The Fools Die Young

[Alora]

The last soldier went down with his torso cut from shoulder to the pelvis. Tar'ja looked around the battlefield. The rebels were cut down everywhere. The Jedi were the last to fall, but even they were killed and slaughtered in the end.
A Sith Master came up to her side. Tar'ja instinctively lowered her face.
- You did well, Tar'ja. Who would have guessed.
- Thank you, Master Nalessh. I did what I thought was best for the Sith.
- And you weren't wrong, - the evil grin spread over the face of Pureblood Sith.
With that her Master turned and walked away. Tar'ja scanned the battlefield around her. Everywhere as far as her eyes could see lay bodies of fallen enemies. Jedi, rebels, soldiers, even mandos. Men, women, children. Beheaded corpses, bodies ripped to shreds with the Force, dismembered cadavers, torn out limbs.
And blood. Blood so thick that her boots stuck to the ground. It almost reached her ankles. And it smelled of death. The smell was so strong that some soldiers were throwing up right onto the corpses of fallen foes. But not Tar'ja.
She stood proudly among the bloodbath and enjoyed the feeling of domination. One day she will be first among the Sith. One day, she will surpass even the Empress.
Giving Kai to the Sith Arcanists was a small price to pay for her elevation.
"No."
The world shivered. Tar'ja looked down. She was standing on top of the mountain. Mountain made of human heads. And not only human. All kinds of races. The heads were freshly cut off, they were still bleeding, the faces frozen in the expressions of agony and terror. And right between her feet lay a head of the Jedi Knight.
"No!"
The face of the fallen Knight was a blur. And so were the others. All the faces melted, turning into a faceless masks of the mannequins. Faceless, but still silently screaming in pain and fear.
Tar'ja took a step back. The heads under her feet rolled, the whole mountain shaking. Her foot dropped between the featureless faces. Tar'ja tried to pull it out, but it stuck. And she was sinking. The heads rolled down the giant pile, the mountain trembling. Tar'ja tried to pull herself free, to get out of it, but anything she grabbed gave way and rolled, giving her no solid ground. She sank until only her own face was left sticking out of the large pile of bleeding and deformed heads. And right in front of her face was another. It was a face she knew and knew well. A face she betrayed and gave over to the Masters of Torture. Kai Sera. She turned away, not bearing to look at him. But the face to her left was Kai's. And to the right. Tar'ja felt a lump in her throat. She was surrounded by faces of Kai.
"NO!"
The blood ran over her. His blood. She looked at her hands, covered in bright red blood of the Jedi. The only Jedi she ever knew. And the only person she could call a friend. She screamed.
Looking up from her hands she looked at Kai. He was standing on his knees just few steps from her. His face was a frozen mask.
- Kill him. Kill him and you will become more powerful that you could imagine.
Tar'ja felt the hot breath of Pureblood Sith on her neck. She could smell the presence of hundreds of Sith around her. They loomed there, like shadows on the edge of her sight. And all she needed to do was take her weapon and cut the Jedi down. One swing and she will be one of them.
"NO!!"
With a scream she thrust her weapon against her chest. The blade sprang to life and pierced her heart.

Tar'ja fell out the nightmare panting. The glow grew nearer, maybe no more then twenty steps away. But the shadows were still dancing around her, her feet heavy and numb. But there was no turning back now.
Forcing herself, she took another step.

 

[Ral]

It didn't take long for Kai to fade into another dream state. This one felt so much more different than the previous one, and once again, it seemed so vivid that it might as well have been happening. Everything looked real, felt real, smelled real, tasted real. It was as though it were happening right in front of him.

Tar'ja was holding his hand as they walked out of the black cave out into the light of the ocean world's sun. The presence of the dark side was all but gone from her now, which seemed to puzzle Kai for a moment as hadn't felt her like this before. Kai liked it though, she seemed to be so much brighter now, not only in her alignment in the Force, but also in her disposition. For once, she smiled at him and it was light and warm and beautiful. The young man couldn't help but smile back at the gorgeous Miraluka before him. The Jedi had managed to save the girl, redeem her and bring her to the light where they could live and train together as servants of the Order and of the Light Side. Looking down at her left arm, it was back to its normal state, the metal was gone. "Isn't this better?"

"Yes, it is." She answered as she leaned in to touch her lips to his.

Then everything faded for a moment and Kai found himself to be on a grassy plain. Rolling hills and fields of grain and heather and alfalfa opened up before him. The yellow sun of this planet battered the tanned skin of his face as the knight squinted to see. He turned around and he could smell smoke and the putrid smell of death and decay. After only a few moments his eyes found the source of the disturbing smells. Nearby, a village had sprung out of the ground, and from it tall columns of black smoke issued forth reaching up to touch the clear azure sky. 'What is going on?' Kai thought to himself. Then the screams reached his ears, they came from the small village that had just appeared on fire, and he began running. But no matter how hard or fast he ran the village never seemed to get closer. His feet seemed to only sink into the ground the more he moved, until finally he was up to his knees and unable to move.

A shadow covered the sun.

Kai turned his gaze skyward to see a ship, the largest he had ever scene filling the beautiful blue sky of the planet he was on. The knight knew what the ship was, what it represented. Horror, terror, fear, they all filled him up as he looked on. The young Jedi felt helpless, and deep down he knew it was his fault. Everyone there would die because of him. "No, this isn't right. We stopped it! We destroyed the Fury and prevented it from terrorizing the Galaxy!" He shouted out as he looked at the black arc.

"No, we didn't." Tar'ja's voice rang out clear and remorseful as she spoke into his mind. Turning Kai saw the Miraluka female, and his heart soared. She was there, standing in a virgin white dress, the mask that covered her face was gone and in its place a simple band of cloth covered her eyes. "Remember? We found the ship, but we couldn't stop it. One of us needed to be dark to use the artifacts we found. So, it continued through the Galaxy burning and ravaging as it went... no one was able to stop it. Now it's found us, and we're going to die next..."

He words resounded in Kai's mind as a hot fire swept up the grassy plains burning everything. More fire rained down from the heavens and he witnessed Tar'ja's dress burn away in the flames before she herself was turned to ash. "No!" Kai shouted. He couldn't accept this. Then Tar'ja was in his hands, alive. She tried to whisper something, but then she died, and the true horror of what had happened, what he had done ran through him. His soul left his body and he could see the darkness that spread out from where they were to all corners of the Galaxy. The Fury would consume all. And then he realized, for now at least, the dark side would be necessary to defeat this threat.

And then, he awoke.

The glow was a bit brighter now, but still it barely illuminated anything. Kai knew he had to reach it, whatever it was, he needed to find the answer to stop this evil.

 

[Alora]

The world below was burning.
The Boundless Fury was slowly moving in orbit of Korriban. The reddish light from the erupting magma illuminated the underside of it's massive hull.
Three hours. It took Fury only one hour to completely destroy the Sith world's defenses and lash out at the planet itself. The unstoppable lances of Dark Side energy pierced the planet's crust and boiled the magma beneath it. It took less then two hours to crack the planet's surface and open it up like a rotten egg.
Lava spilled and gushed, filling the atmosphere with clouds of smoke and ash. Whoever was not killed during initial horrible earthquakes now choked to death. And if they will survive this as well the cracked crust will crumble and shatter, turning the whole surface into a boiling pot of lava.
The population below was strong. It even tried to fight back with the Force. But they only fed the Fury with their anger and fear. And the ship reveled in them.
Tar'ja stood at the bridge of the Boundless Fury and watched as the planet below died. She could feel the terror and pain of it's inhabitants. And she enjoyed it no less then the Ship. Soon she will devour the whole Galaxy.
"No."
Nal Hutta. The Jewel. Oh, how pathetic this creatures were. Crawling over the mud like worms. They didn't deserve to live, to feel, to think, to breathe.
The Ship touched the atmosphere of the planet, changing it, shifting the atomic structure of the gases, altering it's chemical composition. And turning it into an acid. Acid able not only to choke, but to corrode everything as well. The living flesh would melt off their bones. The plants would wither in mere moments, the insects will burn even faster. Oh how beautiful it will be. In mere hours this ball of mud will turn into a nice little rock, smooth as if polished and free of any signs of life. And in those hours we will feed on the pain of the inhabitants of this wretched world. We will devour their suffering. And we will laugh at their pleas.
"No."
This world will be the crown of our collection. So sweet, so colorful, so very… alive. Who could imagine that these bare skinned apes could master the craft of building something of this beauty. It feels almost insulting. As it should be. But we will be merciful. We will spare their art. Even if there won't be anyone to marvel at it's magnificence.
The Fury touches the upper atmosphere of the planet Naboo, releasing a host of viruses. This disease is very specific. It will not touch the plants, it will not touch the insects. And certainly it won't affect any of the stone buildings, palaces and waterfalls. It will just kill all the sentient. It will infect them with each breath, reaching for their brains and corrupting them, driving them insane at first and then slowly eating them from inside, mutilating them and killing in the end. Oh, the Fury would enjoy this. Weeks and weeks of wonderful and delicate pain and suffering. We both will bath ourselves in their torment. And we will feel alive again.
"No."
A sharp pain stang through Tar'ja's brain. It burned at her insides like it was covered with acid. It pierced her soft flesh and minced it like a grinder. And it burned, oh how it burned!
Tar'ja screamed. There's no stopping the pain, no fighting that which is so vast, so powerful, so mighty. You cannot fight it, you cannot withstand it. It will eat you alive and it will devour you for millennia. The pain will never stop, it will never ease, it will never weaken. And it will torment you for eternity. That is the price for trying to oppose the Boundless Fury. Is that the price you are ready to pay to save the Galaxy?
"NO!"
Suddenly Tar'ja stares into the blackness of Fury's soul, its very essence of hate, hunger and pain. It swirls in front of her, like a cloud of black ink, darker then the darkness itself. It spreads out, surrounding the slim figure of a woman standing defiant before it, ready to consume the unyielding soul. But Tar'ja grits her teeth and lashes at the blackness with one thing she has. She opens her mind and lets out the blinding light that burns away the growing darkness. And in that moment she sees Kai's face smiling at her.
- I don’t give a crap about the Galaxy.

With a sharp growl Tar'ja bursts free from the nightmare and closes her fingers on the glowing Crown.

 

[Ral]

Kai saw the world before him soaked in the blood red of death and destruction. In his hand a bloodshine blade hummed pleasantly like it had just sated its own appetite for wanton death. Before him lay the bodies of his former "Friends" all struck down by a lightsaber. His lightsaber. It was clear that the scene had quickly turned into a massacre as none of them could stand up to his own dark side fueled rage.

By his side stood Tar'ja, covered in blood. The blood of the others he had just slaughtered. The faces of his victims contorted into a visage of surprise and fear, of eternal silent pain as they screamed a soundless cry. A smile was on her face. What more it echoed the sickly grin Kai was wearing on his own face.

"No."

The sight faded away as he blinked to clear his eyes. The death was replaced with Tar'ja. She was standing in front of him chained to a post, her clothes stripped away so that she only had the bare minimum to maintain her modesty. Her face was bare so he could see the empty sockets where eyes would have been. The woman's long raven hair fell down unkempt onto her shoulders. She seemed to be crying, which was odd for Kai because he was unsure how or why she was crying, but he could feel the sorrow and remorse through their connection. Looking at him her lips moved and on the air he could hear the words like a whisper of death. "Kai, you have to kill me. It's the only way to stop the Fury from killing everything and everyone. You have to do what is necessary. Forgot about what your code says! Do this before it's too late!"

