Introduction: Part One: Shadows of Destiny
It has been twenty-three years since Rey Skywalker, alongside her valiant friends and the indomitable Resistance, vanquished the nefarious Darth Sidious and the tyrannical First Order, thwarting their scheme to dominate the galaxy. In the aftermath of their victory, it is a time of relative peace, with civilizations across the cosmos slowly knitting together the scars of war, reconstructing their homes, and restoring their ways of life under a rejuvenated Galactic Republic.
On the urban landscape of Coruscant, the heart of political life, the young siblings Cen and Kresha Alden are apprenticing under their father, Forax Alden, a respected senator committed to the Republic's ideals of democracy and peace. Educated in the intricate dance of diplomacy and governance, they are poised to follow in his footsteps, harboring aspirations of serving their galaxy as future senators.
While Coruscant shines brightly as a beacon of progress and order, dark echoes from the past whisper into the present. Unbeknownst to the Alden's, their lives will soon forever be changed. Their destinies will began to intertwine as the ominous shadows of unknown evil begin to show itself. Will sibling bonds prevail or be shattered to pieces by an ancient darkness?
Chapter one: Shadows of a Dream
The first light of dawn barely touched the towering cityscape of Coruscant when Kresha Alden came into her twin brother's Cen's room. The door slid open with a quiet hiss, disturbing the silence that enveloped the chamber. "Cen! Wake up, now!" Kersha Alden's voice slicing through the tranquility like a vibroblade, urgent and slightly annoyed. She stood at the threshold, his twin sister with her hands on her hips, her silhouette framed against the soft glow of the corridor lights. Cen stirred reluctantly, his eyes fluttering open to meet the intrusion of the morning light. He had been in the grip of a vivid dream, a nightmare, really, where Coruscant was under siege, its skies darkened by unknown ships, and the city's towering structures aflame. In his dream, he stood alone on his father's senate office balcony, feeling utterly powerless as chaos reigned around him. The emotional residue of helplessness clung to him as he awoke. "What time is it?" he mumbled, sitting up slowly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "It's late enough that father will have our heads if we don't move now," Kresha retorted, her tone easing as she noted her brother's disheveled state. Cen swung his legs over the side of his bed, his mind still entangled with the images from his dream. "I was dreaming about an attack on the city," he said quietly, almost to himself, his voice still with hint of fear. Kresha expression softened, a flicker of concern passing through her eyes. She stepped closer, her usual briskness giving way to sibling care. "It was just a dream, Cen. But if we don't hurry, the real nightmare will be facing father's lecture on punctuality." Snickering despite his uneasy start, Cen rose from his bed, his sister's words dispelling the last shadows of his nightmare. They quickly readied themselves, the routine familiarity of preparing for the day helped him restore his usual confidence. They left their rooms, their steps quickening as they navigated to their father's Senate office, which was situated in one of the higher levels of the city. The air was crisp, filled with the sounds of speeders and muffled voices—a symphony of the city in which they lived. As they made their way toward their father's office, Kresha felt a tinge of disdain at the thought of having to meet with senators again and today her father had a meeting with particular senator she despised above all others. It wasn't that she hated her father; it was the stifling formality and the often-pompous airs of the Senate that grated on her nerves. She much preferred the direct action and palpable outcomes of fieldwork to the slow grind of political maneuvering. Plus, she never trusted anyone in the Senate other than her father, she always felt that they were out for themselves other than the people they represented, and it made her blood boil. Under the calm demeanor she displayed, she always wanted to tell them what she really thought of them but because of her father she had to play nice. She glanced at Cen, noticing a difference in his usual cheerful demeanor. Something about the way he had described his dream gave her pause. It wasn't like him to be so disturbed by a mere nightmare. She pondered if there was more bothering him but decided against pressing the issue. They needed to focus on the day ahead. "Everything alright?" Kresha asked as they approached the large, imposing door of their father's senate office. Cen nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, all good. Let's not keep father waiting." The door opened, and they stepped inside ready to face whatever the day had in store for them, putting aside personal concerns for the duties of the moment. The mornings unsettling start seemed a distant memory as they prepared themselves for the intricate dance of diplomacy.
