I'M BACK!
I'm so sorry for the long wait. Truth is, I was going to write another chapter but then I came up with another story that I just HAD to start writing. I've already posted the first three chapters for it and it's called 'The Dark Side of Me'. I was kind of getting tired of all the angst and was craving some badass Obi-Wan, and what better way to cure that craving by writing a Sith!Obi-Wan fic? If you like that sort of thing, be sure to check it out whilst you're waiting for the next chapter of this story which will be posted soon. I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to manage writing two stories at once, so I'm sorry if the updates start getting irregular.
Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Risa raced after Obi-Wan as the nine-year-old boy sped to the house, not waiting for Risa or Tessa. Risa didn't bother calling out to him, as she already knew he wouldn't stop and to be honest, she wanted to know what Shakai Kenobi was going to announce too. Something in her gut told her it was not going to be good.
Obi-Wan reached the front door and slammed his hand onto the open button more than once, too impatient to wait for the old, faulty door to open. When it finally did, sliding open with a metallic hiss, Obi-Wan ran off again into the house. Risa sped after him, Tessa hot on her heels. All three of them passed through the kitchen and hall as they ran to living room where the holo projector was, the noise they made as their feet crashed against the floor with each step resembling a herd of elephants.
Risa slowed down when she neared the living room, Tessa doing the same beside her, though Obi-Wan kept running, deciding to skid to a stop when he reached the room instead. He paused long enough for Risa and Tessa to catch up with him and then they entered the room together, Obi-Wan looking franticly around him as he entered.
"Has it come on yet?" Obi-Wan asked as soon as he entered the room, addressing Risa's mother and father. Risa's mother was sat in her favorite armchair near the fireplace, the same one she sat in when she had told stories to Risa and Tessa when they were little. Risa had many fond memories when she and her sister sat in front of the fire on the floor, blankets draped across their small bodies as they sipped hot chocolate in the winter, listening to their mother tell stories of Jedi and Sith, night howlers and kings. Her father however wasn't sat down; instead he was leaning on the mantle of the fireplace that was decorated with various family holo photos, staring into the dancing flames of the fire itself. Risa had seen her father stand in the same position often, normally when he was worried about the livestock surviving the winter or the crops coping with the rainy season. When Obi-Wan walked in, her father looked up, though he wasn't the one who answered.
"No. All this waiting is practically killing me." Risa heard Giac answer. She couldn't see where he was at first, but then she noticed a pair of legs dangling over the back of the couch that was placed in front of the fire. She walked forward, Obi-Wan and Tessa following her, making her way round the couch to see the front of it. It turned out that Giac was sat there, but the difference? He was sat upside down.
"What are you doing?" Risa exclaimed, taking in how Giac's eyes were closed, his head sat on the cushions while the rest of his body was up in the air, his legs dangling over the back of the couch.
"I'm thinking; what does it look like?" Giac answered nonchalantly, as if it was obvious. He kept his eyes closed, shifting a little as if to try and get comfier in the position he was in, though Risa doubted that was possible. She also noticed his eyes were still red from crying, though the previous sorrow-filled emotions that had flooded the force was gone. He was acting as if nothing had happened, and if Risa knew anything, she knew that ignoring a problem wouldn't make it go away. Judging from the way her mother was frowning at Giac, Risa guessed her mother thought the same.
"It looks like you escaped from a mental asylum to be honest." Tessa commented, raising an eyebrow at Giac. In response, the thirteen-year-old opened his eyes to glare at the older girl, before moving his legs off the back of the couch and swinging them onto the floor instead. He then stood up, before proceeding to pace back and forth behind the couch instead.
"You know Giac, pacing doesn't exactly improve your appearance either." Obi-Wan added, kneeling down in the same spot his brother had previously been occupying on the couch, his chin resting on his folded arms that were knelt on the backrest, eyes watching his brother. Risa sat down next to him, though she positioned herself so she was leaning on the armrest, able to see both Giac who was behind the couch, and her mother and father who were still both in the same positions near the fire, which was in front of the couch.
Giac didn't respond to Obi-Wan's statement, making the younger boy roll his eyes and turn round so he was sat on the couch properly. He kept his eyes on the turned on holo projector that hung from the wall above the fireplace, staring at the frozen image of the Kenobi crest (wings sprouting from a sword in flames) that showed the channel was on stand by. Unlike normal holos, Selencian holos were in full color instead of just the flickering blue that was common throughout the galaxy. Being one of the most ancient systems in the galaxy meant Selencia and the other planets in the same system had more advanced technology since they had had more time to improve it. It was one of the reasons why they didn't have many droids because most of their technology was automatic, activated by voice recognition or scans, as well as transports running on autopilot. Full color holos was just child's play for Selencians.