Kai shook his head. "No, there has to be to another way!" But deep down he knew that it was the only way of stopping the darkness that was to come for the Galaxy. And that made it all the more difficult. He has to kill the woman he loved. This was the path they had started down though, only one of them could survive and she was the one who needed to die.

"Sometimes you have to do what you know is wrong in order to save others. No matter how bitter it tastes!" Kai nodded sadly ad he raised his hand to strike the woman down. "No!" And then the dream blinked again.

Now he was on some planet hidden in the unknown regions alone and old. His muscles ached and his joints creaked as he moved down a wide open street. For years Kai had hidden on this planet after his monumental failure, after he had been unable to do what needed to be done to stop the Fury from ravaging and destroying the Galaxy and everything within it. Nothing was able to stand against it. In just a few short years all the great fleets were gone and every major planet destroyed. After that it began its long hunt as it exterminated the rest of the Galaxy one planet at a time. Very few were left now, and Kai was one of them having ran as fast as he could to the middle of nowhere. For many years he lived by himself with the weight and shame of knowing he failed the Galaxy, the Order, his friends, himself. Just then a shadow covered the ground and looking up Kai could see the black crescent of death descend through the cloudless skies. Closing his eyes a Kai sighed. Finally, it had found him. Now it was time. "You know what? I don't care about sides. So long as you're stopped I don't care what I have to do!"

Just then the darkness sprung up around Kai and surrounded him. But Kai didn't flinch, he remained resolute in his beliefs. With one simple word he banished the darkness. "No."

And with that the darkness was gone and Kai returned to reality, his body near to where Tar'ja was as he collapsed into an unconscious heap on the floor.

 

[Alora]

She got it! She had the Crown!
With one swift motion Tar'ja ripped her half-mask off her face. The Crown in her hands still glowed, but dimmed significantly so she could "see" it for what it was. It looked a lot like her own mask, but it had a smooth surface with intricate patterns along the rim. The material it was made of reminded heavily of the same which the Hand was made of, a silvery metal. There were to straps or other means to lock it on your face, but as with the gauntlet, Tar'ja suspected it had it's own way of attachment.
Slowly she lifted the mask and put it to her face. Nothing happened. No pain, no new feelings, nothing. With a sigh, Tar'ja lowered her hands. And the mask stayed attached to her face!
With a bolt of panic Tar'ja tried to pull it off. Pointless. It felt as if it was part of her face already. She tried to hook her fingers under the edge of it and pull it off, but a searing pain shot through her face as if she was ripping her skin off her skull. Well, it indeed had it's own way.
On her side she heard a shuffle and Kai dropped out from the shadows, hitting the floor. Tar'ja rushed up to him, turning him on his back and lifting his shoulders, cradling his head on her arms.
- Oh no-no-no, you ain't failing now. You don't!
With a small touch of the Force she delved into his mind and found it clouded, like Kai passed out. Putting her hand on his forehead she reached out with the Force and delved into his mind again. She used the Dark Side, so there was no way she could use Healing. But she could do one thing. She found Kai's consciousness buried under the thick cloud of despair and frustration and pulled. It was crude and very indelicate, but she managed to pull him into the waking world.
Slowly Kai opened his eyes.
- Tar'ja? You're alive?...
The woman snorted.
- Of course I'm alive.
- But I… saw…
- What you saw was meant to break you. Cloud your mind and maybe kill you or drive you insane. I shouldn't have let you come here in the first place.
Kai looked up at her face and managed a weak smile.
- Why, so you could have all the fun?
With a laugh Tar'ja leaned in and kissed him on the lips.
- You're adorable. I might consider keeping you.
Kai gave a chuckle which turned into a rough cough.
- Yeah, as a house pet.
- Maybe. Maybe not.
With an effort Tar'ja pulled Kai on his feet and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Like that, keeping a slow pace, they walked out of the cave and headed to their ship.

- I know it's not real, but it still scares the crap out of me.
They were back on the ship, and this time it was Kai lying on the bunk in medbay.
- Well, from what you said and what I've seen I think we can determine that this is the future the Fury wants to create.
- Destroy all life?
- Yes. But I somehow doubt the truth of this visions.
- Why?
- You see, the Ship feeds on emotions. It attacks ships, space stations, even devastates worlds. It's power is almost unlimited. But it never destroys instantly, it always takes it's time, ripping the target apart a piece at a time. Why? Cause it's the fear and pain it needs, not the destruction alone.
- Explains why it never attacked uninhabited worlds…
- Exactly. Even the ones flourishing with life is not of any interest to it unless it has sentient population. Animal emotions don’t lessen it's hunger, too primitive, too… tasteless.
Kai fell silent for a few moments.
- So if it kills all life, what it will feed on?
- That’s why I doubt it. But we judge the thing by our standards. We assume it wants to stay alive, like all the rest of the living things in the universe. But it's not alive, so maybe it doesn't want to stay alive. It’s a machine and as all machines it had a purpose. And that purpose, that goal it never achieved.
- So the goal is to destroy all life in the Galaxy.
- Could be. Ok, I'll plot our course. You rest for now, your brain took a beating.
Kai caught her hand when she got up to leave. Somehow it happened to be her metal hand again.
- Tar'ja. Something happened back there. Something… between us.
She touched his forehead with her cold silver hand and smiled.
- Yes Kai. Something did. Rest now.
Then she left the medbay, leaving Kai to get some sleep.
Tar'ja felt restless. She gave way to her emotions and there was no coming back from it. But now she knew she didn't want to go back. Dark Side is fueled by strong emotions. And this "something" between her and Kai was strong. Stronger then her hate and anger could ever be. And she will fight to the death to preserve it.
Coming to the cockpit she sat in the pilots chair and summoned the nav panel. With a few quick inputs she plotted a course for their next target.
Mustafar. The boiling pit of flame and ash. A fitting place to get the final piece. The Blade of Fury.

 

[Ral]

The dream, or vision, or whatever one wanted to call it pushed Kai to his limit; he just couldn't take what he was seeing any more. So, he finally passed out, his mind slipped away from him as his body collapsed to the ground like he had just ran a marathon with no training. Everything was dark for a time, black, and then he could feel a presence. It was warm and familiar; affectionate and bright, though the brightness was tinged with a certain darkness. This darkness was different though, it was unlike what had come before, it drove the shadows away and reached out to grab Kai's mind. It pulled him into the light and Kai found his eyes opening slowly as he awakened to the sight of Tar'ja leaning over him, a clear look of worry was etched onto her features. A new mask was on her face, Kai liked it, even in his semi-conscious state he could reason she had found the crown. Tar'ja's sincere concern for him was touching, it warmed him up to hear her voice and how she seemed seemed concern for him.

The kiss had been completely surprising to the young dark-haired Jedi knight as he lied against the cold ground. Her comment caused him to laugh, but he was still tired, and his body ached from the experience. With some effort, she helped him stand and they eventually made their way back to the ship. The female Miraluka took Kai back to the small medbay, now it was his turn to lie down on the bed and rest. Once he was comfortable he expressed his concerns over what he had seen and the ended up discussing what they thought the Fury was trying to do and why it was trying to do it. In the end, it only made Kai more resolute in his belief of the need for them to destroy the ship and end its threat to the Galaxy once and for all, and luckily he felt that Tar'ja agreed with him. Even if she did want to learn, she had to realize it was much too dangerous for the ship to be left alone, shut down but not destroyed; they might not be lucky next time it decides to awaken.

Then, she got up to leave, and Kai caught her hand. He wanted to talk to her about what happened earlier, the kiss, some of the things he had seen, the feelings they clearly had for each other now. He wanted to talk to her about everything, to see how she felt and what she wanted to do. Clearly, "we'll see" had happened and now they had something real. She acknowledged it, but she also said he needed his rest, which he did. With a bit of a sigh, he nodded and lied down comfortably. The young man could still smell the girl on the pillow from her own time in the bed recovering. As she walked away, Kai could feel her restlessness through their Force bond; she probably hadn't meant to let herself get carried away to the point of kissing him, but it happened, and now they both would have to live with it and the knowledge that their feelings had gotten to that level.

Eventually, Kai's eyes closed as he dozed off. The knight slept for hours, exactly how long he wasn't sure, but when he came to he was still a little exhausted. Grabbing a cup of water from the tray near him he sipped on it until it was halfway empty. Placing it back on the tray he heard the soft footfalls of Tar'ja returning from the cockpit. Upon seeing each other they smiled and she sat down at the chair next to him. Reaching out, Kai grabbed her metal hand, but he didn't care, he simply watched her face, studying it. "You look good with that new mask. I take it that also has fused to you?" He remarked as he observed that it seemed to simply cling to her face. The girl gave a smirk and nodded.

"T-thanks, I guess." She said looking down at the hand holding her metal one.

Kai chuckled at her response. "You really aren't used to having anyone complement you, huh?" Tar'ja simply shook her head. "Well, that's okay, I guess. As long as you're fine with me complementing you that is."

"I am."

"So, this... what happened between us. It wasn't just a spur of the moment thing, right? What I feel for you, and what I think I feel from you for me... it's real?" Kai asked finally getting the most pressing matter off of his chest.

"It's real." She said, her voice soft. Kai could feel how awkward she felt admitting it and he squeezed her hand to comfort her as he smiled.

"It's okay, I think it's great." He sat up as he looked at her. "You're... special, ya know that? You're not like any Sith I ever thought I'd encounter. I'm glad we met, it's like the Force wanted us, maybe even needed us to come together to meet. Hopefully that means there are only good things in store for us then... but, I guess we shouldn't dwell on the future. I believe in living in the moment since that's where things are happening..." Kai paused as he collected his thoughts, his eyes never left Tar'ja's face as he did his best to figure out how to word what he wanted to say. "Look, Tar'ja, I like you, and I know you know it. The connection that formed between us, this bond, it let's us feel each other. So, I'm sure you can tell that I have feelings for you, strong ones at that."

Kai sighed as he realized he really had no idea what he was trying to say and it was becoming slightly frustrating for the young man. Tar'ja smiled at him as she patted his knee sympathetically. "Yeah, I know Kai; I know how you feel." She stated, her voice calm, but compassionate.

The knight shook his head as he laughed lightly under his breath before his eyes once again settled on the young female next to him. "You're so calm under pressure... it's something I admire about you."

"You're not too bad yourself."

"Oh please, look at me! I'm bumbling and tripping over my own words. I haven't been this flustered around a girl in years..." He sighed a little as he looked away from Tar'ja. She giggled a little, now that was an odd sound to hear coming from the Sith. The Sith who giggled and loved a Jedi... there would have to be some kind of story about them in the future; hopefully it wouldn't be a cautionary tale, though.

"Well, maybe words just aren't a good way to express your feelings. I have a better idea." Leaning in, Tar'ja pulled her silver hand up to Kai's face. Their lips met, and he pulled her in for a more passionate kiss, Tar'ja's dark hair cascading around him. Their passion for each other grew and after some awkward fumbling they finally showed each other what their hearts were feeling for the other, and Kai took from Tar'ja that which could not be returned. Everything seemed to pass away during that time as both became enraptured in the sensation of the moment; capable of feeling what the other felt due to the strong bond that had formed between them. The search for the Fury, the war, the conflict between light and dark, it all seemed to fade as though none of it mattered. It didn't matter he was a Jedi Knight and she a Sith Acolyte. In that moment they were wrapped in each others arms and nothing could have been better. Once the moment passed and they were done expressing their affection for each other they fell asleep.

