The Jedi Civil War (Book 3)

[Akirapryde]

Journey's End
Lejár Az Idő Kerület
Eredet

It has been nearly four hours since the death of Rose and Urias. The Army of Rose has been routed from the village and fled in to the surrounding desert. Aral had led many of the defenders to hunt down the remains of Rose's Army. Of the plums of smoke raising in to the mid afternoon sky, one more was added to the sky line of smoke. This fire was not set out of hate or anger, more so, out of a sense of gratitude and reverence. In the shadows of the great pyramid, stood a humble wooden structure. From it, still billows smoke while ambers burns what remains of the fuel that the structure had been made out of. A small group of villagers and Falynn stood in a silent circle around the structure as they looked in to the burning ambers. As the soft white clouds over head drifted silently, Falynn slowly dropped to her knees at the same time lowering her head.

Falynn knew that it was only the right thing to do, was to set his body to flames. He was her lover, her secret husband, her friend and the father of her child. Her wounds had been bandaged already but the wounds of the heart will take much longer to heal and can not be so easily bandaged. Her gaze drifted over the pyre as she took note of not just his body's place. She also noted the location where she had placed the body of Rose as well. The tears on her face were clear to all, but no one guessed that she cried for both of them. Only a very few knew the truth about Rose, and now she was one of three that knew and understand that truth. Falynn looked up to the sky as she wiped the tears from her eyes as she took in a deep breath and slowly let it go. The storm has reached its climax and passed hours ago. Left behind where once rains, wind and lighting raged, was the hope of a new day. Falynn could feel the power of the light side pulsating through her. She could feel Urias next to her. It brought a smile to her face to feel his heart touching hers.

Today, Rose was without a doubt, an evil person. But she didn't start as the galaxy's most evil monster. A long time ago, Falynn could remember how a young gifted teenager joined her team. They found her trapped in carbonate. Urias took to the teen like a older brother to a little sister and saved her life that day. He took her under his wing and trained her as a Jedi. She was as courageous and brave as while as impulsive and rash. Rose had fought along side them for years against the forces of darkness. She was so brave and valiant in her actions. A true friend that Falynn was honored to call on in times of need. Rose had been such a dependable friend back then. But it was her craving for power and strength which placed her the path that lead to her death today. Falynn knew that it was her desires that fueled her demise. Falynn didn't want to remember Rose as the monster she was today. She wanted to remember the friend that she was back then. How they were so close back then and laugh and work together. They were more like a family than anything Falynn ever knew before. Falynn nodded on that, “That is how I will remember you, my friend. I will forgive what you have done and wish you the best in the after life” she said softly with a bit of a smile on her face.

Falynn felt the presence coming up behind her long before anyone else noticed the person walking up. Laci spotted the figure walking up and started to make a motion to intercept but Falynn only waved a hand in his direction. He didn't need to understand her to know that she meant for him to hold his ground. Behind her, the footsteps slowly approached through the sands. Then without warning the calf high military grade boots stopped just a few feet behind Falynn. They were covered so much in sand and dirt that it was hard to tell that they were once black. Their once silver buckles now tarnished from the day of combat. The long coat covered in the same sand and dirt flipped in the wind of the desert. Added to the sand and dirt on the long coat was splatters of blood from fallen foes. The moment was filled with the sounds of the long coat flapping on the winds and the sound of a lightsaber. The red lightsaber held in the right hand of the person pointed down at the ground. On the left hip, hung low the long barreled Serr-Sonn. The empty ammo pockets on the gun belt indicated the intensity of the battle.

“It is over now, does this mean you are here to kill me?” Falynn asked softly without taking her eyes from the pyre before her. She didn't even bother to reach for her lightsaber. 'There had been simply too much death today' she thought. Falynn knew that the question needed no answer, but she wanted to hear her answer it.

The red lightsaber behind her deactivated as Aral spoke, “No, I told you before, I forgive you for Joff's death” Aral said coldly placing her lightsaber on her gun belt. This world was causing her too much pain and suffering while cutting her connection to the dark side to even considering attacking anymore. Not to mention she was simply too worn out from her battles as it was. “The last of the minions and droids have been dispatched, Fa. The war here is over and these people are safe.” she briefed softly. Aral's gaze fell on to the pyre with a sense of loss. 'Urias was many things, including a bastard' she thought then added, 'now he will be a great loss to galaxy as a whole' Aral looked down in disappointment as she added another fact, “Orchid and Lotus escaped the trap. The Adder's droids were not able to keep their ship from escaping.” Aral knew that the droids were good pilots. She trained them personally, yet she also knew that it was a long shot that they could have kept the capital ship from leaving the world.

