Healing the Force Chapter 44 - Revelations

The cold was like an insidious virus - icy, oily, and slick.  The moment Atton had touched Jaden he could feel it crawl along muscle, bone, and nerve, throbbing through his body with each heartbeat.  As it pulsed, it flashed images in his mind of the first time he picked a pocket, the first con he ran - bilking an old woman of her life’s credits - the first robbery, the first murder.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop the images, couldn’t stop the feeling he was slipping away, that the monster he once was, was breaking free of the prison he had created in the deepest, darkest corner of his soul.

~~ This is what you are. ~~

It fought and clawed its way free to reach up and grab his throat.

He stood in the shadows at the mouth of an alley, its stink of turned garbage and stale vomit, masking his own scent.  It shouldn’t be too much longer, he thought, faintly hearing a gurgle behind him.  He had been patient and  – he heard footsteps approaching – it was about to pay off. 

He stepped further into the shadows and pulled his hood back as the footfalls came closer.  The moment the robed figure passed, his hands shot out, grabbed the head, and gave it a vicious twist; the snap of the neck sounding like a shot in the dead of night.  No one would come to investigate, not in this neighborhood.

He pulled the lifeless body into the shadows before he began rifling through the pockets; a Pazaak deck, hundreds in credits, and a small manual that he tossed carelessly into the alley.  Ah, here’s what he wanted, the Lightsaber.  This he added to the deck and credits and stuffed them into his bag.

He turned, walked further into the fetid fog of the alley as he pulled out a small communicator.  “It’s done.”“Excellent.  Your next target . . .”

He leaned down and pulled the stiletto from the neck of the source of the gurgling sound.  “Thanks for the tip, Sasha.”  He stepped over the woman’s body, ignored the open staring eyes, and disappeared into the night . . .

Atton shook off the jarring memory and looked over to where Jaden and Canderous stood.  Sweat began to trickle down his back.  She glanced at him with a worried look then turned back to Canderous.

~~ She doesn’t trust you. ~~

He squeezed his eyes shut briefly before crossing the main chamber to join them and begin the search for the key.

Piece of cake, he thought as he walked down the crowded sidewalk toward the target.  The sheer arrogance of the Jedi would only make this assignment that much sweeter.  He was ready; the pressure syringe filled with the fast acting poison Revan had given him.  Just a little jostle, grab the man’s arm, lift the saber and it was done . . . 

Jaden looked at him wincing, then at her arm where his grip was vice-tight.  “Ow!”

“Sorry.” Atton quickly dropped his hand and stepped back.

~~You must finish her!  She is the prize.  The ultimate Jedi. ~~

He pointed to the jagged floor of the temple.  “I, ah, didn’t want you to trip.”

Jaden studied him a moment as she absently reached up and rubbed away the ache his crushing grip had caused.  She could see what was going through his mind, what the dark masters were doing to him.  She also saw the inner battle he was waging.  Don’t give in!

What was wrong with him?  Ever since he touched her, he felt as if he was trapped in a macabre virtual reality game gone amok.  He could see and hear himself but he had no control over what he did or said.  His vision began to blur at the edges, tinged in a red haze.

~~ She has done this to you. ~~

He took a quick shallow breath and shook his head once hoping to dislodge the strange voices.

He didn’t know why he had been summoned.  He had done everything Revan and Malak ordered him to.  Hell, he’d even thrown in a few Jedi and high-ranking Republic officers he stumbled across, so to be recalled was troubling.

He set aside the thought as he schooled his features into a mask of obedience as he walked down the long durasteel span to where Revan stood on the bridge.  Kneeling he asked, “You sent for me?”

She turned, her robes flowing about her boots.  “I did,” she said in a faint steely tone behind the black mask she had taken to wearing.  He knew what the ravages of the dark side could do to one that wielded its power.  However beautiful Revan may have been, her skin was now a pasty gray, lined with red and black slashes, like a spider’s silken web ready to catch unsuspecting prey.

