Kaitis - Part 1
Bane watched the three walk away, a dark expression crossing his face. Something about the way Siren followed this zabrak bothered him. Surely she was smarter than that? Why she stared at the dark cloaked man with reverence, he could not be sure. She had always been so independent, feisty and outspoken when he had encountered her in the past. Her first mission, still a child and she had completed it admirably. She was one of the few people that he maintained respect for. But… this? This strange puppy-like behaviour? He was intensely suspicious. She couldn't be… in love? Could she? She didn't seem the type. To just turn into a mewling love struck moron? Over… that? A boy that looked barely older than her and twice as foolish. It made more sense this was another act. Still, he was suspicious and it did not leave his mind. For now however, there were other things to attend to.
"You heard the man," He growled to the other hunters with his electronically enhanced voice. "We've got another ship to steal." He turned away, ignoring the other two talking. His eyes scanning the horizon for incoming hunters.
As the two Sith and Jedi moved forward, crossing the rocky and uneven terrain, they fell into a steady pace, with Zaiya leading and scouting ahead, along with the probe droids, Eldra just trying to keep her balance and the Zabrak male bringing up the rear, watching both of them carefully.
Zaiya found herself at one point lingering beside the blue-skinned Twi'lek just observing her, curious about the Jedi. She didn't seem so stuck up and smug. She looked more unsure and a little frightened. At one point, she stumbled, and Zaiya instinctively reached out to catch the girl. Eldra looked up with a surprised expression, probably due to suspicion of the sith. Understandable.
"How long have you been training as a Padawan?" Zaiya asked suddenly as they walked forward, eyeing the contraption keeping her arms twisted behind her back. It looked awfully uncomfortable.
Eldra shot her a suspicious look. "Why do you care? You plan on killing me anyway."
"Well… he plans on killing you, and if he does so, then what do you have to lose?" Zaiya shrugged. "Indulge me." There was a silence, if her master was listening, he didn't seem to care, or perhaps he was curious as to what she was doing. Finally, the Jedi spoke up.
"Since I was young, it's been eleven years." She admitted.
"Were you close with your master?"
"Yes, she was like a mother to me." The padawan seemed glad to talk about her, "She was a Pantoran, very skilled in her skills and wiser than I could ever be." She replied with a small smile. "We were travelling to Pantora after a request from the council, we were escorting a senator for their protection, when suddenly the ship was set on by pirates. They destroyed the hyperdrive and we couldn't get away, they had us before we could even react." The Twi'lek let out a sigh, and Zaiya realised that she hadn't truly been given the time to grieve.
"I'm sorry for your loss." Zaiya told her solemnly. There was a silence.
"Don't mock me. You're Sith, why would you care?" Eldra responded bitterly.
"You presume much, what do you really know of sith?"
"You're evil."
"Maybe… but that's from your point of view." Zaiya shrugged. "It doesn't mean I cannot understand your loss, and sympathize with it. I too know what it's like to lose the most important person to me." She confessed quietly. "I was fortunate to find them again, but the version of them I knew is lost. I may not know you, Eldra Kaitis, but you do not know us either." She stepped across a few rocks, holding a hand out to balance Eldra as she followed. Eldra looked at her for a long time, quiet, contemplative, had her words had an effect on her point of view?
"Careful, you're sounding like a Jedi." Eldra replied. Her master had drop-kicked the last person to call him a Jedi, but Zaiya just let out a laugh, the sound bubbling up through her as she walked. Her hand had to cover her mouth to muffle the sound. She noticed the Jedi relax a little at the genuine sound.
"From you, I will take that as a compliment." She shook her head as she climbed down from the rocky plateau to the level below. As they made their way down and along a winding path through a sort of valley. The droids scouted about, beeping and whirring as they scanned for any incoming hunters.
"The Jedi is not here to become your playmate, my apprentice." He growled as he approached her.
"I am aware, master." Zaiya responded with a nod, "though I also know that you will kill her soon, does she not deserve to be remembered?"
"What does one Jedi matter?" He sneered, his lip curling in disgust.
"What does one Sith matter then?" She shrugged, "In the end all we are is memories, does not the first Jedi you defeat not warrant at least a memory?" She shrugged, turning to look at him. His eyes narrowed.
"Were you always so sentimental..?" He asked with a frown.
"No.. I learned it from you." She replied with a chuckle, and he rolled his eyes. "I think these restraints look uncomfortable master, shall we release her?"
"So she can kill us and attempt to escape? I think not." He scoffed.
"Kill the both of us? Then take her weapon, trek back across this rock to find a ship, and all these hunters after her? Now that would be quite a feat, even a fully fledged Jedi Knight would have trouble with such things, don't you agree master?" She turned to look at him with a smirk on her lips and raised brows. He looked at Zaiya, then Eldra.
"Very well." With a sharp movement of his arm, the restraint dropped to the ground with a clank, Eldra rolled her shoulders, working out the stiffness of her arms as she looked up at her captors. She seemed to understand that her best bet was to stay with them for now.
