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Chapter 13 - Edit
Purple streaks of plasma sliced through the air, a mesmerizing dance of deadly light. Benjamin stood atop Appa's leathery saddle, his feet steady despite the Bison's graceful maneuvering over a vast canyon. The cliffs, awash in fiery reds and luminous yellows, reached so high they seemed to scrape the heavens themselves.
The labyrinthine caverns of the canyon sprawled beneath them, a complex network of twisting tunnels and hidden depths. Some parts lay shrouded in darkness, their secrets concealed within the abyss.
Ben's face glistened with sweat as he gripped the lightsaber hilt with both hands, the cold metal a reassuring weight in his grasp. The shien form, Form V, was his chosen style—a form he'd studied extensively during his days as a Jedi apprentice and employed widely during the wars. It was his go-to, the familiar rhythm of combat. There was a time when he had ventured into the complexities of Ataru, under Meetra's tutelage, but those lessons had faded with time.
Shien was built on a foundation of the duelist's personal strength, characterized by powerful strikes and resolute cleaves. Benjamin, with his robust and athletic physique, had thrived in its embrace, ultimately mastering it. Though it had been a considerable while since he'd last wielded a lightsaber, his progress had been swift. Relearning was easier than starting from scratch, but it still demanded dedication and effort.
His palms grew clammy, his grip on the blade tightened, and the whirl of the purple plasma heightened, becoming a maelstrom of precise strikes. "Not good enough, not fast enough!" The thought hammered relentlessly in his mind as he executed each move, his boot planted firmly on Appa's back, his gaze unwavering, and his blade weaving a dance of destruction.
Meanwhile, above him, the whispers persisted. Sokka, awestruck, watched Benjamin's skillful execution of swordplay. Yes, the form wasn't flawless, but he had observed the young Jedi's dedication over the past few days. What was even more impressive was how he adapted to fight with only eight fingers.
Aang's gaze was fixed intently on something ahead, his eyes narrowing as he guided Appa into a sudden descent. The abrupt drop sent Benjamin's lightsaber soaring from his grasp, and he tumbled backward onto his back, his weapon gleaming like a silver comet ascending.
"My lightsaber!" Benjamin shouted in dismay. His right hand shot out, catching the metallic hilt just as the sun's rays danced upon it. He extended his hand downwards, the blade hovering midair, then deftly pulled it back toward him.
"Nice," he muttered, his swift crawl toward the top of Appa underway. Momo, agile and alert, scampered toward him, curling his tail around Benjamin's shoulder blade to ensure he remained anchored.
"What's going on?" Benjamin asked, his voice tinged with urgency, a note of confusion mirroring in his features. He cast an impatient glance at Sokka and Katara, the furrowed brows and puzzled expressions mirrored back at him. He felt a sudden urge to shake Aang, force him to explain the situation. Yet, as they pierced through the shroud of clouds, all words hung suspended in midair.
There, unfurling below them, a chilling tableau unfurled in the depths of the canyon. Figures, many of them, assembled in one area. At this distance, they were mere specks in the vast expanse of the landscape, but the sight sent a shiver down Benjamin's spine. His hands instinctively moved to his head, a groan escaping his lips as an odd sickness overcame him.
"Benji?" Katara's soothing voice washed over him, and he waved her concern away with a feeble reassurance. "I'm fine..." he muttered, although honesty compelled him to admit that it was a recent sensation, a peculiar twinge in the back of his mind that had left as swiftly as it arrived. It was a discomforting feeling that lingered, as if a shadow had settled deep within him.
As they drew nearer to the canyon's heart, their eyes fell upon a scene of chaos and turmoil. Figures, both human and otherwise, clashed with grotesque, monstrous creatures. "What the hell..." Benjamin whispered, the profanity escaping his lips in disbelief. These creatures, grotesque in form, possessed four spindly, spider-like legs, elongated snouts reminiscent of rats, and a disconcerting number of crimson eyes, four on each side of their misshapen heads. Their long, bushy backs bore a striking resemblance to the massive wings of bats.
Benjamin couldn't help but feel a surge of fear and revulsion. It was an emotion that seemed to well up from the depths of his being. These creatures were an abomination, a grotesque patchwork of twisted and nightmarish anatomy, like a child's macabre experiment with mismatched toys.
His hands trembled, but before he could react, a shrill, childlike scream pierced the air. The sound was ghastly, an eerie echo that reverberated through the cavernous walls. All eyes turned to the source of the scream, and there, in the clutches of terror, a girl clung to her mother.
One of the monstrous creatures closed in, its jaws snapping open to reveal a mouth bristling with crocodile-like teeth, sharpened like a butcher's knives.
"We're coming!" Aang's voice rang out desperately as his hands urged Appa into a swift descent, but time was running out.
"Benjamin!" Katara's anguished cry filled the air. Aang turned, expecting to see Benjamin beside Momo. But instead, all he found was empty space. Something streaked through the air, hurtling downward with alarming speed.
"What just happened?" Sokka's voice trembled with disbelief as he struggled to make sense of the chaos. Then, in a horrifying moment, they all beheld the sight of Benjamin in freefall, arms outstretched, legs rigid, plummeting toward the gaping maw of the monstrous creature.