As he stood, he noticed a black mist almost wraith like surrounding Revan, as if to caress her.  “What is your bidding?”Revan walked around him, trailing a pale hand over his shoulders.  “There is a child I need you to take care of.  She is but a Padawan . . .”

As she spoke, his mind wandered to the mist that continued to swirl in front of him, twisting and shaping itself into a beautiful woman.  ~~ You are my greatest weapon Jaq, and will be handsomely rewarded. ~~

“Atton!”  Canderous grabbed his arm and gave him a violent shake.  “Pay attention.”

His head whipped around searching for her.  “Where is she?”  Shock skittered along his nerves as the cold darkness cruised through his fiery blood.

“Jaden went to the sarcophagus.  Something about an amulet.”

“Right,” he sneered, covering the stark terror as he pushed past Canderous to continue down the corridor.

~~ Do you see now?  She has used you for years, has known of your connection to D’Nara. ~~

It’s a lie.

~~ We chose only the strongest to bury the keys.  His power, had he truly known his purpose, would have exceeded all who call themselves Sith.  She knows this and tastes fear. ~~

Atton tried to raise every barrier he knew, every mind blocking technique he had learned but the darkness, the anger still nipped at him in this bizarre prison he was trapped in.

He failed you, Revan.  He hides like a coward.  You must destroy him.  If he will not serve me, he must be made an example of . . .

“Stand back,” Canderous said as he raised his rifle and blasted a pile of rocks.  They were standing in a large empty chamber, lit by a few torches, below the main tomb.

Atton only turned his head as rock and dust exploded around them.  Once settled he could see the anteroom that lead to another, smaller, chamber.  The obelisk and key were partially buried in sand and the remnants of rotted wood.  Darkness unlike any he had known before, rushed out to greet him, embracing his heart.

The man is a fool.  Let him dig his pit for it will save me the trouble of digging his grave.  Listen to him prattle on about our responsibility to society.  Ha!  The powers that be owe me for this fool’s errand.  Once I possess the jewel of the key, society will be responsible to serve me.  Those that don’t will find their peace and justice crushed under my army’s boots.  They have promised me this and much more.  Never again will I have to watch over my shoulder.  I will kill my enemies and those that cross me with impunity.  Moreover, once I have the other keys, I will rule the galaxy.

No longer will I have to suffer this dotard’s looks of pity, his sermons on the righteousness of our mission, or his attempts to show me the error of my ways, get me to atone for my crimes.  Slitting the throat of a man who has mocked you is justice.  Brutalizing a woman who believes herself better is only teaching a lesson.  It is the rich that step on the necks of the poor, bleeding them dry.  It is no crime that I have found a way to repay them.

“That should do it,” Ti’Fis announced as he set the shovel aside and crawled from the pit.  “Will you at least help me with the crate?”

If his voice was any more effeminate, I thought I could kill him for that alone.  The pious morality was an added bonus as was the piss poor card playing.  I had planned to rob him anyway, once he was dead, but cheating his credits from him was a way to pass the time.  What a hypocrite, preaching about morality while gambling.

Ti’Fis went to the crate and began to open it.  “What are you doing?  We were told not to open the box.”

“Of course.  I let my curiosity get the better of me.  Perhaps there is hope for you yet, D’Nara.”

Yeah, I thought, hope you’ll die a slow and painful death.  I ignited the strange, lighted sword those weirdos gave me and swung . . .

“Atton!”  Jaden shouted as her saber sprang to her hand to block his killing blow.

What the hell am I doing?  He shouted in his mind.  Stop!  But he couldn’t.  He felt the dark power flood through him, yet he was powerless to control it.

He pushed back, causing her to stumble away.  “Don’t do this,” she yelled to the room at large.  Quickly gaining her balance she parried.  His eyes were black and empty.  “Let him go!”

Atton, frantic now silently screamed I couldn’t!  I can’t stop what is happening!

“What’s going on?”  Canderous roared as he set down the stone obelisk.