"Do you think if I told your brother to stop pacing he'd listen?" Risa whispered to Obi-Wan, eyeing Giac as he continued to pace back and forth. Obi-Wan sent a glance his brother's way too, though he quickly turned back to Risa. It was easy to tell the pacing was annoying her from the frown that crawled onto her face.
"I doubt it." Obi-Wan whispered back, sending her a sympathetic smile. "Giac is… different. He has to always keep active in some way or another, whether that's physically by pacing, or mentally by thinking. M-mother used to stay his mind works faster than the rest of us, always working and taking things in. Fa-" Obi-Wan paused, trying to get his words out as his emotions over his parents overwhelmed him. "F-Father used to say it would make him a great strategist one day. Said he'd end up ten steps ahead of everyone."
Risa was going to ask further when a loud chime filled the room. Everyone turned his or her eyes to the holo screen, the image changing from the Kenobi crest to a countdown. Bold, angelic Selencian runes flashed on the screen, numbers counting down to the channel coming on air again.
3…2…1…
Suddenly the image flashed, changing to show a wide view of a podium, Shakai Kenobi, in all his terrifying glory, standing behind it. Risa felt Obi-Wan immediately tense beside her, his young eyes fixed onto the screen. She had never seen eyes as young as his seem so haunted, so afraid. That made Risa feel more cold fear than the monster on the holo could ever inflict, even though his appearance had no trouble making her heart beat faster.
Shakai Kenobi was dressed in imposing pitch-black armor, a black tunic with gold and red embroidered into the material in harsh, straight slashes. His darksaber glinted dangerously at his waist, two guards flanking in equally chilling armor, their faces obscured behind expressionless, monstrous black masks. The two guards seemed to be drowning in shadows, so much that Risa couldn't tell the difference between shadow and man.
Wait... Those guards weren't swathed in shadows – they were the shadows.
It was then that Risa realized that the guards were not even Selencian, but dark, evil creatures she had only read about in books. The Kaelec. Or, otherwise known as 'The Nightmares' in basic. According to Selencian legend, the worst, most horrifying bad dreams were named after The Kaelec, creatures born in the dark and evil that was the dark side of the force. It was said that only the most powerful force users that had mastery of the dark side could summon them and bend them to their will. Many dark side force users of Selencia had used them in the past as their personal lackey's, albeit lackey's who had swords sharp and venomous enough to kill with one cut. While the Nightsisters of Dathomir could summon armies from the dead made of their fallen sisters, the dark side force users of Selencia could summon demonic warriors made of shadows. Risa didn't know which one was worse.
One thing was clear though – Shakai Kenobi had not revealed their presence lightly. He had done it purposely, deliberately. The Kaelec had always been associated with powerful dark siders, standing on equal ground with Sith Masters of the highest power. Shakai had revealed them to show his power. He had revealed them to install fear.
From the way her family had reacted, Risa could tell it was working. The color of her mother's face had completely drained out of her, making her skin appear ashen white and the same thing could be said for Tessa. Her father looked more shocked than anything, though Risa could tell fear was mixing with the shock, as well as hatred and anger. She didn't even dare turn and look at Giac's face. She had a bad feeling she'd see the same emotions painted there.
Risa also tried not to think about how other people were seeing this, expecting to see their King, Giac and Obi-Wan's father. They had probably been waiting for the channel to come back on feeling safe and secure, knowing their King was about to tell them what happened that night all those days ago. The people had probably gossiped about how it had probably been a planet wide blackout; that it was nothing to worry about, that all was well. Oh, how the tables have turned.
The sight of Shakai Kenobi, traitor and exiled Prince, appearing in their King's place would have killed that hope. The sight of The Kaelec would have finished the job by destroying it.
"People of Selencia," Shakai Kenobi began, spreading his arms out, his hollow voice resonating through the room. It stunned Risa, sending chills down her spine while she felt Obi-Wan flinch beside her. Force knew how the poor nine-year old was dealing with this. "I bring excellent news." Shakai continued, eyes blazing a sinister molten yellow. Risa really didn't like the way he said 'excellent'. "Your King was a traitor and all his followers were fools. You will be pleased to know that I have liberated you from his traitorous rule." The dark Kenobi paused, letting his audience take in his words. A terrible, insane grin had slithered its way onto his face, one, which truly brought the definition of darkness to life. "Your King is dead. Long Live the King."
Shouts filled the air as Shakai's loyal warriors repeated 'Long Live The King' off screen, the collection of voices sounding like a death sentence to Risa's ears. Shakai Kenobi only smirked at the camera, eyes still shining a molten yellow, shades of blood red now leaking into his glowing, inhuman eyes.