Falynn nodded then slowly lowered her head to the pyre, “Yes I know, I felt their departure. Their journeys will cross someone else. I feel that the Force has lead us to this end for a reason. They were not meant to end here. I believe that their journeys will take them to their own ends.” She said as she slowly rose from the ground. She could tell that Laci didn't trust Aral. 'You have good reason to be concerned my friend, She IS a cold blooded killer. Yet what you don't know about her, is she is so much more than just that. This is why I have no fear of her. I understand her so much more' Falynn thought as she looked at Laci. She turned to face Aral, “So now what, Aral?”

Aral rose her eyes back to the pyre, 'I will miss you, my friend.' she thought to herself as she looked in to the pyre as she bid her good byes to Urias. Then she turned her attention back to Falynn, “Annie and some of their helpers” she said while motioning at Laci, “are loading up what we can on the Adder. Annie said that the take will be high on this one. Nearly four million credits is what she is estimating. Some of that belongs to you and your son. Its only fair” Aral explained.

Falynn waved her hand, “Keep it, I don't need it anymore” speaking to Aral's confusion. Normally they would all divide up the scavenge of a battle. Each would have received their fair share, but today Falynn already knew what she was going to do and she would not need anything else but what she already has. “Aral, this place is remarkable. Can't you feel it?” Falynn added.

Aral glared at the comment as she already knew how 'wonderful' this place was “Oh I can feel it. Deep down, it burns my very soul. We have to get going soon” Aral explained. “Annie says we can depart on the hour.” The battle had been won, and it was time to move on. Aral figured with Falynn's help, they could easily hunt Orchid and her fallowers down once and for all.

Falynn, shook her head, “No, I am not leaving. This place is a good world to raise my....our son.” she said looking back to the pyre with a smile. She turned back to Aral as her hair brown hair followed behind her head, “Aral, this place could save you.” she said softly as she moved forward and placed her hand on Aral's shoulder. “Please Aral, stay with us. There is so much we both could learn from these people and their way of life.” Falynn knew all too well that Aral was on the wrong path. She had hoped that she could do something to save her from that path. She also knew that it had to be her choice. She remembered what happened to Rose when they tried to force the light side on her. The lose of trust pushed Rose that last inch over the line and they lost her forever. Falynn was not about to make that mistake again. She needed Aral to accept and want it.

Unlike the many times before when someone would touch her, Aral didn't pull her shoulder away this time. In her heart she knew what the truth was. And still that had never stopped her from making her own mistakes before. “You're right Fa, this place could save me.” she commented looking down in to Falynn's eyes. “The only problem is I don't want to be saved right now.” She added looking over her shoulder to see Annie working on loading things on the Adder. “Fa, you don't understand. I know what I have become. The list of lives I have ruined is unspeakable.” Aral said softly, “But here is not where I will find my redemption. Nearly two months ago, I had a vision of my redemption. There is a darkness coming Fa. Something that none of us has ever seen before. I know I am needed there. I know that my redemption will be found there.” she tried to explain.

Aral paused in what she was say. It was not that she felt Falynn didn't understand. It was more that she didn't understand what she was saying herself. She accepts the dark side freely and willingly. But still she feels her life is still under the guidance of the light side. 'How could I expect you to understand when I don't understand myself' she questioned in her own mind. Aral watched Annie and some other villagers loading things on to the Adder, “We have a long journey back to the Republic. I have a lot to do. If you wish to stay here, that is your choice. You have my word, no one will learn of this place from us.” Aral said softly breaking Falynn's grip on her shoulder.

Falynn nodded as she knew it was the least she could expect from Aral. Falynn knew Aral better than anyone else, she could feel the struggle between light and darkness deep within Aral's spirit. She understood what Aral was saying about being guided. She felt herself being guided to this world and felt a strong reason to remain here. She also knew that Aral never gave her word lightly. She knew that Aral would sooner die before reveling this planet's location. “So what will you do?” Falynn almost was concerned over this question as it rolled off her lips.

Aral had been doing a lot of thinking about this very question herself while dispatching the remaining minions of Rose's army. “Orchid will lay claim to the Sith Lord title. She will attempt to rebuild Rose's Army.” Aral said coldly as the thought of it crossed her face. “I will not let this happen. There can be only one Dark Lord of the Sith and I mean for that to be me. I will kill Orchid, Lotus and any followers that foolishly join them.” She said as in oath.

