22 / Like Old Times
Dathomir's red sky and howling winds greeted the three Jedi as they stepped off of the Rogue. Cal looked up at the remains of Merrin's home before him, his eyes scanning for danger. He could see a lone nydak lurking beneath the upper path, but otherwise all was quiet. He began to lead the way, Kata and Teelo following close behind him. They walked in silence up to the entrance, both Kata and Teelo's eyes wandering upward as they made their way through. Cal was used to the atmosphere on Dathomir, but neither of them had been here before, and he remembered what it was like the first time he'd walked these halls. The first time he'd met Merrin...
"Is it always so eerie here?" Kata asked quietly.
"Yep." Cal confirmed.
"Merrin's suddenly makin' a lot more sense to me now." Teelo mused.
Cal huffed a laugh.
"Does anyone else get the feeling we're being watched, or is that just me?" Kata wondered.
"It's not just you..." Teelo's tone was apprehensive.
"boo-bwee."
"The Nightbrothers still live here, they're likely watching us right now," Cal explained. "As long as we stay out of their way, they'll stay out of ours."
Kata didn't feel very reassured, and neither did Teelo it seemed, as she watched their eyes immediately dart around, searching for shapes lurking in the shadows. She stayed close to their side and followed behind Cal as he led them up the stairs, through a door he opened with the Force and up to the ruined bridge. Cal could see the Temple from where they stood, they were so close now, but he hesitated.
"Perfect spot for an ambush." Teelo observed.
"Mm-hm." Cal agreed.
"I'll go ahead, check it out." Kata offered.
"Ok, but be—" She teleported away before Cal could finish his warning. "—careful..."
The two older Jedi watched her make her way to the other side, staying high up, observing the ground below, before she re-appeared next to them.
"Looks clear."
"boo-loop."
"Alright, then."
Kata stayed with them now as Cal led them across the bridge, jumping the gaps and scaling the wall at the other end. He could feel his anxiety rising in anticipation as they approached the steps, the ruins of what was once the Nightsister's Temple towering before them. A sudden intense fear gripped him; what if they weren't here? They'd made it all the way up here without seeing so much as a trace, but knowing Merrin, that was by design. He hoped that they weren't too late, that the Empire hadn't already come looking for them, but he dismissed the thought immediately. Merrin was here, he could feel her presence.
Suddenly the four of them heard the great doors at the Temple's entrance begin to open and they halted in their tracks. Cal looked up, his stomach in knots, hand hovering over his saber out of instinct. But his position immediately relaxed once the doors opened and he saw both Merrin and Greez standing there. Cal locked eyes with Merrin, suddenly frozen where he stood, almost in disbelief at seeing her in front of him. But there she was – her beautiful tattooed face, her soft brown eyes, her warm smile. He saw so many emotions wash over her face; surprise, relief, worry. He picked up on every subtle change in her expression. In that moment, all he saw was her, nothing else in the Galaxy existed to him.
Merrin's breath hitched in her throat as she hastily descended the steps toward him, and Cal's feet finally pulled him forwards until they met on the landing and embraced. He exhaled for the first time since Tanalorr fell, having not realised that he had been holding his breath. He heard a shaky sigh escape her lips, and they held each other tighter. He melted into her warmth, never wanting to let go of her again. Neither of them had truly realised how difficult it had been, being apart, until they were finally back in each other's arms. It had been agony, not knowing where the other was, if they were ok, if they would ever see each other again.
Eventually Cal pulled back from their embrace only to cup Merrin's face in his hands and kiss her like it was the first time again, on that cliff on Jedha. Merrin wrapped her arms around the Jedi and kissed him back with all the fire she had within her, not caring about the others around them, watching. Cal pulled away from her lips reluctantly and opened his eyes. Merrin met his gaze and smiled sweetly, a single unexpected tear cascading down her cheek.
"Took you long enough." She teased.
Cal chuckled and wiped the tear away with his thumb.
"I'm sorry I kept you waiting." He replied softly.
Merrin's brows pushed together and she leaned in to kiss him once more. She was relieved beyond words to see him, to hold him at last. Relieved, but also terrified, knowing in the back of her mind the conversation they would have to have sooner than later. But it could wait for now – for now she just wanted to hold him, to kiss him, to see him in front of her and know that he was real. They eventually separated and stared into each other's eyes for a moment before Cal moved aside. Merrin looked down and a smile spread across her face to see who was standing at the bottom of the steps.