"No...not like this!" Benjamin's thoughts screamed within him. Fear clawed at his heart. These creatures were abominations, repugnant and horrifying, and he wanted nothing more than to escape their grotesque clutches. But there was a child below, a young innocent life hanging in the balance. The thought of letting that child perish overwhelmed his fear, and he extended his arms, channeling the Force to slow his descent. His legs strengthened with the power of the Force, and with unwavering determination, he fought against gravity's cruel grasp.
He pulled his lightsaber from his belt, a slender column of vibrant purple erupting to life in his hands. The creature, a grotesque amalgamation of spindly legs and nightmarish snouts, didn't anticipate this sudden burst of brilliance. With a thunderous roar, Benjamin descended upon the beast, his purple blade plunging into its back. The creature writhed, attempting to fend him off, but it was a futile struggle.
In the ruthless clash that followed, the creature's spider-like legs were no match for Benjamin's unstoppable force. They snapped like brittle twigs, and it crumpled to the ground, its grotesque twitching eventually subsiding. Benjamin didn't have the luxury to spare a glance for the girl and her mother, but his connection to the Force reassured him they were still among the living.
He yanked the plasma blade free from the creature's lifeless form, spinning it deftly in his right hand to regain control. The remaining creatures, their multifaceted gazes now fixed upon the Jedi with the lethal purple blade, bristled with malevolence. Benjamin's smirk tightened as he gripped the weapon even more firmly. "Well, heck, I needed the practice anyway!" he bellowed defiantly, drawing the attention of the other monstrosities.
They advanced, predatory and menacing, their collective focus now honed on this intruder with the audacity to slay one of their own. Benjamin glanced at the motley group of people surrounding him. Two distinct factions emerged: one clad in pristine white robes, the other in rugged leather and animal-hide attire. They may have been from opposing camps, but, united by a common threat, they managed to stave off the relentless assault.
Benjamin vaulted from the slain creature, his lightsaber still clutched firmly in his right hand. He took a deep breath, his voice projecting over the canyon's grim battleground. "I am Benjamin, a guardian of the Jedi Order," he proclaimed, his words echoing through the rocky expanse. Initially met with incredulous stares, his ensuing instructions galvanized them. Fear and camaraderie melded as they formed a defensive perimeter, ready to strike at the creatures' vulnerable spots. They understood that facing these abominations one-on-one was a perilous prospect.
With newfound unity, they faced their grotesque adversaries. Benjamin sprinted forward, his boots sinking into the rusty sands of the canyon floor. The creatures, their hideous forms twitching and screeching, lurched toward him. Three of them ventured forth to meet Benjamin's audacious challenge.
Gripping the hilt of his lightsaber with both hands, Benjamin leaped into the air, taking his foes by surprise. His blade descended, plunging straight into the back of the first creature, which emitted a harrowing shriek. But before he could retract his weapon, the second monstrosity lunged at him.
"Oh, crap!" Benjamin yelled, his body soaring upward as he sprang away, leaving his ignited lightsaber embedded in the first creature's quivering flesh.
The lightsaber's blade crackled with fiery intensity as the wounded creature crawled toward him, its massive jaws gaping wide. Benjamin extended his right hand, the Force's invisible grip coiling around his weapon. He pulled, and with a hiss, the still-ignited lightsaber tore through the creature, splitting it in two with a sizzling trail of smoke and charred remains. The weapon soared back into his waiting hands.
The second creature lunged, a desperate attempt to catch Benjamin off guard. His purple blade swirled into a tempest of strikes, slicing through the creature's left legs like a hot knife through butter. With a mighty overhead slash, the creature's head was torn from its body.
The head tumbled across the sandy terrain as Ben twirled his blade, eyes scanning the surroundings. 'Two down, but where's the third?' he wondered.
The answer came swiftly. The third creature, evidently more cunning than its ill-fated kin, lay in ambush, poised to strike when the young exile let his guard down. Its elongated tongue shot forth like a viper, and Benjamin raised his blade to deflect the attack. But before it could reach him, a powerful blast of air sent the creature tumbling backward.
"Aang!" Benjamin yelled, his voice cutting through the chaos. The airbender whirled his staff, the sound of water and the familiar whoosh of a boomerang cutting through the air. The dull thud of impact resonated as it connected with flesh. The blast of air knocked the creature off balance, its crimson eyes locking onto the two boys as it snarled. Yet, something unusual occurred; it began to retreat, and the other creatures followed suit.
Perhaps it was Benjamin's relentless assault that made them realize they were outmatched, or maybe these creatures possessed a degree of intelligence. Regardless, they decided to live to fight another day.
Ben deactivated his lightsaber, the vibrant purple blade retracting into the hilt as he secured it back on his belt. He turned his attention to the group of people who had faced the onslaught. Bruised and battered, some wounded, but miraculously no casualties.
"No casualties," Benjamin muttered with a smirk. It had been a grueling battle, and without Aang's timely intervention, he might have become monster food. Despite his unease about his own abilities, he couldn't deny the satisfaction of having saved these people. He was on the path of relearning the Force and honing his lightsaber skills, and with further training, he could only get stronger.
Yet, a nagging uneasiness persisted—a desire to grow more powerful. Meetra, his master, had done her best to retrain him, but Benjamin yearned for deeper knowledge and resolution regarding his connection with the light side of the Force.
Aang's voice broke through his contemplation. The young Avatar was kneeling beside one of the slain creatures, his gaze steady on the fallen creature. Benjamin approached, his curiosity piqued, as Aang continued to speak.
"It's just... they were doing what they had to do. They're just animals, and they didn't have a choice," Aang mused.