"That's better isn't it?" Zaiya chuckled, gesturing forward so that they might continue. After a while of silence, she reached into the bag at her hip, pulling out some dried and spiced meat she'd bought some time ago, and offered a piece to her master first, who took it unconsciously, before realising what she had handed him. He regarded the substance with mild suspicion for a moment, watching her. She then nudged the Jedi, who jumped slightly, and offered her a piece as well. Eldra was even more confused, looking at the meat, then at Zaiya.
"Why would you feed me if you plan to kill me?" She asked, confused.
"I can't imagine they were feeding you well in the cells there, these are pretty good, so enjoy it while you have the moment."
"You are… not what I expected of a sith…" She muttered, taking a bite of the treat she had been given. Zaiya then took out her own and started to eat, nonchalantly. Eldra seemed bewildered and looked between them.
"Maybe I'm not a sith?" She shrugged. Eldra narrowed her eyes, and she felt her master do the same thing.
"You're strong with the Force… and trained by a sith." the Twi'lek responded, suspicion clear on her face.
"Yes." She responded, "I am sure Jedi are comfortable with conflicting statements."
"What's that supposed to mean?' Eldra snapped.
"For a religious sect that loudly proclaims themselves as peacekeepers, they seem comfortable with the conflict and injustice in the galaxy as it is, and do not mind their perception as warriors, or carrying the weapon of one."
"We use our lightsabers to defend ourselves-"
"And politicians… though if you wished to defend only, perhaps a shield ought be a better tool. Swords are better for attacking are they not?" The Nightsister shrugged, perhaps it was unwise to bait the Padawan, but she couldn't help herself..
"What right do you have to assume you know about the Jedi? We are a light in the galaxy! We bring hope and justice to those who have none!" Eldra growled, her anger rising. Though it had nothing on the rage built up in the Zabrak behind them.
"Ahh, there it is, the typical self-righteousness I expected." She chuckled softly, "If you are so full of light and justice, why are there still tens of thousands of slaves across the worlds? Why do you guard politicians instead of tearing down the crime families?"
"We- we can't be everywhere, we hold no political motives, what we do is balance the politics with neutrality."
"Perhaps…" Zaiya swallowed the mouthful she had and continued. "Though if that's so, then use your justice powers on the outer rim territories and free the people there."
"That's beyond the republic's borders." Eldra frowned.
"I thought you said the Jedi were not political?" She raised an ashen brow at the Twi'Lek, who seemed unbalanced.
"You-you don't know what you are talking about!" the Jedi snapped.
"No I suppose I wouldn't. No Jedi came to find me when I was small, took me away to the temple to indoctrinate me into the beliefs that they-"
"Enough!" cried the Sith behind them suddenly, his rage powerful. She silenced herself immediately, recalling his words from before, his hatred to the Jedi. Their absence led him to fall to Sidious' hands. Misguided hatred, the reminder burned in her chest, he had so much hatred that he directed at the wrong sources.
"Apologies master," Zaiya nodded, "Now is not the time for debate." She could feel him simmering beside her, the rage palpable to both of them.
"I see he is the true sith…" Eldra added, with a suspicious glance. Zaiya's brow twitched, though she said nothing. The Jedi was correct, though she hated that it were so.
"I am all that you and your kind fear and dread!" He threatened, and Zaiya had a peculiar thought that he looked like a cat with it's hackles raised. She had to hold back the sudden laugh that bubbled up in her chest.
"So you keep saying." The padawan snapped back. The Zabrak reached for his saber, his hand pausing on the hilt.
"Let's save the battle to the death until we are clear of the hunters, shall we?" Zaiya interrupted, stepping between them. "If I am right, we will soon have company." She shot a glance toward the droids hovering in the distance. The three picked up the pace, in an effort to create a little more distance for the bounty hunters.
They had been out there for a few hours now, and Zaiya was feeling restless, the rocky ground seemed the same no matter where they travelled. She dropped back to speak to her master with a question at her lips.
"She has some ferocity, master, and even I sense her doubt, her desire to survive. Are you sure you wouldn't rather turn her?" she asked, leaning close so she could keep her voice quiet.
"She would make a good ally if she could be turned, perhaps in another place, in another time… but my master must not know." He insisted, his conflicting emotions and anger swamping her mind.
"Agreed, the risk of taking me is bad enough…" She bit her lower lip, coming to a realisation. "By revealing yourself… you have condemned her." She murmured softly.
"Yes." He replied solemnly. "We cannot turn back now."
"It seems so." Zaiya sighed. This could not go on, she had to break the mood for a while. The Siren began to hum a tune to herself as they came to a flat area of ground, a large outcropping above them. The hum became a soft song, the other two pausing to listen.
"Old man wanders grasslands,
Over mountains, under caves
He crossed every ocean
Both of stars and crashing waves
He sings of ones a-waiting
That linger back for him
That will be there when he returns
And all the lights grown dim
Too long he travelled roads
That took him far from home
That wound around the world
While his loved ones left alone
They waited and they wondered
What had become of him
Left to wait to be forgot
Remembered on a whim…" Her voice seemed to bring some music along with it as she sang gently, not sure why this song had come to her here and now. The anger seemed to diminish in her companion, and Eldra… there was conflict in her. Had she found sense in what Zaiya had said?
