Chapter 16
An Audience with the Sage
Robin had many questions, but before he could ask anything, the man spoke. "I am called The Sage of Light and Dark, among other names and titles. I was the first Paladin and the first generation leader by the Will of the Force. My father was the celestial being known as 'The Father', and my brother was 'The Son'. He represented the dark side. My sister was known as 'The Daughter', and she represented the pure light side. I was the third child born from The Father and Abeloth, who at the time was known as The Mother, and at that time she was mortal. I was the only one who was born biologically. My siblings were simply created from Father's will, so each only got half of the power he possessed. I eventually learned that I could use both Darkness and Light, which I attributed, in part, to my mortality," he told Robin and Jaina.
The father of the Paladins looked at them both closely while walking; his face was serious but not overly so. He continued talking. "I know that you both have questions, and I will answer them all in good time, but first I need to tell you that you both are about to receive the harshest training you've ever experienced. Robin, you're struggling with the harmony of two naturally opposing forces, true, but you also need a bit more than just that. I'll help you with that balancing of polar opposites and more, the details of which cannot be shared with anyone, save your heir, should you ever have a child, and those whom you trust implicitly. I'll also eventually teach you to do some truly epic and amazing things with the Force, as well as prepare you for politics. The Sith high echelon needs to be stopped. Preferably with law and politics before lightsabers get whipped out," he chuckled at his use of innuendo briefly before turning to Jaina.
"Jaina, you'll learn some neat badass skills from my Sword, including the handling and treatmemt of PTSD, which, unfortunately, happens to befall every Sword. You're strong; not everyone makes it here. Part of why Paladin's weren't active for so long was due to weakness and the desire for instant gratification. In metallurgy, making a truly excellent, glorious sword takes time, and it requires fire and a real beating before a beautiful, deadly weapon is forged. Chin up. Don't worry about it too much… you've already begun healing yourself, which is not surprising considering that women tend to be faster at maturing, growing, and adapting. She's very eager to meet you both, but especially you, Jaina. It's been far too long without company, and a few centuries with me would drive anyone nuts. Listen, I know that you're both ready for this. Don't worry, tonight's just orientation. You'll wake up in time for breakfast." With that, the two followed the man into the fog, into the unknown. The parallel was not lost on Robin; "fog of the unknown is supposed to be an expression", he mused.
The fog soon cleared, revealing a collection of buildings. "My estate, if you will, along with all of the other Paladin estates. This is a peek at a Paladin's full-service reward for a life well suffered. A Paladin who is not suffering isn't doing a proper job, especially the leader. When we die, we become One with The Force, the true Living Force, a purer form of what standard Jedi experience when they die. We come here… to this Paladin pocket dimension. You'll both have constant access to train in this place as well as my estate, in both your dreams and waking hours. I'm so glad that you two soul-bonded… it took me and my Sword a long time. This way, please," he beckoned, holding open the door to his home.
They went inside and met a person garbed much like the Sage standing there. "Based on their build, it's likely a woman," Robin thought. She turned around and faced the newcomers. "Hello to you both, and welcome. My name is Mary, the First Sword of the Paladin Jedi-clan, aka First Sword of the Jedi-Paladin. Wonderful meeting you both," she said happily, smiling before turning to Jaina. "Jaina, what I'm going to teach you may cause you to fear me or even hate me. That would be more than understandable; it's happened before. But know this: Everything I do is with your best interests at heart. If you're afraid…" Jaina stepped up to the woman. "I'm not afraid. I've been through too much to be afraid." Jaina said, interrupting her. "I like you. You've got such spirit, young Jaina! But don't discount fear; it's an instinctive survival mechanism. Fear is good, just as most things are when taken in moderation." Mary said, smiling warmly.
The First King of the Paladins, aka The Sage of Dark and Light, knew what came next. He put his hand on Robin's shoulder and led him out and away from the women. "We're each doing our own thing, teaching you separately. King to King, Sword to Sword," the Great Sage of Balance explained. Robin nodded in understanding and acceptance as he was led to another door of a similar design. "Here is where I shall teach you… to adapt for as long as you live, because with life comes change, and we must always adapt to changes. Failure to adapt is essentially failing at life. Stagnation equals death; stop moving, and you will die."
