was still on the planet, but had been moved to long term storage. They would not identify who had put it there. I could only hope there was some clue as to Zanthia's whereabouts in or around her ship. She was not dead and as far as I could tell she wasn't injured, she was just missing.

After her time on Hoth, which was still a mystery to me, Zanthia had changed. Her focus as a Jedi became stronger, clearer. She found the ability to not only see her own flaws, but correct them as well. The most obvious example was her saber technique. It takes time and dedication to learn to use two lightsabers effectively, but she had done it in little more than a month. She seemed to now be comfortable in her own skin and no longer cared what others thought of her.

The change was remarkable.

When I arrived on Nar Shaddaa, I went directly to the long term ship storage. I was greeted by a tall human named Grenn.

"What's your interest in this ship?" He inquired.

"It belongs to a Jedi Knight. One of our Order."

"Hmm." He said. "That's odd."

I looked to him. "Why do you say that?"

"It was put into long term storage by a Chiss. A male Chiss. Didn't think there were any of those in your Order. Though, I don't claim to be an expert on Jedi." We continued to walk until we came to Zanthia's ship. "Here it is Master Jedi. Let me know if you need anything else."

I nodded. "Thank you, you've been most helpful."

Grenn took his leave and I used the Force to unlock the ship. No extraordinary measures had been taken to secure the vessel. I walked onboard cautiously, but everything seemed to be in order. There were no clear signs of a struggle or fight. I made my way to the bridge, stopping before I made it due to a bright, blinking light on the main holoprojector. A recording.

I played the recording. Then played it again.

I felt a great pain as I listened to my former student. She sounded so conflicted and unsure. Something had happened over the last few weeks. I had my suspicions, but that was all they were, suspicions. It didn't seem like a coincidence that her ship had been put into storage by another Chiss.

I stopped the recording and dialed in the holo frequency for Tython. Moments later, Master Satele appeared.

"What have you found?" She asked.

"I'm sending a holo recording. See for yourself."

I stood patiently as she, and the other members of the council watched.

"So, we've lost her." Jaric said. "She's fallen."

"I don't believe so." Said Orgus. "If she had truly fallen to the darkside, she wouldn't have left a message. A very conflicted message. Her actions are not those of someone falling to the darkside."

"I agree." Said Satele. "She's confused. She said it herself, she has questions she can't answer. Zanthia is on a quest to find answers. We can't blame her for that."

"There's more, Master." I said. "Her ship was put into long term storage by a male Chiss."

"That doesn't necessarily mean she's turned to the Empire. We all believe she spent the week on Hoth with other Chiss. The Chiss are a mystery to us and also partially to the Empire as well." Orgus replied.

"The question is, do we try to track her down, or leave her to the Force?" Jaric added. "She carries with her a great deal of knowledge which can't fall into the wrong hands."

"I believe we should let the Force guide her. Zanthia might not yet be lost to us. Someday, she may return. This would not be first time a Jedi leaves the Order, just to return stronger and more focused. Until that day, we have far more important things to take up our time than searching for a Jedi, who might not want to be found." Master Satele said, sounding very final. "And I'm confident she will guard any sensitive secrets. As Orgus said, she wouldn't have left a message if she was planning on changing sides."

"I agree." I said. "My former student must find her own way, even if that way is not with our Order." It pained me to say the words. Zanthia many not have turned to the darkside, but she was now lost to us. Lost until the day she decided to be found.

To Be Continued...