Tynoli, J't'p'tan - Core Worlds
Jarik POV...
There's one thing about Tynoli that stands out over everything else.
The village is stretched out across a massive clearing surrounded by forest, and laid out in a circular pattern. Four wide pathways lead from the outskirts of the village to its very center where a large structure sat proudly, its design a suspicious resemblance of the Father's monastery on Mortis. The main roads have large stone archways positioned along it at periodic intervals, while smaller pathways branch off into the multitude of buildings.
Most of the structures here are small and rather humble in appearance, not unlike small cities such as Calodan or a suburban neighborhood. Some buildings are larger, like what I'd suspect to be a library, and mixed with the buildings are small gardens full of lush plants, ponds, and small animals. Everywhere I looked there were people walking about, practically all of them in robes or some style of religious clothing, reminding me of the people who worship the Force, like Lor San Tekka.
But the people are what stand out to me the most: every single person is female.
Sure, there are different races and species among them―mainly humans, which is a typical sight around most of the galaxy―but so far I have not seen a single male, young or old, among them. It could be that they're elsewhere right now, which could be the case given there's no shortage of different traditions and lifestyles, but I'm not sure that's quite it. The reason I think so is because I keep getting stares from most of the women that pass close by, looking at me either in surprise, disdain, or weirdly enough, as if they've never seen a man at all.
It's a little discomforting to be honest―for whatever reason, I'm always the one that ends up being the center of attention, good or bad. I try not to let it bother me too much though, as these people could be similar in how the Nightsisters on Dathomir operated: 'no men.' And if that's the case, great.
Oh well, it could be a lot worse.
"I can't help but notice that people seem to be staring at us," Ahsoka comments. "I'm guessing that you don't get visitors that often?"
"That's part of it," Xiffé admits, and Ahsoka frowns in confusion.
"Part?" she asks.
I roll my eyes and nudge her shoulder.
"Take a closer look, tell me what you see," I advise her.
She glances weirdly at me and I smile back at her, making her sigh in exasperation. Nevertheless she does what I suggested, studying our surroundings with narrowed eyes. I can almost see the gears turning in Ahsoka's head, as well as her skepticism.
"Umm... there's only..." she starts to say.
"The female gender," I chime in.
"...Huh. You're right," Ahsoka hums in realization before giving me a look. "Also, why did you say it like that?"
"Like what?" I ask her.
"I believe she's questioning why you spoke in an overly sarcastic and strange manner," Xiffé scoffs.
I lift an eyebrow at her.
"Because I find amusement in being amusing," I say as seriously as possible.
"Your behavior is as charming as ever, my former student," Xudi remarks in an even and serious tone of voice.
Ahsoka smiles in response, giving an agreeable shrug of her shoulders. Xiffé is the only one who seems less than pleased, though I don't take it too personally considering what Xudi said about her past.
"Fair enough," I admit.
"In any case, you are both right in your observations. There is no male presence on J't'p'tan," Xudi informs us.
I'm guessing J't'p'tan is the name of the planet, which means Tynoli is the city we're currently walking through.
"Hmph. This place would be a smuggler's dream," I say jokingly, getting a chuckle from Ahsoka and a brief smile from Xudi. Xiffé remains stone-faced, of course.
"So, where are we headed?" Ahsoka then asks.
"The Fallanassi rarely, if ever, allow visitors to our land, as a means of preserving our secrecy," Xudi explains, glancing at us. "While I trust you both, the same will not be true for others. Our Matron has to decide whether or not you will be allowed to stay here."
"Who's the Matron?" I ask her.
"Her name is Wialu," she replies. "She has fair judgement, but she might not be happy we brought you here unannounced."
"There's also a few questions she'll want to ask you two," Xiffé adds with a pointed look. "We didn't find you by coincidence."
"Yes... that," Xudi agrees, a troubled look on her face. "Wialu will certainly want to know what business you had on Malachor. As do I, for that matter."