"Kata."
"Merrin!"
Kata sprinted up the steps and rushed into her outstretched arms. Merrin held the girl tightly, stroking her hair in comfort as she whispered something in Dathomiri. Truthfully, Merrin had been terrified for her, knowing that she had escaped Tanalorr on her own. She was relieved that she and Cal had found each other.
"I missed you so much." Kata said tearily as she broke away from their embrace.
Merrin cupped her face in her tattooed hands.
"I missed you too, sólnyshka."
Kata smiled at the term of endearment and BD-1 began hopping up and down on her shoulder happily.
"bweeee!"
"Yes, you as well, droid." Merrin assured him, booping his little nose.
BD wiggled his body and Kata chuckled at him. Merrin's gaze lifted towards Teelo as they ascended the steps behind Kata. She had not been sure whether she would see them with Cal and she still had many questions about what had happened, but she held her tongue for now, as she was pleased to see them.
"Merrin."
"Teelo."
She reached her hand out to them and they took it, knowing they weren't fond of much physical affection, unless it was a hug from Kata.
"Are you alright?" Their tone was concerned.
"Yes," She nodded once. "Glad to see all of you."
"You can say that again." Greez finally made his presence known as he reached them.
Cal immediately turned and knelt down to hug the Latero.
"It's good to see you too, kid." Greez said sincerely.
"You ok?" Cal asked as he pulled away, laying a hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Merrin's fine, we're all fine here. Well, I mean, mostly, the others are... well, it's been a rough few days, but I'm sure I don't gotta tell you that..."
Greez was rambling and it made Cal narrow his eyes. He only rambled when he was having trouble not saying something he wasn't supposed to say. He definitely knew something he was trying very hard not to blurt out, and Cal had a feeling he knew what that was. He stood as Kata approached them and knelt down to throw her arms around Greez.
"I missed you, Greez."
"Aw, thanks Kata, that's nice."
Greez's tone softened and he hugged her back with all four of his arms. No one could make the old Latero sappy the way Kata could; he had a real soft spot for her, and who could blame him? Kata stood and BD-1 jumped down from her back to circle Greez.
"bwoo-doop!"
"Yeah, yeah, you too, BD."
The droid finished his circle, then scaled Kata's leg back onto her shoulder. The six of them looked around at each other for a moment before Greez loudly addressed the bantha in the room.
"So, I'm guessin' by the fact that Teelo's still here that they're not a traitor, then?"
"Did any of you not suspect me of betraying you?" They asked emphatically.
"I didn't." Kata pointed out.
"See, this is why you're my favourite." They joked.
Kata giggled, a sound Cal hadn't heard her make in a while now and he smiled at hearing it.
"It's a very long story," He sighed. "And we still don't have all the pieces yet, but we'll explain everything later."
"Come," Merrin gestured toward the door. "We should not linger in the open."
Cal's eyes darted about them as the group headed up to the Temple. Merrin waited for him and he took her hand, smiling at her as they made their way up the steps. The last time Cal had been here was with Merrin almost a year before. It had been strange then, to be back, and it was even stranger now. The ruins were exactly how he remembered them, but the energy had shifted somewhat, and he couldn't exactly pinpoint in what way. Perhaps it had something to do with all of the people that were now occupying the once empty space. Cal's brows shot up as he saw the survivors that were milling about the room. There were more than he'd expected – many more.
"You've been busy." He turned to Merrin.
"Some of them came with us from Tanalorr," She explained. "The rest we found in the days that followed."
"How many?"
"Sixty-seven."
Sixty-seven people... his eyes scanned the room at them all. Many of them had looked up as they'd entered, some of them smiling, but all of them looked both weary and restless at the same time. Cal recognised each and every one of their faces and just seeing them filled him with both hope and dread. He also recognised the look in their eyes; it was a look he knew well by now.
"Cal."
He turned to his right to see Mosey approaching and he smiled as he met her in an embrace.
"It's good to see you."
"Likewise," She returned his sentiment. "I told 'em you'd show up eventually."
"Thanks for keepin' everyone safe."
"You bet."
"Zee!"
Kata suddenly rushed forward and Cal looked across the room to see not only Zee, but Doma Dendra, Turgle, Moran and Dreyo as well.