“Stay out of this, filthy Mandalorian.”  Atton’s hand swung out and sent a push wave strong enough to throw Canderous across the chamber where his body slammed into the wall and crumpled.

Canderous!  He tried to go to his friend but he couldn’t make his feet move.  He couldn’t move.  What have I done?

“Atton,” she pushed him away and blocked his next attack.  Pain shimmied up her arms.  “Atton.  Listen to me!”

I am!  But I . . .

“Ah, ah, ah.”  The air around them vibrated as the spectral image of Exar Kun materialized.  He stood, feet planted apart with his arms crossed over his black armored chest.  He was a tall man, strongly built with a square jaw, close cropped hair and dark eyes.  “I’ve been told you cannot interfere.”

“They lied,” she shouted as she quickly countered each aggressive move from Atton.  “This doesn’t concern you, Kun.  Go back to your hidey-hole.”

“You lied!”  Atton yelled.  “You used me!  Are still using me!”

“No.  I haven’t lied . . .”

“I saw you on the bridge of Revan’s ship.”  He began a furious combination forcing Jaden back.

“It wasn’t me, Atton.”  Her muscles quivered as she maintained the saber lock.  The power the dark masters had given him was beginning to drain her own.

“Then you turned her against me!”  He forced her saber down just enough to slam his fist into her jaw.

Her head snapped back and she went down.

“Excellent shot.”  Kun praised.

Jaden’s eyes fluttered open in time to see Atton’s blue saber begin its downward arc.  She stopped it a hairsbreadth from her neck before she raised her foot and kicked out, sending him across the room.

“Get up,” Kun hissed.  “Finish what you’ve begun.  Finish her!”

“Why don’t you pick on someone your own size?” Jaden’s words whipped out as she got up.  “Oh, wait.  I almost forgot.  It was your cowardice that tied you to these tombs.”  She snorted.  “To afraid to face your former apprentice, a man stripped of the Force.”

He bellowed his outrage as he ignited his double-bladed saber and came toward her.

Jaden whispered quick words and braced herself for the saber slash from shoulder to hip.  In the stunned silence that followed, she turned and smirked.  “Missed me.”

“But I won’t.”

“Atton, no!”  She leapt aside, his saber glancing off her shoulder.  She cried out as white-hot pain flooded her system.  Stumbling away, she held her left arm close to her chest as she defended herself with her right.  “Don’t let them do this, Atton.”  She fought back the tears.

“Shut up.”

“Don’t let the dark side win.”  His next blow was so vicious she almost lost her weapon.  “You’re not D’Nara, Jaq.  You’re your own man.”

“Shut up!”

~~ Her lies and deceptions weaken her. ~~

“Finish it, Jaq Rand, and you will end the Jedi once and for all.”

No!  I can’t.  I won’t do this.  I won’t!

~~ Reclaim your birthright!  What Jaden stole from you in order to keep her own power. ~~

“Fight this,” she pleaded when she found herself shoulder to shoulder with him.  “Atton, you must fight them.”  When her eyes locked with his, she could see the faint glint of terror and confusion that was her Atton; under the beast, the dark masters had created.

I’m trying, Jaden.  I’m trying!  He dug down below the thickening darkness, the naked panic then watched in horror as he shoved her away, causing her to trip back, fall, and hit her head on the obelisk.

*************************

He wasn’t sure what woke him, caused him to sit straight up in bed drawing in a sharp breath.  Zared gave a quick look to the two naked slave girls beside him but they were still sleeping.  He pressed the heel of his hand to the bridge of his nose as power pounded through his head.

When he crawled from the bed a wave of energy rolled through him almost causing him to pass out.  He took deep, steadying breaths until the sensation passed.

Something is happening, he thought as he went to the sink to splash cold water on his face.  Looking in the mirror, water dripping from his chin, Zared was assaulted by another wave.  This wasn’t like the other times; the shock waves Jaden sent through the Force.  This was more like a beast fighting to get free.