Falynn nodded with a frown on her face. She knew that Aral's desires for power and the Sith techniques have put her on the path of the dark side. She feared for Aral, “You know that the Jedi will be coming for you.” The Jedi Hunters were very good at hunting down Sith and now that they have the support of the Republic military will make them even better at it. She knew that Aral was on a path of destruction at the hands of Jedi Hunters but there was nothing she could do to change that. It had to be Aral's choice for that change.

Aral nodded, “Yeah I know, but I figure I got a while before they get their own house in order before they can even think about me” she said calculating her chances. “I want to find an Apprentice. And start training him. That way it will be three of us against the Order.” Aral thought as she considered the odds of the three of them against a Hunter team. It was bleak but it was the path she wanted to be on for the moment.

Falynn laughed a bit, “Going to place an add in the Republic Daily?”

Aral smiled at the joke, “Yes, 'Wanted Dark Apprentice. Requirements, Attuned to the Force and Dark Side. Must have thirst for power and has already killed at least one puppy. Unwanted traits, willingness to murder your teacher and Master.'”

Both of them busted out laughing as they took each other's embrace. For that moment, Sith Lord and Jedi Master were washed away as they were only long time friends and sisters. Washed away was their backgrounds and feelings of light and dark. They just stood there in that embrace laughing away the pains that this would be the last time they would see each other. While neither wanted to admit it, both knew it would be the last time. It was Aral that broke the embrace. “Fa, I promise, no one will follow you here. You and your son will be safe.”

Falynn reached in to her robs and pulled up a necklace. She pulled it over her head and through her long brown hair. Shaking her head to get her hair to settle back down, she held it in both hands as she looked at the little metal pendent. “Urias gave me this. He told me that no matter where I was, with this close to my heart, he would be close to me as well.” She stepped forward and put it over Aral's head, “Please Aral, remember, you will always have a place to turn when you are ready.” She said as she pulled Aral's red hair over the chain so it wold sit right, “I will be waiting for you to return.” Once she gently placed the necklace around Aral's neck she stepped back and nodded as she saw it hanging from her neck. Its light colors clashed with Aral's dark clothes. 'I shall never forget that you are not evil and dark to your core. That there is good in you.' Falynn thought to herself.

Aral reached down and looked at the simple metal pendent. She felt a sense of sadness come over her. There was so much more to say, so much more to do. It was fear that held her tongue from speaking what she wanted to say. Days later she would regret not speaking her heart. For now though all she could do was nod, “I have to get going if we are to get off this rock. I will have Annie bring your son to you.” Aral started to turn then stopped, “Please be safe Fa.” And on that note, Aral continued to turn around and walked toward the Adder and in to her own journeys.

Falynn watched her sister walked away in to the desert as she walked towards the Adder. “May the Force be with you Aral” She yelled to Aral with a wave. She was not scared of the future. She knew that she had made the right choice to remain her. This place would be a place where her son had a future away from the chaos that is the Republic. He would be safe from the Puppet Master. Falynn turned to see the three blue spirits standing by the fire. They smiled to her as she smiled back, “Thank you for giving me the strength my friends” she said softly as they waved before vanishing completely. Falynn could feel the respect and pride that Urias felt in her. As well as the friendship from her old friends, Sinya and Mar. She knew that they will be with her in her own heart. She felt good about her choice and her future.

It was a bit later that Falynn and her son were reunited thanks to Annie. She had already been trying to speak with Laci about staying. She thinks she had managed to get the point across, but the lack of understanding his language will have to be something she must focus on. For now, it was a time of good byes. Annie and Falynn walked back to the Adder with Falynn's son in tow behind them. The afternoon sun beat down on the Adder as the villagers all gathered to say good bye to the heroes that came to rescue them in their hour of need. Already a large number of families had returned to Lejár Az Idő Kerület as the reconstruction of their village started once the word went out. However everyone was able to take a moment to see the great Sky House leave. The Sky Houses had always been a sign of either great sadness or great joy. This one brought joy and salvation.

Annie looked worn out from the events of the day, but she never let her smile fade. True to her childish nature, Annie joked and play with Falynn as they walked back to the Adder. The pair talked as if they were walking to lunch. “So what is going to happen with you Annie” Falynn asked as they closed on the ship.