"Oh, Kata, it's so good to see you hale and whole!" Zee enthused.
"myam-wam!"
"Well, look what the gundark dragged in." Doma said as Cal approached.
"Oh, Cal, I can't tell ya how worried we've been!" Turgle exclaimed.
"Speak for yourself, frog," Moran was his usual sullen self. "They've all been fretting like relters in heat, no matter how many times I reminded them you're the insect the Empire can never seem to squish beneath their excessively shiny boots."
Cal knew that was his very colourful and back-handed way of complimenting him.
"It's good to see you guys, too," He returned. "When we saw the attack on Koboh, we feared the worst..."
"They came down on us hard," Doma nodded. "But we're made of sturdier stuff in The Reach."
"Yeah, we're survivors, Cal," Turgle added. "It'll take more than a little Imperial Invasion to take us down!"
"Turgle?"
"Eh?"
"Stop talkin'."
Cal smiled at their exchange.
"What about the others?" Kata asked.
Several pairs of eyes looked down at her sadly and Cal knew what that meant.
"We have yet to hear from anyone else," Zee admitted. "But we must not give up hope, yet."
"We made it out, there's a good chance others might've, too." Doma agreed.
"If they did, we'll find them," Cal assured them. "You'll all be home before you know it."
"Won't be much of a home left now," Dreyo pointed out. "And I'm willin' to bet you lot are in the same ship."
"bwoo..."
"We took a heavy hit," Cal admitted. "But we've been here before. We'll bounce back, we always do."
"Well, we can't all have your optimism." Moran doubted.
"I know things are bad. Hell, they've probably never been worse, but we're gonna figure this out. We're not prepared to give up just yet."
"If there is anything we can do to assist, do not hesitate to ask." Zee offered.
"We've still got a bit o' usefulness left in us." Doma added.
"Will do." Cal nodded.
"Ah, I see you survived as well." Moran remarked.
Cal turned to his right as Teelo and Merrin joined them.
"Moran," Teelo greeted the other Mirialan with a curt nod. "Good to see you all made it out."
Kata's eyes wandered around her, taking in the Nightsisters' Temple.
"This place is incredible." She said aloud.
"Would you like to see more?" Merrin asked.
Kata looked at her and nodded enthusiastically.
"Come," Merrin smiled, leading the way. "I will show you."
Kata followed her and Cal and Teelo trailed behind. Merrin led them up the steps and through the large doorway into the adjacent room. There were bedrolls lining the walls, only a few of them occupied by the injured who were being tended by other survivors.
"The Anchorites?" Cal asked as his thoughts turned to them.
Merrin turned back toward him as she walked.
"I don't know if any survived."
Cal's eyes fell to the floor.
"wooo..."
"I'm sure at least a few of them made it out," Teelo said. "They're more resilient than most."
Cal nodded at them, but he wasn't feeling very optimistic. This was the second time the Narkis Anchorites had been slaughtered, displaced and hunted by the Empire. Though Teelo was right, they were tougher than most. They followed Merrin up the eerie hall and through a narrow passage at the end. Cal remembered having to squeeze through here before, but it seemed like either Merrin or the decay of time had widened it.
Kata's eyes were immediately drawn upward to the impossibly tall ceiling that had been overtaken by the roots she had seen everywhere outside. Her gaze drew down the walls adorned with a hieroglyphic language she couldn't read, but she remembered seeing it before, first on Bogano, then on Zeffo, then Ontotho. Her eyes widened as they rested on the ashen remains of what appeared to be Zeffonians lining either side of the room. Their hands were outstretched, some of them sunken into the floor, like they were drowning.
"The Zeffo?" Kata asked, looking behind her at Cal.
"That's right," He confirmed. "This is the tomb of Kujet, where we found the Astrium and fought Malicos together."
"That was a long time ago." Merrin looked at Cal and smiled.
"Sometimes it feels like yesterday." He smiled back.
"Yes." Merrin nodded.
"bwoo-loop."
Kata remembered the story from when they'd told her years ago, of their confrontation with the former Jedi after forming an unlikely alliance. They continued to the round platform in the very centre of the Temple proper and Kata marvelled at the enormous statues that were carved from the rock around them – four of them, depicting a Zeffonian holding some kind of orb.
"Is that Kujet?" Kata wondered.