Ben's eyes narrowed, a growing sense of worry enveloping him. 'Is Aang actually pitying these monsters?' he pondered as he listened to the airbender's words.
"Benjamin, next time, if you can... Would you try not to use your lightsaber? Use the Force to incapacitate them instead. All life is sacred."
Ben grappled with the words he had spoken, a venomous defense of his actions in the face of moral scrutiny. Aang's gaze held the weight of a silent reproach, echoing the echoes of his mistake.
"What... Aang. I am a guardian of the order, the whole point of this path that I followed was due to me prioritizing my lightsaber and dueling skills. Also, these creatures are maneaters. If I didn't interfere back then, a woman and her child would be dead!" Ben tried to rationalize, his inner turmoil manifesting as tension in his arms wrapped around himself.
"I get that... though you spared Kiara," Aang reminded him gently, pointing out the stark contradiction.
"Psh, it was a mistake... she's nothing more than an animal. I should've put her down while I had the chance," Ben argued, disgust coloring his words as he reflected on Kiara's name.
Aang's eyes widened, mirroring Ben's own surprise at the bitterness that had spilled from his mouth. The words had tumbled out, uncontrolled, leaving him almost tracing his face to confirm their release.
'Kiara, she's a monster that cut off my fingers... she murdered innocent people and committed to the dark side. She murdered those guardsmen, and I let her live after defeating her. She killed more innocent people and cut off my fingers, and again I let her live! What does everyone expect of me to do, let a monster like that keep drawing breath!'
But before he could dwell further on his inner torment, an urgent sense of danger surged through him. His legs moved instinctively, propelled by the precognition of the Force. The warning screamed in his mind as he witnessed large rocks hurtling down the canyon hills, aimed at the young girl and her family.
"Move!" Benjamin's scream cut through the air, his desperation lending force to his actions. His arms lashed out, the sinews of the Force wrapping around the hurtling boulders, slowing their trajectory to a sudden stop just a meter away from the terrified family.
"What the hell are you doing!" he barked at the duo, his voice hoarse and drenched in sweat. "I said move, goddamn it!"
They grasped the gravity the second time, diving away to safety. The mother pulled her daughter from the danger zone. As they scrambled to safety, Benjamin released the tension in his arms. The boulders crashed with a deafening smash, sand and wind pelting him as he shielded his eyes.
Yet, a peculiar sensation gripped him—a shiver down his spine, a distinct cold that crept and coiled like a vice. His senses prickled, honing in on a disturbance in the Force. Following the cliff edge, he glimpsed it: another of those strange creatures, but altered. Slightly larger, its fur replaced by flat, red, scaly skin, its once black-and-brown body now a deep crimson. The creature's eyes, once red, now held a darkness that seemed to engulf all light.
They locked eyes for a fleeting moment, the creature retreating and vanishing into the shadows. 'What the hell was that?' Ben questioned, his unease deepening as mysteries and dangers entwined in this unfolding tale.
He stole a quick glance at the cliff's edge, his unease deepening as his gaze lingered. That creature had left him with a palpable sense of foreboding. It seemed different, more evolved or perhaps mutated compared to its lesser kin. What force of nature had propelled such a rapid and volatile transformation?
But Ben's worries weren't confined to the creature's physical changes. It was the creature's eerie gaze and its perch right above the cliff's edge, precisely where the rockslide had descended. 'No, I must be losing my mind. There's no way... no way that creature was intelligent enough to orchestrate that. It's just a big, dumb rat. It means nothing,' he tried to convince himself, shaking the thought from his mind like an unwelcome intruder.
Turning away from the enigmatic creature, he rejoined his companions. To his surprise, Aang had just wrapped up a conversation with the groups, in the midst of explaining their predicament.
As it turned out, the two groups hailed from different cultures and backgrounds, once nestled in their mountainous homes. However, the ravages of war had forced them from their beloved mountains and forests, propelling them on this perilous journey to find a new beginning. Despite their dire circumstances, incessant bickering and clashes had strained their tenuous alliance.
An earthbender served as their guide through the imposing canyon, but the encounter with the monstrous creatures had taken its toll. The old man lay unconscious, a possible concussion shadowing his predicament.
Sokka's voice broke the silence, seeking answers. "How long will the old man be out?" He gestured toward the unconscious guide, his arms tightly folded.
Katara sighed, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I don't know... could be hours, maybe even days."
Benjamin absorbed the information, his thoughts drawn back to the perilous canyon they now found themselves in. They had been fortunate to repel the creatures once, but he doubted that brute force would continue to save them. Aang and, surprisingly, he himself had shown a degree of compassion for these monsters. His eyes drifted to his lightsaber, the metallic hilt and the vivid purple blade still etched fresh in his memory. The sensation of cleaving through those monstrous foes had been exhilarating.
A low groan escaped him as his fingers traced his face, his inner turmoil evident. These were powerful emotions, emotions born on the battlefield, emotions that wouldn't aid a Jedi but rather empower a Sith.
His gaze shifted to the two tribes, their squabbling ongoing. Aang, in his usual role as a mediator, suggested, "Listen, the Avatar is meant to be a mediator. Maybe, I can help them reconcile their differences."
Benjamin grabbed Aang's shoulder, guiding him back to the group. "I don't think that's a good idea, Aang," he cautioned. The others shot him puzzled glances, prompting him to offer an explanation. "Listen, I want to help these people too. But we've got our own challenges to face. We barely know our next step in this journey. We haven't even found Aang a waterbending teacher."
