Temple grounds - Malachor I
Jarik POV...
After the initial shock of identifying our 'adversaries,' the four of us moved to a more raised platform and sat around what was once a fire pit in the middle. However, the reptilian woman, 'Xiffé,' still seems extremely tense, eyeing Ahsoka and I with a skeptical and slightly distrustful gaze. Although a bit exasperated by it I don't comment, since it is understandable, and I'm more than used to it at this point. She remains quiet, but Xudi is a lot more open to talk with us.
I have so many questions that I want to ask her, and I'm sure Ahsoka does too, but I'm not entirely sure where to begin. We both share a quick glance, reading the other's expression.
"So... do you want to go first, or should we?" I start off.
"An explanation for why you're hanging around a Sith temple would be nice," Xiffé says pointedly.
"That's a bit of a long story," Ahsoka replies with a tired sigh.
Xiffé hums in response, her tail flicking across the ground. I briefly glance at it with a wary gaze, rubbing my sore neck in remembrance of just how strong it is. Xudi smiles at us.
"One I'm quite interested to hear," she comments. "But I'm more curious about how you've been handling yourselves all these years."
"Well, it certainly hasn't been dull," Ahsoka replies, glancing at me.
"You have no idea," I state dryly.
"Master Irris, I don't mean any offense, but how can you be sure they are your students?" Xiffé asks cautiously. "It has been a long time."
I frown at her and share another look with Ahsoka before we look at Xudi, who regards Xiffé with a thoughtful expression and then turns to us.
"I suppose you're right, Xiffé," she remarks, and I feel a hint of dread and frustration. "What is something only Jarik Shan and Ahsoka Tano would know?"
"You didn't teach us to be procrastinators?" I offer as a response.
"Decent, but I think you can do better," she says, raising an eyebrow. "3627 ATC, 5, 27."
I raise my eyebrows and share an astonished look with Ahsoka. In her eyes I can see the same thought that I have: what the heck did she even just say? The technical side of my mind starts thinking furiously, trying to determine whether or not it's a secret code of some sort. I run the numbers through my head multiple times, grumbling when I keep falling short.
"Wait..." Ahsoka murmurs, touching my shoulder with wide eyes. "It's a date."
I frown for a second and then blink in surprise.
"Huh, you're right," I reply curiously.
No wonder thinking about it as a code wouldn't work. 'ATC' is an abbreviation for 'After the Treaty of Coruscant,' which is one of the more notable events used for marking years in the Galactic calendar. The '5' is the fifth month of that year, and the '27' is the twenty-seventh day of that month.
I glance over at Xudi, who regards me with an expectant look in return.
Ahsoka and I then communicate with each other non verbally, seeing through each other's eyes what we're thinking. In that year we were ten years old, still younglings at the time. There were a few things that happened that year, but one in particular occurred in the middle of the year: the fifth month of the year, and at the end of that month. I smile at her, and she smiles back.
"The Gathering," we both say at the same time, looking back at Xudi.
"On the 27th day of the 5th month of the year 3627 ATC..." I start to say.
"...you chaperoned our clan to Ilum to test us in the Gathering," Ahsoka finishes.
Xudi smiles at us happily and nods her head in confirmation.
"Still of the same mind," she remarks fondly. "Some things never change."
"I guess not," Ahsoka replies in agreement.
"So..." I say, looking over at Xudi's friend. "Your name is Xiffé, right?"
"No," she replies stiffly. "My true name cannot be pronounced in your tongue."
She doesn't say anything more, and Xudi gives her a gentle nod of reassurance.
"You can trust them, Xiffé," she encourages.
Xiffé frowns a bit skeptically but seems to accept her judgement with a sigh, look over at us. She then makes a bunch of strange hissing sounds, some in various pitches and tones, and making some of those sounds reveals sharp, dagger-like teeth that put Ahsoka's fangs to shame, along with a forked tongue. I listen with a little bit of surprise and curiosity, though considering her clear reptilian features it's not that big of a surprise. In a way, it's similar to how the Wookiee language can't be spoken by most, but clearly her species can still speak other languages. After a few long seconds of hissing, Xiffé reverts back to Basic.
"That's my true name, spoken in Visk," she states. "The closest translation into your language would be Xiffith'aluriliusé, or Xiffé for short."
"Interesting, but good to know," I respond, offering a small smile. "Well, nice to meet you Xiffé. I'd be lying if I didn't say you pack a serious punch."