"And as my first decision as King," he continued after the voices died down, "I hereby declare High Prince Giac and his brother, Prince Obi-Wan traitors to Selencia. If they are spotted, the authorities have permission to kill them on sight. Anyone who harbors them will be considered traitors, and will be met with the same discretion that the fugitives face." Risa felt herself gasp, her mother likewise doing the same. Her father, no longer leaning against the fireplace, narrowed his eyes at the screen while Tessa and Obi-Wan wore similar expressions of horror and disbelief. However, it was Giac who broke the silence that hung in the air, his Uncle's words finally making him snap.
"We're the traitors?" Giac declared incredulously, rage sparking behind his eyes. "You're the bloody TRAITOR! YOU SON OF A-" Risa's father grabbed Giac when he strode furiously towards the holo, stopping the teenager from tearing it apart, as well as stopping him from finishing the sentence that would have definitely contained some rather vulgar language, and possibly another handful of offensive insults. However, the dark man on the holo continued to speak, oblivious to the horrendous insults that would have been flung his way.
"Anyone that knows of their whereabouts is requested by the crown to surrender the information to the nearest authorities. All transports off world and out of the system are also banned, to stop these traitors from escaping punishment. Tomorrow, a public, planet wide broadcasted execution will be held for the other traitors who refuse to swear fealty to me and would rather die for their fallen King. Understand this: I will not tolerate disobedience or traitorous acts of any kind. I am your King." Shakai Kenobi turned his eyes directly to the camera, his molten yellow eyes turning cold and hard, making Risa feel as if those eyes were staring into her very soul. "You belong to me now." The tyrant finished with a chilling growl, the predatory noise making Risa freeze with fear.
As the channel flickered off, leaving only static to appear on the holographic screen, the people within the Rackhoff family home sat in stunned, ice-cold silence. Tessa was the first to say anything, commanding the holo projector to turn off with a few, quick words, all said in a dazed state. After a while, Risa's father released his grip on Giac, letting the young teen back away. Giac stilled looked angry, rage flaring clear as day on his face but he seemed to have had reigned it in. Sort of.
"He needs to pay for what he did." Giac ground out, still glaring at the now switched off holo screen as if he could magically set it on fire.
"And he will." Risa turned her attention to her father, who had his hands clenched at his sides so tight that Risa was afraid he would draw blood. His eyes were fixed on the far wall, staring at something that Risa guessed could only been seen in her father's mind. "But right now, we need to get you off world." Risa's father released his anger, turning his now impassive gaze to the young teen, who for his part, looked fully against the idea.
"What?"
"You uncle is looking for you and when he finds you, he will kill you. Both of you." Her father explained, turning his gaze to Obi-Wan too, who only paled further, if that were even possible.
"We can't leave! Did you not here what he just said? He's going to execute everyone loyal to our father! We knew them, some of them even taught us once or twice! They are going to die tomorrow believing that me and Obi-Wan are going to fight in our father's name, not run away like cowards! They'll die in vain!" Giac screamed at Risa's father, appalled by the very notion of giving up. He was angry, Risa could see that clearly, but he was also afraid. Terribly and utterly afraid.
"They will only die in vain if you end up dying with them." Risa's father argued, moving to stand right in front Giac. "Your uncle just declared he killed the King of Selencia and that you and your brother, the Princes of Selencia, are traitors. Do you think the people will believe him? Do you think they will bow to a man with blood on his hands?" Her father asked while Giac in response just stared up at the older man in front of him, lost for words. In the end, Giac bowed his head in defeat, knowing he was wrong.
"No, they won't." Giac answered quietly, not looking up. Risa's father just put a hand on Giac's shoulder, his expression softening.
"Exactly. The planet is going to be in uproar. Heck, the whole system is. Your uncle is going to be pulled in so many directions that he will find it harder to stop everyone from leaving the system, even with the planet wide ban in place. This is the perfect time leave, before it's too late and your uncle gains complete control." Her father persuaded, trying to convince Giac.
"But how will he gain control? It's like you said, Dad, the whole system's going to be in uproar. Riots, uprisings and attacks are going to be the least of Shakai's worries. It could leave to civil war." Tessa pointed out, a lost and defeated expression on her face. Risa knew her sister always acted tough and strong, but the truth about her was far from that.
"Not if he has the Zygerrians on his side." Obi-Wan whispered, though everyone heard the comment. They all ended up turning their gazes to the young nine-year old, who had stood up from his position on the couch. Under the scrutinizing gaze of so many pairs of eyes, he fidgeted anxiously, shuffling his feet when he carried on. "When they were looking for us, we heard them talking. Our uncle promised them slaves in return for their help in taking the capitol. Specifically, Selencian slaves." Obi-Wan finished, making the Rackhoff's hearts leap in fear. A heavy silence engulfed the room for a few seconds, yet another new piece of information only making their hearts plummet further.
"He's going to put anyone who crosses him into slavery." Risa voiced what everyone was thinking, looking at her older sister as she said it.