Some time later Kai would awake feeling more refreshed than he had in months, definitely better since what had happened on Endor. For once his dreams weren't filled with visions of the Order's future or of this ancient ship destroying whole worlds and ending life as they knew it. The knight looked to see the raven-haired beauty sleeping next to him and he smiled. Not wanting to wake her, he carefully slid out from next to her. Readying himself for the day ahead of him, Kai walked out to the cockpit where he double checked the ship's navigational computer. They were heading back out to the Outer Rim, to Mustafar. He frowned, of course that's where they would be headed. Judging by the clock they would almost be there, but Tar'ja looked so peaceful so he would let her rest; she would need it. And so, he began to meditate on what happened and what might happen. Force-willing everything would go well.

 

[Alora]

The ship emerged from hyperspace over the planet Mustafar. Their target glowed inside Tar'ja's head so she plotted the landing trajectory and let the autopilot do the rest.
- So we're here for the final piece.
Tar'ja nodded.
- I still don’t get it. You said the Crown will allow you to "see" the Fury. But you can't.
- It looks like we need all the pieces together to make it work. With the Force artifacts it usually is like that. If it consists of multiple pieces not one will work properly without the other.
Kai nodded in agreement.
- I found mentions of similar cases during my studies as a padawan. So we find this Blade, whatever it is. And we will have the Fury's location. Then what?
Tar'ja slowly turned her face to Kai.
- Then I will go to meet it and I will stop it.
- What do you mean YOU will go. WE will go.
- Kai, don't…
- No, you listen to me. I did not go all this way with you just to let you off to face this bloody thing alone. We're going together and we stop it together.
- We can't do it together. With the artifacts I am able to meet it, but you are unprotected. It will just destroy you. It will drive you insane, drink your soul and leave only a lifeless husk. And I fear I won't be able to prevent that from happening.
- What makes you so sure that's what it will do.
- Cause that's what it always does.
- You don't know that for sure.
- Sadly, Kai, I do. I'm bound to it. I am one with the soul of the Fury. And there's no turning back.
Tar'ja was saying it with her calm voice. But Kai was far from calm. His face was a mask of pain and frustration.
- You knew that, didn't you? You knew it would happen from the start.
Tar'ja shook her head.
- Not from the start. But yes, I've known it for some time.
- And you didn't bother to tell me?!
- No.
- Why?!
- Cause I knew you would stop me.
- But that… Maybe it's not necessary, maybe someone else can do it.
Tar'ja lifted her silvery hand.
- No. Only me.
- Did you know it after you put on that thing or before?
Tar'ja looked at him, silent.
- Answer me!
- Before.
- So you knew that after you put on that thing you will be bound to it, to the Ship!
- Yes. There was no other way.
- There is always another way.
- Oh, so you would prefer to take some unknowing being, shove the thing onto it's hand and bind it to the Fury against his will? That's not very Jedi-like. Why would you do it, Kai?
- To save you.
- And let the Galaxy die? I don’t think so. You're a Jedi, so act like one!
Kai stared at her for few long seconds. Then he turned away and walked, leaving Tar'ja alone in the cockpit.
- I looks like you're more Jedi then I am… - he said. And Tar'ja felt a sting of guilt and regret through the bond. - Imagine that, a Sith going to her doom to save the Galaxy.
He stood up and left the cockpit, his boots drumming against the metal floor. The hatch shut behind him.
- I'm not doing it to save the Galaxy… - Tar'ja whispered into the empty cabin. - I do it to save you…
A few minutes later the ship touched the rock surface of the burning planet.

 

[Ral]

Kai was not a happy camper. He felt betrayed by Tar'ja, and betrayal was something he just couldn't stand for, but in this case he wouldn't try to bring any retribution. No matter what she was planning to do, no matter how suicidal, he wouldn't try anything because of what she had kept from him. That must have been what he had felt from her earlier, the thing she had been hiding deep down and keeping from him. The knight could feel the guilt coming from Tar'ja after he left, and it seemed like she wanted him to understand she did what she did because she cared for him, which seemed hard to believe. It didn't really matter to Kai at the moment, he was angry, and he felt thoroughly unJedi. He had opened himself up to Tar'ja, shared something with her that was intimate, and she returned it by telling him they couldn't be together. That she was bound to something completely evil, and he didn't know if she would die in vain or simply be stuck to the ship for all eternity. It was too much for him to bear to think about, so he pushed it all to the corners of his mind as he brooded on what was to come.

The ship touched down and Kai joined Tar'ja at the boarding ramp. Stepping down he found himself staring into a barren and bleak landscape filled with ash and smoke and toxic fumes. Wrapping a portion of his black robes around his face Kai shielded his mouth and nose from as much of the ash and dust that he could so he wouldn't be breathing them in. There wasn't much to do about the fumes but trust in the Force to sustain him and detoxify the poisons that would enter through his lungs and heal his body.

Tar'ja reached out to touch Kai's shoulder. "Kai-" But he waved her off before she could finish her sentence. It was just too much to hear her talk at the moment, and he needed to be objective to complete the task at hand; he was already distracted enough any more and he might miss something important. Kai could feel the pain shoot through the bond from Tar'ja as he waved her off.

"Later. Not now." He stated simply as he started to walk off, not really knowing where he was going.

"Fine..." She answered, her voice, calm, but quiet. The pain through the bond spoke more than her words, though. He could tell she was in pain, and felt guilty about what she kept from him, what she had to do. Motioning towards him, she led him in the direction of the final temple. The final resting place where they would find the Blade and where they would part ways, for who knows how long. Probably forever was Kai's honest guess. During their silent walk, Kai could feel Tar'ja trying to communicate with him through their bond. It wasn't too subtle, for whatever reason the bond he had formed with her was much more potent than most of the other ones he had made thus far with the exception of one. Through the bond Kai could sense that Tar'ja was trying to get him to feel how everything she was doing was for him, because she cared about him. That what they felt, what they shared was real, not just something that happened in the heat of the moment. It was of some comfort to Kai, however little. The simple fact was that she would be leaving and it was going to tear a hole in his heart, one much wider than the one he was feeling right now. But it did have the affect of softening up and drawing him out of his dark and brooding mood.

Eventually, the two came to the entrance to a long canyon. Kai followed the Miraluka female silently through the narrow ravines and twists and turns of the volcanic rock until they came to what looked like a stone structure carefully hidden away so that it would look like a regular canyon from any other perspective. The structure had high stone pillars made of the blackest obsidian and large windows and wide arches. "So, this is it, huh? Not bad if you ask me. Definitely doesn't look like a place that houses a dark side artifact..." He stated quietly more to himself, though he was sure Tar'ja could hear him speak. With a heavy and depressed sigh he looked at the girl he cared for. "Look... Tar'ja... what you're going to do. I.. I can't-" He paused for a moment. The young knight was still very angry with the girl, but through it all he still cared for her, and before the entered the temple he wanted her to know that, no matter what. "Before we go in there... No matter what happens... I'll still care you."

 

[Alora]

- Let's think on the task at hand.
With a confident step Tar'ja reached the entrance to the structure. It was barred by stone doors but she simply swung them open with a mere Force push.
Inside was a large hall, all covered in inch thick dust. Tar'ja didn't even pause, her walk never breaking as she crossed the hall and pushed another stone door open. Behind it was a narrow corridor, leading down. Tar'ja proceeded down the corridor, Kai close behind her.
The passage was no less then a hundred meters long, taking them lower beneath the ground with each step.
In the end of the passage was a smaller, circular room. Around them in the tall alcoves stood statues made of what looked like bronze. Statues of unknown species, humanoid but with reptilian faces. Four of them, each holding in his hands a weapon. A sword, an axe, a spear and a hammer. But they did not interest Tar'ja much. On the other side of the room stood a large and wide metal plate. It looked like a gate except for the intricate design.
On the surface was a large image. Three interconnecting rings surrounded by stars. Each ring contained smaller circles placed along the ring lines. And on each small circle was a glyph.

Coming closer Tar'ja realized that each smaller circle was slightly different in color from the others. Perhaps they were made from different metals or various composition of them.
- Admiring the artwork? - asked Kai from behind her back.
Tar'ja pursed her lips.
- I don’t want to spend all day in this dustbin, - shot Kai and punched the gate with the Force.
Nothing happened. The giant gate totally ignored the Force push. Tar'ja turned and "looked" at Kai, clear dissatisfaction on her face.
Kai growled and pulled out his lightsaber. He launched at the gate, aiming to cut it open with one powerful strike. But the glowing blade just glided the metal surface without leaving even a scratch.
- You done?
Kai looked at her. His face was a mask of grim determination. Tar'ja put her hands on her hip, waiting for him to step away. Kai retreated.
- Fine, the smart way then.
- Thank you.
Stepping back to the gate Tar'ja run her finger over one of the circles. The glyph was embedded in it and contained some familiar features. She looked over the other one. It was even more familiar.
- It's a map. These circles are the planets. This one, - she pointed on the nearest, little darker then it's neighbors and had a shade of brown. - This is definitely Korriban. And this, - she pointed at a lighter bluish one. - is Manaan.
- So?
Tar'ja stepped away from the gate, looking it over.
- It's wrong. The Korriban should be in the north-east of the Galaxy, and here it's in the south.
- Maybe they looked at the Galaxy map upside down.
- Well, then Manaan should be closer to the center, not right next to Korriban.
That gave Kai a pause as they stood in silence, thinking. Finally Kai looked up at the gate, his face brightening.
- It's a lock. It's a combination lock!
Tar'ja "stared" at him.
- These rings, then aren't solid with the gate itself, look! - Kai pointed at the rim of one of the rings. Indeed, there was a narrow gap.
- So if we…
- If we rearrange them in the right order it will open.
Extending his hand Kai reached out to the Force and touched the ring on the gate. Nothing happened. He pushed, trying to turn it. Again, nothing. The device was immune to the Force. Tar'ja made an attempt as well, thinking maybe it will answer to the touch of Dark Side, but with no success.
Kai stepped closer to the gate, inspecting it's surface. Then looked back at Tar'ja, shrugged and pushed the ring with his hands.
With a loud creak the metal ring turned in its groove. The planets located on it moved with it, shifting their position.
- We're too used to use the Force, - Kai said with a smile. - Forgot how to use own hands.
Tar'ja grinned and stepped closer to the other ring. With an effort she turned the other ring, shifting another set of planets. Strangely, number of planets which moved along the first ring now moved with the second. They could move from one ring to the other. In a few minutes Kai and Tar'ja found out that you can't turn the ring if there were no planets on the cross-sections between neighboring rings. That made the gate a very intricate puzzle.
They spent the next half-our, puzzling out a way to rearrange the planets so they resembled their true position in the Galaxy. Finally they figured it out and the last ring was locked in place. All the planets seemed to be in order.
But nothing happened.
- Did we make a mistake somewhere? - Kai asked, inspecting the allocation of the puzzle-pieces.
- No, I don’t think so. They are where they should be.
Tar'ja inspected the gate again. Something was troubling her, something in this puzzle was not right.
- We got it wrong.
Kai looked at her, expecting continuation.
- The Galaxy spins and planets change their location. The thing was meant to stand for eternity, so maybe it wasn't supposed to display a real map. It's something different. The Rakatan thought their Infinite Empire will stand for eternity, so they…
Tar'ja froze midsentence.
- Tar'ja?
- Rakata… Those arrogant self-centered bastards…
- What are you talking about?
Tar'ja pointed at the glyphs on the circles representing the planets.
- This markings, they did seem familiar. It's Rakatan. It's their writing system. It more complex and slightly different then I remember from my studies, but the resemblance is unmistakable.
- So?
- The Rakata came from Lehon. The world on the edge of the Galaxy, Unknown Regions. But they were hungry for dominance and extremely arrogant. They wouldn't acknowledge that they came from the butt of the Universe. They would put themselves in the center of it!
Kai looked at the puzzle-map again.
- So you think we should rearrange it so Lehon would be in the center.
- Yes. And the others… It's not geographical location, it's their Empire. So you need to arrange it in accordance with the planet's significance.
- And how do you figure we do that? We don’t really know how they were connected.
Tar'ja looked at Kai and grinned widely.
- Yes, we do, - she beamed and tapped the pendant on her neck. Kai sighed and nodded.
For the next hour the pair was rearranging the circles, again and again turning the rusty rings. In the end both were breathing heavily, panting from the hard work. Finally Kai turned the left ring and Lehon locked in the center of the puzzle.
They stepped back from the gate. In a few moment a low grinding came through the metal surface. But then it subsided. The gate stayed closed.
- Maybe it's rusty or broken.
- No, I don’t think… LOOK OUT!!
Tar'ja jerked Kai downwards as a broad metal sword swung over their heads. The lightsabers flared to life as the pair turned around.
The statues! The metal giants, who Tar'ja thought for decoration, were advancing on them with their weapons raised to kill.
- Well, the thing did something after all, - Kai noted and they jumped at the attackers.