"Thanks," she murmurs in acknowledgement.
"I don't think I've ever seen someone of your race before," Ahsoka says curiously.
"Nor would I expect you to have," Xiffé responds. "Verollians don't exist around the galaxy. We've always kept to ourselves."
"Can I ask where you're from?" she then asks.
Instead of giving an answer, however, Xiffé frown deepens considerably and she glares at the ground. Her tail twitches and I glance at it cautiously, slightly tense.
"Nowhere," she mutters with a cold expression, standing up. "I'm going to check the perimeter."
Xudi acknowledges her with a nod, gazing sadly at Xiffé as she walks away, her tail slithering on the ground behind her. I look at Ahsoka to see the surprised and nervous look in her eyes. She glances back at me, worried, and I return the look with a helpless shrug.
"Did I say something wrong...?" Ahsoka says anxiously.
"No, it's not your fault, Ahsoka," Xudi reassures her with a sad sigh. "Xiffé underwent a great deal of trauma years ago that she's tried to forget. When I first met her, she didn't allow anyone in."
"Did something happen to her on her homeworld?" I ask carefully.
"If you want the full story, you'll have to ask her, though I doubt she'll give it," she responds grimly. "Nevertheless, what I do know is that half of her people were massacred, including her family."
I look over in the direction that Xiffé had gone, seeing her disappear around a pillar in the distance. Ahsoka and I share a grim look of understanding at hearing Xudi's explanation, having heard of, seen and experienced our fair share of loss throughout our lives.
"By the Empire?" Ahsoka replies.
"As far as the galaxy is concerned, her planet is unheard of," Xudi shakes her head in response. "No, someone else was responsible."
A rush of apprehensive thoughts floods through my mind when she denies the Empire's involvement in a genocide like that, immediately connecting the dots. Xiffé's planet is unknown to most of the galaxy, and it fell victim to an invading force that slaughtered her people? Well, strangely enough, only half of her people, based on what Xudi said, but still. The Hive could only be the cause of something like that, if not the Empire. And if that's true, then that means Oryx is already establishing a foothold in the galaxy much earlier than I thought, and none of us even knew it. Maybe that's why he was bold enough to chase Elita, Ironhide, and Chromia as far in as Atollon.
"I hope it's not who I'm thinking of," I say in unease.
"I don't believe so," she disagrees, and I furrow a brow. Does she know about the Hive too?
"In any case, Xiffé's desire for vengeance has kept her from returning to her home," Xudi continues to say. "I've been trying to dissuade her of such thoughts, but I feel that only time will mend her pain."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Ahsoka says dolefully. "It sounds like you're looking out for her though."
"Yes, not unlike I did for you two," she replies, smiling at us. "It is wonderful to see you both again."
"You as well, Master," I reply.
"As flattering as that is, I don't think you need to call me 'Master' anymore," she says. "I don't think there's anything left I could teach you."
While I can't help but still feel like I still should, I simply nod my head in acceptance.
"Sure thing... Master," I say, smiling.
"Hmm," Xudi hums in response, raising an eyebrow with some amusement.
"Well, Jarik does have a point, Master," Ahsoka chimes in. "Where did you learn to do... all of those abilities you just used?"
"I figured that would come up sooner or later," she sighs in acknowledgement.
"What exactly is it that you can do?" I ask curiously. "Is it a subset of the Force?"
"In a way. It is a source of power, but it is not the Force," she says. "It is magic."
"Magic? Like the Nightsisters?" Ahsoka inquires.
"Not them, either, for the Nightsisters still draw energy from the dark side for their abilities," Xudi states. "The magic that Xiffé and I use is the language of the Mystic Arts, which is as old as civilization itself."
Saying this, she starts spreading both her arms outward, her missing left forearm seemingly of no issue for her. She makes a few gestures in the air and in response two glowing orange lines appear in a shower of sparks, following her movements. I widen my eyes in astonishment as the mystical glowing energy forms out of nothing, creating an intricate pattern out of orange sparks.
"By harnessing energy, drawn either from ourselves or from other dimensions, we can make illusions, conjure weapons, cast spells... and make magic," she finishes her explanation.
She finishes her demonstration with a snap of her fingers, causing the intricately shaped pattern of circle to flash brightly, illuminating the area like a miniature sun. I shield my eyes momentarily from the bright light and lower my arm once it fades away. Stunned, I think about what she said and pick out something strange in particular.
"Wait, did you say 'other dimensions?'" I ask her.