~~ What is going on? ~~ He gripped the side of the sink, closing his eyes.  When he opened them, he found himself standing on an endless plane of black and red mist.  A faint silvery glow steps away.

*************************

“Jaden.”

She felt a light poke on her cheek.

“Darling.”

Her eyes flew open to find vivid blue ones studying her with concern and confusion.  “Am I done yet?”

He gave her a quick, brilliant grin.  “We have to stop meeting like this.”  Zared stood, offered his hand, and helped her up.  “Whatever meeting like this, is,” he added in a murmur.

Jaden looked around at the swirling black mist pulsing over the violent red glow.  “It’s the dark side.”  She looked at him.  “You.”  She reached up and gingerly touched the lump forming at the back of her head, sucking in air though her teeth.

“Did Onasi do this?”  His demand caused the mist to darken and pulse ominously.

“No,” she sighed ignoring the needle-like sensation on her skin.  “He has nothing to do with this.”  She looked at her shoulder.  "Or any of this for that matter.  You need to leave Telos alone.”

“Hmm.”  He cupped the back of her head, put his other hand on her bleeding shoulder as he placed his warm lips on her brow.  Like that’s going to happen.

It wasn’t just the healing touch she felt ease the screaming pain in her head and arm, but also a return of some of the power he had taken from her.  She stepped back to break the connection.

“Better?”

She nodded as the rich low tones of his voice caressed her.  “Thank you,” she said looking up then over his shoulder.  Her eyes widened briefly before she forcefully elbowed him aside and blocked the powerful down swing of Exar Kun’s saber.

“You bitch!”

“Yeah, yeah, blah, blah.”  She rammed her elbow up into his jaw and stepped back.  “Stay outta this,” she said when she heard Zared ignite his saber.

“Are you certain, darling?”

“Absolutely.”  And she launched into an offensive barrage of moves that was stunning in its ferocity.  Jaden wasn’t sure what would happen if Kun managed to get in a lucky shot and took Zared down.  She had to keep him safe.  How’s that for irony?  They may not be able to harm one another in this place, but that didn’t mean someone else couldn’t. 

“You cannot win here,” Kun said with a swing at her feet she agile jumped.  “I am the darkness.”

“You’re a hack and a coward.”  She ducked under his saber as she jammed her knee into his gut.

Zared frowned, crossing his arms.  “Darling, is it wise to incite the insane dark lord?”

Kun’s outrage may have made him powerful but it also gave Jaden something to use against him.  She couldn’t draw the darkness she needed for this fight from Zared.  She wouldn’t risk trapping them in the dark side, dooming the galaxy and them both to death.

Jaden shrugged as she and Kun circled one another.  “He did run like a girl when the Republic showed up at his doorstep.”

“True enough.”

Kun sneered.  “You’re as pathetic as she is,” he said raising his arm as he kept his dark eyes leveled on Jaden.  He sent a stream of Force Lightning toward Zared who raised his hand in a bored manner and absorbed the energy.

“Please,” he drolled pointing at his chest.  “Sith’ari.”

Jaden gave Kun a cheesy grin.  “Grand Master Jedi.”  The grin dropped.  “Uh-oh,” exploded out of her mouth a moment before he came at her again.  As she parried, ducked, and spun to avoid his vicious attacks, she could feel her body being pulled in a different direction.  No, not now, she thought as she felt herself being tugged back.

The tiny distraction was all it took.  Kun slammed his body against her, sending her off her feet and knocking the air from her lungs.  She couldn’t breathe, let alone move, and watched as he stalked her.  She was tugged at once more as she gathered the darkness around her to move.

“The Jedi are weak,” he said igniting his saber.

“Not this one.”  She channeled every ounce of power into her hand and shoved him back to the purgatory he created for himself.  Then, she passed out.

*************************

Atton stood by in stunned horror as he watched himself walk to the prone and still body of Jaden.

