Chapter 6

Master Sotth and Lira arrived at the eighty-sixth floor of the mining complex. When the lift doors opened, they were greeted by the grim scene of four dead guards. They slowly walked out of the lift, drawing their lightsabers but not activating them. Master Sotth turned to his Padawan. "We proceed with extreme caution. Stay behind me at all times."

Lira nodded. "It was probably just bandits," she said, gesturing to the blaster wounds on the guards. "They've likely moved on by now."

Master Sotth looked doubtful. "We cannot be sure. Remain alert."

They slowly made their way into the main tunnel leading deeper into the caves. Before the lights from the lift faded, Master Sotth noticed that explosives had been rigged around the tunnel's ceiling, ready to collapse the tunnel at any moment. He did not mention this to his Padawan, not wanting to alarm her. They continued walking down the dim tunnel, Master Sotth accessing the Force to detect any danger ahead while keeping a close eye on the fragile ceiling above. He knew proceeding further could be walking into an ambush, but turning back now may reveal their presence to whoever - or whatever - was waiting in the shadows.

Every sense on high alert, Master Sotth slowly continued forward. Years of Jedi training kept his footfalls light and his breathing calm, but he could not shake the feeling that death lurked around every corner.

Lira followed close behind her Master, clutching her lightsaber. Her eyes straining against the gloom for any hint of movement. Though she tried to remain mindful and focused as Master Sotth had taught her, fear clawed at her thoughts.

Suddenly, Master Sotth stopped and ignited his lightsaber, illuminating the area in a green glow. He stared intently into the darkness ahead. Lira, unable to see anything, ignited her own lightsaber and moved to stand besides her Master. "What do you see?" she asked puzzled. Master Sotth did not respond, gaze fixed on the shadows.

Then Lira felt it - an overpowering presence of the dark side, drawing closer. With fear, she peered into the darkness and saw an Iktochi woman with tattoos come into view. The Iktochi stopped, staring at the Jedi with cold eyes.

For a few seconds, there was no sound except the hum of the lightsabers. The dark presence surrounded them, seeping into the very stones of the tunnel. Master Sotth and Lira both sensed a great darkness and cruelty within the Iktochi woman.

Suddenly, the Iktochi attacked with unnatural speed, standing before the Jedi in an instant and swinging her crimson blade at Master Sotth's head from the left. Instead of blocking the attack aimed at him, Master Sotth unexpectedly blocked an attack on Lira's right side, for the Iktochi's strike had been a Sith illusion - in reality, she had targeted Lira first.

Lira watched in horror as the Iktochi woman attacked Master Sotth with speed. Though he blocked the strike aimed at Lira, she remained frozen - unable to lift her lightsaber or assist him in any way.

Shame flooded through her. After all Master Sotth had taught her, she remained helpless and unworthy, paralyzed by fear as he fought for both their lives. Hot tears stung her eyes. How could she call herself a Jedi when she couldn't overcome her own weakness?

As the two warriors dueled, Lira saw the Iktochi gain advantage through trickery and dark power. Though skilled, Master Sotth was tiring against the onslaught. Lira knew that if she remained frozen, it would cost him his life - and she could not bear for that to happen.

Her dear Master, who had found her as a young girl and taken her as his Padawan despite her humble origins, who had taught her so much and showed her infinite patience and kindness. The thought of letting him down caused a physical pain in her chest.

Steeling her heart, Lira wiped her tears and gripped her lightsaber. Though fear still clutched at her, her love and gratitude for Master Sotth gave her the strength to move forward - to face not only the Iktochi, but the darkness within herself. As Lira stepped up to help her Master, Master Sotth slightly turned to her - a mistake that cost him dearly. The Iktochi took advantage of the distraction and swung her blade in a deadly arc.

"No!" Lira screamed as Master Sotth crumpled to the ground. She , falling to her knees and let her lightsaber go from her hands "Master, please..." she begged through her tears.

His gentle eyes found hers one last time. "Forgive... yourself," he whispered. Then his presence faded from the Force as he exhaled his last breath.

"Please don't leave me," she pleaded through shuddering breaths. But he was gone. The one being who had believed in her, who had guided her steps and quelled her doubts, was now silent forever.

The emptiness his absence left within her threatened to consume her very spirit. Grief overwhelmed her. Unable to face the Iktochi in her anguish, Lira fled the scene in panic, forgetting her fallen lightsaber in her desperation to escape. But no matter how far she ran, she could not outrun the crushing emptiness and sorrow that now filled the void left by her Master's death.

The Huntress, Darth Cognus, watched as the Padawan fell to her knees. Cognus smiled as the girl screamed and sobbed. The Padawan's anguish nourished Cognus' dark spirit. She reveled in the cruelty of taking someone's light, leaving only emptiness and sorrow.

The Padawan fled the scene, forgetting her weapon in her panic. Cognus' smile widened - they always ran when gripped by fear. And running made for such sweet prey. She watched the Padawan stumble blindly down the tunnel, consumed by grief and with no direction but "away." The girl was defenseless, easy picking for a merciless hunter like Cognus.

She began following the Padawan at a leisurely pace, dragging her blade along the stone walls so the girl would hear it and know her cruel fate was drawing ever closer. Fear and desperation would heighten the flavor of her death, adding spice to the Huntress' dark delight.

Cognus laughed quietly to herself. The chase was on, and this hunt promised to be an entertaining one. The Padawan had nowhere left to run, no Master left to save her - she was Cognus' prey now, and the hunt always ended the same way.