A look of disapproval is etched on Xudi's face as she gazes at us, though I imagine it's now tempered compared to how it might've been, had the Jedi Order not fallen. Ahsoka and I share a cautious look with each other, trying to determine how to respond. Before we can, however, another person joins the conversation.
"Uhh... Xudi?" the woman asks.
We all come to a stop when a Togruta woman stops in front of us. I'm briefly taken aback at the sight of her, because she almost looks like she could be the spitting image of Ahsoka: orange skin with white markings, and creamy-white lekku and montrals with blue markings. There are slight differences in the coloration, and the markings are different in style, but still similar. Glancing at Ahsoka, she also noticed the similarities, and looks baffled by it. The woman, however, doesn't seem to notice us.
"Wialu wants to talk to you at once," she states, looking slightly cautious. "...about why you brought outsiders."
"Word travels quickly around here," I murmur to Ahsoka, who nods.
Xudi doesn't respond at once, glancing briefly at Ahsoka and then at the woman. I narrow my eyes at her brief pause, suspicious about the implication behind it.
"Thank you, Cera. We'll be there in a moment," she finally says in response.
Ahsoka suddenly gasps at hearing the name and stares at 'Cera' in shock, her eyes going wide.
"Cera?" she whispers in disbelief.
I furrow my brow in confusion at first, but within a second realization hits me like a brick, and I too gape at the woman. Neither Ahsoka or I remember much about our lives before arriving at the Jedi Temple, but there are some things that we talked to each other about while growing up. And this woman in front of us... it can't be, can it?
At Ahsoka's startled reaction Cera finally seems to take notice of us, furrowing her brow in confusion. After a few seconds recognition dawns on her and her eyes slowly widen as well, expressing the same amount of shock as Ahsoka at the realization. I notice that Xudi is looking between Cera and Ahsoka with concern and unease, putting any doubts in my mind to rest.
"Ahsoka?" Cera mutters.
Ahsoka nods her head in confirmation and takes a step forward, a small smile on her face. To my surprise, however, Cera's expression turns cold and distant and she takes a step back, glancing at Xudi.
"She's waiting for you," she says in an even tone.
Cera then turns around and starts walking away, leaving the two of us baffled by her response, and Ahsoka hurt by it.
"...Cera?" Ahsoka calls out in confusion. "Cera, wait!"
Ahsoka tries to follow but Xudi holds her arm out to stop her with an apologetic look on her face.
"Let her go for now. She needs time," she says.
"Why? What did I do?!" Ahsoka demands incredulously.
"And since when did she end up here?" I add, frowning.
"It's complicated," Xudi sighs in response.
I can't help but feel slightly peeved at that answer. I have nothing but respect for her, but a sudden bombshell like this is ridiculous. And what's Cera's deal, just walking away from Ahsoka like that?
"Wait, I'm confused. How do the two of you know each other?" Xiffé asks, furrowing her brow.
I move up to stand next to Ahsoka and wrap an arm around her for comfort, which she gratefully accepts with a sigh. She stares at the ground, hurt and stunned by Cera's seeming indifference or disdain of her.
"They're sisters," I answer on Ahsoka's behalf.
Xiffé's brows lift up in surprise by my response, and I turn towards Xudi with an expectant look.
"I think we need an explanation here," I tell her.
"And you will get one, I promise," she assures me. "But it'll have to wait until after we speak with Wialu."
I frown in distaste but refrain from arguing, while Ahsoka shakily nods her head in acceptance.
"Okay," she says glumly. "Lead the way."
Ahsoka POV...
Cera... my sister, now a member of the Fallanassi. I never thought I'd see anyone from my family again, and I've never given much thought to it either, but now... I get to reunite with my older sister.
But she hates me instead.
Seeing her act like that to me hurts, more than I would've thought. I remember some of my life before the Temple, Cera most of all; we were close, that much I do know for certain. And yet when she recognized me, she looked at me like I was a complete stranger. Someone who meant nothing to her. Why?