The Sage of Balance took a seat at a table, pointing to the chair across from him. "Come here, please," he said, and Robin sat across from him. "Excellent. First, a gift, then my first lesson for you. Relax… it's more of a lecture.'' The man unhooked a metal bracelet bearing a five-pointed star, a symbol, representing anarchy to some and order to others. Robin knew that the star was also a symbol of Balance. It was a symbol of power, which Robin knew well as it matched his mindset, manifesting one's will. (The four elements and the soul; it was a pentacle, which is often mistaken for its opposite, the pentagram, which represents chaos and disorder, the negative stuff in life.) The king of old clasped it on Robin's left wrist, and it flashed with a bluish light. "It will help you in the years to come. Darkness and chaos shall assault you in many ways, and this will help you defend yourself."
"As for your problem doing this..." The Sage continued until he erupted in power of such great density that it took form as a spectral fire of white and black, always shifting but retaining a fifty-fifty ratio. In other words, true balance in the Force. After a moment, the power surge died down. "Your problem is simple: you fear your own power. Regardless of how honourable, sincere, and true you are, you will err. When you fought and killed Kay, you were the closest to Force harmony as you'd ever been. But as close as you got, you understood that you were much stronger than most, and your own great power scared you because you are all of those good things you…withdrew more into the Light, fearing your Darkness. Remember, those that fear power and don't overly covet it are the people most suited to possessing power." The man took a moment before continuing his lecture. "Light, or life, should always be of greater importance, for without life, you have no Balance to maintain or Imbalance to correct. Only Nothingness. Balance is up to your interpretation, and it will involve Jaina's counsel. You know theoretically that you could abuse your power. But your main obstacle to finding Force-harmony is that you aren't allowing your darkness as much strength or leeway as your light."
The great King of old suddenly looked sad. "I'm sorry to say that you're likely going to have a terrible choice ahead of you, and it will be your final catalyst to balance. You're going to one day let your inner darkness grow and thrive, for it must, but no more or less than your light. You've known one extreme but haven't allowed yourself to truly revel in the power of the darkness in you. Do not allow the light to blind you to the uses of the dark; where there's one, there will always be the other. How can you truly access all of your power… without understanding it? Think about my warning; maybe I'll be proven wrong, and a lot of suffering and death can be avoided. The future is ever-shifting and changing. I can only show you the door. You have to walk through it. Manifest the Sword of the Ruler, please," Robin did so. The First King cut himself on the blade, his blood running down the edge as he muttered words that Robin couldn't understand.
"Now you can manifest this blade for divine judgement, and should the sinner in question, for you judge those who sin against balance, have committed a great enough crime, you will cast Final Judgement, the greatest punishment. This responsibility will come instinctively. I'll teach you to use the King's Double and more when you have faced your true darkness and gained the required equilibrium, thereby being truly ready." They left the room for the now-empty courtyard of the first Paladin's estate. Mary and Jaina were waiting for them. "They must've had less to discuss," Robin idly thought. He noticed Jaina now wore a beautiful sword, though it didn't feel like just a weapon but rather a part of her. "Time for you two to be getting home to your dreams. You may have a late breakfast if you wake in time," Mary said. "Told you, in time for breakfast," the King chimed, receiving a gentle elbow to the gut from Mary. "Wait your turn to talk. You've had them all the way here. I get them for the return trip," she said, entirely too sweetly for it to be genuine. Robin and Jaina couldn't help but chuckle at their antics; it seemed almost rehearsed. With the number of times the Paladins of old made this journey, Mary and The Sage's banter was probably automatic.
The three were quiet on the return trip, each lost in thought. "I'll see you two when I see you. Remember, Ms. Solo, you can come back alone whenever. Just draw that sword and cut a hole in reality; it'll stitch itself right back up." She turned to Robin. "You know how to move forward," she joked cryptically, grinning when he rolled his eyes a little. She liked teasing the young man, who obviously preferred speaking plainly over ambiguity. "Now that it's time to wake up, don't forget that you can explore each other's mindscapes. Interact with your Familiars, and learn about each other. Now goodbye, young ones, and good morning. We'll see you again." With that, the two were engulfed in light.