"When at last he took the pathway
That lead him to his door
He found it cold and empty
Nothing like it was before
The ones he had left waiting
The ones he left behind
Too long they spent hoping
To be more than memory in mind…" As the last notes finished, one of the droids buzzed as it zipped toward them, the last of the calm aura around the three began to fade.
"How do you do that?" Eldra asked with wide eyes, drawing a little closer to Zaiya, her voice dropping low. "You… used the Force while singing… the whole area was different… even he was less angry." She seemed… impressed. There was a pause, "It was a beautiful song.. Though very sad…"
"Well then consider it my gift to you." Zaiya chuckled, and reached to her belt where the Jedi's saber was clipped. "So, try not to die before my master gets the chance, hm?" She flashed a somewhat mischievous smile as the Jedi took her saber back.
As if on cue, a group of hunters leapt up from the shadows, taking positions above them on the rocky outcropping. The Sith and Jedi ignited their sabers, while Zaiya summoned the blade of green fire. She grinned, and leapt. The fight was swift, and measured, the Jedi watching them, trying to figure out their styles, their power. The Sith, fast, leaping in for a strike and darting away to keep his opponents on the defensive, his strikes precise and merciless. The Jedi, calm and fearless; striking, swift and without hesitation. Then of course, the Nightsister, chaotic and unpredictable, blasts of green fire flying from her hands, her blade was a blur of flame.
There was more than ferocity in the Twi'Lek, both Zaiya and her master noticed it, there was anger… it was rather un-Jedi like. More's the pity, Zaiya felt a stone in her gut, it seemed a waste to kill the Jedi, but she had to protect her master. After the last mercenary dropped, a silence fell across the three. Without a word, they drew away, heading along another path, this one along a sheer cliff.
"Sith." Eldra called as they moved quickly along the path.
"Yes." He replied, knowing she meant him.
"I thought you were all gone. All-"
"Dead." he finished. "Almost all of us. Thanks to the Jedi." The three headed along a ledge, narrow and craggy, jumping from rock to rock.
"After all this time… why now? Why show yourself here? I would've thought the sith liked their secrecy." Eldra frowned, evidently confused.
"My existence will remain a secret." He snapped in response.
"It seemed like a whim of the force that we learned of you, perhaps the force has forsaken you…?" Zaiya interjected. Eldra looked disturbed, though Zaiya's face remained neutral, as though she was talking about the weather.
"I could have run, you know." The padawan retorted, "I could have slipped away during the fight."
"You could have given into your fear." He replied smoothly. "No. That is not your way… even if you were not a Jedi."
"What are you waiting for, then? Let's just get on with it." Interesting, so eager to die.
"No." He hissed, "This is a sacred rite. I will not let it be sullied by these base thugs and criminals."
"You mean you don't want witnesses." There was a smugness in her reply. "That's why you sent those bounty hunters away. You're hiding something… or from someone. I can feel it." She regarded him with a furrowed brow as his teeth grit in anger. She had hit a sore point, and was more right than she had any right to be. "Who are you afraid of?"
"There are monsters in the dark, Eldra Kaitis." Zaiya warned. "Monsters that think of nothing but bringing the galaxy to heel, and making all its inhabitants dance like puppets on strings."
"That's enough, apprentice." her master stated in a low tone.
"My Lord, if you are so sure to end her… then what does it matter what she knows or what she thinks?" There was a pause, and a grunt from him, making sure to keep both of the females in front of him it seemed.
"So there are more than the two of you…" Eldra concluded, her saber in her hand in case either of them attacked her. "You don't even have a saber, maybe you aren't a sith…" She mused, "So what are you then? His bodyguard? Girlfriend? Pet?"
Suddenly he had ignited his blade, aiming it toward her in anger. "Watch your tongue…!" he hissed viciously. Zaiya was silent for a moment, mouth hid behind her hand… then tilted her head back, laughing.
"Maybe I am…" She shook her head, a wide grin on her lips. She didn't know why she wasn't angry… perhaps it was because it rang a little too true… "But it doesn't matter." The Nightsister shrugged, noticing that her master withdrew and deignited the blade. He gave her a suspicious look. It felt strangely freeing to talk about finally, the knowledge that these words would go no further meant they were safe. "Whether I am a pet or not… so long as I can protect him, then that is enough for me."
She looked back at the Padawan who returned her gaze, though it was a sad one, and full of pity. "You don't have to do this…" She told the Nightsister.
"Yes I do, I'm afraid. I will never claim to be a good soul, but all that I do, I do with purpose." Her words were resigned, though tinged with regret.
-+ Notes +-
Oooh next chapter they face-off!
I am loving the responses from you guys, seriously, I love you so much, you're awesome! I hope you all had a fantastic weekend and as always I love comments and likes and all of those, thank you thank you thank you!
Next week: Kaitis part 2! Maul vs Eldra!
Then the following chapter: Reconnect Part 1!
See you then!