Annie shrugged her shoulders, “I don't know. I know that she doesn't trust anyone else to watch her back. I can't leave her, Fa. Not like this. I just can't leave her, Fa” Falynn nodded her understanding as Annie continued, “Anyway, I could never live somewhere like this place. Come on, not even a data pad here. Fa I would go crazy!” Annie joked and caused Falynn to smile. “Don't worry Fa, when she's ready, I will bring her back to you. But for now, I have to watch her back so that she will have that opportunity to be saved.” Annie said stepping on the gang plank of the Adder.

They both knew the potential of Aral to be both a great force for both Light side and Dark. Annie knew the pains of her sister and understood that Aral needed her. Over the loud speaker they heard Aral's voice snap in, “Annie, lets go! I want to get off this rock!” The loud speaker shut off on that note.

Annie smiled as she nodded, “The Adder might not have been able to keep that ship down. She was able to up load a virus in to their nav computer. They will never be able to find their way back here. Trust me, I will keep my eyes out. Anyone even hint about this place, they will get so lost.”

Falynn nodded, “Thank you Annie” said as she waved to her sister. Their lives had been so surprisingly difficult since they were children. Falynn was a gifted child and taken to the Jedi to be trained. For her, she was grateful to be away from her home, coming from a home where domestic violence was the norm. Annie and Aral, who had been born Jenna and Rena, had been kidnapped from her parents' estate by no other then Joff only a few years after Falynn had been taken to the order. There drunken father never even bothered to push the search for them. Instead he just left their mother for a much younger woman. Being cut off while learning at the temple of Oulaven, Falynn didn't even know about the kidnappings till she was much older.

It wasn't till many years later when the Hunter team that Falynn was assigned too started to work with a group of pirates, that Falynn had gotten a clue about a relationship between the three of them. That came to Falynn in the form of a sense of connection within the Force. Only after Joff's death did Annie learn the truth about the three of them while hacking some files of a corporation, which their father had worked for during the time of their kidnapping. It only took a few hours of meditation to convince Falynn of the truth. Aral took much longer to convince and even then, she was not completely convinced. Today, Falynn had both her sisters back once and for all. She smiled as their bond grew stronger with each passing moment. The only disappointment was that their mother didn't live to see this day come.

Annie activated the plank and it started to slowly rose up as she bent her knees, “Take care Annie. I love you Sister!”

Falynn smiled and waved while her son did the same, “Be well my Sister, and the Force will be with you. I love you too.”

As Annie slowly disappeared in to the darkness of the Adder, the plank sealed as it closed in the haul of the ship. Within moments, the mighty engines of the Adder came on line with a great roar. Everyone including Falynn moved back from the ship as the repulsers slowly lifted the ship up off the ground. The Adder was truly a mighty and feared ship as it slowly rose up from the surface of the world. However on this day, on this planet, it was leaving not on the run from the law, but as a hero ship that saved the day. Many were waving as was Falynn and her son while the ship lumbered above the ground. As its landing gear was retracted up in to their stored positions. The Adder's mighty Ion Engines fired up casting heat across the area as it slowly turned till Falynn was eye to eye with the pilot.

A tear ran down Falynn's cheek as she waved to her sister. 'Please Aral, come back to us' she thought and worded on her mouth. She saw her sisters wave back through the thick cockpit windows. In that moment the three sisters bid each other a good bye. Then without warning the Adder turned once more pointing its nose to the sky. The engines heated up again as it rocked upwards towards space. Its bright engines left a slight trail behind it as it departed. The sound of it leaving echoed as Falynn's son tugged on her robs, “Mommy, will they be back?”

Falynn wiped her eyes as she turned and took a knee next to her son so to look in to his eyes, “They are on a path that will challenge them both greatly. I truly hope to see them both again, but it will be up to them.” She explained the hugged him. Once his arms were around her she lifted him up softly, The pain shot through her body from her wounds as it violently disagreed with her action. She ignored the pain as she smiled, “come lets go help rebuild.” She said looking in to his eyes with a smile. As he nodded happily back at her she turned to see Laci standing next to her. He had saved her life in more ways she could possible understand. She smiled to him as he nodded back to her.

She turned her eyes back to her son, and smiled, “We have a new life ahead of us. There will be so much for both of us to learn.” She explained as he nodded. She started to walk as Laci followed but she stopped suddenly. She took one last look up at the sky. “Be safe my sisters and come back to me when you are ready” she said softly. Then on that she continued to follow the villagers back to the remains of the village. Laci walked behind her as she slowly set her son down, letting him walk on his own. The three walked together back to the village.