Chapter 24: Hubris, part IEven had the mine tunnel not been dark, deserted, and all but forgotten, the lone figure waiting within was effectively undetectable. Surrounded—not uncomfortably—by black, crystalline technoarmor, the occupant waited, the silence of the mine tunnel unbroken. But within the confines of the helmet…it was another story.
“Here we are, born to be gods/We're the princes of the universe”Singing in time with the lyrics, he felt the Aethan adrenal response metabolize throughout his system, making everything more acute.
“Here we belong, fighting to survive/In a world with the darkest powers”Even within the mines, he could feel the change in the rock strata, the reverberations indicative of ships, their landing gears making heavy contact with the landing pad. Valens had been right: Anson’s forces would pull back to Lus’phor.
But then, he knew that Valens would be right; he always was. After all, it was Valens who’d driven them with purpose, orchestrating every tactical decision, influencing both Kazic’s as well as Anson’s collective war strategies. Which was as it should be; no one could compare to People. No one.
And he would show them, both his People as well as to these…Jedi. He smiled; he already entertained notions of battling these Vhal’Dan, swatting them like the insignificant flies that they were. Who knows? Perhaps he could isolate Anson himself…not that it would be much of a contest. After all, no Force-users were equal to the People.
And surely all reports of this Anson’s strength were exaggerated. Besides…that man
deserved to be humiliated, beat and beaten by
him, especially for the audacity of his actions. To think: that he had…
dared molest a female of the People?! Every time that that image—that thought—had been broadcast amongst the People… He shook his head, disgust, rage, and contempt mingling with utter hatred. Yes, he would make Anson pay for what he’d done to Aresaea…
“Here we belong, fighting for survival/We've come to be the rulers of you all”He smiled, listening to the song that Lyaea had looped in his armor’s audio database. And he could not deny the aptness of the lyrics. His chest filled with pride and eagerness, head once again filled with thoughts of brutal retribution and with him standing triumphant above the defeated, prostrate body of Anson, a scene inaugurating the surrender and submission of all of the Kage’s forces.
To him. Because of him. And although his face could not be seen through the polarized filter of his helmet, his teeth shined almost preternaturally as his mouth widened into an enormous smile, his voice shouting the lyrics of what he knew to be prophetic.
“And here we are, we're the princes of the universe!” <<<<< >>>>>
The
daen nosi were never wrong. Never. And as Kazic observed with marked exactitude how they undulated around and through the Shadow’s form, converging on…something behind.
Just before the Shadow was going to stab Kazic, a teal blade erupted from his chest. Even though the Shadow’s face was completely obscured by the helmet he wore, Kazic could imagine the look of surprise upon his face. Reflexively grabbing at the blade, the Shadow only accomplished in burning his own hands on the plasma, half-vaporized fingers dropping morbidly to the ground. Agonizingly, the Shadow slumped forward falling hard onto Kazic, lifeless. Even as the Anzat attempted to extricate himself from beneath the body, his red eyes scrutinized the huge, darkened figure looming above him. In the blackened hallway, Kazic’s infravision took over, giving him a better idea of who, or rather “what” the being was.
Judging by how large the body was and how efficient the circulatory system, Kazic deduced that it must be a Wookie… And with a sudden conclusiveness, the
daen nosi snapped around it, seemingly settling without any notice.
…Ryshhk K’rrmerii…As if naming him caused the darkness to recede, the Wookie Speaker’s face became visible to Kazic’s normal vision. As with every other time he’d been around Ryshhk, Kazic was unable to read anything in his face. Still, if present actions were any indicator…
“…Thank you.” He said quietly, as Kazic received his second shock when the Wookie held out his hand to help the Anzat up. He looked around the shadowed hall, now able to discern the violence that had preceded him. Evidently, the Shadow had had plenty of time to set up his ambush.
Almost as if he’d known precisely what to expect…
…Anson…And if he knew when and where to find me…Saani…!He knew that Anson was an accomplished Flow-Walker…but even doing so, finding someone at a precise time and place was…problematic at best. “The future is always in motion; it would be like…trying to shoot a womprat…on a speederbike…from orbit…while drunk…” Kazic’s Master, Stryka Annix once told him. “…Although if substantial Force-energies are involved, it can give the Flow-Walker a…lens, if you will. Such an occurrence can help to bring focus, albeit only for a brief moment and at the cost of enormous power…”
Well. Anson was certainly powerful…but was he powerful enough? From what Master Stryka had intimated, it would require incredible strength in the Force.
Kazic paused, mentally stopping short. What if…what if Valens could Flow-Walk as well? It certainly would explain the “how” where the necessary power requirement was concerned…and combined with Anson’s?
Still: all of this was conjecture; Kazic mentally shook his head, bringing him to the here-and-now.
…Corvus…!Hurrying over to Corvus’ motionless body, Kazic checked for signs of life. Feeling the light thread of a pulse, Corvus’ breathing was ragged and shallow. Kazic breathed a silent prayer of thanks that he was still alive, administering what he could with his decidedly lacking talent of Force Healing. Still, it was better than noth—
With a suddenness that surprised him, Kazic felt Rysshk kneel beside, placing his enormous paws upon the Devaronian Speaker. With obvious care and skill, the Wookie Master wove deep currents of Healing, staunching the flow of blood, mending tissues, giving vital breath to Corvus…
It was an incredible display. With the exception of the Mak’Tor Singers, Kazic had never seen such proficiency in Healing. In a moment, Corvus’ pallid skin tone had darkened to its natural deep reddish-brown, his breathing regaining normalcy. It was all that the Anzat could do not to stare.