"Most likely," Cal replied. "It was said he ruled with fear, that he embraced the Dark Side. He promised his followers great power and cast his enemies into the pits below us."
"Sounds like every other tyrant in history." Teelo observed.
Cal hummed in agreement. Kata's eyes took in the ancient majesty of the tomb, able to feel its history simply by standing in it. Soon her gaze returned to those ashen figures and she heard Cal walk over to join her.
"What happened to them?" She looked up at him.
He glanced down at her, BD-1 also looking at him curiously from her shoulder.
"They defied Kujet, so he used the Astrium to petrify them in a state of unending pain and suffering."
"bwoo..."
Kata looked upon the figures sadly, understanding they were people once, not unlike them. They suffered oppression and cruelty at the hands of a ruler who sought only to deceive and destroy them. The sight of them now, frozen forever in time, made her wonder who they were in life.
"Does this place frighten you, Kata?" Merrin asked.
She turned towards the older Nightsister and shook her head.
"No, it's fascinating..."
Merrin smiled at her inquisitive nature, watching her as her eyes took in the wonder of this ancient and unfamiliar place.
"... And it makes me sad at the same time." She added.
"Why does it make you sad?" Merrin questioned.
Kata thought for a moment, her gaze fixed on one of the statues.
"Kujet ruled with power and fear, it was all he had," She explained. "Maybe he thought himself mighty, like a god. But in the end, he and all his disciples turned to dust, just like everything else. And now no one's left to remember them."
"Such is the way of things," Merrin said. "Power is not dangerous on its own, Kata. But when paired with darkness, with evil, it can corrupt everything it touches."
"You don't even have to be someone like Kujet," Teelo added, causing the two Nightsisters to turn towards them as they stared up at the depictions, their arms crossed. "Power, darkness, fear... it can corrupt even the purest of minds."
They looked down at Kata sadly and her face softened as she smiled.
"You don't seem very corrupt to me." She pointed out.
"boo-bweep."
They smiled back at them both gratefully.
"I suppose Dathomir must feel somewhat familiar to you." Merrin observed.
"It does," Teelo nodded. "Though it's hard to believe it's only been a few years since I left Ontotho – it feels like a lifetime ago now."
"You were a different person," Cal pointed out. "You've come a long way since then."
"They certainly have." Merrin agreed.
Teelo smiled at Cal and Merrin was pleased to see the two of them seemed to be on good terms once again. She had been concerned for what Cal might have done falsely believing Teelo to have betrayed them, but she saw no distrust in Cal's eyes when he looked at them now. She knew they all had a lot of catching up to do, when the moment was right.
Kata's brows furrowed as she peered at the doorway at the far end of the room that was shrouded in red light. She took a few steps towards it intending to get a closer look, but Cal stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
"Best we don't disturb the tomb," He advised, nodding towards the doorway. "There is great darkness within."
"I'm not afraid." Kata refuted.
Cal smiled.
"I know you're not, but this place isn't like Tanalorr. The darkness here can play tricks on your mind; make you see things that aren't real."
Kata looked back at the doorway, and the longer she looked, the more uneasy she became. She could feel it, the darkness Cal talked about, emanating from within.
"Ok." She nodded at him.
She left him to join Teelo as they examined the carvings at the edge of the platform and Cal looked over at Merrin. She stood at the opposite side, looking up at the statue of Kujet, her form almost blending in with their surroundings, exactly like she belonged there. He saw his opportunity and walked over to join her.
"It's strange," He said, stopping at her side. "Being here again."
"Like old times."
The Nightsister shrugged a shoulder, then looked up at the Jedi with a sly smile. They turned toward each other and Cal took her hand, interlacing their fingers. Merrin turned her face to the side as she leaned into him, sighing contentedly, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and held her close. His gaze flicked up to meet Teelo's and he motioned with his eyes towards the doorway. They nodded in understanding and leant down to Kata, touching the back of their hand to her arm to get her attention.
"Why don't we give them a minute?" They suggested quietly.
Kata and BD looked over at the two of them, then she nodded at Teelo. The trio headed back the way they'd come in and Cal mouthed "thanks" at Teelo, who gave a thumbs-up and winked in response. Once he and Merrin were alone at last in the eerie silence of the temple, Cal steeled himself to have the conversation he knew they needed to have.
