The Thirst for Knowledge

[Zazai Ta'Resh]

Her vision from earlier still lingered in his mind. It that moment, the Force had intertwined them. Part of his mind now saw the reason in her words, wanted so desperately to believe. The other half threaten to tear his whole mind to pieces in conflict. He stared down at the veiled woman's green eyes. For one of the first moments in his life he felt a tiny spark of hope take root.

Then he heard the slightest of noises from down the dark corridor, the Force giving its nudging warning. As Ti'Tani called out to the newcomer, Zazai sprung to action. He flung the woman out of the way even as the blaster was fired. It was not a gentle move, but one that may have saved her life. Two blaster bolts tore the spot she had just been standing.

He moved to get out of the way, but he had spent his instant help Ti'Tani. The first of the bolts caught the book in its center and the second caught Zazai in the arm as he spun away.

Pain surged through his body, pushing the conflict from earlier aside. It ignited a flame that her words had started to quell. The next shots came but his ignited lightsaber was already in hand and their element of surprise was gone. He blocked three shots before reaching out with his free hand, gripping the throat of the first gunman. There were others, he could see that now as his lightsaber illuminated the cave beyond the cavern.

Zazai ripped the man forward. He could feel terror seize the man, the inevitability of certain death. He struggled against the Sith's grasp be it was too late. With a flick of his wrist, the man was sent flying at an extreme speed into the cavern wall. Blood spattered across the room as he remains dripped to the dirt floor.

Now there was terror pouring from the remaining three. Zazai stalked forward with the certainty that any predator had had just before they killed their prey.

 

[Ti'Tani Fay]

Ti'Tani tumbled to the ground, jostled by Zazai's sudden rough handling. Yet she didn't complain; it would appear he had just saved her life. She schooled herself, chiding such a lapse in concentration. If not for the exile, she would have surely been killed. Who were these men? How did they find this outpost? Better yet, what were they after?

But the Lorrdian didn't have time for such questions. No sooner had she found her feet was she then rocked to her core once more. A blistering pain erupted in her arm, yet when she looked, she saw nothing, no wound or scorched clothing. She certainly hadn't been struck. But Zazai had. For a minute, she stared dumbly between the two of them, glancing from her arm to his. Was she...feeling the pain he felt? How was that even possible? Was it some sort of trick or something more? Could it be the newly forge bond went deeper than mere spiritual connection? Surely, such an experience was utterly unheard of.

Before Ti'Tani could assess the situation further, one gunmen already lay dead. His body, broken and bloody, was nothing more than pulp on the walls of the chamber. She fought physically sickened. Not just by the gruesome sight but with the assailing emotions that followed. She had to put an end to this madness before it escalated further.

"Zazai..."

She dashed between the raging Sith and his would be victims, forming a human barrier between them. She drew her saber, though directed more towards the intruders than the exile, just in case she needed to deflect any further blaster bolts that came. But judging from the survivors' expressions, none were willing to make another move. She almost pitied them; they looked like frightened children, besieged by a nightmare. Keeping them within her peripheral vision, Ti'Tani turned her cautious gaze back towards the hulking red man. "Zazai, stop! That's enough, no more!"

She tried to keep her tone calm, but something earlier had seized within her. An unfounded anger. A insatiable bloodlust. Where had it come from? From the darkness surrounding them? Or from Zazai? Suddenly, she became wary. It had not even crossed her mind the advantage she had allowed the exile to gain. Though she was able to influence him, he was equally open to influence her. Was he aware of this?

Deciding not to dwell on such matters now, Ti'Tani turned her attention back to three gunmen, "Explain yourselves. Why are you here? Why did you attack us?"

 

[Zazai Ta'Resh]

He focused in on the three remaining attackers, the cave around him fading away. The inferno inside of him raged as power coursed through his body. He took another step as Ti'Tani had stepped out in between him and his prey. He didn't register her at first, but then his rage faltered slightly as she held out a hand towards him and yelled.

What was happening? It was like someone had thrown a tarp over the fire inside of him. It still burned, but it began to die out as it was denied fuel. He stood, breath heavy as stared past the Jedi. He could still sense the terror of the men beyond her, but it no longer fueled his own rage. The pain in arm seemed more dull, though it still caused him a significant amount of pain.

The men were more than happy to let the woman they had been sent to chase stand between them and the monster they had found. One man tried to stammer out an answer, clearly, they had lost their leader. The other two bolted back down the cave towards the entrance.

The lone man, now realizing he was alone paled even further. He collapsed down his knees, already crying. "P..Please don't kill me." he managed to get out through wimpers. "They said you had a bounty on you. I told them we shouldn't...." he said cutting himself off, realizing it was a weak argument.

"I will go after the others." Zazai said as he took a step forward. "Let me pass." he spoke to the Jedi who still blocked his way. They both knew there was only one outcome if/when Zazai caught the two fleeing men.

 

[Ti'Tani Fay]

Somehow, Ti'Tani found the strength to stand her ground, undaunted by the ebbing rage flashing in Zazai's eyes. She knew if she let him pass, those men would surely die. Though she valued the lives of the intruders, she also wished to perceive a piece of herself as well. Never did she ever wish to share than morbid experience again, the act of murdering someone in cold blood. Already she felt tainted, stained. That sickening thud of flesh replaying itself again and again. A spike of nausea hit her. She couldn't even look at him. So instead, she looked back towards the lone survivor. The information he provided however was equally as confusing as the rest of the situation.

"A bounty?" She blinked, not quite sure what to make of it. Why on Hoth would she, a Jedi Knight of the Order, have a bounty? She needed to know more. "Who ordered this bounty? Give me a name, please."