"You're forgetting he could have them executed. Or killed by the Kaelec." Tessa added morbidly, making her younger sister frown.
"Great optimism, sis." Risa snapped sarcastically, glaring at her sister in anger. She couldn't be dealing with her sister's dark attitude right now.
"What? I'm sorry, but it's true!" Tessa protested while Risa only glared harder.
"And it means the people will be too afraid to fight back." Risa's mother added after Tessa, breaking the sisterly squabbling up by stating another fact. She looked over to her husband, exchanging a worried glance with him.
"What about the Greys? Shakai has struck a personal blow – the Grey Jedi will be after his blood now." Risa tried to add some positivity back, to try and prove all hope wasn't lost. Giac however, had other ideas.
"The Greys are all dead. We watched as he burned the Temple. He probably had his men attack the other temples in the system too, along with all the military bases. It's what I would have done. Take away the fighting force and then the enemy can't fight back." Giac explained, looking down at his hands. "It's what our father taught us." He finished quietly, looking back up at the faces that were watching him with shock and horror.
"Not everyone who can fight is a Grey or soldier. People can learn how to adapt and how to fight." Risa argued, grasping for anything to keep the hope burning inside her. It was very close to dying out.
"And what? Form a tiny rebellion? They won't stand a chance! If the Kaelec don't kill them, the ones loyal to our Uncle will." Giac snapped bitterly, taking his anger out on Risa since she was the closest.
"Rebellions are built on hope." Risa shot back, horrified at what he was saying. What was wrong with him? Why was he giving up?
"And hope dies when we leave. When our uncle can't find us, what do you think he'll say? He'll announce that we are dead. Now you're right, some will be enraged by it but I think the majority will loose hope don't you think? There will be no one left to take the throne, no one to lead them, no one to fight our Uncle. Even if he tells the truth it will have the same affect – the people will think we abandoned them." Giac ranted, his bent up anger spilling out in furious torrents. It suddenly made sense to Risa then as she watched him; Giac wasn't giving up, he was afraid of giving up. He was afraid of everyone losing hope, the only thing that could be used to fight fear.
"Fine then, lets say you stay. What do you intend to do, your highness? Fight your uncle? Form a strong, overpowering rebellion? This is war and whether you like it or not, you are still a child. You are too young to lead, and too young to fight. Chances are you will die by the end of the month, maybe even the end of the week." Her father bluntly stated, making Giac see that running was their only option. He paused momentarily, sighing before adopting a softer tone. "Sometimes you need to run so you can fight another day. I know you may think it's cowardly, son, and you are probably right in thinking many people will think so too. But you are not ready to fight this war. Not yet. Right now, you need to run and hide. When you are ready, then you can come back. When that time comes, leading your people against your uncle and to victory will be all they need for them to forgive you for running, if they even hold it against you at all." Her father reasoned, both his hands now firmly clutching Giac's shoulders. The young teen just stared up at him, looking more broken and defeated than ever before, though he still stood proud and tall, a part of him still defiant.
"He's right, Giac. We're not strong enough." Obi-Wan added, agreeing with Risa's father. The young boy looked scared and the sight must have made something in Giac click because the next thing Risa knew, his shoulders slumped, resigning to his fate. Giac knew her father was right.
"You're not strong enough yet. But you will be. I have full faith in that." Her father corrected Obi-Wan, trying to raise the two boy's spirits. It seemed to work, if only a little, though Obi-Wan still looked afraid.
"What about you? Will you all be okay? Our uncle said that anyone harboring us-" Obi-Wan worriedly rambled, Risa's mother ceasing his raced words when she knelt in front of him, placing her hands over Obi-Wan's hands that were shaking from fear and anxiety. When Risa's mother made contact with them though, Obi-Wan instantly stilled, his scared blue eyes meeting the kind eyes of Risa's mother.
"We will be fine. Plus, I do not see helping my Princes as betraying my people. In fact, I believe, and I'm sure all of us will agree, we are actually saving them. If you both survive, hope will survive with you." Her mother reassured, the warmth in her words somehow lifting everyone's spirits. Obi-Wan even managed to return the smile her mother was sending him.
"Thank you. For everything." Giac thanked, more gratitude in his words than could be ever expressed. Risa's mother just turned to flash him a smile as well.
"You're welcome, your highness." She replied, bowing her head in respect. Giac smiled at her before bowing his own head, the mood lighter than before.
"I'm not trying to spoil the mood, but how exactly are you going to get off world?" Tessa queried, killing the warm moment. Risa sent her sister a glare for yet again bringing negativity into the room, though Tessa just looked at her like she didn't know what she had done wrong.
Meanwhile, their father had a thoughtful expression on his hard worn face again and after coming to a sudden realization, the first smirk Risa had seen in a long while sprang onto his face.
"I know the perfect guy."