~~ Finish her! ~~

Blood trickled from the back of her head, her sleeve bloodied from her shoulder wound.

~~ It is less than she deserves.  Kill her! ~~

The saber in the hand that was not his own sprang to life.

*************************

“Jaden?  Come on, darling.”  Zared was down on one knee brushing her choppy hair from her brow.  “Wake up, Jaden,” he added in a sharp tone.

“Aeden?”

He may not fully understand what was going on – what brought him to this place – but he knew Jaden being hurt wasn’t good.  Relief flooded through him.  “Did you know that rhymes?”

“Trust me,” she added a grunt as he helped her sit up.  “It wasn’t meant to.”

“Would you care to explain why we’re here?”

She looked around the darkness that went on forever.  “Atton must have pushed me into the obelisk when we were fighting.”

“Like when I touched the one that belongs to the light.”  The statement brought on the sudden memory of the vision he had when he felt something was wrong with her.

Jaden nodded.

“Do you make it a habit to piss off all the men in your life?”  He asked cocking a brow.

She chuckled and patted his knee.  “Only the ones I care about.”

*************************

No!  He had to stop this.  He didn’t understand why this was happening.  Why couldn’t he stop this?  Atton continued the frantic search within himself for anything that would end this insanity.  Then he heard it, faint, but it was there.  “This is not who you are . . . You must fight this.”  He grabbed at the memory of her words and held on.

~~ She has lied, used, and manipulated you. ~~ Their tone was taking on a frantic edge.  ~~ She must be stopped! ~~

“You’re a good man.  One of the best I know.” Jaden had told him in the lounge on the Sojourn.

~~ She took your pride; robbed you of your strength. ~~

No!  You’re lying.

*************************

“So.  Was that really Exar Kun?”

“Unfortunately.”  She let him help her stand.  “Your . . . masters are trying to get to me through Atton.  He’s not playing by their rules.  Neither are you, for what it’s worth.  They must of told Kun what was going on and to distract me.”  She took a deep breath.  “He won’t be bothering anyone for the next four thousand years or so.”  Let the son of the next ‘Chosen One’ deal with him, she thought nastily.

Zared cocked his left brow,  “Did you say four thousand years?”

Jaden bent over as the tugging became stronger, causing her to step back.

*************************

~~ We are in your blood.  Do you really believe you can deny what you are? ~~

Both hands held the saber; ready to plunge in the lifeless body at his feet.

“. . . One of the galaxy’s greatest Jedi.”

I won’t do this.  You cannot make me.

*************************

He grabbed her elbow when she wavered.  “Damn it, Jaden.  What did Atton do to you?”  Zared rubbed her back as she took deep breaths.

“No, it’s not that.”

*************************

~~ We can and we will! ~~

Atton fought, and fought hard, against the urge to plunge his saber into Jaden.  He pushed aside the vile images of his past, the violence of his actions and finally accepted what he had been and realized it wasn’t something to bury under fear but to use as a tool for strength and guidance going forward.  That’s what Jaden had been trying to tell him since she rescued him on Malachor V and he’d been afraid to believe her.  It was simpler to want peace and accept his disillusionment.  It took strength of character to accept his failings and use those lessons for growth, something Atton had buried under the wise cracks and flippant attitude.  Jaden had been right – his darkness, what he had done, was a part of him but it wasn’t who he was unless he allowed it.

“No!”  He screamed as he flung the saber at the wall.  The force of the throw shattered his weapon against the stones, as the clutch of the darkness faded.  I am Jaq Atton Rand, Jedi Knight.

*************************

Jaden took a deep breath and straightened.  Her smile was slow but radiant, her eyes glowing as relief rolled through her.  “He did it,” she told Zared with a carefree laugh before she framed his face with her hands and gave him a noisy kiss.

*************************

“I’m sorry,” he whispered dragging in deep breaths as he dropped to his knees.  “I am so sorry.”  He lifted her gently, cradled her head against his chest.  “Don’t do this Jaden.  Come on, honey, wake up.  I promise to take the trials.  I’ll wear the damn robes.  I’ll drink tea.”