"Are you okay?" Jarik asks quietly.
I lift my head up to see him looking down at me, his eyes full of concern and worry. I instinctively reach out to his presence through our Force bond, only to pull back with a pained grimace upon being reminded that it's broken. It aches a lot, hurting all the time now in ways I can't even begin to describe. I can still feel his presence in the Force, as it's only natural with him so close, but even then it's so, so faint...
If I wasn't so attuned to recognize Jarik's presence I would've never even noticed it was there. The broken bond feels the same as if we were on opposite ends of the galaxy, and I'm constantly reminded of this by the throbbing pain in my mind. Jarik, on the other hand, I have yet to see showcase any discomfort or pain by this, though I can only guess it's because for him, the bond broke years ago, but it's still fresh for me.
"I don't know," I admit, wishing we could communicate telepathically. "It's just... she looked like she didn't even know me. I don't understand why..."
"I don't either," Jarik says, rubbing my arm comfortingly. "But we'll figure it out, I promise."
I smile up at him in response, grateful for his reassurance. Force bond or not, we still look out for each other wherever we go.
It doesn't take very long before we end up at the large temple-like structure in the center of Tynoli. It isn't terribly grandeur by any means, no bigger than the Lothal Jedi Temple, but it does radiate a certain aura of power and purpose. The style of it also reminds me a little bit of the Father's monastery on Mortis, strangely enough.
Upon entering the temple Xudi and Xiffé led us through a few hallways and several open rooms, which were filled with artifacts and scrolls of varying types. There were a few weapons and some armor on wooden racks, robes hanging from hooks, a shelf with pendants and rings, and more. There were a couple of Fallanassi women inside, though with more intricate robes and seeming a bit older than most of the people outside. Some of them pause to look at us as we pass by, most of them frowning, but a few more interested than disapproving. As we pass through one room something gives Jarik pause, and I also stop to see what got his attention.
"What is it?" I ask him.
"That compass..." he replies, point it out.
Sitting on a shelf, encased by a glass box, was a small silver compass, engraved with ancient runes. Xudi and Xiffé also stop as well, noticing what he pointed out.
"What about it?" Xiffé asks.
"I've seen it before," he explains, frowning. "What is it?"
"It is a Star compass," Xudi answers. "What it's for, we cannot tell you."
"Why not?" I ask in confusion.
"There are some things that are better left unknown, Ahsoka," she states.
I glance at Jarik to see him frowning in disagreement and frustration, but he doesn't press any further. I'm not sure what its significance is so I can only guess it to be from the two years after Malachor, but it is bothering him, which means it must be something big.
"Come. We're almost there," Xudi urges us.
We resume following her, though while passing through the next room I feel something drawing my focus elsewhere, and I turn to look. Through a doorway into another room I can see a glass box holding a long, glimmering white staff, completely simple in design except for the small circle on the end. Through the Force I can feel it tugging at me, though I can't spare it another glance before we've passed it.
Strange.
Jarik POV...
Soon enough we arrive in front of a doorway that led to yet another room, though this room was a lot more different compared to the rest. Xudi keeps us from going inside, but from what I can see the dimly lit chamber is circular with tall pillars and other doorways carved in stone, each bearing a unique insignia. The most interesting thing about the room is the edge of a giant sphere I can make out on ceiling, representing a planet, as well as a small pedestal standing in the center, directly underneath the sphere, carrying what looks like a pendant in the shape of an eye.
A rather strange form of jewelry, in my opinion, but based on where it's set there's likely something about it that makes it significant in some way.
I don't focus too much on the room itself, however, and instead on the two people standing inside of it, both of them women. The first woman has light skin, a shaved head, and is dressed in black trousers and a simple, but elegant yellow cloak. The second woman is definitely the older of the two, around Xudi's age or greater, with light brown skin and astonishingly silver hair. Unlike the first woman she's dressed in a very simple magenta robe and a tan garment slung over her left shoulder.