Sokka and Katara cast their eyes downward, sharing an uneasy glance. Meanwhile, Aang, ever the vigilant one, shot a quick, wary glance behind him. The people were still at each other's throats.
"We've got bigger troubles than their squabbles," Benjamin interjected, his voice cutting through the turmoil. "We've got the Fire Nation and the Sith on our tail. We can't afford to hunker down in one place for long. I suggest we escort these two groups out, and they take the longer route. If we get ambushed here, people are gonna die."
Katara interjected with an alternative plan. "Benjamin, I understand your concern, but there are people here who need to get out of this canyon. The old man has a map that leads to the other side, and there's a shortcut that goes straight through. I swiped it from the tour guide's pockets."
Benjamin accepted the map, his golden eyes scrutinizing it. He traced the intricate web of paths, notably a bold red line that cut through the middle like a surgical incision, likely a colossal cavern. Something about it didn't sit right.
"If there's a shortcut, why are there so many other pathways?" He pointed to the numerous diverging routes marked with numbers and words, all penned in inky black. "It feels odd. What's the point of a shortcut if the guide keeps diverting through the longer routes? And why's the only red line bare of any markings the shortcut?"
Sokka shrugged. "Maybe he stumbled upon it later. The red could just mean it's his go-to now. Heck, he might be conning folks into taking longer routes for a bigger payout."
Katara chimed in, providing another valid perspective. "There are a lot of injured and sick here. I could help them recover."
Benjamin scratched the back of his head, torn between their arguments. 'Sokka and Katara both have valid points. Maybe I'm just paranoid for no reason.'
He shook off his unease, and Aang, ever resolute, spoke up. "You're a Jedi. It's your job to help the innocent. You're a knight."
Aang's words carried weight despite his youthful voice, an air of authority befitting his role as the Avatar. However, Benjamin didn't take kindly to it. "Aang, that's enough," he interjected sharply, his voice betraying his irritation.
Katara made a move forward, but Benjamin beat her to it, speaking forcefully. "Yes, I am a Jedi Knight—the only one in this world. My duty is to fight the Sith and the Fire Nation that pursue you. It's my duty to help the innocent and those in need. But my ultimate goal, the one that takes precedence over all others, is to protect the Avatar and assist him in restoring balance."
He raised his arm to forestall Aang's protests. "I understand that you want to help these people, and I want to help them too. But, Aang, we've spent so long wandering aimlessly in this quest. You haven't mastered water or the other elements. How are you going to defeat the Fire Lord?"
A heavy silence settled upon them. Aang's gaze dropped to his shoes, and the weight of Benjamin's words hung in the air. "I am a Knight of the Jedi Order," Benjamin continued, his voice softened but resolute. "I've made plenty of mistakes, Aang, and I'm far from perfect. But know this: I'd die for you. I'd let them hack and rip me to pieces if it meant you'd live. You're more important than you realize."
Sokka and Katara stood there, their eyes widening as they fixed them on Benjamin. His face remained an enigmatic mask, revealing nothing of the emotions that might churn beneath the surface. Even Aang, the ever-light-hearted Avatar, was taken aback by the gravity of Benjamin's final statement. The part where he declared his willingness to lay down his life for Aang, if the situation demanded it.
A heavy silence hung in the air, laden with unspoken thoughts and emotions. Aang himself didn't know how to respond. He had already witnessed the sacrifice of the Air Nomads for him, and now another of his friends was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice. It left him speechless, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. He turned away from the group, the weight of Benjamin's words pressing upon him. Katara gently rested a hand on his shoulder, her silent support reassuring.
Benjamin had an inkling of what Aang might say next. He suspected that the young Avatar would announce that they were going to assist the two tribes. It was essentially a democratic decision, and Benjamin didn't want to come across as the one opposing it. He clenched his jaw, swallowing his objections, and joined them.
The tribes began loading their wounded, elderly, and children onto Appa. Benjamin and Sokka took the lead, guiding the procession through the shortcut. Aang, with his natural mediation skills, managed to keep tensions at bay between the two groups. However, the occasional insult still slipped through, causing frustration to simmer.
For Benjamin, the continuous bickering became increasingly irksome. He released an audible groan, his frustration manifesting. The group was about to enter a tunnel system that would take them through the canyon. Benjamin knew he had to keep a vigilant eye on everyone, especially the young and old, who could easily become disoriented or fall prey to the lurking monsters. Caution was paramount.
Sokka's voice broke into Benjamin's thoughts, his words carefully chosen, treading lightly on sensitive ground. "Benji, can we talk for a minute?"
Benjamin nodded, though his pounding headache was starting to gnaw at him. He thought he had shaken off the pain, but it was returning with a vengeance. "I'm listening," he replied, his gaze locked forward, focused.
Sokka, reading the intensity in Benjamin's eyes, understood that when this Jedi set his sights on a goal, he didn't waver. That determination heartened Sokka, as did having someone with Benjamin's unique abilities on their side. Yet, it was Benjamin's earlier statement that troubled him. "It's not about your tough talk with Aang," Sokka began, choosing his words carefully. "I understand your reasoning there. But it's the way you talked about your life..."
Benjamin's response was abrupt, cutting Sokka off before he could delve further. "Sokka, not now..."