Chapter Two: Tensions and Truths
The door to their father's office slid shut hard behind them giving way to the tension in the room which was making Cen and Kresha more nervous than they already were. Forax, a tall figure with an imposing presence that matched the grand decor of his office, glanced up from behind his desk, his expression stern. "You're late," he stated flatly, his voice carrying the weight of disappointment. The room, that once seemed big, started to grow smaller as their father got up from his office chair and started to walk towards them. Before they could muster up an excuse, Forax started a lecture. "Punctuality is not merely a courtesy, children. It is the cornerstone of diplomacy. When you are late, you're saying your time is more valuable than theirs-" His words were cut short by the chirping of the holo-terminal. With a slightly irritated flick of his wrist, Forax answered the call. The blue image of Senator Thal Tarris, a rodian with a severe countenance, materialized above his desk. Terris represented Toren IV, a notorious mining planet with whispers of illegal practices that in turn gave it a dark reputation hidden beneath its wealth. "Forgive me for the interruption, Senator Forax, but our we still on for our discussion?" Tarris's voice modulated and businesslike. Forax's annoyance at his children quickly masked itself with a diplomatic smile. "Yes, Senator Tarris, we were just preparing to meet you. We'll be there shortly." As the image faded out, Forax turned back to Cen and Kresha, his eyes narrowing slightly. "This meeting is crucial. I expect you both to observe and learn, especially you, Kresha." Cen nodded, eager to absorb any knowledge that might further his understanding of the galaxy's complex political landscape. Kresha, however, felt a surge of anger for the senator they were about to meet. She knew of the hidden atrocities committed under the guise of the mining operations on Toren IV—slavery, famine, and worse.
The trio made their way to the lavish conference room where Senator Tarris awaited them. The meeting began with typical formalities, discussing trade agreements and hyperspace route security, a topic worsened by recent bandit activities. Throughout, droids whirred in and out, serving refreshments and managing data pads. As the conversation shifted to the conditions of the workers "I assure you Senator that the workers in our mines are being properly cared for, working in adequate conditions, and are being treated with the utmost respect," Tarris said using a service droid to translate for him. Kresha's frustration simmered beneath her calm exterior except for the tapping of her fingers against the table. Cen could feel the tension radiating off her in waves, as he cast worried glances in her direction. When Tarris glossed over the 'adequate conditions' for his workers, Kresha couldn't hold back. "Adequate? Is that what we call forced servitude now?" she interjected sharply, her voice cold with barely contained anger. Forax's face turned an immediate shade of red, his eyes darting between his daughter and Tarris. Cen reached out and grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her back into her seat in a silent plea for restraint. "Senator Tarris, please excuse my daughter's outburst," Forax said, his tone apologetic but firm. He gave Kresha a look that promised further discussion, a warning clear in his eyes. The meeting concluded abruptly, with Tarris's disapproval evident. As Senator Tarris left the conference room and the door slid shut, "Diplomacy, Kresha! That is how we effect change, not by accusations and outbursts! What were you thinking?" "He is a slaver and a criminal, and you know it!" Kresha shot back, her voice rising. "How can you just sit there-" "Enough!" Forax's shout echoed through the room. "You will learn your place and hold your tongue!" With those final words, Kresha spun on her heel and stormed out, leaving a heavy silence hanging between Cen and Forax. The conference room felt suddenly colder, the lingering echoes of the confrontation reverberating through the tense air.
Chapter Three: Paths Diverge
Kresha storms out of the conference room, her steps echoing the anger she felt. "How could father act so friendly to that criminal?" she muttered under her breath, her mind racing as she navigated the corridors of the Senate building. Each polite nod from passing senators and their aides felt like a sting, a reminder of the compromises and masks worn in the hallowed halls of power. A voice then swirls through her mind, "He talks of diplomacy, but where is the justice in silence?" She shakes her head in frustration but also in passive agreement. Unable to remain within the suffocating walls of politics any longer, she made her way to the speeder she and Cen arrived at earlier, to find a place where she could think, a place where she could find solace. Letting the cool air rush past her as she made her way to a secluded garden with a very old tree in the middle, a place where she and Cen would come in times of stress.
Forax and Cen stood in an uneasy silence. Forax rubbing his temples, trying to understand the outburst. "Why would Kresha act out so abruptly?" he pondered aloud, his frustration clear. Cen looked toward the ground, his voice low. "She's angry about how Senator Tarris conducts his operations. I could see her growing more upset as he spoke. It's hard for her to stay silent when she feels injustice is being done." Forax sighed, a mix of exasperation and concern lining his features. "Go find your sister, Cen. We need to discuss this as a family, away from the eyes and ears of the Senate." Nodding, Cen leaves the room and as he walks, he wondered where Kresha might have gone. She needs space, but father did tell me to go find her, he thought, his mind racing to piece together her possible whereabouts. Outside the Senate building he noticed the speeder that they arrived in was now gone. So, she took the speeder now she could be anywhere by now. He said to himself somewhat defeated. Then it struck him—their favorite spot in the city, a quiet garden with a very old tree in the middle, a place that they have been to countless times when they were younger. He quickly called for a speeder and directed it towards the quiet garden.