*************************

“We need to leave,” she whispered against his lips.

“Why?”

The ground beneath them began to shake violently and a horrendous scream of anger began to build.

~ You will not get away with this! ~~

“That’s why.”

“What the hell . . .?”  He wondered, hunching his shoulders against the sound.

“That’s the sound of poor losers.”  She stepped out of his arms and looked around.  “You failed, you bastards.”

The mist around their feet began to thicken and swirl into a wraith like form in front of her.  It reared back once, preparing to strike.  Jaden raised her hand halting its attack.

Zared watched, his saber ready if he needed to defend her, as Jaden stared into the heart of the darkness.

“Don’t even think about it.”

“Darling . . .”

“I wasn’t talking to you.”  She slowly lowered her hand.  “It’s finished.  He made his choice.  You tried and you failed and you will not touch what is now mine.”

~~ You dare dictate to us? ~~

“Yes.”  She tipped her head to the side.  “I am your embodiment and therefore you.”

A sick feeling began in his gut.  “Jaden, what the hell are you talking about?  Embodiment of who.”

~~ You, silly girl, are nothing. ~~

Jaden’s left hand snapped out, viper quick and grabbed the wraith by the throat.  “You haven’t told him.”  It was a simple statement yet her outrage was evident.

“Told me what?” He demanded, as the sick feeling morphed into fury that radiated through him as he observed Jaden and the . . . dark wraith study each other with a knowledge that was clearly intimate.

“You have something that belongs to me.”  She saw a tendril of the dark masters snake under the mist toward Zared.  In a flash, she ignited her saber and stabbed it into the floor through the ghostly appendage inches from his boot.  “Mine!”

Their howl of outrage had Zared stiffening.

~~ Destroy her! ~~ They demanded.  ~~ Take what is rightfully yours. ~~

It wasn’t a tug now she felt, but whatever power she had was being leeched from her.  Her saber fell from her hand when the dark side pushed away.

~~ She is defenseless.  Strike her down!  ~~

Jaden watched as the wraith of the dark masters curled themselves around a stunned Zared.

~~ The son of D’Nara has delivered her to you, ~~ they said quickly.  ~~ End this!  Claim the Valley of the Jedi. ~~

Maybe they hadn’t failed after all, she thought.  Jaden knew they were setting her up, but she thought it was to reclaim Atton.  Not deliver her to her enemy.

Zared’s eyes flashed as he engaged his saber.

“Don’t do it, Aeden.”

The dark masters hissed from over his shoulder.

“The Sith’ari controls the dark side,” she told him holding his gaze.

~~ Do not listen to her.  You’re a breath away from victory! ~

He vibrated with conflicting emotions and thoughts as flashes of memories paraded through his mind.  The scream he now recognized as Jaden’s when he cut himself off from the Force, Kreia’s words as he destroyed those that stood in his way, Jaden, on Korriban asking how it felt to be cut off from the dark side.  Words, they were just words, but he was beginning to believe he’d been had.

“Shut up,” he snapped, spinning and slicing through the misty wraith at his back.

Jaden took calming breaths as their icy grip faded.  When Zared flipped off his saber, they stood in the silence.  She could feel his anger, the purity, and its darkness, but it was his.  Not the dark masters.

“What do I have that is yours?”  The question was quiet, deadly in its intensity.

Jaden walked to him and brushed his black silky hair from his cheek as the ground trembled once more.  When she looked at him, her eyes were dark and flat.  “My empire.”  She trailed her fingers from his cheek to his heart, stealing a little more of her power. 

*************************

“I’ll make Master Vandar look like a first year Padawan.  Just don’t die on me!”

“Then let me breathe,” she mumbled against the lapel of his jacket.

There was so much relief in his eyes she carefully lifted her hand to cup his cheek.  “I’ll hold you to the trials.  The rest is negotiable.”