"No, we need to talk about it now," Sokka insisted, striding closer to the Jedi exile. His steps were purposeful, his gaze locked on Benjamin. "You're our friend, Benjamin. You saved us from Kiara... you sacrificed nearly your whole hand for us. You're a good friend, one of the most important people on our team. I don't understand how you could say that to Aang?"
Benjamin didn't have an immediate response. He took in a heavy breath and turned to face Sokka. The weight of Sokka's words bore down on him. "Sokka, for the longest time, I've felt like I've been drowning underwater," he began, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "I spent my whole life in battle, to the point where it became all I ever knew. I gave it all up... and all I've ever wanted was peace. Even then, the things I did and the things I've seen still haunt me. For the longest time, I've wanted to die."
Sokka was silent, his eyes reflecting the shock and concern he felt. He hadn't realized the depths of Benjamin's struggle, the demons from his past that continued to torment him. It worried Sokka, and he couldn't help but feel a newfound sense of empathy for the young Jedi and the hell he had endured.
"That was when I met you and the rest of the team. I felt included and happy," Benjamin continued, his voice steadier now. "All I wanted was to help others and do good things, and now I can. I've been healing, and now I've reconnected to the Force. I am truly a Jedi Knight... all I've ever wanted to be." He turned away from Sokka, gazing at the light blue sky. "There is no death, Sokka, only the Force," he declared.
For a brief moment, Sokka felt something emanating from Benjamin. It was a fleeting sense of peace, a hint of acceptance or something else entirely. He couldn't quite put it into words. Sokka shook his head, dispelling his own emotions, and slammed his hand against Benjamin's back with a resounding thud.
"Damn it!" Benjamin exclaimed, leaping up and rubbing his back. "What the hell was that for?" he demanded.
Sokka pointed a stern finger at him. "Don't be talking like that," he chided. He turned to see Aang and Katara approaching. "You aren't dead yet, and I don't want you to die. We'll all make it out of this, I promise you."
Benjamin absorbed Sokka's words, and for a moment, their eyes locked. Sokka searched Benjamin's face for any sign that he had truly heard him and taken the promise to heart. He wasn't entirely sure.
"Though," Sokka continued, shifting the conversation, "there's something else we need to talk about. It's Aang again. He felt bad for the creatures I killed."
Sokka's nonchalance didn't sit well with Benjamin. He shook his head in annoyance at Sokka's attempt to downplay the situation. "Sokka, he's the Avatar. With tensions rising from the Sith and the Fire Nation, they'll send more formidable enemies at us. Aang needs to prepare himself."
Sokka sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I know," he admitted reluctantly.
Benjamin pressed on, his tone serious. "How are we going to tell him? I'm a Jedi, and if I have to cut down enemies that threaten my friends, I will. But I can't have Aang interfere or distract me when I do."
Their conversation led them to the entrance of the tunnel system. It was a winding maze that, according to the map, promised to be a shortcut to their destination. They would emerge on the other side after a long walk, seemingly free from danger. The tunnels were a mix of earthbending and abandonment, making this shortcut seem like the answer to their problems.
Ben's gaze shifted from Sokka to the entrance of the cave, which yawned wide like the maw of some ancient, enigmatic beast. The cave's dimensions were staggering; its width alone could comfortably accommodate two Appas stacked together, rendering the bison flightless within its depths. But it was the ceiling that seized his attention.
Above, strange green indents marred the rocky expanse. They resembled dried, viscous splotches of green bile oozing down from the cavern's crown. Ben found himself inexplicably drawn to the cave floor, where stone replaced sand. His thoughts churned as he attempted to fathom this unnatural passageway.
"This is kind of weird," Ben mused inwardly, recalling his knowledge of geological formations and erosion. "For there to just be a straight path... it has to be impossible. Why, I just... I don't know..."
His vision seemed to warp, the world around him shifting subtly. Then, a child's voice pierced through the murk. "Mister, where are you going?" It was Sokka's voice, stopping him in his tracks. Ben recognized the voice - it belonged to the little girl he had saved only hours ago.
Panic surged through him. He turned abruptly, muttering an alarmed "Oh no," as he waded through the crowd. His eyes remained locked on the cave's gaping entrance, moving with an urgency that pushed him past bewildered onlookers.
"Ben!" Sokka's voice cut through the clamor, loud and desperate. Benjamin had already entered the cave's inky depths, darkness enveloping him like a living entity. It swallowed him whole, the crimson of his robes slowly fading, replaced by the voracious blackness.
The obsidian tendrils seemed to pull him forward, coercing him to take one step after another. Sokka charged into the cave after him, his footfalls echoing off the stone floor. He reached Ben, seizing his shoulders, and yelled, "Ben, wake up!" His voice reverberated within the Jedi's mind.
Ben's dilated golden eyes, void of recognition, stared vacantly at Sokka. His trance was broken, and he instinctively took a step backward. Sokka's hands remained firmly on his shoulders.
Confusion etched across Ben's features as he gazed down at his friend, his head tilting like a perplexed bird. He glanced around at his surroundings. "Sokka, where are we?" he asked, his voice tinged with bewilderment.
"What?" Sokka exclaimed, gesturing to the entrance where the fading sunlight still struggled against the encroaching darkness. "You just walked in here. Without telling anyone... if that girl you saved didn't notice you..." Sokka's voice trailed off, his own confusion mirrored in his eyes.