 

[Ral]

Kai could sense the impending danger even before Tar'ja finished her warning, though the jerk downwards still surprised him a little when it happened. The quicksilver-colored blade flashed brightly to life with a satisfyingly familiar snap-hiss as Kai's thumb pressed down lightly on the round activation switch. Kai wasted no time in activating his lightsaber and moving into a combat stance. Letting the animated statues close the distance, Kai leaped towards two of them as Tar'ja did the same to the other two. His blade turned into a blur of bright silvery-grey light as he moved into a position to block the first attack from one of the massive golems; Kai had learned to let the opponent attack first and see how they dictated the terms of the fight using Soresu to defend himself from their attacks. The lizard-faced statue swung its large battle axe at Kai's head, the knight only barely managing to block it and stop the massive momentum of the strike. So, their blades are resistant to lightsaber attacks, huh? He thought as he examined how the blade of the axe seemed to be able to stay in contact with his saber and receive no damage. He hoped that the same was not true of their bodies. Just then the lizard swung again with much greater speed than the young knight was expecting. Kai managed to block it, if only barely. Exhaling, Kai shook his head, That was too close!

Just then a spear flashed out of the corner of his vision, the Force barely giving him a chance to duck out of the way. Bringing his silver blade up he knocked the spear out of the way before rolling forward. Coming out of the roll he spun around and threw the Force at the spear-wielding golem sending it flying backwards crashing into the pair of lizard-faced statues that Tar'ja was fighting. Drawing in on the Force to strengthen himself, Kai successfully defended himself from the next flurry of swings and attacks from the golem still near him. After a few just a few seconds of fighting Kai then saw his opening, moving out of the way of the golem's next swing with a simple sidestep. Kai lept upwards with the Force to aid his jump. In the air, Kai swung his blade at the "face" of the statue slicing it across its snout. It was a good hit, but it wasn't deep enough, but at least the blade actually cut into the metal. No dice! But at least now I know they can be hurt by my lightsaber! Kai thought as he landed and spun around to bring his blade up into a Soresu guard. The lizard had fallen to the floor for a moment due to his attack, but it was now regaining its feet.

Behind him he could hears the sounds of a pitched battle between Tar'ja and the other constructs. He only hoped that the little of Form VI that he and his holocron had been able to show her was enough to help her out. As he thought about how the Miraluka female was doing the lizard in front of Kai stood up and began to approach him. And to his rear, he could feel the tremors of another lizard approaching him. Any second now the knight would be surrounded on two sides by lightsaber-proof wielding giants of metal. With a bit of grim scowl on his face Kai decided to attack the flanker first. Reaching out into the Force Kai could feel how the statue interacted with the energy in the room, odd as it was, and then he acted. Without even looking Kai turned around and lunged himself at the golem. This one was different than the one he threw back into the others with the Force. The golem he had thrown was wielding a spear, the one before him trying to flank him had a sword. Peculiar as it was, Kai did not have any time to stop and think on it. Rushing forward with the aid of the Force Kai attacked with a flurry of moves which were all met by the oddly preternatural reflexes of this sword-wielding golem. Grunting disappointingly, the young Jedi turned around as the axe-golem had moved within striking range forcing Kai to bring up his blade defensively into a deflecting parry.

Riposting fluidly from his block just like how Soresu and Shien had taught him, Kai drove his blade into the "kneecap" of the golem; it did not go in easily and in fact required a little bit of a push to make sure the blade sunk its teeth into the bronze-colored metal. Pulling to the side, Kai severed the lower limb entirely from the body causing the construct to fall over. As it did, Kai's blade flashed and it severed the weapon and hand from the wrist. His blade slowed significantly as he attempted to sunder hand from arm and it caused him to duck the next wide swing from the sword golem now behind him. Turning about Kai blasted the sword golem with the Force now sending it back to join its friends fighting the Acolyte. With a quick flourish and swing of his blade Kai decapitated the axe golem causing it to fall to the floor completely motionless. With a bit of a relieved breath, Kai gave a satisfied nod at the now defunct construct. "Woo! Well, that was good. On to the others I suppose."

Facing the other group, Kai could see Tar'ja had just finished dispatching one of the golems when he had sent the second back into the melee to meet its siblings. With the Force behind him Kai charged in to ensure the others did not overwhelm the girl he had come to care deeply for even if she had just admitted something that was breaking his heart. Holding his blade up high, Kai attacked the sword golem in a series of quick thrusts and slashes easily defending the wide, slow, but powerful swings of the lizard-faced construct. The fight continued on for another minute or so when Tar'ja managed to kill her second golem, but the attack left her open to the foe Kai was currently engaged with. With a surprisingly clarity of the situation, the lizard swung about with shocking speed, swinging its large sword and Tar'ja's unprotected back. With a little shot of worry and anger through their bond, Kai pulled the construct towards him with the Force. It wasn't too hard to do, it just required a little more effort on his part due to the size of the golem and the speed of its swing; he needed to pull it away before the blow landed and seriously injured or killed the woman Kai cared for. With the golem struggling to maintain its footing as it was telekinetically pulled towards Kai with the Force, the young knight charged forward sending his blade into the back of the large bronze statue. The silver blade seared and smoke as it melted the metal, and with a little bit of effort, and Force-augmented strength, Kai hewed the golem into two large pieces.

Walking up to where Tar'ja was standing he grabbed a fistful of fabric into his hand as he stared into the blank faceplate. "You don't get to die on me! Ya hear!" He nearly shouted, his voice somewhat indignant, and very obviously upset that she could have been injured during the fight. His eyes wandered to her lips and he wished he could kiss them and tell her he was sorry, and how he wanted her to stay there with him forever, but he knew it was impossible. It wasn't meant to be it seemed and dwelling on it would only make it worse; make it harder. No, he had to be strong, for her; for him. With a bit of a sigh he shook his head and continued. "You're not allowed to die, not yet anyways. Now come on, let's do what we came here to do." His voice calming down as he released the woman from his hold.

 

[Alora]

Kai seemed to not notice the color of Tar'ja's blade. It was bright orange. And that meant she was back in the Void again. And in that state she didn't feel, didn't think. She just reacted. But Kai's words went almost unheard, like a distant echo from the voice at the surface while she was deep in the dark caverns, surrounded by 'nothing'.
Tar'ja stepped over the last of the metal guardians and swung her blade, decapitating the animated statue. The orange blade slowly changed into it's "natural" crimson shade. Then it winked out and Tar'ja hooked the lightsaber to her belt. Kai was trying to push the gate open but with no success.
- The door's still locked, we did something wrong.
Tar'ja crouched beside the cut off head of the guardian and examined it closely.
- Who do they remind you of? - she asked Kai.
The Jedi shrugged.
- A reptile. Trandoshan maybe.
Tar'ja shook her head.
- That’s not trandoshan. Look at the jaws and palms. This is another race.
- So?
Tar'ja looked at Kai.
- I'm almost certain it's the Kwi.
Kai looked at her with doubt on his face, then his eyes went wider.
- You mean…
- Yes. It's the Kwa. The ancients.
- The Infinity Gates… The birth of the Infinite Empire.
Tar'ja nodded.
- Yes, the ones who gave the Rakata their power and technology.
- But I thought Rakata destroyed them. Or most of them, which lead to their degeneration.
- Yes. But this process took centuries, maybe even millennia.
Kai looked at the gate in front of them. In the middles of the puzzle lock stood Lehon, Rakatan capital world. The Kwa lost everything in the conflict against the Rakatan. But maybe they managed to do some good before they were defeated.
- Dathomir. Let's try Dathomir.
Tar'ja nodded. It took them more then two hours of attempts to open the gate. But in the end the low rumble came from behind the gate and it slowly parted opening way to another narrow corridor.
- Shall we?
They proceeded forward, discussing the puzzle combination that finally opened the gate. Together they came to a conclusion that the arrangement of the planets represented the ways of the Infinity Gates. The Rakatans never got the technology and couldn't have known the layout of the Infinty ways. They could guess it, just as Tar'ja and Kai did of course. But that would require some effort.