Darkness. That's what Robin awoke to. His room was pitch black. "It must be late, or really early," he thought as he got up and dressed, fastening the new gifted bracelet he received from the First King, which had materialized in the physical plane on his bedside table. His Chrono, (which is a watch or a clock depending on the context,) on his wrist, read six in the morning. Robin went downstairs and headed to the kitchen. The fridge had a note:
'Robin, Ben and I are out for father/son bonding activities and we had to leave early. Enjoy having the place to yourself. P.S. Your mother said to put a sock on your doorknob if you and Jaina are, and I quote "Getting it on". I think it was an Earth joke, but a little warning would be appreciated if you plan on getting, uh, intimate. (Can you imagine writing something like that? As her uncle, it had to be weird, that's just my opinion though). The day's yours, do as you please. -Luke.'
Robin chuckled at the note and his mum's antics. As amazing as it would be, he didn't think that Jaina felt close enough just yet for such physical intimacy. "You've been soul-bonded. Such intimacy doesn't get higher or purer than that." Einstein telepathically said with a deep, warm chuckle. "This is true, though sex is still different," replied Robin. "It has to be right for us both, or it won't be right at all. I was thinking of having the Master Holocron scan her. I want her recognized officially as my Sword." Robin said to his familiars and changed the subject as he ate a simple breakfast with caf before going to the Temple. Robin knew Jaina would head there after last night. Einstein came with him; he was Robin's bodyguard after all.
Robin arrived at the Jedi temple after a short jog to clear his mind and give Einstein some exercise. He could sense Jaina without trying now, a marked improvement that he knew instinctively she would likely mirror. After a little less than a year, his ability to sense people through the Force was almost on par with most Masters on the Jedi Council, though that was Luke's assessment and Robin suspected that he could be exaggerating.
Robin found Jaina in the Archives looking for references to the Paladins. She couldn't find anything, but the Holocron he kept in his pocket would probably have answers, or at least help draw out the right questions. "Good morning, Jaina. Last night sure was something special." Robin said hopeful that anyone who might be eavesdropping would assume he meant their date, which had been very special, though he was referring to the shared experiences and newfound knowledge they experienced with the Sages. Jaina picked up on his trick. "Yes, it was a wonderful, illuminating night. You're quite the gentleman," he smiled and took her hand. "I offered to let you see my family tree. It wasn't an empty gesture; come with me and I'll show it to you," he said in a quiet, slightly husky voice, meant to suggest that following them was a bad idea.
A pissed-off Jaina or Robin on their own would be bad under normal circumstances. Interrupting a potentially private moment between the two of them would be twice as intimidating. Jaina understood the game that they were playing, even giggling at one point, though Robin thought that it sounded genuine, and maybe it was. Connected, they were, but a mind reader, Robin was not. They went to Luke's, currently empty, office as it had the greatest security measures.
Once they were inside and the room was secured against spies or just nosy people, the two burst out laughing, Jaina started and then Robin followed. It was ridiculous, the song and dance, but it was fun too. "I can't believe we did that! You should be more like that for our next date." Jaina gasped when she couldn't laugh anymore. Robin smiled one of his rarer smiles, the warmth obvious to those who knew how to spot it in his eyes. "Maybe I will. Be careful what you ask for. It's honestly very flattering that you'd ask me out for date number two," he replied playfully.
Robin made room at Luke's desk for Jaina to sit in her chair next to him before he called up his Family tree, rendered in one-way holographic form, so you couldn't see it unless you were looking at the correct side. Jaina initially saw no real names as dark, intimidating, or controversial as Anakin Skywalker or Darth Vader, until she looked much farther back.
Every family has a black sheep or two, but Robin's had several people of historical note. Darth Gravid (gra-vihd), Darth Revan/ Master Revan, Bastilla Shan, and Master Qui-Gon Jinn, (Obi-Wan's Master). Half of Robin's family tree had Sith Lords that went to the Light, or Jedi who lived like Revan, as had Qui-Gon; believing in a state of balance. Some were able to use the dark to serve the light; and just as many who had fallen from the light who still believed in it's worth, it's necessity.
So many people, outcasts and misfits belonging to no camp of light or dark lived in the far more realistic grey. Jaina turned to Robin and saw those who came before him in his actions, words, and deeds. "I'm sorry for the disrespect that I showed you last night. You always seemed so bright and warm. I didn't feel worthy," she whispered, unable to think of anything else to say. She'd started her pity party, and he'd been kind enough to tear it down for her.