It was as if some ethereal force had reached out to him, an inexplicable beckoning that tugged at the very essence of his being. Benjamin struggled to put it into words; it was akin to submerged hands gently pushing you deeper underwater, whispering a seductive invitation to surrender and close your eyes.
Then, he blacked out. It was an experience wholly unlike his previous visions. Those had always left him collapsed on the floor or simply unconscious. This time, it was different. He couldn't articulate it, but it felt like his body had been manipulated, his connection to the Force overloading and penetrated to a point where he teetered on the precipice of surrendering all free will.
He found himself in an unfamiliar place, an abyss devoid of any recognizable markers. It was as if someone or something was trying to obscure the Force itself. Benjamin couldn't provide a satisfactory answer to Sokka's inquiry, even though the group had moved on. Appa and the rest of the tribe members followed suit.
Ben rose to his feet, shaking his head to clear the lingering disorientation. Time was precious; he needed to focus on his duties. So, he joined the procession, which now ventured deep into the cavern. The tunnel's unnatural characteristics became increasingly apparent to him. The floor, walls, and ceiling exhibited an eerie smoothness, akin to meticulously hewn stone slabs. It defied natural creation, and Ben couldn't shake his unease.
The Force was still present here, but it remained elusive, devoid of the typical divisions between the light side and the dark side. He chose to keep his thoughts to himself; sharing them now would only make him appear paranoid, and there were more pressing matters at hand.
Taking a seat beside Aang and the other tribesmen, Ben settled in as the Avatar attempted to mediate their disputes. His thoughts wandered, at times gazing into space or closing his eyes in contemplation.
Abruptly, a child's voice jolted him from his reverie. Startled, he shifted to his right, his eyes widening as he met the gaze of a young girl. Her auburn hair cascaded past her neck, and she clutched a peculiar stuffed animal resembling a dog.
Ben rose hesitantly to his feet, casting a large shadow over the diminutive figure. "Hey... kid," he awkwardly greeted, his discomfort apparent. He could hear Katara stifling a chuckle at his lack of prowess with children.
"Thank you for saving me," the girl said with an endearing, toothy grin, revealing a missing front tooth.
Then, without warning, she dropped her stuffed companion and flung her arms around Ben's left leg. "You're my hero, mister."
Ben gazed at the wall with a blank expression, but inside, a genuine warmth spread through him. 'She called me a hero... She actually did it!' he thought, a small, genuine smile crossing his lips. Eventually, the girl released her hold on him and returned to her mother. Benjamin remained in his moment of contentment, scratching the back of his head as the others observed him. He maintained that small smile.
'On those sun-drenched fields of Dantooine... at the enclave where I'd gaze out of my window into the vast galaxy, I always wanted to be called a hero. I yearned to protect and save others. I've made many mistakes, but now, I can finally become the hero that little boy dreamed of.'
The pain surged once again, a searing bolt that sent Ben reeling. His right hand instinctively sought the back of his head, gasping for air as the agony flooded him, relentless in its intensity.
"Benji, are you okay?" Aang's voice carried genuine concern, but Ben merely nodded, rising to his feet and dusting off his pants. Cracking his neck, he announced his departure, bellowing to his companions, "Listen, I'm gonna go use the facilities. Be back in ten, alright?"
He'd opted for a euphemism, unwilling to publicly announce his intentions. What he truly desired was to ensure that none of them followed him. Their camp nestled squarely on their path, fortified with torches and supplies to fend off the cavern's unsettling inhabitants.
With a torch in hand, he ventured into the cavern's depths. His steps reverberated off the stone, the faint caress of wind against his face, and the reddish sand beneath his feet. A few minutes passed as he walked, but when he turned to survey his surroundings, there was nothing.
Setting the torch down, its orange flames dancing, he extended his hand to the flat stone wall. His fingers tapped along its surface, revealing a peculiar resonance, a hollow space within. He inhaled deeply, stepping back, employing the Force to shift the wall aside. It creaked open, revealing mechanisms and gears that separated the two walls.
Ben entered cautiously, struck by the dazzling light that emanated from the ceiling above. Rows upon rows of brilliant gemstones adorned the cavern's roof, radiating hues of green, red, blue, and orange, bathing the chamber in an otherworldly glow.
He advanced into the space, his jaw slackening in awe of its sheer magnitude. The door he'd opened led to a bridge that stretched the length of a football field, yet it was as wide as a bus. It, too, was crafted from the enigmatic, smooth stone.
As he strolled along the sides of the bridge, the rumble of water reached his ears. Before long, his eyes met a colossal waterfall that gushed from multiple openings, cascading in a brilliant blue torrent that disappeared into a colossal, dark abyss.
At the far end of the bridge stood a sprawling fortress, reminiscent of the castles he'd encountered on Onderon during the Battle of Dxun. It was ancient and weathered, its former splendor obscured by decades of cracks and the creeping advance of moss.
Ben's thoughts churned with wonder. "How could someone... anyone create something like this?" he pondered. It baffled him. The craftsmanship and functionality of everything defied reason.
Yet, while he contemplated the fortress, it was as if a signal had been received. The pain, that unmistakable sensation, was back. This time, Benjamin didn't shy away from it; he didn't question its origin. He already knew what it was – the dark side.
Normally, the dark side felt like a tempest of rage, an embodiment of hatred. But here, it manifested differently – a fury subdued by patience and suffering. For most Jedi, such a place would weaken them, flooding them with fear, perhaps even causing them to lose consciousness under the immense weight of the dark side.