The next chamber was a long room with high ceiling. The floor here wasn't smooth stone like in the rest of the mountain complex, it was tiled. Many tiles of various shapes and sizes covered the floor in front of them. And each tile had a marking glyph on it. The outline of the glyphs was the same as the ones on the planets in the previous chamber, but these looked less complex, with less details. On the other side of the chamber stood a single door frame blocked by a stone slab.
- Alphabet, - Tar'ja concluded, looking at the glyphs on the floor.
Kai nodded.
- Why do I get a strange feeling that I've seen it all before…?
Tar'ja smiled and shrugged.
- I know the feeling. But I'm not using a light-whip.
Kai looked at her puzzled but didn't comment.
Tar'ja crouched down to look closer at the markings on the floor. The tiles weren't even, but they were loosely aligned in rows, eight of them.
- This is definitely an alphabet. And the letters repeat themselves. Many times.
- Look there! - Kai said pointing at the ceiling above the door frame. There was a stone plaque covered with the same glyphs.
- "The name of the fathers are sacred to us", - Tar'ja read out loud. - Fathers… hmm.
- Another combination lock. You have to "dial" the name of the fathers, whoever they are.
- Maybe you're right. But what "fathers"?
- Don't ask me, you're the renowned scholar.
Tar'ja smirked, but didn't move, buried deep in thought. Kai crouched to the floor and studied the tiles on the floor. There was no way of discerning which tile was right one or not. They all looked the same - marble plates, all different in shape and size, very smooth with a glyph embedded into it's surface. Kai reached out with the Force and didn't find any resistance. But he couldn't press any tile either. The mechanism ignored the Force just like the first gate did.
- Maybe it's Kwa again, but somehow I doubt it. What's the point in using the same code for different locks.
- One way to find out.
Tar'ja still looked doubtful, but they didn't have much choice.
- In Kwa language the Kwa is "Kwaar". So the first letter is "K", - Tar'ja pointed at the curvy glyph in the first raw.
Carefully Kai stepped on the tile. Something clicked under his foot and a low hiss sounded from the sides. With a sudden jolt Kai flew backwards moment before the chamber was cut in two by blazing wall of fire. The flames looked unnatural, with shades of orange and purple.
- Well, it's not Kwa… - he panted.
Tar'ja thought harder, studying the alphabet layout on the floor as the flames died down.
- The name of the fathers… the fathers… who were the fathers to all races? To Kwa?...
- I could give you an answer, but you'll laugh.
- Why?
- Cause it's dumb. It's a myth, a spook story, and fairy tale. Some ancient race that built the Galaxy, seriously?
- The Celestials…
- Yeah.
Tar'ja looked down on the floor. The Celestials had a name in Kwa language, it was "Rwashiir". The first raw of letters had the "R" glyph. The second raw had "W", just a short step from the first letter. The next had two "A"s. But one was so far from "W" that you couldn't possibly step from one to the other. The pattern continued all the way to the last row.
Carefully Tar'ja stepped on the first letter, "R". Nothing happened. Slowly she lifted her other foot and placed it on the "W". Again, silence.
- You'll have to follow my footsteps after I reach the other side. Don’t jump from one tile to the other, at least one foot has to be on the ground. Or the mechanism will decide that you're "spelling" another word and the defense will kick in. And somehow I doubt the Force will protect against those flames.
Step by step Tar'ja reached the other side. When she stepped on the last tile, "R", the stone slab blocking the way moved aside with a low rumble.
Smiling to herself Tar'ja walked through the archway. The stone door closed behind her almost instantly. No matter, Kai will "spell out" the word again and follow her. You cant loose each other in a single corridor.
The way in front of her was different then the one they followed before. It was dark, cut through the solid rock, maybe it was even a natural cave ways. And they were multiple. Tar'ja spread her Sense out and saw and maze of pathways, corridors, intersections and crossings. It was a labyrinth.
The walls were covered in thick volcanic dust and some biological substances. To the touch it felt like spider webs. It stuck to the clothing and face. But Tar'ja paid little attention to it. Bowing her head slightly to avoid hitting the ceiling, she proceeded forward. And her Sense guided her through the darkness of the labyrinth.

 

[Ral]

The Celestials? You've got to be kriffing kidding me... Kai thought to himself as it turned out his shot in the dark guess turned out to be correct. If anything, he had expected his guess to fail, it seemed like such a long shot, but if anything this... journey had taught him that even the long shots were equally plausible. Who would have expected animated lizard statues, skeleton warriors, or really horrific nightmares just to gain the pieces to control this damned ship. With a heavy sigh he shook his head. This adventure just keeps getting better and better... if that's what you want to call it. Watching Tar'ja cross, Kai wondered what they would find on the other side. He hummed when she disappeared, thinking to himself about his current situation, his current predicament. The knight wondered what he was doing with his life, how he had become intimate with a Sith Acolyte he had just met. If anyone knew of what had happened, if any of his friends in the Order knew, what would they say? How would they react? Kai thought of Nakoma, the fellow knight was the most likely to understand, having lived a double life and loving those who were not exactly Jedi material. He was sure they would have a lot to discuss when he finally met her again.

Proceeding with the puzzle, Kai followed Tar'ja's footsteps to the letter and after just a minute of jumping found himself on the other side before the great doors and whatever lied beyond them. Walking through the archway the young man would find himself in a sort of cave, but one loomed like a natural formation, that or it was so old the walls had been weathered to the point it seemed that it was natural. He continued on until he eventually came to a split. "Great... now where to?" Kai asked himself as his dark grey eyes looked around. Clearly, Tar'ja had gone on ahead of him and hadn't waited leaving him to find his own way. "Well, looks like it's time to trust in the Force again..."

And with that he started off. Relying in the Force to guide him came quite easily to the young man; it was something he did often, and it was something he taught his own students to do at the start of their training. After all, if one could learn to trust in the Force how would they expect to trust it in combat, or when they needed guidance, or to learn a new ability? And so he walked forward, his steps slow, cautious, but certain. Each step was planned, and he only made it when he was sure it was the direction he was supposed to go. The path twisted and split off multiple times in several directions; each time Kai had to take a moment and trust in the Force before moving forward. It went from almost claustrophobic small, to so wide he could barely see the edges of it. At times he could see the path twist ninety degrees, so it seemed he was walking along the wall, indeed even his hair and clothes fell "down" towards the floor, and yet he never fell. Coming to a corner he saw Tar'ja ahead of him in the distance so he called out to her but she did not respond. Was it her? Could she hear him? Or was it just an illusion. And no matter how much faster he moved she did not seem to grow closer. After a while she disappeared out of sight and the path continued to twist or shift. At one point the ground seemed to move like water ahead of him, pushing him forward, at another point it seemed to move backwards, only it didn't push him back unless he thought about it; it took him a few minutes and several tries to get that one right. Then the ground shifted so that as he walked forward the ground carried him from wall to ceiling to wall like a spinning vortex, and it almost made him sick with vertigo. There was one part where Kai thought he was walking up a slope, but when he got to the bottom he realized the path was entirely different from the way he had just come from. And through it all the walls were covered with obsidian or other volcanic rocks; alien lichens and fugus covered every surface that wasn't covered by alien cobwebs, and even them some. Finally, Kai came to a curve and saw Tar'ja waiting near an archway not too much farther up. This time she was standing still, and when he approached she got closer. It seemed he was now at the end at long last. Upon reaching her he smiled. "Sorry I took so long. Shall we?"

 

[Alora]

As Kai approached Tar'ja from the side, she took a step towards the archway. A gush of ethereal wind punched her in the front, pushing her back. It had a Force nature, but something was wrong with it. It wasn't a simple push. As it touched her she heard voices, screams of thousands of beings filling her head. The pain almost knocked her to her knees. It felt like the pain of thousands of beings tortured and burned alive, all at once. She couldn't bear it.
But her defense kicked in. Her mind slipped into the Void and the voices ceased. The pain was gone too as was the 'wind'.
Tar'ja straightened up. Beside her she saw Kai making the same attempt and being knocked off his feet just as she was only moments ago. But he didn't have the way to retreat his mind. Tar'ja herself didn't know how she did it, how she dived into the Void. She couldn't help him in any way except move forward and complete the task.
In a few steps she reached the archway and stepped through it.

It was a dim cavern, lighted by what looked like candles. But even Tar'ja, being biologically blind could see them, so their nature has to be one of the Force.
The walls of the cavern were covered with stone shelves. On each shelf were lines and lines of brass stands, all identical, like if weaved out of copper wires. Work of jeweler no doubt. And on each stand rested a crystal. The crystals were all identical in shape and size, but they varied in color. And in Force signature. Some pulsed with Light side of the Force, others emanated Darkness. The rest were more like Grey, the Force Undivided, pulsing with so many varieties of color that you never could decide what were their properties. One thing was certain at the first glance - these were lightsaber crystals.
In the center of the cavern stood a high seat made of stone. If you looked closer you could see that it was one with the rock floor it stood upon. The throne was cut out of the solid rock along with the whole chamber.
On the seat sat a figure. Oblong head, pair of eyes on short stalks, yellowish skin, thin long fingers, clutched around a weapon similar to halberd. The wrists were cuffed and chained to the throne as were the ankles. And it wasn't dead.
The figure slowly lifted it's head and looked at Tar'ja with it's yellow eyes.
- Ass hiis sha dahss keh…? - the captive said in unknown tongue. But strangely Tar'ja could understand him. "Who comes through the darkness…?"
Tar'ja rose from the Void and replied in the same language:
- I do. I have come for the Blade.
The ancient Rakatan tilted his head slightly and asked again:
- Why do you seek it, mortal one?
- To become immortal.
The Rakatan gripped his weapon tighter.
- The price for immortality is infinity. Mortal souls aren't ready for such challenge.
- The souls are immortal. We are more ready then you ever were.
At this the ancient one nodded.
- We were foolish, and arrogant.
The ancient one lowered his head as if falling asleep again. Tar'ja waited. Then the Rakatan looked back at her.
- One step away you are. But still you are thousand steps too close.
- Let me be the judge of that.
Rakatan nodded.
- The Blade will call to you. Make your choice, - he made a welcoming gesture with his hand, showing her to the rows of glowing crystals.
Tar'ja slowly approached. Step by step she walked along the shelves looking at the crystals. All glowed with the same intensity, same brightness. But none called to her. Then she suddenly stopped.
One of the brass stands was empty. Slowly she turned to the Rakatan.
- Yes. Your guess is right.
- The Blade was taken already.
Rakatan nodded.
- Indeed it has been. And it has been returned.
Tar'ja tilted her head, thinking on his words. Then it struck her. She gripped the hilt of her lightsaber. Rakatan nodded, a hint of a smile passing on his face.
- Your weapon indeed holds one of the Infinity Diamonds. One of the dark ones. It's the Roosh'saad, the Herald of Night. It's a deceiving one, one who brought down enemies as well as allies. Treat it carefully.
Tar'ja looked at her weapon in puzzlement.
- But it's not the Blade…
- No. It's a weapon, but a weapon of mortals. The Blade cuts through the Universe, it opens the blackness and buries the light. It kills souls and protects them.
Tar'ja looked at the Rakatan with great doubt. Then the answer dawned on her. The Rakatan nodded and smiled again.
- Who are you?
- I am the first and the last. I created the monster and I fell victim to it. Now it's your turn.
With a nod, Tar'ja turned on her heels and headed for the exit.
- Beware the Fury, for it does not sail unguided.
Tar'ja thought for a few moments.
- Every one coming in here has the right to choose, isn't it so?
The Rakatan nodded.
- And it's my right to choose whatever I want.
The Rakatan nodded again.
- Then I'll use my right to choose.
- But you already have one of the Infinity Diamonds.
- It's irrelevant. I came here, and I'm picking one other.
The Rakatan made a gesture which could be perceived as a shrug.
Tar'ja walked along the shelves. All of the crystals glowed with inner light as she passed them by, the dark ones brighter then the others. But Tar'ja wasn't choosing by chance or logic. She trusted in the Force and used her Sight to look inside them.
After a few steps she stopped. The crystal in front of her glowed brighter then the rest around it. But it did not glow for her.
- The Leel'saad. The Dawn of Day. It's powerful but it will not serve you.
- I don't want it to, - Tar'ja replied as she snatched the crystal from it's stand.
Turning on her heels Tar'ja exited the chamber without another glance back.