"Merrin..."
She leaned back and he withdrew his arm, instead taking her hand as he had the other, needing to hold onto her for support. He didn't know how to begin, he had a thousand questions and he wasn't sure which to ask first.
"I'm glad you're safe. I was afraid I'd never see you again."
Merrin smiled that sweet smile he so loved.
"That's my line; you're the one who tried to fight Vader alone like the fool Jedi you are."
Cal chuckled, then his face was apologetic.
"I'm sorry, but I had to protect Kata from him, and Tanalorr."
"I know. I'm glad you survived."
"I wouldn't have if it wasn't for Teelo. I was wrong about them."
"We both were, about a great many things."
Cal's mouth turned up in a small smile at her reassurance, and Merrin's face fell. It was strange to her, but she could sense something between them. A certain tension, an unspoken energy. She knew not what was causing it, but she knew he must be feeling it, too. She felt her body begin to tremble as she realised she could wait no longer to tell him. She had already squandered one opportunity, it had to be now.
"Cal, there is something you must know..."
"Merrin..." He interrupted her gently, taking a small step closer to her and looking into her eyes. "... I know."
She was confused by his response at first, and was about to refute him, for how could he possibly have known? But then she looked, really looked into his deep green eyes and saw the depth of emotion in them. She felt his nervousness, his anticipation, and she realised he knew exactly what she was about to say.
"You do know," Her brows furrowed. "How?"
Cal didn't reply, instead he reached into the pouch on his belt, pulled out her gold compass and placed it into her hand. He didn't miss the surprised gasp that left her lips when she saw the object, understanding all at once what it meant.
"You went back."
Cal nodded slowly.
"We were hoping to find some clues about what happened. I found it right where you left it, and..." He looked her directly in the eyes, despite the fear that was gripping him. "I saw you with Sister Bertha, the day of the attack."
Merrin eyes widened slightly as she stared into his. She recalled that fateful morning, one of the last moments of happiness she could remember before the world fell apart. He had seen it, then, with his gift. She had felt guilty for hiding it from him, even for a short time. He reached up to rest his hand on her neck, gently caressing her jaw with his thumb.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
It was not an accusation, but rather a desperate plea on his part to make sense of what he'd seen, of what he knew. Merrin hesitated before answering honestly.
"There was so much else happening," She explained. "And, until that morning, I only suspected. I did not wish to give you false hope by telling you, not until I was certain."
"Are you certain?"
Merrin couldn't help her lips pulling up in a small smile as she nodded.
"Yes."
Cal exhaled a shaky breath and looked down briefly, taking a moment to process. Merrin waited patiently as she watched a million thoughts and feelings cross his face, until he finally looked back at her and a smile spread across his face. Even though he had already seen it, to hear it from her somehow made it more real, and he couldn't quite believe it. He couldn't make his mouth form words, so he simply rested his forehead against hers and they both closed their eyes, basking in each other's glow.
"I don't know whether to be happy or terrified." Cal eventually whispered.
"Perhaps both?"
The Jedi chuckled. His hand trembled as he dropped it from her neck to touch it gently to her stomach. A shaky breath left his lips as he felt her warm hand rest atop his. He focused, reaching out with his feelings, and realised he could feel something. It wasn't like anything he'd felt before, it felt different – Merrin felt different. He opened his eyes as it finally began to sink in. She was pregnant; they were going to have a child. The child they had talked about and dreamed of for years was growing in her body at that moment. It felt impossible; he was almost convinced that at any moment he would wake up to find this was all a dream.
"I can feel them..." He whispered.
"Yes." Merrin nodded knowingly.
If this all felt this strange to Cal, he couldn't begin to imagine how she was feeling. He wished he had been here for her these last few days, but he was here now, and he wasn't going to leave her side.
"I love you," He stared intensely into her eyes. "More than anything."
"I know."
Another smile pulled at his lips and he leaned in to kiss her with all of his passion. He loved her more than he could ever say. He felt so lucky to be standing here with her, in the place they had first met, all these years later. Still together, still breathing, still strong. Despite their situation, despite what they had lost, he basked in this moment of joy with her, knowing it would be one he would remember for the rest of his days.