The two seem to be conversing with each other, too quiet for us to hear, but at our arrival they paused and look up at us. The bald woman's gaze briefly lingers on Ahsoka and I, and for a moment I'm surprised by the amount of wisdom and power carried in her eyes as she regards us with some interest. The moment then vanishes as they turn back to each other.
"My apologies, but I'll need a moment," the older woman says.
"Of course," the bald woman replies, smiling. "Until next time, old friend."
After sharing an acknowledging nod with each other the bald woman turns around and leaves through one of the doors, though as she passes through the air around her suddenly warps like water, a orange glow momentarily illuminating the space she passes through, and then the door closes.
"Wait, what the...?" I mutter in surprise, sharing a confused look with Ahsoka.
The older woman then turns away from the pedestal and approaches the doorway in front of us―like the other door, the air seems to be filled with liquid when she crosses through, accompanied by a quick orange glow before the door closes behind her, sealing off the chamber.
"Xudi," the woman says in greeting.
"Wialu," she replies, she and Xiffé both bowing their heads in respect.
'Wialu' takes a moment to observe Ahsoka and I, and like with the bald woman the most noticeable feature about her is her bright blue eyes, which are full of intelligence, wisdom, and power―in a way, it reminds me of Master Yoda and the Bendu, both of whom are wise and powerful beings. However, there's disapproval etched into her gaze, and she turns away from us and begins walking down a hallway.
I narrow my eyes at her in response to her indifference, unsure of whether I'm going to like her or not.
"If all of you will please follow me," she requests.
"She sure seems nice," I murmur to Ahsoka, who nods in agreement.
Xiffé glances at us with a frown but I ignore her, and we start to follow the Matron of the Fallanassi.
"Wialu... I imagine you don't approve of me bringing them here," Xudi says, slightly hesitant at first.
"When I asked you and Xiffith'aluriliusé to find out what caused the disturbance on Malachor, that did not include you bringing outsiders into our fold," Wialu responds.
"I understand," she nods in reply. "But I have to confess, I feel obligated to help them."
"I am sympathetic to your reasoning, Xudi, but you must realize that is not our responsibility," she states firmly. "Revealing our existence to them puts us all at risk."
So... I do get where she's coming from, but can't she at least be nice about it. Ahsoka, I can tell, feels the same way.
"Excuse me, Matron," Ahsoka starts to say, politely. "If you're worried that we might reveal you to the Empire―"
"Your intentions are not the issue, Ahsoka Tano, nor would we allow you the opportunity if they were," Wialu interjects.
Ahsoka pulls back in response and we share a quick look of surprise with each other.
"You know who we are?" I ask her.
"I am aware of many things, Jarik Claynel Shan, son of Marcus and Lara, and Heir to the line of Revan," she replies with a stern gaze.
I lift my eyebrows in surprise and notice Xudi also do the same, whipping her head around to stare at me in surprise. But Wialu wasn't done.
"For instance, I also know that you have already lived through this time, and thus do not belong here," she adds, narrowing her eyes.
My eyes go wide in astonishment and I'm slightly caught without words... how could she have possibly known that I'm from the future?! Ahsoka, Xudi, and Xiffé are all just as shocked as I am, though the latter two for a different―but obvious―reason.
"E-Excuse me?" I say incredulously.
"Time is one of the natural laws of the universe, and something that you cannot meddle with," Wialu states with a firm gaze. "Do you not realize the danger in your actions?"
Anger and frustration starts seeping into me at the accusation and I can't help but glower at her. If she knows so much, even the fact that I've gone back in time, then I have a few accusations of my own to make.
"Trust me, I've been aware of the danger for a long time now. As of this point in time, it wasn't too long ago that the Emperor crossed that same barrier to prevent to kill me by killing my ancestors, and he would've succeeded had I not been there to stop him," I say fiercely, and she narrows her eyes. "Did you know about that too? You are supposed to defend the galaxy, aren't you?"