Outside she found Kai, lying on his back and seeming to be unconscious. Lifting him up and putting his arm around her shoulders she carried him out, all the way through the labyrinth and corridors. All the traps and snares were offline, at least untill they exited the caverns. Tar'ja could hear the first puzzle gate shutting behind them.
On the ship Kai woke up just when they left atmosphere.
- Did you get it?
Tar'ja nodded and put her living hand on top of his to reassure him.
- I felt the "explosion" in the Force, but I don’t feel anything now. So you didn't drag any ancient sword out of that pit.
Tar'ja smiled and shook her head.
- So where is it?
Still smiling Tar'ja pulled out her lightsaber on held it out on her palm.
- You had it this whole time?!
- The Blade of Fury is not the sword, Kai. It's not the lightsaber.
- I guessed as much. It's the crystal inside it, the one bound to you.
Tar'ja smiled and shook her head.
- Not the crystal either, although it has some relation.
She put the hilt of her weapon on the metal surface of the nearby table. Then she "looked" Kai in the eyes. He felt her through the bond, determined and at the same time vulnerable. And in an instant she vanished. Not completely, he could still feel her presence, her beating heart. But all the emotions were gone, swallowed by the Void. She seemed to have learned how to do that on purpose.
- This is the Blade of Fury.
Kai shuddered. She never spoke while in the Void before. Her voice seem to change, becoming something… unnatural. Totally lacking any humanity it was a voice of the dead. Even the tone changed, becoming less alive, less personal. You couldn't even decide if it belonged to a man or a woman.
And then she came back. Warm emotions of care and love flooded Kai through the bond.
- It's not a technic you can learn, it… maybe it's genetical. Maybe the Force itself gives it to the one it deems most fitting. And I seem to be fitting it.
- But it's… it's like you die. Not physically, but inside, like all life in you disappears, leaving an animated corpse instead. God, Tar'ja, how can you bear it?
Tar'ja smiled.
- Does it scare you?
- It sure as hell does.
Tar'ja smiled again and put her hand over his again.
- I've been bearing too much my whole life. And the Void? It's my way out. It chose me and I accepted it.
- But its so dark, so evil…
- No. It's just empty.
Kai still looked at her with confusion.
- But you said the Blade is something to bend the Ship to your will.
- It is. Don't you see? The Fury feeds on emotions. And it will feed on everything it can reach. No matter how strong your will is. And definitely no matter how strong the Force is in you. It will devour you. But if you're empty, if there's only Void inside you. It can't feed of you. And then there's only you will against the Fury.

 

[Ral]

Taking a breath, Kai shook his head. This all seemed so surreal, so ridiculous even to him. Perhaps it was just the course of recent events finally getting to him, or perhaps he just didn't want Tar'ja to leave; he wasn't sure, and he didn't know if even cared to find out. Everything about this trip had been a rollercoaster of sorts, one that he sorely wished could be over, a dream he wished he could awaken from where Tar'ja would be by his side. Perhaps it was at this time Tar'ja felt the doubt, or the desire for this to be all but a dream through their bond. "What is it?" She asked, her voice actually slightly concerned, though what Kai felt from her through their bond was much more telling than the tone of her voice ever could be.

"This, all of this, I don't know... it just seems... unbelievable? I meet a Sith, save her life, have feelings for her, and together we save the Galaxy from an ancient evil? All these ancient artifacts we've found that you're going to use to help you stop it... it's almost too much if you ask me. I hope it's not for nothing... I'd hate to lose you for nothing..." Kai's voice wandered off for a moment as his mind raced through the possible events of the future if it was all a waste of time. Shaking his head he stood up, but Tar'ja caught him and place both of her hands on his shoulders. Through their bond he could feel the warm emotions flood back through him.

"Kai... do you trust me?" She asked, her mouth frowning a little as she spoke the words. Kai wished he could see all of her face, Force be damned if she didn't have eyes, he wanted to know what she looked like underneath that mask and he let his burning curiosity flow through their bond. The knight could see the frown deepen as Tar'ja felt his emotions and curiosity. For being a Jedi, Kai seemed to be doing a very poor job at controlling his emotions. At least, for the moment he was. Perhaps it could be chalked up to the stress of the adventure he was on as wearing him down physically, mentally, and emotionally and forcing him to neglect his normally disciplined control over his emotions and feelings.

"Of course... I wouldn't still be here if I didn't." He finally responded after several seconds of silence, silence he used to feel her through their bond and think up an honest response. Blinking at her as he looked into the metal plate that covered her face he frowned as he removed her hands from his shoulders, but kept them in his hands so he could feel them; live flesh and cold metal both.

Inhaling, "Then trust me, believe me, it's not a waste." Tar'ja's voice rang out. With a reluctant sigh Kai pulled her into a warm hug, holding her form tightly against his body. They stood like that for several moments until Kai finally relented and released her. With a small smile on his face he grabbed her warm flesh-and-blood hand and pulled it.

"If you believe it, then I'll believe it. I believe in you, Tar'ja." Kai stated as he led her back to the ship's private quarters so they could have some time together once more before they would have to move on with the next part of their quest. Kai wasn't certain when Tar'ja would leave him, but he had sinking feeling the time was drawing imminently closer with each passing moment and he didn't want to waste any more time talking over things they couldn't change. Instead, he wanted to spend the time he had left with something they would both be able to remember each other by, and something that would be much simpler at communicating their feelings than with words.

Looking down at him a smile formed on her lips, "You know I'm not very good with words..." She started when Kai cut her off by placing a finger over her lips.

"I know, this is why letting us feel what we're experiencing through our bond is better. It let's us communicate more truthfully than words ever could." Kai smiled as he removed the finger from her lips and leaned up for a kiss. Time passed as they held each other close, feeling the warmth of each other's feelings through their bond just as they felt the warmth of the other's body. Finally, Kai brought out his holocron and had it instruct them on some of the topics Tar'ja seemed curious to learn about. It was probably going to be one of the last times she'd be able to access such information. When that was done Kai finally asked Tar'ja about herself, who she really was and where she came from. She didn't hold anything back; he would have been able to tell if she did. It was shocking to say the least, but when she was finished he held her close and told her what he knew about himself and his family and how he became a Jedi. When they were done they shared stories of their training and some of the things they had done since joining their respective orders and Kai found himself not caring what Tar'ja had done in her past; he cared about her too much now it seemed.

Unfortunately, it would have to come to an end, and that made it taste bittersweet to Kai. Holding the young woman close, Kai just wanted it to last forever.

 

[Alora]

As the ship travelled through hyperspace the Jedi and the Sith sat in the central compartment. Talking.
Tar'ja put in their destination in the nav computer when Kai was still in med bay.
- So what's the plan now? Find it and use… you… to stop it?
Tar'ja nodded and a soft smile crossed her lips.
- You're worried about what will happen to me?
- Of course I'm bloody worried! I l… care for you. And don’t start your regular Sith crap, I can feel you now.
Tar'ja nodded and smiled wider.
- You worry too much. I'm not helpless against it. Not in the slightest.
- Yeah, you have all those dusty artifacts on you now. Blood and ashes, you got that Void inside you so the Ship cannot hurt you. I've heard it all before. But I fear that you know what will happen when we find it. I fear…
- Fear leads to the Dark Side, - Tar'ja interrupted him with a grin.
- Do I look like I care anymore? I don't give a damn about Light or Dark. Not when it comes to your life.
Tar'ja tilted her head slightly. Then she leaned in and put her hands on Kai's shoulders. The silvery mask reflected his face, puzzled and concerned. The Sith girl smiled.
- You should not give up on yourself so easily. Or we won't make it to the end. You have to keep your beliefs, your strength for it will be tested even harder then it did before.
Kai nodded reluctantly. Tar'ja could still feel his doubt and frustration through the bond. But they retreated a little. That was a good sign.
- You know, I have a present for you.
Kai looked up at her, clearly surprised. Tar'ja smiled and reached into her pocket. She pulled her hand out and placed something on the table beside Kai. It was a crystal. A lightsaber crystal.
- The Dawn of Day. It's made to aid the Light Side of the Force. It's powerful, but it doesn’t make you invincible or mighty in the Force.
- What does it do then?
- It… keeps you in the Light. With the Force flowing between you and the crystal it will be very hard to drag you into darkness. It shields you from your own anger, hate, envy. With it you will be the Light incarnate.
- Sound like a cheating Jedi artifact.
Tar'ja laughed.
- Not really. It doesn't change the way you think, it only protects you from dark emotions. As long as you're linked you will be in the Light.
- So basically it will keep my head cool during the fight. Because you can't link with deactivated lightsaber.
- Yes, something like that.
Kai looked at the crystal with curiosity.
- I wonder what made the Rakatan create crystals attuned so much with Light Side.
- Oh, the Rakatan didn't make them. They are natural. They just found them and stored them, gave them names. But not a single Rakatan has ever used any of those.
- Why not?
- Because they never knew how.
Kai nodded and took the crystal in his hand. It glowed from the inside with pure silver light. As he touched it with the Force he felt like he was submerging in a lake of calmness and tranquility. His mind cleared of any doubts and emotional turmoil. He could think clearly, clearer then he ever could. Even in combat this level of quiet and peace could be a great asset for a follower of the Light.
- Like it? - Tar'ja asked with a smile.
- It's magnificent.
The Sith lady grinned and wrapped her arms around his neck.
- You're welcome, - she said and kissed his lips. His kissed back. And more.

Later they sat in the cockpit. Tar'ja was checking their progress on the nav computer as Kai was sitting in the co-pilots seat, watching her. They continued their discussion where they left off last time.
- The Ship was indeed built in the times of the Infinite Empire. But it was only designed by Rakata. The lesser races saw to its construction. And they somehow tempered with it. The Boundless Fury was meant to become a deterrent, a mighty force that will prevent lesser races and even opposing fractions to move against the Infinite Empire and it's leaders. But it turned on them.
- Turned on them? How?
- Do you know the story of Esh-kha and the World Razer?
Kai nodded.
- The ones Rakata imprisoned on Belsavis.
- Yes. Well, the Fury was built on their image. Not the technology, but the Force image. And magnified thousandfold. Rakata wanted to use it on their enemies, much like the Sidius's Empire used the Death Star. But it wasn't a simple space station, it had its own will and mind. Corrupted mind. The species who built it have been extinct for millennia and none remembers their name. But they put their hatred into the Fury, hatred for the Rakata and their Infinite Empire. And in their minds the whole Galaxy was the Infinite Empire. So the Ship was bound to destroy it. And the Galaxy along with it.
- But the Infinite Empire doesn’t exist anymore, it was destroyed. Even the Star Forge was destroyed.
- You want to board the Ship and try to explain all this to it?
- Well…
- That’s what I thought. But it is beside the point, - Tar'ja smiled and resumed the tale. - So the Ship set out on its destructive path. It attacked and destroyed ships, worlds, but it wasn't enough. And the Rakata, with their knowledge of the Force, of the Dark Side, managed to weaken the Fury. I couldn’t destroy so easily anymore. And it punched back. It spread a terrible disease on Rakatan worlds. A plague. One that destroyed their population and ripped their connection to the Force. And it was so subtle, so ambiguous, that even the brightest among Rakatan scientists could not fathom what had happened to them. And the Infinite Empire crumbled. The races led by remaining Kwa hid the keys to the Fury across the whole Galaxy, trying to prevent anyone from using it's power. But they underestimated the Fury's power and it's ability to guide itself. The Ship doesn’t need the artifacts, the keys, to kill and destroy. But you need them to stop it.
- And the Ship? What happened to it?
- The Ship retreated into the furthest corner of the Galaxy to wait while its enemies would die one by one and loose all their power and any chance of fighting the Fury. It waited patiently for thousands of years. And now it's back to finish the job.
- So where is it?
- The Red Nebula.
Kai shook his head.
- Oh fierfek...