But before Ti'Tani could push for more information, she saw movement. Zazai seemed intent to finish what he started. She wouldn't move an inch. "No, Zazai. You have bested them. There is no more needed to fight. Via asks for mercy, not murder."
She could feel it once more, the darkness. She was being shut out, her sway over him tentative at best. If he went after the other intruders, then the situation would only continue to deteriorate. She had to keep Zazai calm, ground him back to reality. She feared if darkness entered him once more, she would be unable to stop him. The last thing she wanted was to raise her saber to him; but if it was in defence of others, then she would have no choice.

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[Zazai Ta'Resh]

The song of battle coursed through him, but she still stood in front of him. He should force her to move, to not let her deny what is rightfully his. The thought of having to hurt her to do so made his stomach turn. Why? Why should he care about this woman? What was wrong with him.

"...T...The..Sith." the man stammered. Zazai knew of the bounty Andraste had placed on all Jedi. It had been one of the first steps towards open war. "W...we followed you here, have been tracking your ship." he said, tears beginning to fall from his face.

Zazai knew they were lies. He stepped closer to Ti'Tani. "If we let them go, they will only come back for you. They are cowards, do not throw your life away for their mercy. Let me end this for you." he said, his words teeming with anger, rage burning throughout his body. It was more than just bloodlust, he found himself protective of the woman. Their bond through the Force had changed him, even if he too blinded by rage to see it currently.

"...Please." he pleaded.

 

[Ti'Tani Fay]

"What?" Ti'Tani blinked, looking between Zazai and the bounty hunter. A bounty? The Sith had placed a bounty on her? No, not just her. On all Jedi. She knew now, somehow she knew. Her gaze slowly laid on Zazai once again. She looked...hurt. Betrayed. He said he had come seeking knowledge but had he also come to kill whatever Jedi he might happen across?

She took a step away from the Sith, uncertainty dancing in the embers of her gaze. She felt so confused, so conflicted. He was the enemy, and yet, they were connected now. He had good intentions, she could sense that. But the means in which he wished to achieve those intentions were not in accordance with her ethical code. If she allowed him to pass, he would kill the bounty hunters. Yet if she stayed, her life would be in danger. If bounty hunters had managed to find her, why not other Sith? Was Zazai just a vanguard to another possible ambush?

Ti'Tani was wrought with indecision. She both trusted and distrusted his red skinned male at the same time. She couldn't help but worry just what kind of impact he would have on her in the near future. This wasn't the end of this; no, this was only the beginning of a long line of encounters. They were tied by Via now, their paths destined to overlap and cross at various times and places; for what reason? She couldn't quite say. But for now, Ti'Tani decided it was best for all parties to separate.

With the force, she pushed the bounty hunter far back into the tunnel, as close towards the exit as possible. She then turned towards the Sith, Hesitation bleeding into her veiled features. "I'm sorry Zazai. The Goddess has seen it fit to bind us. I will not challenge her will but I will not let this situation escalate further." She backed into the mouth of the tunnel, ensuring she had enough space to allow her action. Calling on the force once more, Ti'tani ruptured the nearby stone statues, causing them to shatter and collapse into rubble, partially sealing off the chamber. The Sith was not wholly trapped, but it was enough to ensure he was delayed. She swore she could still see his glowing amber eyes flash in the darkness of the chamber. Truly, she regretted this action, only relying on it as the lesser of two evils, though she doubted Zazai would see it her way. With a nod of acknowledge, she bid him farewell "Until we meet again, my friend."

Yet something was not wholly with Ti'Tani and perhaps Za'zai would sense it, her sluggish staggering and light-headedness. Was she sick perhaps? Or overexerted? Whatever it was, she often suffered from it. Pushing onwards, she stumbled through the main tunnel into one of the other chambers, one previously explored. Though a bit of a tight squeeze, there was a naturally formed crevice serving as a exit. It was good to finally breathe fresh air again, no longer forced to inhale the stale stench within that chamber. The one she had trapped Zazai in...

The veiled lady sighed. Indeed, the best choices we must make are often the most difficult. Activating a homing beacon on her commlink, Ti'Tani hoped the Jedi would quickly pick up on her signal and collect her. If the bounty hunters had any sense, they would flee. Zazai on the other hand...if the Jedi discovered them, they would likely try and detain him. Knowing him, he would fight them till his dying breath. Ti'Tani didn't wish for such an outcome.

Relinquishing authority over the outpost, and all its contents, Ti'Tani wandered out into the desert wilderness, eyes skyward for any incoming transport.

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[Zazai Ta'Resh]

He could have stopped her. Perhaps he wanted to stop her, the feeling of betrayal stinging as she reached to collapse the tunnel entrance. But he did nothing, only putting his lightsaber away and stepping back from the entrance.

The dust of the collapsing debris stung his lungs, making it nearly impossible to breathe. It seeped into his blaster wound, agitating the already painful burns. He collapsed down to his knees and stared into the utter darkness he had been left in.

This is what happened when he let his guard down, let anyone near. The pain of betrayal was worse than anything he felt physically. Everything she had said was a lie, everything about her supposed goddess, even the vision that still lingered in his mind. He could still see the image he had been shown of Via, lies all lies.

He slammed his fist into the ground and felt it crack under the strength of the blow. He felt the blood trickled from his hand. As she moved further and further away, so did the inhibition of his anger.

He focused on the pain of his betrayal, he let it build, stoking the flame inside of him until it had grown into an inferno. The book he had found had been lost to him, destroyed by stay blaster fire but he had learned a valuable lesson.

The stories he had been told about the Jedi were true. He left himself open to her, not so much as lifting a blade towards her and he was only paid in betrayal. Part of him wished she would have collapsed the entire cave on top of him, put an end to his suffering. The other part longed for revenge.

He would not forget this.