Her expression hardens, albeit slightly, giving me the impression that she didn't now. If that's true, then that leaves me with even more questions.
"Look, we don't want to be against you, truly. What's done is done," Ahsoka intervenes, giving me a gentle look of reassurance before focusing on Wialu. "I know we're not one of you, but we could really use your help."
Wialu glances at her and silently ponders for a few moments, but then shakes her head.
"Unfortunately, we cannot. Our teachings are not meant for outsiders," she says firmly. "Unless you wish to join our order, Ahsoka Tano, then I'm afraid you must seek a solution elsewhere."
"But, Wialu, I'm sure there's something we can do," Xudi suggests.
"I'm sorry. But this is our way," she says in finality. "Ensure they are off-world by day's en―"
For some reason Wialu pauses mid-sentence and looks at Ahsoka in shock, her eyes widening. All of us have varying reactions of surprise and confusion, Xudi and Xiffé looking more concerned. I look from Wialu to Ahsoka, who glances uneasily at me with a bewildered expression, unsure of what to do.
"Uh..." Ahsoka murmurs.
"Wialu?" Xudi asks worriedly. "Are you alright?"
She stood frozen in time as she gazed in front of her in a mixture of complete astonishment, awe, and disbelief: just moments ago she was looking at the former Jedi, Tano, only for the world around her to change. The light became nearly nonexistent, converging only on Ahsoka Tano, while a cloud of smoke rushed forward and completely obscured her. When the smoke parted, the figure that stood before her was none other than the Daughter herself.
"Lady Morai..." she breathes out, falling to her knees.
"Matron, what is it that troubles you?" Morai questions.
"I... don't understand, my Lady," Wialu responds.
"You are refraining from aiding young Tano and Shan," she says. "Why?"
Wialu looks up at her with an uneasy frown on her face, slightly confused and unsure of the question.
"Because they put us in danger with their presence," she explains. "We can't help them without risking the safety of the Temples."
"You mean well, my friend, but they are more than you believe," Morai replies, waving her hand.
Morai's light starts to emanate from her and illuminate the darkened space around them, after which it flows to the silhouette beside her. Wialu sees a golden glow surrounds the figure of Jarik Shan, and then Ahsoka reappears in place of Morai once more, glowing with light the same as Jarik but silver instead of gold. She gazes at the two Force users, both frozen in time still, and realization begins to dawn in her.
"They need your help, Wialu," Morai's voice echoes. "As do I."
Just as Xudi was about to touch her Wialu gasps and takes a step backward, her eyes looking around frantically. We all pull back in surprise before Xudi and Xiffé quickly move to help steady her.
"Easy, we're here," Xiffé quietly reassures her.
Wialu shuts her eyes for a moment and lowers her head, taking a moment to gather herself, and then nods.
"Are you okay, Wialu?" Xudi asks in concern.
"Yes, it would seem so," Wialu responds, looking back up.
Her gaze immediately lands on Ahsoka again, silently switching between the two of us. She doesn't talk at first, leaving me even more confused, but now it seems like she's staring at us with a somewhat reverent manner.
"Forgive me for my brief lapse," she says gently. "You wish for me to help you?"
Ahsoka and I share a surprised look at her apparent change of attitude. Observing her closely a bit more, I'm getting the feeling that something major just happened to her... perhaps a vision of some sort, likely about us.
"We would appreciate it," Ahsoka nods in confirmation.
"Why?" Wialu questions. "What is it you wish help for?"
Ahsoka hesitates and looks at me, unsure of how to continue. I gently nod my head to her in reassurance, and she relaxes a little bit.
"Jarik and I... we share a bond with each other in the Force. A strong one," she starts to explain. "When Jarik crossed through the rift of time, it was broken. And we're hoping that you might know of a way to repair it."
Xudi develops a thoughtful frown, albeit with traces of surprise and disapproval in her gaze.
"Why would you have crossed through time in the first place?" she asks me.