 

[Ral]

The past twenty-four hours had been rather rewarding for Kai, things had gone really well between him and Tar'ja he thought as he held the lightsaber crystal in his hand. That was... sweet. He never thought he'd encounter such an eventuality from a Sith, but Kai had accepted that Tar'ja seemed more of a Sith in name only. If anything she was just a Force user who tended to draw on the dark more just like how Kai tended to draw on the light more. Or at least, that's how it seemed to him. Tar'ja didn't seem to be at all like the Sith of legend, or like the Sith who had conquered half of a known galaxy in the name of a psychotic Empress. Back in his mind, Kai still knew that he would have to part from the woman he had come to care so deeply for, but that wasn't something he was going to focus on.

Tar'ja had told him their next destination, and they were approaching it now. Checking his communication log Kai read through the handful of messages he had received since his last check in. There was a message from his former master, Lutomi, and a message from his friends. Jade seemed to be recovering from her injuries that occurred on Endor. His thoughts drifted to the things she said in her delirious state, and he felt a pang of guilt drive across his chest and well up in his throat. He cared about the girl, but not in the same way he cared for Tar'ja. Kai wondered if she would understand how he could want to be with a Sith, or if she would reject him and call him a traitor. Reading over the messages further, Kai felt even more guilty as he realized that he had left behind several students needing instruction, and several friends who were wondering what had happened to him. Making up his mind, Kai knew he had to go back once this was done, he couldn't leave the Order, his family, his friends. Looking at the silvery crystal in his palm only reinforced that feeling.

"Looks like the Order has finally elected a new grandmaster," Kai finally said after some time.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, after some recent political drama with the Jedi, the old grandmaster stepped down. Now they've got a new one. I wonder if he'll do any better... I certainly hope so..." Kai's voice trailed off at the end as he read through the report. Master Raythe had been promoted to council member. That was an odd choice. She was half the reason things went tits up on Endor to begin with. Perhaps there was a lesson to be learned here for better or worse. Kai simply hummed thoughtfully as he processed the information. It was a sad reflection of the Jedi Order in these times that it took accusations, petty talk, name calling, threats, and the motivation of violence to galvanize it into doing anything halfway productive. "Looks like the council has been expanded too. I wonder how that'll work out. Force knows the Order needs a breath of new life..."

Then the proximity alarm started flashing, the signal that they had finally reached their destination. Kai made a comment about strapping in as he thought to himself how fast the nebula had come up on them. Pulling the levers back, the knight deactivated the hyperdrive and the ship decelerated, the blue vortex turning into lines and those lines turning into twinkling dots in the distance. Before him was a vast red expanse that surrounded the ship. Nearby comets trailed and a star shined brightly not too far away.

Setting course for the habitable planet in the system they had just entered, Kai felt an overwhelming feeling of... darkness? Dread? He wasn't certain, it just felt... off. Looking to Tar'ja he asked, "Do you feel that?" But of course he knew she had, he could feel it through their bond. "Well, I'm setting course for the planet. If you need me to change course just say..."

 

[Alora]

As the ship jumped out of hyperspace an instant shock hit both Tar'ja and Kai. The whole system was shrouded in the Darkness. Not the literal darkness, but the Force here was in turmoil, boiling with blood-red and orange waves of anger and hate. Tar'ja tried to shield her mind from the devastating effects, but with no success. But in a few moments she felt a small relief. It seems the Crown on her head was protecting her from the terrible force of the surrounding Darkness.
Tar'ja turned to Kai and noticed that he relaxed a little as well. The crown probably creates a bubble of protection and covers those close to it. But that shouldn't be right. Why would it need to attach to her head then? Just to keep the tradition?
Tar'ja searched inside herself. There it was, a pulsing web of protective barrier. And it wasn’t creating an external shield, it was covering her mind only. Of course! The web was spreading over her mind and everything connected to it. And of course it spread through the link between Tar'ja and Kai. Their bond was allowing them to use the same protection of the Crown.
It looked like Kai got to the same conclusion himself.
- Well that's kinda useful.
Tar'ja nodded and stood up to look closer into space around them. For the first time in her life, her Sight was failing her. The storm of Darkness was so thick and vehement that she couldn't see anything outside. No stars, no planets, no moons. Nothing physical.
- There, - she pointed. Kai looked at where she was pointing and saw an asteroid field surrounding the system.
- You can see it?
- Strangely, yes. Can's see anything else, so you'll be "driving".
- What does it look like?
Tar'ja answered after a tense pause.
- Like burning hell…

As their freighter closed in on their objective, Tar'ja could make out details of the Ship. From a distance it looked like a blazing torch of hate, anger and malice. Now she could at least see it's physical image.
It was enormous. No less then 11 kilometers in length and 10 kilometers wide. It had a shape of a crescent moon made out of dull black metal. Spikes and spires protruded from it's surface in all directions. On top of it stood a wide square pyramid. And it looked to be the conduit of the Darkness storm. And burned like a beacon. Waves of dark-red rage and bright-orange hate radiated from the pyramid, clouding the whole star system.
- We're going in there?...
Tar'ja looked at Kai. The young Jedi looked determined and at the same time pale. He stared at the ancient ship, which ravaged the Galaxy in times immemorial, with eyes wide and face white as ash.
- Yes, Kai. We are going in there.
Kai nodded slowly and pushed the accelerator with shaky hand. The ship descended towards the Fury and slowly approached one of the narrow slits along its hull. From a distance it looked like a part of the hull design, but with closer look it appeared to be a hanger gate.
Slowly they approached the ancient ship until the shadow of the interior swallowed their little freighter. Strangely they didn't meet any resistance like any modern ship would give. No force fields, no shields, no barriers. The Ship let them in.
Kai landed the freighter on the smooth surface of the hangar deck. The interior of the ship looked even more frightening then the exterior. The floors, the walls, the ceiling, all were made out of the same dull black metal. The floor was smooth with no indication of any cracks or joints between metal plates. Like it was all molded solid. The walls were the same with the exception of being covered with numerous lines of glyphs and sigils. In the corners between walls and ceiling hanged lines of figures, representing all kinds of races, some recognizable, like humans, wookies, bith. Most of the others unknown. All were cast out of the black metal.
- The scanners show insufficient amount of oxygen outside. Can't go out without masks or space suits.
Tar'ja looked down at the monitors. It was very hard for her to make out anything, the red mist of the Fury blocking her Sight. But she could see through it with some effort.
- Look, - she said, pointing at the atmosphere data stream. The numbers were slowly clicking, changing. Oxygen level was rising while fluorine levels dropped. In a couple of minutes the terminal beeped, showing the outer atmosphere as "Breathable, no toxins found". Kai and Tar'ja exchanged looks.
- It feels you here… - Kai whispered.
- I must be. But I can't see a bloody thing around.
- You know where we need to go?
- Yes. The pyramid. Or more accurately, the chamber right below it. The control room. It's where the guide of the Ship should have been placed. From there you can control the Ship. In theory.
- Great. You know how I love you theories.
Tar'ja looked at Kai and actually smiled.
- Strangely, yes, I do.
They lowered the ramp and stepped on the metal surface of the Ship. Tar'ja instantly felt a shiver going up her body until it rang in her head.
- It's angry. It doesn’t want me here, it doesn't want anyone guiding it. But it can't stop me now.
- Can you stop it?
- Not from here. I need to get into the Guide chamber.
Kai nodded and they proceeded further into the Ship.

 

[Ral]

Seeing Tar'ja smile at his comment filled him with a warm giddiness even a laid back and typically happy person like Kai was unused to feeling quite so potently. The ramp lowered and Kai noticed how Tar'ja seemed to shiver as they stepped out of the ship and he felt the same tingle run along his spine, so he grabbed her hand and gave it a soft squeeze as she spoke of how angry the ship was. When she stated that she needed to get to the Guide Chamber he nodded in response and let go of her hand, gripping his inactivated lightsaber in his hand instead. Whatever was awaiting them deeper into the ship the young knight would be ready for it with his lightsaber in one hand, the Force in the other, and Tar'ja by his side.

Deeper in they walked with Tar'ja leading through the labyrinth-like passageways of the great ship. As Kai walked next to her he wondered what would happen to her, how she would be when he left. The closer they got to their objective the harder it became for him to think of anything else. He had little time to think on the matter or anything else as they reached an intersection with ancient-looking statues at each of the corners, and an overwhelming sense of dread filled him. The Force was trying to tell him something in that very moment. "Tar'ja, wait, something doesn't feel right... I think someth- Look out!" He shouted, eyes wide as what were previously inanimate statues started to move.

The silver blade sprung to life in his hands as he assumed a defensive stance, one of Soresu's many different ones where Kai extended his blade horizontally outwards before him, his off hand held up defensively next to his head. Next to him Tar'ja activated her blade, it's orange glow accompanying his silver one. "Their weapons are probably resistant to our lightsabers just like the others we fought earlier. Let's hope their bodies aren't as resistant, eh?" Kai smirked as he waited for the first "statue" to attack. The statues were tall, each one was well over two meters and had subtle differences in their design. Each one had a humanoid like skull as a head, but instead of bone or stone, it was made of a dark grey metal, and in its eyes were emerald green jewels which glowed brightly. In their hands were weapons that looked part sword, part rifle. Electric green energy, the same color as their eyes crackled down the edge of the blades. Two of them wore armor, each subtly different than the other, and two wore strange red robes that were dark and faded towards black and exposed skeletal like ribs underneath. And then one spoke in a language that sounded impossibly ancient and Kai knew that these weren't simple statues

"Well this is certainly interesting, eh?" Kai remarked just before they attacked. The knight used his preferred defensive style to parry and dodge the initial attacks, weaving in between thrusts and slashes like a water dancer. His blade barely moved during all of it as he deflected the attacks as his form dictated. Soresu was a great style for melee combat when one trained it specifically to use its blaster bolt deflection cadences and velocities against another bladed weapon. Inhaling through his nose, Kai dropped between two of the metallic guardians, parrying a thrust as he moved between them to the other side. His blade crackled and flashed as it connected with the guardian's blade. Twirling his saber to the side as he spun around, the silver blade effortlessly burned its way through the left leg of one of the guardians. It let out a very alien, very chilling howl as it fell to the ground. Its partner roared as it swung its large green blade at the knight's head so Kai brought his lightsaber up to block. Drawing the Force into his off hand, Kai focused his mind and shaped the Force into a destructive barrage of emerald colored lightning. Green death for the green-eyed guardians. A rather poetic end, Kai thought. It was a powerful burst, more powerful than anything Kai had unleashed thus far, and is blasted the guardian, sending it flying back into a nearby wall with large gouges burned into it. The first guardian attempted to move, to strike out towards him with its weapon which was still clenched in its bone-like hands, but Kai ended that threat by swiftly removing it's arms from its body and then performing the coup d'grace and severing its metal head. Kai then killed the second guardian for good by piercing it's chest with his quicksilver blade.

Turning to face Tar'ja, Kai could see she had just finished dispatching her last guardian with the Force, some technique Kai himself was completely unfamiliar with. At her feet lay the eviscerated remains of the other metallic warrior having been completely destroyed by the attractive Miraluka. When she finished killing the guardian Kai gave her a nod and she deactivated her orange blade. "C'mon, Tar'ja. Let's get to where we need to be!"

And with that Kai and Tar'ja headed out once again. She led him through the maze of passageways like she knew the ship like the back of her hand. Like she had memorized a map, or had lived there all her life. It only took them a few more minutes before they arrived underneath the arch which led to the Guide Chamber. Looking at the woman Kai forced a smile, "So, this is it, huh?"