Sure, Jaina's grandfather had been Darth Vader, and her family had a history with the Dark Side, but it paled in comparison to Robin's bloodline. Robin just smiled; the smile of one who knows a bittersweet truth. "If I seemed bright, it was in the hopes of drowning out my darkness. The greater the light, the deeper the darkness; everything has its opposite." Robin took a moment before turning to Jaina, the Master Holocron in his hand. He activated the Holocron, and it scanned Jaina as it had him. "Welcome to the Paladin clan, Jaina Solo, Sword of the Jedi-Paladin, and Companion of the Ruler. Your registration is complete," it articulated before deactivating and returning to Robin's hand.
"Let's compare notes. What did Mary tell you in your meeting?" Robin asked. "She said that fear is powerful… and that I can use fear as a tool when other, more polite methods fail. That I shouldn't run from my fear, but use it against the enemies of true balance. I can control it without it controlling me, and that, despite my similarities to my late twin brother, I'm not him nor will I suffer from the same shortcomings." Jaina replied. "What of your time with the First King?" she asked. Robin sighed, trying to compose his thoughts. "He said that I'm afraid to use my full power, because, for all of my positive qualities, I'm not infallible, which scares me into disturbing my balance by denying my darkness."
"He said that if things don't change, I'll likely need a horrible catalyst, and many people, soldiers and mercenaries likely, could die at my hands in a quest for the guilty party, whoever they might be. Basically, I must fully integrate once, briefly, with the Dark Side. I'd rather not become a killer to keep the balance." Robin relayed, though both knew he could and would if necessary. "We need a Nexus of Dark Side energy." Jaina thought about it and gasped, inspired. "I know where to go. I've been before, but it's been years. I've been meaning to return. A good place for understanding darkness." "Where?" Robin asked, growing excited. Jaina smiled and said one word, one very powerful and important word: "Dagobah."
Meanwhile, elsewhere on Coruscant An-Dru was in for a hell of a shock. His Sith Master, Darish Vol, the former Grand Lord of the Sith, was dead. Now An-Dru had a new Master, Grand Lord Kaiser. At that moment, An-Dru knew that his life was hanging by a thread: the thread of usefulness. So he had resolved to become indispensable, one way or another. The Jedi might take him back, true, but he had many enemies in their ranks, and he'd even laid out a death threat against the former Padawan-turned Jedi Knight, Robin Stace, a man even the late Vol had been wary of. The same man he'd been tailing and reporting on to the Sith through Vol since his expulsion and subsequent defection to the Sith.
He hoped that he still had his chance at vengeance and so continued to work for the Sith, whom he was now going to have to convince of his worth if he wanted to remain alive. Currently, this was not an easy objective. "You've been discovered as a tail. Do you have any usefulness left?" the holographic form of Kaiser asked rhetorically. An-Dru finally had his moment. "Yes, Grand Lord, I may not be a good spy anymore, but I've been the one supporting your "rogue" Sith pirates for months now, providing coordinates for attacks so you and your people can eventually swoop in and "save the day". It's been smooth work except..." An-Dru hesitated. Kaiser frowned "Except what, Apprentice?"
An-Dru recovered quickly. "The only problem is Calrissian Shipping, (Lando's shipping company). They don't have many security agents able to stand against your people, but Stace is causing trouble." An-Dru finished. "Stace? Our intelligence suggests that he isn't in any of our pirate-controlled areas." Kaiser said, masking his confusion.
An-Dru sighed at the single-mindedness of true old-school Sith doctrine and mentality. "Not that Stace, Master. I speak of another, his mother. She's skilled and powerful in the Force, and she's repelled several boarding parties. Rumour has it that she will join the Jedi Order soon, once her current contract is up. Her power is untrained and unrefined, but it's still greater than average. Given time and training, she'd make for a greater threat than she already is. I recommend terminating her before then." An-Dru stated.
Kaiser smiled, pleased by his unofficial apprentice's work. "Keep an eye on her, observe, and report back to me. She may prove to be the key to my plans for the boy and to facilitating your vengeance. Remind the "Pirate forces" to keep her alive and whole should she be captured." An-Dru was confused but was smart enough not to argue. "Yes, Master." An-Dru replied before the call was cut. An-Dru had dug himself a deep hole, he hoped that he could eventually get out of it, and knew that if he failed it would become his grave.