I take a second to think before replying.
"Because I needed to. I needed to be here, in this time, with Ahsoka, so that we can come together and know just who we are," I say slowly, glancing at Ahsoka. "I'm not yet sure what that is, but I knew that we accomplished it. Because the things we have done will shape events in the way they are meant to: how they have always been."
"Well that's quite the story," Xiffé remarks dryly.
"It's a story alright," I say in agreement. "But it is very real."
"And perhaps you are right, Jarik Shan," Wialu says, taking a step forward. "I've have seen many things throughout my life; I've prevented countless terrible futures, and ensured the continued existence of others. But I did not imagine I would see the day when the Force had chosen its three champions."
Hearing her say that gives me pause, both out of realization that she must know Ahsoka and I are part of a prophecy, and also confusion: who did she mean by the third?
Wialu regards us with a keen gaze, her bright blue eyes almost glowing, before nodding her head in a reverent manner.
"If you are willing to continue on your quest, Jarik Shan, Ahsoka Tano, then I shall help you to the best of my ability," she tells us.
I release a breath I'm not even aware I was holding and share a relieved smile with Ahsoka.
"Thank you, Wialu," she says.
Temple grounds, Malachor I - Outer Rim Territories
3rd person POV...
Guttural sounds periodically filled the ruins surrounding the destroyed Malachor Sith Temple as the terentateks prowled in search of prey that was non-existent, much to their frustration. A pair of the beasts accidentally bumped into each other, leading them both to roar and lunge at one another in their anger. The victor was soon decided though when the bigger one swung its claws across the smaller creature's face, slashing open a bloody gash.
Yelping in pain, the smaller terentatek swiftly retreated to run off into the darkness alone while the rest of the pack snarled and jeered at it for its weakness. The bigger terentatek roars at the other's retreating form, content with its victory, but goes still when a pale hand is placed gently on its flank.
"There there..." the pale human female murmurs soothingly. "You will feed soon enough."
The terentatek growls in response before sauntering away, and the woman watches it go with narrowed eyes. Behind her, she's approached by a humanoid male figure wearing some form of personalized Imperial armor and a gray and red mask.
"The Emperor was right. Jedi were here, and have stolen the holocron," he says, his voice rasping and cold.
"And to think Lord Vader and that failed Inquisitor did not bother to mention as such..." she sneers in response.
"There's more," he adds. "Others were here as well: not just the Jedi."
She frowns, turning to face him with an intense gaze.
"Who?" she demands.
"Unclear," he admits, sneering. "But... I suspect that it was... a sorcerer."
Her eyes gleam with intrigue and a smile crosses her face at the knowledge.
"Our Emperor will be pleased," she says. "Well done, Ochi. Let us see if we can force them out of hiding."
"Of course, Aralina," Ochi growls in response.
A triumphant roar sounded from the terentateks, and the pack converges to feast on the body of a dead Inquisitor lying amongst the ruins. Aralina and Ochi pay no heed to the creatures and make their way to prepare for their next assignment.
Author's Note: Hello! Lot's of things happened in this chapter, many of which will be focused on very soon, though there will also be lots of things next chapter as well. This story is covering a lot of big topics regarding the lore and connectivity of the Shaniverse, so be ready. Xudi's escape from Order 66 hasn't been forgotten either, so don't worry! There were also a couple of Easter Eggs in this chapter. :)
I wasn't completely happy about some of the dialogue in this chapter, but I'll let you all be the judge of it.
P.S. I honestly have no clue how to solve the issue regarding anonymous users on the Shaniverse Wiki, as I've reached out to FANDOM staff but no fixes seem to have occurred. Beyond anonymous users creating their own accounts I can't think of anything else to do, since the FanFiction forums don't allow for anonymous posts either, unfortunately. If it sounds like a good idea, I could publish another "story" here that would just be used for guest users to have frequent discussions, so that the actual stories wouldn't be cluttered with all of that in the reviews.