Within this abyss of darkness and dread, Benjamin found his connection to the dark side pulsating, an electrifying current coursing through his very being. It surged within him, wrapped around his limbs like an arcane electrical storm, and burrowed deep into his core. It was an intimacy with the Force like he had never known before, a twisted communion with the dark side that sent shivers of exhilaration through his veins.
Force lightning leaked from his fingertips, crackling and writhing as it twined around his arms, a sinister serpent ready to strike. The dark side's presence here was unmistakable, an undeniable weight pressing upon him. But instead of cursing himself, instead of falling into the abyss of self-loathing, he resisted that urge. There was no time for self-pity; something sinister lurked in these shadowy depths, masking the dark side's unmistakable aura.
They had been lured here, that much was clear now—a cunning trap, a spider's web waiting to ensnare its prey.
A cacophony of scuttling and shrieks pierced the air. Swiftly, Ben summoned his lightsaber with the Force, the weapon materializing into his right hand. He spun, scanning the cavern with a wary eye. The walls bore gaping holes, resembling a monstrous beehive. From those orifices, nightmarish creatures emerged—giant rats with malice in their eyes.
Ben ignited his lightsaber, a brilliant purple blade that sliced through the inky darkness. Gripping the weapon with both hands, he felt the dark side's power coursing through him, lending him strength. But he was acutely aware that delving too deeply into its abyss would consume him.
His breath echoed in the cavern's eerie silence. The creatures, nearly a hundred of them, remained eerily silent. Ben advanced, his lightsaber's plasma humming through the air, a beacon of hope in the oppressive gloom.
Then, he spotted it—the red one, the behemoth among them. His legs quivered with fear as he beheld the creature's grotesque form. Its spindly legs pulsed with thick, inky veins, muscles rippling beneath its scarred, leathery hide. It stood taller than Appa, an imposing presence that exuded dominance.
The Alpha.
In that moment, realization struck Ben like a thunderbolt. The nexus of the dark side energy, the malevolent creatures, this unholy place—it couldn't have been the work of mere mortals.
"There are no Sith or dark Jedi here, but..." Ben's thoughts trailed off as he tightened his grip on the humming lightsaber. The sinister creatures snarled in his direction, and he took another deliberate step forward.
"Didn't reckon there'd still be Sith Alchemists and Sorcerers in this world," he taunted, his voice unwavering despite the encroaching darkness. Sith Alchemy—a twisted power to alter life with the dark side, a grim art mastered by the likes of Exar Kun and Freedon Nadd, creating grotesque abominations born from the depths of their malevolent sorcery.
Ben had witnessed the aftermath of their macabre experiments on Korriban and other dark side-infested worlds. The creatures lurking in this forsaken canyon bore the scars of that sinister legacy. None of them appeared natural; they seemed to have mutated and adapted to this desolate place.
The Alpha, the towering monstrosity leading this nightmarish pack, had the unmistakable mark of Sith engineering. Ben's instincts screamed for him to flee, to eradicate these abominations, but how could he? He'd dispatched two of them with his lightsaber, but the third nearly took his life. Without Aang's timely intervention, he might have met a gruesome end.
He poised himself for combat, ready to lash out and bring destruction upon these grotesque creatures. But then, it happened—a figure, cloaked in a shimmering blue light, emerged. The radiance faintly resembled the aura of his Jedi master, but it was warped, tainted by malevolence and hatred. The figure stood tall and imposing, like a sentinel of darkness.
Its stature exceeded five meters, draped in inky black robes that seemed to ripple like a sinister mirage beneath the eerie blue glow. The oppressive weight of the dark side pressed against Ben's chest, but he held his lightsaber steady. His breaths came out hollow and harsh, but he maintained his stance.
"Benjamin, the blood of great warriors flows through your veins. Your legacy, a false Jedi... your power, unshackled but restrained by feeble chains," the figure intoned, its voice gravelly and resonating through the vast cavern.
Ben's lightsaber sliced the air as he advanced, his left hand poised for action. "How... how the hell do you know my name, Sith!" he growled, his voice sharp with defiance. "Back, Sith revenant. I have nothing to say to a monster like yourself..."
"I am here to caution you, Jedi exile."
A warning? Ben halted his advance but kept his ignited lightsaber ready in his off hand. "The Sith, the pretenders, they number in the hundreds. Mighty lords have risen in this century-long conflict. But you already know this... you and those you seek to shield will be crushed and torn asunder. Deep down, you recognize that you'll never be one of them. Friend... comrade... Jedi, you are none of these. You shall forever stand alone."
The Sith entity continued its ominous sermon, and Ben turned his gaze away, struggling against the creeping tendrils of doubt. "With your strength... your true strength, you can safeguard your friends and vanquish the false Sith. The Avatar is feeble, and you are the sole hope."
"Sith... the real Sith? What's the difference? The Sith here, I've battled them. They're just like the ones in my universe," Ben countered, his lightsaber humming with tension as it sliced the air dangerously close to the spectral figure. "Enough with the falsehoods, Sithspawn!"
The dark apparition clicked its spectral tongue. "They are false, mere echoes... distorted reflections. But you, Benjamin, you shall be one."
"What!" Ben's blade whizzed, his frustration tangible. "Quit peddling your lies, Sithspawn!"
"You, Benjamin... shall rise as one of the greatest Lords of the Sith. I can already see it."
