Chapter 17 – Sun and Moon part 2
A/N – Happy Thanksgiving
D120/10 ABY
Having accompanied Talia and Mace on their mission to the mysterious regions beyond the nine realms, Hera and Kanan felt trepidation with each and every step. Through their training with Thor the two were able to realize their fears and know the power that emotion held over them, still Hera and Kanan were unable to deal with fear this time. The same could be said about Mace himself. The only person unaffected by their fear inducing environment was Talia.
They had traveled far and deep underground, yet had detected zero life-presence. Which was odd, because this world boasted a healthy population, with moderately advanced technology (for a civilization that was over 20000 years old)
"I'm starting to think our data on this planet is outdated.", Kanan said.
"It would seem that way.", Mace Windu spoke. The group had split in two parts – Mace and Kanan taking the east wing, and Hera and Talia taking the west wing.
"Kanan, do you know of Eno Cordova?", Mace asked.
"No, I don't.", Kanan answered.
"He was a Jedi Master during the clone wars. He had a deep interest in ancient civilizations. One such civilization was the Zeffo.", Mace spoke.
"What happened to them?", Kanan asked.
"According to Cordova, the Zeffo had ventured into the great unknown. Due to the Clone War, the council was unable to monitor Cordova's progress. But from what little I know, I believe that the Zeffo were here.", Mace asked.
"If that is so, then what happened and where are they now?", Kanan asked.
"I don't know.", came the reply.
"Wait… do you sense that?", Kanan asked.
"Yes. It is odd… I feel danger but…", Mace stopped. Together the two of them carefully proceeded into the next chamber and saw hundreds upon hundreds of eggs, covered in dry slime like substance. At the end of the chamber, they saw a mural, atleast 7 feet in length. Depicted upon it were figures arranged in specific orders, as if in ranks. Even from a distance, Kanan and Mace could recognize a few of the figures. Mace then contacted Talia and informed them of their discovery.
It had been a month and a half, ever since they set out to find Hati. With little success, and Skoll's insistence that his brother was still in Midgard, Ava found her patience running short. Currently, they were in the galaxy's unknown regions hovering in the atmosphere of a forest like planet. Her master was currently meditating in his quarters, and Ezra was focused on landing their craft. As soon as they reached the reached the surface, the group quickly exited the ship.
Sniffing the open air, Skoll spoke "They are close."
"That's what you said last time.", Ava said. Skoll ignored her comment.
"This time, they are close.", Fenrir said. "But, that's not all. I sense a great upheaval on this world."
"I don't sense anything.", Ava said.
"I sense it too. It's… conflicting.", Ezra spoke.
Skoll exchanged a concerned look with Fenrir, "We must hurry." Skoll then started to shape-shift, his body turning into a giant bright yellow wolf.
"Skoll wait", Fenrir started but Skoll leaped away ignoring Fenrir's advice.
"Idiot.", Fenrir muttered. "Ezra, Ava go to the nearby settlement and see what you can find. I will follow Skoll."
Ezra and Ava followed the commands as they saw Fenrir unfurling his wings and flying after Skoll.
On the way, Ava asked Ezra "How do you sense it?"
"With a clear mind.", came the reply.
As soon as Talia and Hera arrived at Mace and Kanan's location, she audibly gasped. "What is it?", Mace asked Talia.
"We need to leave, immediately.", Talia said, "I was a fool. This is a xenomorph nest."
"What is a xenomorph?", Hera asked while simultaneously signaling Chopper to ready the Ghost.
"It is a monstrous life-form. Its life cycle begins as an egg, which hatches a parasitoid, in the form of a facehugger. It impregnates the host with an embryo, which after a short period of gestation erupts violently from the host's chest, killing the host. Its blood is corrosive in nature and these beings have little to no heat signature. But worst of all, is their ability to hide in the force. We have entered the biggest nest I have ever seen. The Allfather and Prince Issho both had numerous encounters with these things and were once very nearly killed."
"These eggs appear to be dormant.", Mace spoke.
"Yes. But their caretakers would be near here. This is why, we encountered no resistance. They wanted to us to reach this place.", Talia said. "As long as we don't disturb those eggs, we should be safe."
"Talia, can you teleport us inside the Ghost?", Hera asked.
"I believe so.", came the reply.
Keeping a level head, Kanan spoke "Speaking of the Allfather and Prince Issho", Kanan pointed at the mural, "What is that?"
"How dare they!", Talia exclaimed who followed the direction of Kanan's finger.
"What is it?", they all asked.
"A depiction of the cosmic hierarchy. This was sacred ground. Whoever is responsible for this nest defiled the most hallowed grounds.", Talia spoke with her eyes slightly glowing. "We must liberate the mural."
"Talia, it is on the other side of the chamber. You said so yourself, any disturbance and the eggs will hatch.", Mace reminded her.
"Do not worry, the eggs will be undisturbed.", Talia said. She then snapped her fingers and teleported the small crew inside the Ghost.
Reaching the settlement, Ezra and Ava sensed a warning from the force and immediately activated their weapons. In front of them were werewolves, howling and running after the locals. Some unfortunate souls who were caught by the wolves, had started to be eaten. Screams filled the air. Ezra and Ava leaped and working as team, took the fight to the wolves. Cutting down the adversary, they managed to free as many people as they could. This went on for some time.
Suddenly the wolves stopped and there appeared two individuals behind them, one was man who looked just like Skoll, but his eyes and hair were silver-grey like moonlight. The other individual wore a mask and a military uniform, with a weird red symbol pinned on his coat. This symbol was an equilateral cross, with arms bent at right angles. But Ezra and Ava were shocked by the figure behind them – it was Skoll in chains. He had a deep wound on his head, so bad that a part of his brain was visible. He was trying his best to remain conscious, but was failing.
As he raised his arms, the wolves started howling again. "You have fought admirably. Those who have survived this onslaught will be welcomed as my servants. The rest will be food.", the stranger said. His accent was weird to say the least.
He then made eye contact with Ezra and Ava. "You have come with my old adversary. But he will not be helping you."
With unnatural speed, Hati appeared before them and swiped at Ava. Ezra was able to block it with his lightsaber. He then quickly pushed Ava out of the way.
"Who will fall? The hunter or the prey?", the stranger laughed.
Ezra and Hati engaged in battle, Hati's hands transformed into claws which were impervious to lightsaber strikes.
Behind them Skoll let out one word, "Hati."
Ezra understood, "We are with Fenrir Hati. We have come here to rescue you. Please don't fight us.", he reasoned with Hati.
But Hati continued to attack. He then leapt back and transformed into a wolf as big as Skoll's wolf form. While Skoll's form was bright yellow, Hati's form was bright silver-grey. The wolf then charged towards Ezra and Ava, who both jumped out his way. Landing near the stranger, Ezra and Ava attacked the masked fellow. He dodged Ava's strike, but Ezra's blow landed – slashing the mask. As the mask fell, the two were disgusted by the man's appearance. Underneath the mask, was a skull – a red skull. It was as if the skin had been completely burned off. The stranger roared and in one move knocked out Ezra and Ava.
Above the nest, the four force users were safely inside the ship. Concentrating through the force, the carefully separated the wall and then Talia quickly teleported the mural inside the ship. With that the crew left the planet.