 

[Alora]

As Tar'ja stepped up to the metal archway and the gate between the pillars. The doors parted and they stepped into the great chamber.
The room was circular, no less then a hundred meters wide, with concave walls and domed ceiling. Along the edge of the floor ran a narrow trench which shined with ghostly green light. From the slit towards the center of the room dozens of thin slits ran across the floor, all shining with the same greenish light, interconnecting and twisting on the floor, creating a puzzle tracery.
In the center of the room, with no pedestal, stood an enormous throne made of what looked like pure gold. And it shined like a star.
Around the throne stood about a dozen of the metal warriors Tar'ja and Kai already met on board this ship. But these were somehow different. They looked like a ceremonial version. Their shoulder guards were larger, covered with gold and silver plating and decorated with glyphs and sigils. Their heads were adorned with crests and tails of red sprouts. In their hands they carried staffs, also decorated with ornaments and adornments. But these decorations looked like being made of sharp blades and weapon muzzles.
Tar'ja stepped to the right while Kai took more to the left. Their adversaries mirrored their movements, spreading wider and creating a semicircular defense around the throne. They froze in fighting stance simultaneously, weapons lowered and pointed right at Tar'ja and Kai. Tar'ja took her lightsaber out and ignited the blade, taking a perfect Niman low-guard stance. Kai took his lightsaber in one hand, standing in ready stance of Ataru. Thus the sides stood, motionless, for a few seconds. Then, instantly and at the same moment, both sides rushed at each other.
Kai jumped over the first robotic opponent and the next instant clashed his saber with a silvery staff of the next one. The enemy attacked in unison, like separate fingers of the same hand. The fight will be difficult.
Tar'ja ran into her opponent head on, and when the enemy's blade was just two feet away and ready to cut her in half, she dropped on her knees and slid under it over the smooth surface of the floor. Her blade jumped up against the falling halberd of the next enemy and clashed with a bright flare and loud clang. Tar'ja looked at the figure in front of her. She could see past the metal shell and right into it's 'soul'. It was there, trapped and angry at it's own existence. But it was tormented by it's iron cage and to destroy it would be mercy. Tar'ja gritted her teeth in determination to give it that.
She kicked the metal figure in the chest applying the Force as well and jumped on her feet. Her blade swung around, without her even thinking it, blocking two incoming hits and pushing them back. Tar'ja jumped back and landed on her feet lightsaber in both hands in front of her. Three figures turned against her and advanced. Two others strangely stood behind, motionless. With a quick glance Tar'ja noticed that Kai too was only fighting three at the same time, the rest of the attackers stood back.
- You attack in threes, huh? Okay. Lets dance…
The Void swallowed her again. She jumped up, as the figures approached and landed both feet on the middle one's face, knocking him to the floor. He fell with a loud bang, But two others didn't break their stride in the slightest and swung their weapons at her. Tar'ja jumped back and bashed away the long staffs. The two figures kept advancing on her, the third was rising back on it's feet. But he too, stepped back and stood among the pair that didn't attack her. That was really odd.
The two remaining attackers walked around Tar'ja and stopped on either side of her. She looked from one to the other, mostly out of instinct to have your enemy in front of you. Her Sight and Sense allowed her to watch them both through the Force. And when the one on her left jumped at her, she rolled down, slashing her blade under his weapon and across his chest. The figure dropped to the floor and stayed there. But the greenish light coming from it's insides kept pulsing, so Tar'ja was sure she didn't 'kill' it. One last opponent advanced on her, more cautious then the previous one. He advanced in low stance, knees bent, torso slightly forward and his polearm weapon aimed right at her, perfectly horizontal. Tar'ja raised her blade to her head, her left metal hand outstretched forward. And when the iron figure made his lunge, she swirled around, evading the piercing blade and bashed it aside with her left hand landing a Force-powered punch in the creatures faceplate.
The metal robot flew off about ten paces and landed facedown among the rest of the guardians. They all stood motionless and stared at her. All of them who attacked her, all on their feet, all intact and undamaged. Except for the one she punched in the face. His light was fading away. He was dying. Dying from being touched by the Hand of Fury.
The long staffs lowered down and clanged their butt ends against the metal floor. With barely audible mechanical whirr, all five figures lowered on one knee and bowed their heads. Tar'ja stared for a moment and then looked to her right.
Kai was standing there, among other metal figures, who stood on their knees as well, facing Tar'ja with lowered heads.
- NOOO!!!!!
The nasty screech pierced the silence of the chamber. Tar'ja turned her head.
A thin, frail figure was coming down from the throne. It looked like a lizard, but so old that it was not much more then a skeleton. It's eyes were burning with dull orange light. He slowly moved towards Tar'ja, his bony fists clenching. He could barely walk, dragging his feet over the metal floor. But his hate and anger burned so bright that it kept him upright.
- YOU WON'T TAKE IT!!!! IT DOESN'T WANT YOU!!!!
With a few swift strides Tar'ja came up to the creature and grabbed it with her metal hand. He felt so thin and frail that with a slight use of the Force Tar'ja lifted it off the floor. The creature trashed in her hand, trying to kick her in the chest or pull her fist open. But it was like suffering a kicks from a newborn baby. It had absolutely no strength left.
- YOU… WILL NOT… HAVE IT!!!!
Tar'ja looked the creature in the eyes and replied with a firm voice:
- I already have it.
With those words she rose her right hand and with a swift swing decapitated the miserable creature.

Looking down at the ancient corpse at her feet Tar'ja felt… nothing. This pathetic creature was held by the Ship for thousands of years, constantly tormented. And it fed on her anger, her hate. For the Fury it was like a drop in the ocean, but somehow it was enough to keep the Ship alive. Just not alive enough to act. So it hid here, waiting.
Tar'ja lifted her face from the crumbled carcass and looked towards the golden throne. Now that she could look at it without interference she somehow recognized it. It was a wide seat with high armrests and tall back. It looked like it was made of pure gold but somehow Tar'ja doubted it was true. The surface was covered with the same patterns as her hand, her Crown and her lightsaber hilt. The connection was unmistakable. In the middle of the throne's back a wide circle was carved, like a sun. The patterns were spreading from it like a curving rays of light.
The Ship growled, the same low hum of the ancient device they heard before.
- The Ship always needs a captain, - Tar'ja whispered.
It was pretty simple. The Hand, the Crown, the Blade and the Heart were not the whole set. One more has to be included. The Throne. And for it to work they have to be united again.
Tar'ja took a step towards the glowing throne. Kai grabbed her wrist.
- Tar'ja!! NO!!
- Fear not for me, Kai. I've learned it. I've learned it all.
- It's death!! It will kill you!!!
Tar'ja smiled.
- Death's lighter then a feather.
Kai still didn't let go.
- Remember what I told you about it? The hunger?
Kai nodded, his lips pursed. Tar'ja smiled and looked down at her lightsaber. The bright red blade slowly turned into electric orange. Smile faded from Tar'ja's face, her expression turning relaxed and blank. Her mind retreated into the Void. She put a hand on his shoulder.
- Go. I can hold it.
- It will destroy you.
Tar'ja's face relaxed, the emotions returning.
- Very likely. Maybe even sooner then in few hundred years, - at this words Kai stared. - It senses the Force inside me. But it can't reach it, not like this. So it will keep me alive. And I will keep it here.
Her expression softened and a fading smile flashed across her lips.
- Go, Kai. Live a life. Don't waste it. I can hold the Fury for that long at least.
She turned to the glowing throne. Step by step, she approached it and stopped right in front of it. Slowly she turned around facing Kai.
- I love you…
Tar'ja smiled. The throne behind her glowed brighter.
- I know, - was all she said. The glow of the throne's aura burst with a pure white light. And it was an answer of sorts.
Slowly she lowered herself onto the throne, arms on the armrests and head against a golden disk. The metal of the throne seemed to become liquid, streams of thin golden threads running over Tar'ja's body. In less then a minute she was covered in a web of golden strings. Only her face was untouched.
Through the bond Kai felt her retreating into the Void again, her face going still and emotionless.
- Go.
He could still feel her and he knew he will for the rest of his life. Not emotions, those were swallowed by the Void. Just her presence, the beating of her heart. They will never part. Just as she promised. Kai, face red, eyes wet with tears, turned around and ran.

 

[Ral]

Kai ran.

He ran as fast his legs would take him. The young man didn't know how, but he seemed to navigate the maze of passageways without problem or incident getting back to where he landed the ship without getting lost. Perhaps it was Tar'ja guiding him through their bond somehow, maybe he was just lucky; he didn't know. All the way back he cried as well, tears flowed freely down his cheeks and onto his garments. Kai did his best not to choke on his own tears or sobs, but it was hard; his heart was breaking, and it knew pain like he had never known before. It wasn't a physical pain of course, but somehow it sure felt like somebody had kneed him in the groin before ripping his heart out in the most painful way possible. He seemed to manage, though, somehow he managed to breathe in between the heaves and sobs of his broken heart. By the time he made it back to the ship, Kai could barely see, the tears were filling his vision.

Grasping around almost blindly, Kai found the boarding ramp to the ship and made his way up onto the deck of the cargo bay. Wiping his watery eyes with the sleeve of his dark grey tunic, the young man found a reprieve from the tears and the heartache, at least for the moment. Making his way to the cockpit, Kai started the ship up, taking off after a minute. Pulling away from the Leviathan of a ship the small freighter flew a safe distance before her pilot stopped and turned her about. His charcoal eyes looked out over the crescent-shaped ship. He could still feel Tar'ja, their bond was strong, impossibly strong. Kai could still feel her life presence deep in the bowels of the massive vessel. He couldn't feel any emotions, just her, her heart beating.

And some how, he knew. She had done this for him. It was all for him.

Placing his hand up to the transparisteel canopy of the cockpit, Kai smiled for a moment before breaking down into tears again. "Thank you, Tar'ja," he whispered quietly as his other hand clasped the small crystal she had given him. "Thank you for showing me the other side of the Force. You've made me a better person, a better Jedi... imagine that, the love of a Sith can make me a better Jedi. That's something I'll have to write about. I'll live my life for you Tar'ja, I won't waste it, I promise. And... And if there's a way to save you, to get you out of there and save the Galaxy, I'll find it. I swear. I love you, Tar'ja, and I always will."

His voice was full of sorrow, and he was mournful as he spoke. Sitting down he plotted a hyperspace jump back into known space. Looking back one last time, Kai sent his love and affection back through the bond as well as his thanks. He didn't know if she was capable of feeling in her present state, or if she'd even know he was trying to communicate with her, but he'd like to believe she knew. It made it easier to bear. Good bye." He thought before activating the ship's hyperdrive.

A few hours later, his astromech droid entered the cockpit and whistled something about the woman's things. Kai raised an eyebrow at him before following him out to Tar'ja's room. There all of her things were spread out across the floor, and the small end table. All her notes, some personal items, a few spare sets of clothing. The knight frowned for a moment before he began to pick them up. "Guess I'll have some more things to remember you by..." He said with a sad smile on his face. "I hope you don't mind, but I think I'll do my best to read your notes, if anything the'll make me better at what I do, and if I'm lucky there will be some way to save you... just maybe..."

And with that, Kai's adventure with the Sith Miraluka Tar'ja ended, at least for now. Who knows what the future holds, or what the Force's will is?