PART 7: PROPHETS AND PHANTOMS
CHAPTER 1: THE MOTHER
Ganner
Dathomir
Like Felucia, I could sense the general energy of the planet from orbit. Lots of life, but there was something far more sinister here. Rather, there was someone far more sinister. Indeed, I could feel the Nightsisters collectively prepare themselves as my stole freighter landed. I shrouded myself in the Force, leaving nothing visible but just my raw energy. Knowing they could sense my power and would make no moves to provoke me until they knew what I was dealing with, I began to work as my ship touched down. As I constructed my lightsaber, I examined the crystal floating in front of me. It was the orange one Galen had given me. As much as I liked it, orange wasn't my color anymore. I grabbed it and filled it with the power of the Force. Slowly, it turned silver. Fitting, given the new white robes and armor I wore. Finally, I stepped out onto the surface.
Clinging like shadows to the edges of the fog, Nightsisters watched my every movement. Leave, they whispered. You don't belong here, outsider. However, they made no move to stop me. Focusing on Talzin, I walked through the forest, stalked by the inhabitants. The darkness only thickened, rivaling that of the Sith Academy. Slowly but surely, I approached the fortress of the Nightsisters.
As I came towards the entrance, they finally decided to do something. Lightsabers activated and bows flashed to life, arrows trained at my heart. "Leave here, now." I couldn't find a face to the voice. It was time to show them what I really was. As one unit, they fired their arrows, which all stopped inches away from me. I let the cloak down as the arrows harmlessly disintegrated. Now, the Nightsisters backed away in either fear, awe, or a combination of both. Now, the shadows made way for me.
He bears the mark. The mark of the Binding. With each step, they seemed to only grow more interested in me. The man in gray! The one the Mother spoke of! Right on cue, as if emerging from part of the fog itself, Talzin appeared.
"At last," she whispered almost joyfully, "Come." She beckoned, and I followed.
For what felt like forever we simply walked amongst the shadows in silence. I wasn't sure if she was examining me or trying to unnerve me, and I got the feeling that was the point. Finally, we reached a small room, lit only by torches. The wall behind us suddenly closed. "Ganner Slarwalker. Let us meditate."
She put her hands on my shoulders and closed her eyes, which I repeated.
"You come here seeking the Sith who escaped the Temple."
"I come here seeking Darth Massikus."
"Then the one you seek is not the one you seek."
"Talzin, I felt him out there."
"Varad looked for him in the Force, but Massikus was not there. He was already back, Ganner."
"Then who?"
Another memory flashed before me.
The floor was made of a purplish-gray stone, which also composed most of the walls. Along the walls were also intricately carved creases of red, running throughout. It was my Jedi Trials. I watched as my younger self hesitantly approached the Umbaran Sith.
"There is no passion...there is solely obsession."
I- that is, past me- continued walking.
"There is no knowledge. There is solely conviction."
I marched forward. All things considered, I had handled this trail pretty well.
"There is no purpose. There is solely will."
I continued.
"There is nothing."
He turned to reveal himself. With a menacing glare in his eyes he activated a ruby blade, and I lit mine, its green shimmering as we faced each other.
"Only me."
"Darth Ruin," Talzin said. "The creator of the Sith Academy."
"Where's Massikus?"
After waiting a moment, she replied. "You must defeat Ruin first. Only then will the answer appear."
I sighed. "And Ruin?"
Together, we reached out in the Force, looking for him. Reaching to the outer regions of the Galaxy, we found him on Korriban.
I opened my eyes. Talzin did the same.
"You have your target, Ganner."
"Indeed. Before I go, I need one more thing."
"What would that be?"
"Teach me the Binding."