Merrin felt equally as fortunate to have Cal by her side once again. After all of the fear and uncertainty of the past few days, just to be with him was a blessing. But deep down, she had known he would come back to her, for somehow, he always found a way. She pulled back from their kiss to look deeply, lovingly into his emerald eyes. She hoped she would always look into those eyes and see him smiling down at her like this. Her love, her loyal partner, the father of her child.
"Who else knows?" He soon asked.
"Only Greez." She replied.
"Teelo."
"Kata?"
"No," He shook his head. "I didn't want to tell her until I had spoken to you."
"Then we can tell her together."
A wide smile spread across Cal's face at the thought. He wasn't quite sure how Kata would react to the news, but he was excited to tell her all the same.
"I must admit, I am relieved," Merrin admitted. "A small part of me was worried you might be disappointed."
"Disappointed?" Cal was slightly alarmed. "No, of course not. I mean, the timing could be a little better, but since when has anything in our lives gone to plan?"
Merrin smiled, both relieved and a little sad at the truth of his words.
"Merrin," He continued, resting both hands against her neck. "We started down this path because it was what we both wanted, and that hasn't changed for me. Sure, there were more than a few bumps on the road to get here, but this is a blessing – a gift of light in amongst all this darkness."
The Nightsister was glad to hear his sincere words and know he felt the same as she did.
"It will be harder now, without Tanalorr." She pointed out.
"Then it's gonna be harder. But I can't wait to take this next step in our journey together."
Cal saw the emotion welling up in Merrin's eyes as she smiled at him and he leaned down to kiss her sweetly once more. No matter what happened now, he knew his purpose, and he wasn't going to give it up without a fight.
Eventually, Cal and Merrin made their way back to re-join the others and Teelo got their attention from where they were talking with Mosey. The two approached, still holding hands, both of them feeling somewhat giddy from their little shared secret.
"Mosey was just catching me up to speed." Teelo informed.
"What's the word?" Cal prompted.
"They picked these guys up on Mygeeto a day ago," Teelo gestured toward the survivors from Rambler's Reach. "The rest came from Tanalorr either on the Mantis or the Emissary, the other yacht that escaped with the convoy."
"We picked up the Emissary's signal on Klatooine two days ago," Mosey added. "There were thirty people stranded in the desert near the wreckage."
"That leaves the three freighters still unaccounted for." Cal deduced.
"Redarr and Greez have been monitoring, but so far the other ships have yet to activate their emergency beacons." Merrin said.
"Which either means they're dead, captured, or they've landed somewhere under Imperial control." Teelo pointed out.
"Right, which is pretty much everywhere in the Galaxy these days." Cal rubbed his forehead.
"We'll find them, Cal," Teelo assured. "But for now we could all use some rest."
Cal nodded in agreement, feeling incredibly weary himself as the last few days were starting to catch up with him. He looked around then, noticing someone was missing.
"Where's Kata?"
Teelo looked behind them and Cal looked past them to see Kata sitting with Redarr in the corner of the room, holding a baby in her arms, and Cal had a feeling he knew who it was. He patted Teelo and Mosey on the shoulders as he passed them.
"Master Kestis." Redarr addressed him as he approached with a respectful bow of his head.
"Redarr," Cal nodded. "I'm glad to see you safe."
"You as well, and Master Niteva. It's a relief to see you both, and Kata, too," He smiled at her as he said this. "I was beginning to fear I was the only one left."
Cal smiled sadly at the young man and laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He looked down at Kata, her eyes focused on the infant in her arms who was sleeping peacefully, blissfully unaware of all that was happening around him. He knelt down in front of her so he could see her face.
"Kata?"
She glanced up at him, her eyes filled with sorrow.
"I saved him, on Tanalorr," Her voice was thick. "I took him from Nells, just before she..."
She couldn't finish her sentence, the words catching in her throat. She sniffled and wiped away a tear that fell down her cheek.
"I'm just glad he's ok."
She looked up at Cal and her expression compelled him to comfort her. He touched his fingers gently to the wispy hairs on little Porro's head, filled with sorrow that he had already been orphaned before his life had barely begun. He couldn't help but think of his own child, unable to bear the thought of them suffering the same fate. He had to make sure that would never happen.
"He is ok, because of you," Cal reassured her. "We may not have been able to save everyone, but you saved him."
She smiled at him gratefully, her eyes still teary, and he tucked a few loose strands of her hair behind her right ear affectionately. Porro began to fuss and Kata shushed him, bouncing him gently.