"I did," she confirms with a nod.
Well then... so apparently alternate dimensions are now a thing?
Ahsoka furrows her brow questioningly.
"So... is that how you can make portals?" she asks carefully. "Because of other dimensions?"
"That would be correct, Ahsoka, although I cannot do so with my own power," Xudi explains, holding her hand out. "In order for beings like us to create portals, a Sling Ring is required to channel the energy."
"Where did you learn all of this?" I ask in amazement. "I'm certain that it wasn't from the Jedi."
"Definitely not," Ahsoka agrees. "You mentioned earlier that the Order wasn't your 'only affiliation.'"
"That would be correct," Xudi nods. "Xiffé and I are Adepts of the White Current, a religious order of sorcerers devoted to protecting our galaxy from mystical threats."
"In secret, no doubt," I comment in a dry tone. "I've never heard of them. And believe me, I've got plenty sources of information around the galaxy."
"Perhaps you're more familiar with the term, 'Fallanassi?'" she suggests.
I raise an eyebrow and share a thoughtful look with Ahsoka. That name is one that we recognize from our teachings in the Jedi Temple, but there wasn't too much noteworthy about them beyond a few things.
"The group that developed the 'Similfuturus,' technique," I recall.
"Don't forget Force immersion," Ahsoka adds, observing Xudi with a thoughtful hum. "Well, you were always rather skilled in that area."
She smiles, accepting the compliment.
"Huh. That's neat," I remark before frowning. "But weren't the Fallanassi disbanded?"
"History was rewritten to make it seem like the Fallanassi joined the Jedi Order," Xudi explains. "In truth, we never did."
I furrow my brow in thought at the statement. In a way it isn't too surprising, considering my own history. The relevance behind my own heritage faded from the pages of history until only a select few remained aware of it. Still, it's weird to think about: just how much did the Jedi Order actually know? We once thought we had learned everything there was to know, yet in my lifetime that's been proven wrong time and time again.
"How long have you been with them?" I then ask.
Strangely, she regards us with a slightly cautious glance before responding.
"Since before I became a Jedi," she reveals.
My eyebrows shoot up into my forehead and I do a double take, surprised. Likewise, Ahsoka seems baffled by the answer, her eyes widening.
"Really?!" she asks incredulously.
Before the conversation could continue, Xiffé comes walking back over to us at a relatively brisk pace.
"Xudi, this place isn't safe," she states apprehensively. "We should probably leave."
"What's troubling you?" Xudi asks in concern.
"I don't know, but it felt like someone, or something, was watching me," Xiffé replies, looking disgruntled. "The air is too still; too cold."
Hearing Xiffé's warning Ahsoka turns to look out over the surrounding area, brow furrowed in concentration while stretching out her senses through the Force. I do the same, though I don't expect to have any more luck than she would. A worried frown makes its way onto Xudi's face at hearing Xiffé's unease.
"Very well then. Back to Tynoli," she declares.
"Tynoli?" I ask her.
"But, Xudi, we can't bring them there with us!" Xiffé protests before pointing a finger at me. "Especially not him."
Oh great. This again.
I almost sigh in exasperation, annoyingly used to this type of situation. A quick glance at Ahsoka tells me that she's slightly amused by my situation, but thankfully she's just as annoyed as me at the clear bias.
"Okay... what did I do now?" I grumble sarcastically.
"What could you possibly have against him?" Ahsoka demands.
"Nothing at all," Xiffé retorts. "You won't understand."
Just then a chilling roar breaks through the silence of Malachor, echoing across the great cavern. The hair on the back of my neck stands up, and I slowly turn to look in the direction that the roar came from.
"Uhh... what was that?" I ask, feeling a strange sense of fear.
"A terentatek," Xudi grimly responds.
Another roar echoes out from the darkness, this time sounding a lot closer. I surprise myself by instinctively trembling a little bit out of fear in a way I can't remember feeling; not to the same extent as when faced by Oryx, but it's a close second. Ahsoka trembles in place too, and for good reason.
Terentatek's are ancient predators supposedly crafted by the Sith that feed off of the blood of Force-sensitives, eventually gifting them the title of 'Jedi Killers.' The only people I know of who've slain a terentatek single-handedly are Revan and Master Yoda.
The first two roars are answered by a third, this time from a different position: there's more than one of them.
"Terentatek's? Here?!" Ahsoka cries out incredulously.
"Whatever misadventure you had here must've woken them from hibernation," Xiffé scowls.