Kazic looked up into the taller Wookie’s golden eyes. “Not that I’m ungrateful but, just what are you doing here, Rysshk?”
Kazic was stunned for yet a third time: Rysshk lowered his head, his tone changing to one that Kazic had never heard from a Wookie. He could only describe it as…contrite?
[I…I seek to serve you, Kage. I do not ask for asylum nor exculpation and will accept as my punishment whatever you deem appropriate. But I know that you are the one, true Kage of the Vhal’Dan.] He went down to one knee, holding his still ignited saberstaff towards Kazic in his massive hand.
It was an ancient form predating the Order, back when the Vhal’Dan consisted of the Seven Clans. In doing so, Rysshk had given Kazic
carte blanche in deciding the Wookie’s fate, thus the submission and offering of his weapon. Should he chose, the Anzat Kage could use it against Rysshk. Kazic had to smile; this was one ceremony that probably hadn’t been required since the days of Black Rikard... Still, he understood Wookie honor enough not to downplay the gravity of the situation…or the reverence behind Rysshk’s gesture.
And the
daen nosi were never wrong.
“I accept and bond you into my service and absolve you of all past trespasses.” He spoke the ritual phrase, his deep voice intoning solemnity and authority. And subsequently relaxed, the formality of his previous tone a thing of the past. “Rysshk, your timing couldn’t be better but I’m desperately needed elsewhere…” Punctuating his words, Kazic moved to pick Corvus up from the floor. Again, Rysshk kneeled beside him, gently and effortlessly lifting the Devaronian in his thick, furry arms.
[I will take care of Corvus, my Kage. As soon as I’ve secured his convalescence, I will join you.] Kazic was about to refuse but thought better of such. Rysshk was a valuable ally and one of the most powerful Jedi in the Vhal’Dan, as strong as Kazic and possibly almost Anson. And if Saani was in trouble…
“We’ll go together, Rysshk. I have a feeling that I’m going to need you by my side…” As Kazic fell in beside the Wookie, he thought again of the
daen nosi. He’d learned to listen to them, trust them,
heed them… He had no doubt of Rysshk’s loyalty and character. Still…Kazic had to wonder why the
daen nosi hadn’t warned him about Valens and his plans. But even as the thought percolated in his mind, Kazic was forced in reminding himself that it was
his decisions that had directly lead to…well, exactly where he found himself now. Not Valens. Not even Anson, at least not entirely.
He was at least just as responsible…moreso in his own estimations. Oh, Valens was an effect to be sure but the cause…? That could be laid squarely upon his shoulders. He just hoped that he could affect the change requir—
Immediately, a piercing sound/light/sensation erupted in Kazic’s mind, causing him to drop to a knee, one hand going to his head the other grasping the heavy black orb that hung around his neck, the gift that Ari had given him. While it was unlike anything he’d ever experienced, he knew immediately what it signified.
[Kage?! Are you injured?] Rysshk somehow held Corvus in one arm while grasping Kazic’s shoulder, offering him support as he rose standing on shaky legs.
“No…” Kazic’s unsteady voice was tinged with anger…and fear. “…but Saani, she’s…” Kazic decided that it wasn’t important to explain the alert that he’d felt through the blackstone orb, a signal that Valens and Ari’s People
certainly must’ve felt. And with it, Saani’s
exact location. “She’s on Lus’phor.” He had to find transportation, anythi—
[Wait, Kage.] Rysshk stopped Kazic short. [We’ll take my ship. It has a medcouch for Corvus.]
Without further preamble, Kazic and Rysshk sped towards the Wookie’s ship, time both rushing headlong towards the future while seeming to crawl by as Kazic dared hope for Saani…and if he could arrive in time to help.
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There were two of them, “maenowans” he believed Valens called them. So: just one step from being full…Jedi Masters. Even now, he fumbled a bit with the New Ways. All People were Guardians, the aether allowing them to surpass even the most accomplished…Force-users.
Even as they reacted to his presence, their lightsabers ignited as one, he felt the aether surrounding them as they projected concentrated Pushes at him, or used it to augment their speed to match him, or to give them the Clairvoyance necessary to aid in their Point Defense, intercepting his phrik missiles with their blades. All very “neat” and “orderly” he thought.
“I am immortal, I have inside me blood of gods”With the music pounding in his helmet, he would show these Force-users what power in the aether
really was.
Sensing a third Vhal’Dan approaching attempting to flank him, he dedicated a full two consciousnesses towards the attacker. A newly-raised koawan, she was eager…but not inexperienced. She did not rush nor telegraph her intent, he thought, and against any other opponent she would have been successful. But not against one of the People.
“I have no rival, no man can be my equal”However, before she could commit, screams erupted from her throat, straining and pained. The two maenowans that were fighting him looked askance, their collective faces filled with horror as the koawan burst into flames, a living pyre.
Distracted, his opponents had left themselves vitally unguarded. As he parried with his blackstone tremor sword, he again focused. This time, the air around them began to grow heavy, thick, and stifling, perspiration immediately breaking out along the two maenowans’ skin. Shunting a partial third consciousness towards his ends, the tunnels around him exploded in blue aetheric fire, immolating his opponents. So intense were the flames that their tissues flash-burned in less than a minute, skeletons dropping at his feet along with their deactivated lightsabers.
“Take me to the future of you all”He was singing along with the lyrics, emboldened by his quick victory.
But then, he
knew he’d win.
He smiled again, seeing more Jedi enter the room from the landing port. Good, he was just getting warmed up…
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