"I will take him, Kata."
Cal turned at Merrin's voice over his right shoulder. Kata handed the baby to her and she comforted him in a low voice. Cal's heart swelled with love and pride to see her holding little Porro, imagining her doing the same with their child someday. He couldn't wait for that day to come. She caught him staring and gave a familiar smile and he knew her thoughts mirrored his.
They all spent the rest of the evening milling about the Temple, the respite much needed after the events of the last few days. Cal made the rounds, talking with everyone he could, checking in with the wounded, lending a hand where he was needed, and he could see the others doing the same. Teelo was talking with Mosey, gesturing as they spoke, and Cal knew they were coordinating the defense of the Temple. Merrin and Greez were passing out cups of hot tea, people smiling at them in thanks. Even BD-1 was doing his part, entertaining the children who sat around him, a few of them even laughing.
He realised he couldn't see Kata and his eyes scanned the room, catching her back just as she slipped out of the main doors. His brows furrowed, concerned about her being out there alone. But he knew she could handle herself and wouldn't wander far, she probably just needed a moment alone. He waited a few minutes before he went out after her.
Kata stood alone on the cliff outside the ruins, looking out over what remained of a village once thriving. She tried to imagine what Dathomir would've been like when the Nightsisters were still there. She saw them, all around her, in the remnants of their lives. The Padawan turned her gaze to the sky, black now but for the light of Dathomir's moons and the distant stars too numerous to count. This place was shrouded in a dark energy, but there was still beauty and memory.
"There you are."
Cal's voice made her turn, having been too distracted to sense him coming.
"You okay? I saw you slip away."
"Just needed to clear my head. The energy in there, it's... strange."
Cal nodded knowingly.
"It's the Darkness. I know firsthand how powerful that energy is. Having Merrin with us helps to protect us, but I'd wager even those in there that aren't Force-sensitive would be able to feel it."
Kata hummed in agreement, having sensed its power herself. Cal joined his Apprentice at the edge of the cliff and looked up at the night sky as she was. He was beginning to feel the whirlwind of the last several days catching up with him.
"How are you doing, Kata?" He asked.
She took a moment to answer.
"I'm just relieved we found Merrin and Greez and the other survivors, and that everyone's ok. I feel like now we can finally stop chasing our tails and figure out our next move."
"Yeah, me too."
The two of them enjoyed the quiet for a long moment. Cal looked out over the bridge and the village below, eyes searching for danger, but also taking it all in. It had been a while since he'd been on Dathomir, he'd forgotten how strangely peaceful it was at night.
"When you look at Dathomir," He eventually broke the silence and looked down at Kata. "What do you see?"
"A lot of nasty critters and broken pots?"
Cal rolled his eyes at her sarcastic tone.
"I mean what do you see?"
"I know what you mean, Cal."
Kata's eyes moved around the scenery before them, taking in everything she saw.
"I see..." She pondered before answering. "People. Lives once lived. I see the Nightsisters, praying, training, practicing their craft. Sometimes I think I hear them, their whispers, but I can't make out what they're saying. But I can feel them, everywhere. It's strange, but I feel... connected to them somehow."
"It is not so strange."
Both of them turned at the sound of Merrin's voice behind them. The Nightsister approached them where they stood.
"My sisters are dead, but they are not gone. Their spirits remain to watch over and protect their home, and they recognise one of their own."
"Me? But I'm not—"
"Kata," Merrin interrupted, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You may not be Dathomirian by blood, but our Magick flows through you as it does me. You are as much a Nightsister as you are a Jedi."
Merrin smiled warmly at her and touched her thumb to her chin. Kata smiled back, feeling strangely validated by both Merrin's acceptance and that of her sisters.
"I hope I'll live up to the title some day."
"You already do."
"Merrin's right, Kata," Cal agreed. "You've come a long way these last few years, and in this last week alone, and we couldn't be prouder."
It filled Kata's heart with warmth to hear him say that.
"Thank you. Both of you."
Cal smiled and Merrin stepped back to sit on a large rock.
"Tell me, what else do you see in Dathomir?" She asked.
Kata turned back to the still night, her expression turning pensive.
"I see the destruction of the Empire. I feel the loss, the pain, the loneliness. I feel the sadness of your sisters, Merrin."