"As if we even knew there were any left!" I shoot back, to which she sneers in response.
"Enough, all of you," Xudi reprimands, giving us a stern gaze before sighing. "Xiffé, I understand your concern, but there is no harm in them coming with us. Neither shall I abandon them to face these creatures alone."
Xiffé frowns in clear frustration but reluctantly gives in with a heavy sigh, nodding her head in resignation. A chorus of roars now joins the original, the terentatek's likely having gotten our scent, and in the distance I can see large spiky shapes beginning to emerge from the darkness. I reach for my lightsabers at my belt, only to mutter a curse under my breath at remembering I still don't have them.
"I don't like this," I say, getting agitated. "What's the plan?"
"It's quite simple, Jarik. We walk to Tynoli," Xudi remarks.
I look over at her incredulously, confused by how seemingly unconcerned she is by the deadly approach of these Sithspawn beasts, but before I can express that she makes a circular gesture with her hand. A ring of orange sparks appears in the air, expanding to our height, and an entirely different landscape appears inside it.
"Oh, right," I deadpan.
"Well, it's certainly useful," Ahsoka shrugs.
The ground then trembles as something heavy moves nearby, and a terentatek appears at the bottom of the stairway of our platform. Resembling a rancor covered in huge spines, it was definitely big, probably about the size of a bantha, with tusks on either side of its devilish looking mouth and four-fingered hands with massive claws. The terentatek looks up at us, and with with its wide mouth filled with razor sharp teeth, it looked almost as if it were smiling at us. Ahsoka whips out her lightsabers and tosses one to me, and I grip it tightly in preparation for a fight.
"No, you two head through the portal," Xudi tells us. "We'll be right with you."
I glance back at her skeptically and share an uneasy look with Ahsoka, but she nods her head in agreement. Sighing, I deactivate the white blade and reach out with the Force to retrieve my bag, slinging it over my shoulder. The terentatek hisses in response to my display of the Force, snarling with vicious glee and lunges forward. Xiffé and Xudi both make a few quick gestures and a large spherical barrier of fiery energy appears in front of them, acting like a shield. They move the shield forward and the terentatek crashes headfirst into it, stumbling backward. It growls in confusion but lets out a challenging roar, slamming into the shield again. Two more terentateks then join the first, growling in their attempts to break through the shield.
"Go!" Xudi orders.
Looking at Ahsoka, we turn around and jump through the fiery portal. I'm immediately hit by a flash of blinding sunlight and hold my arms up to shield my eyes for a moment. When my eyes adjust I gape at the surrounding landscape in shock.
Wherever this is, it's undoubtedly a completely different planet.
In complete contrast to the dark and cold atmosphere of Malachor I, this planet was full of warmth and a bright blue sky, the sun shining overhead. The environment was lush and green with forests spreading all around, a blue lake off to one side, and a mountain range beyond that. It also looked like we jumped out right in front of a town, judging by the stone pathway and series of buildings in front of us, and among the structures were several people walking.
Before I can think too much about it another loud roar reminds me of the situation, and Ahsoka and I turn back towards the portal. Xudi and Xiffé are standing just in front of it, now holding back four terentateks, with what seems like many more on their way.
"We're clear, come on!" Ahsoka urges.
The two glance back to acknowledge our safe arrival and then walk backwards, the glowing shield traveling with them. The terentatek's are doing whatever they can to break the magical barrier, pushing, scratching, ramming it, all while snarling with ravenous hunger. It seems to be having an affect because several cracks start to spread across the shield, weakening it. Apparently magic has limits as well.
The moment they step through Xudi's portal they drop the barrier, and the terentatek's surge forward triumphantly. Xudi then makes a fist and, thankfully, the portal closes just before the first terentatek could reach an arm through.
"Cutting it a bit close, Xudi," Xiffé remarks.
"Nothing wrong with that," she replies with a smile, turning to face us. "Perhaps now we'll get the chance to do some catching up."
"Yeah..." I say slowly, looking around. "I've got a feeling we're not on Malachor anymore."
"What gave it away?" Ahsoka grins at me, and I roll my eyes.
"And you would be right," Xudi says, walking forward. "Welcome to Tynoli, the home of the Fallanassi."
Author's Note: A bit of a shorter chapter than I was planning, but a lot gets said. Next chapter will be very in-depth with lore!
Also, Verollians are an original species of mine! You can check the Shaniverse Wiki for more info.