"I will never fall to the dark side, unlike you. I already know how it feels like, I've been on both ends and on both sides. Never again!" Ben's voice rang out with unwavering determination.
"Oh, but you already have…you already have!" The response carried a haunting quality, echoing with a chilling resonance.
With those cryptic parting words, the spectral figure vanished, its faint light dissipating into the void. All that remained was Ben, his right arm outstretched, his amethyst blade pulsating with lingering energy. The Sith abominations had vanished, even the formidable Alpha was gone.
Ben disengaged his lightsaber with a flicker of his thumb. He contemplated leaving to inform his comrades about his findings, but an inexplicable force held him back. His eyes fixated on a mysterious presence in the center of the room, where the dark spirit had once stood. He felt an almost irresistible urge pulling him towards it, like a moth drawn to a flame.
As he advanced, the only sounds in the cavern were the soft echoes of his footsteps and the continuous murmur of the waterfall cascading through the tunnels.
There, where the spirit had dissipated, lay his enigmatic reward. Ben's outstretched hand reached for it, the Force gently guiding the object toward him. His fingers curled around it, feeling its cold, weighty presence. He extracted it from its resting place and marveled at the artifact in his palm. Slightly larger than his clenched fist, it took the form of a tetrahedron.
Subtle golden lines crisscrossed the surface of the tetrahedron, weaving intricate glyphs and hieroglyphics along its sides. Ben recognized the markings instantly.
"A Sith Holocron…"
The ancient masters of the dark side had used holocrons to encapsulate their wisdom, knowledge, and secrets. Such a device could harbor ancient teachings of the dark side, the secrets of devastating powers, or the keys to unlocking the mysteries of Sith Sorcery.
Silent, Ben held the holocron in his palm, his gaze fixated on the ground beneath his feet. For a fleeting moment, nothing changed. Then, his ghastly smile began to spread, stretching from ear to ear, his white teeth radiant in the dim light.
His fiery eyes pierced the shadows, exuding an eerie glow. Laughter, triumphant and booming, reverberated through the empty halls of the temple. The Jedi, with their feeble attempts to restrain Benjamin and conceal the secret of his true power, were exposed as weak.
The holocron had worked its insidious magic, warping Ben's mind in an instant. Corruption took hold, as the edges of the holocron began to distort, radiating a brighter crimson hue, pulsating with power. The allure of the dark side was overwhelming, intoxicating.
Power... Power to safeguard his friends and obliterate the Sith. That was his sole desire—to see them all annihilated. With this unholy gift, he believed he could fulfill his wish. A sinister snicker escaped his lips as the holocron's brilliant crimson glow danced in his eyes, a malevolent fire stoking his resolve.
The fools on the council, the imbeciles of his order, would always attempt to shackle him, to hold him back from grasping the full extent of this power. Benjamin was not blind to his own strength; he knew he was leagues beyond their feeble understanding. He reveled in the intoxicating power, prepared to absorb the knowledge the gatekeeper would bestow upon him. He understood that he was more than just an apprentice; he was destined for something greater.
"Benji!"
Katara's voice shattered the stillness, reverberating through the cavern like a piercing cry. Ben's eyes snapped back to their usual state, the Sith holocron sealing itself and returning to its mundane appearance. It thudded to the ground as his concentration waned, and a sense of overwhelming shame washed over him. But it was the fear of discovery that propelled him into action. He snatched up the holocron and bolted toward the entrance, propelled by the power of the Force. He leaped into the tunnel and, with a flick of his wrist, slammed the door shut, concealing it from prying eyes outside.
"Ben, where have you been? You've been gone for a long time," Katara queried, her voice laden with concern. She approached him, her gaze falling upon his right hand, which held the mysterious artifact.
"What's that?" Her eyes narrowed as she inched closer, and Ben's heart raced.
"Ah, nothing... just found this thing while I was wandering around," Ben replied nonchalantly, crafting a quick lie to mask his guilt. Katara's gaze shifted from him to the object, and she shrugged, seemingly satisfied.
"Yeah, maybe you should get rid of it. It's kind of creepy," she commented before turning to leave. Ben nodded hastily, perhaps too hastily.
"Yeah, I'll just slice it up with my lightsaber," he quipped, concealing his inner turmoil. Katara walked away, and Ben, igniting his purple blade, lowered the holocron to the ground. Holding it with both hands, he raised his lightsaber for an overhead strike but halted, unigniting the blade.
Using the Force, he drew the holocron back into his right hand, studying the intricate markings on its sides. A sardonic chuckle escaped him, and he turned his gaze toward Katara, only to find her gone. Reigniting his lightsaber, its purple glow the sole illumination in the cave, he pocketed the holocron and began his journey back to camp.
As he walked, an eerie sensation washed over him, a peculiar feeling of being watched. He dismissed it as paranoia and pressed on. Unbeknownst to him, a malevolent darkness lingered within the cave, a malevolence birthed from the dark side, and a chilling laugh echoed in the chamber.
"You will be one of the greatest..." The words reverberated as the rats and their Alpha clung to the ceiling and walls, their malevolence building. Impatience gripped them as their master vanished. The abominations hungered and were now prepared, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. Alpha's aura masked their presence in the Force as he commanded:
"ALPHA IS HUNGRY."
In unison, they moved forward, jaws and razor-sharp teeth primed to shred everything in their path. The hunt had commenced, and Benjamin's greatest challenge was only beginning.