Kata faced her again as Cal joined her in taking a seat.
"But I also feel peace and hope where there was once anger."
"I feel it also," Merrin nodded. "The last twenty years have been a time of great change for Dathomir, and soon enough, all memory of my people will be gone."
"Don't say that." Kata lamented.
"All things must end, Kata, nothing may last forever. All civilisations rise and fall; it is the natural order of the Universe."
Kata nodded wistfully, understanding she was right. It just seemed a sad thing to her that one day there would be no more Nightsisters, no one to carry on that legacy. She supposed the same fate would befall the Jedi before long, too.
"When I first left Dathomir many years ago with this one—" She gestured to the red-haired Jedi on her right who huffed a laugh "—a small part of me felt it may have been a betrayal to them, to all that we were. But what I have gained and learned in the years that followed is far more valuable than I could have imagined."
She smiled at Cal as she said this and reached over to lay her hand on his leg affectionately, and he laid his atop hers.
"You don't ever wish you had stayed?" Kata asked.
"Never," Merrin replied confidently. "If I had not made the decision to leave, I would not be sitting here now. None of us would. And I would not be the person that I am. Dathomir will always be my home, but a Nightsister is not all that I am, not anymore."
Cal smirked at the double-meaning in her words and snaked his arm around her waist to hold her close as she leaned into him. Kata smiled at the two of them. People around her had always remarked them as a strange couple, but that was only until they got to know them, then they understood what she did. Cal and Merrin couldn't have looked more different or come from more opposite places in the Galaxy, but they were one and the same. They were true soul mates, star-crossed and united by love and purpose. It was obvious how they felt about each other. In all the years Kata had known them, that was perhaps the one thing that had remained constant.
Cal looked at Merrin, raised his brows and gestured towards Kata with his head, silently communicating with her while Kata seemed distracted. Merrin nodded in response.
"Kata?"
Cal's voice startled her from her thought process and she looked at him expectantly.
"We have something important we need to tell you."
She was instantly apprehensive at his tone.
"Ok, but I'll warn you, I'm not sure I can handle any more Galaxy-shattering revelations today."
Cal chuckled and looked at Merrin for her to continue. She smiled and turned to Kata.
"We are going to have a child."
Kata thought she'd misheard for a second and replayed the words in her brain. It took a moment for her to realise her ears hadn't deceived her and her face turned from confusion, to shock, to a wide smile.
"I knew it!" She exclaimed.
"What?" Cal questioned.
"Nothing! I mean..."
She felt the corners of her eyes sting and she rushed forward and threw her arms around them both, overjoyed.
"This is the best news I've ever heard!" She declared, her voice thick with emotion.
Her mentors hugged her back for a long moment. Cal was pleased by her reaction, having not really known what to expect. He was happy that she seemed happy. Eventually she released them only to punch Cal in the arm, earning an "ow" from him.
"That's why you were acting so weird when we left Tanalorr," She accused. "You knew, didn't you?"
"I didn't know, I saw, and I wanted to talk to Merrin before I assumed anything."
"I knew something was up, you looked like you'd seen a ghost."
"Yeah, well..."
Cal's voice trailed off, deciding now wasn't the best time to bring up his conversation with Cere. Kata took Merrin's hand, looking at her with love and concern.
"How are you feeling? Are you ok?" She asked.
"I am fine, mostly," Merrin nodded. "It is still early."
"So you gotta keep it a secret for now," Cal added. "Besides you, only Greez and Teelo know."
"Teelo knew before me? That bastard!" Kata cursed.
"Hey," Cal scolded through his chuckle. "I need your word on this, Kata."
"I won't tell anyone, I promise," She smiled at them both. "I'm really happy for you guys."
"Thank you, Kata." Merrin replied.
Cal watched her face start to fall, her eyes wandering to the ground, and he knew where her thoughts were.
"What do we do now?" She asked, looking up at him. "Tanalorr, Haven, it's all gone."
"But it's not lost, Kata," He reminded. "Not while we're still here to fight for it."
"What are you thinking?" Merrin asked.
Cal looked between them both, the two most important women in his life. His family, his future, sitting right beside him, awaiting his answer expectantly. He had never felt more determined to fight, for them, for the world he wanted them to live in. For the world he wanted his child to grow up in.
"I'm thinking it's time we take back our home from the Empire."