Kresha arrived at the garden, walked over to the old tree and sat down underneath it, letting her emotions slowly ebb as the familiar surroundings calmed her. She breathed deeply, trying to find her center again. But as she closed her eyes, a whisper crept into her mind. Wouldn't it be nice if Senator Tarris was no longer able to extort his workers? No longer able to exploit others for his greed... At first, she tried to dismiss the voice, but the more she thought about Tarris's smug demeanor and dismissive comments, the more the idea took hold. He needs to be dealt with..., "Yes, He needs to pay for what he has done," she finally admitted to herself, feeling a strange sense of resolve. Rising from underneath the old tree, she jumped back into her speeder and sped away, driven by newfound purpose.
By the time Cen arrived at the garden, it was empty, the quiet only punctuated by the rustling of leaves from the old tree. Where could she be? He wondered, his concern deepening. He walked over to the old tree and placed his hand against it, a vision flashed before his eyes: Kresha, confronting Tarris, his body guards withering in pain, Senator Tarris gasping for air, her anger unbridled. The image was so vivid, so intense, he staggered back. She's actually going to confront him, "Cen whispered to himself, his heart racing with dread. Without wasting another moment, he jumped back onto his speeder, his mind fixed on stopping his sister from making a terrible mistake. As the cityscape blurred around him, Cen's resolve hardened. I must reach her before it's too late.
Chapter Four: The Breaking Point
On the shuttle bay platform, Senator Tarris was preparing to board his ship, eager to leave behind the tense meeting and unpleasant accusations he experienced by Senator Forax's daughter. Before he could board his ship, his departure was interrupted by the appearance of Kresha Alden. The Senator turned around, his surprise barely concealed behind a veneer of smugness. "Are you here to apologize for the false accusations you made against me?" the droid translated, its voice flat and mechanical. "Falsely accused? We both know that's not true," Kresha retorted, her voice steady and resolute. "Then why are you here? Where is your father?" Tarris inquired, a trace of unease creeping into his tone. "This has nothing to do with my father. My father is weak, this is between you and me," Kresha declared, her eyes never leaving Tarris's. "And what are you going to do, little girl?" Tarris smirked, his arrogance palpable. His bodyguards, sensing their cue, began advancing towards Kresha, electro-batons in hand, their faces twisted into tiny grins and snickers. Kresha's response was calm, her voice almost a whisper, "Something someone should have done a long time ago—erase you from this world." "We'll see about that," Tarris snapped back. Tarris's bodyguards close in to make their attack when to Tarris's horror, a smile crossed Kresha's face, and suddenly, all four guards collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony. Tarris, backing up with his droid, stammered, "What is this? What is happening?" Panic seized him as his knees buckled. "I will give you anything you want—just name it, it's yours!" Tarris pleaded, desperation tinged his voice. As Kresha advanced, Tarris noticed that each guard seemed to wither as she passed, their life draining and one by one, they shook, then lay still, lifeless. "What is happening?" Tarris cried out, drawing his blaster and firing wildly. Each bolt veered off course, missing Kresha completely. Suddenly, he felt an invisible force tighten around his neck, lifting him off the ground. "Once I squeeze the life out of you, justice will be done," Kresha hissed, her eyes dark with fury. Cen racing towards the shuttle platform, guided by the echoes of blaster fire and a deep sense of dread. His vision was coming true. As he approached, he saw the bodyguards on the ground and Tarris suspended in the air, clutching at his throat. He landed his speeder and ran towards them, only to be stopped by a forceful energy that was slowly eating at his strength. "Kresha! Listen to me, you need to stop this," he pleaded. "No! He needs to pay for what he has done." Kresha snapped, consumed by her anger. Cen knew he needed to act quickly. He lunged forward, pushing Tarris out of Kresha's grip. As he did, he felt the force around his own neck, her powers unwittingly turning on him. "Kresha, come back to me. Stop this, this is not you. Don't give into this. Please," he gasped, as a tear was rolling down his cheek. It was the tear that awakened Kresha. Seeing the pain she was inflicting on her brother, her senses flooded back, the madness dissipating. The grip around Cen's throat loosened, allowing him to gasp for air. Seizing the moment, Tarris scrambled on to his ship, and took off with a roar. Moments later, the Coruscant police arrived, Taking Cen and Kresha into custody. Their father, Forax, learning of the incident, knew the matter was beyond his control. Determined not to see his children imprisoned and recognizing their need to understand and control their emerging powers, he sought the help of the one person he believed could guide them. As the starship came in to land, Cen and Kresha, along with their father stood waiting for the one who could help them understand themselves and train them in the ways of the force. The ship's doors open, and Rey Skywalker steps out, surveying the trio with measured gaze. "I assume these are my new apprentices," she says, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and resolve.
Written by,
Robert Wade and Chris Golet