Chapter 93: 93. Chapter

After spending some more time with daydreaming, I decided to sleep. I had enough excitement, and I can only speculate about the real identity of that invisible guy. Whoever that was, I knew the guy had some serious training with hiding his or her force presence.

I needed to go as far as using my newly acquired eye technique. It could not hide from that. In that state, I could sense even the smallest concentrations of force energies.

Now I have even learned to control the distance at which I wanted to sense force particles. Thanks to that, I no longer have a splitting headache while using it. Only if I stretch my vision too far.

However, I need to practice much more… I need to time the use of the force seeing eye as I took to call it, and change it back to my regular eyesight. The problem is that it takes a few seconds to change from one to another.

I never even expected to use it in a battle scenario, but it turns out that it is surprisingly useful for that. I don’t like it, but it seems that more and more people are running around with these high-tech cloaking devices. I couldn’t sense the presence of that mercenary woman, either.

Come to think of it…

Personal cloaking devices were supposed to be highly illegal and such, that means either I highly underestimated the reach of the local black market, or it was the same person using it.

I was lying on top of my bed, with closed eyes while being in a meditative state, thinking about the events of the last few days, and my earlier encounter with this mysterious stalker.

Yes, it seems more and more likely that the mercenary was the shadowy figure that tried to look into my surface thoughts by creating a thin line of force energy and connecting it to my presence.

It makes me frustrated to say it, and it is still just an idea, which could very well turn out to be false, but I did not sense her presence, until she tried to pull that trick on me, but even after that, I could not locate her without my force seeing eye.

I winced, breaking my meditative state.

Even thinking about it makes me want to die. I was fucking knocked over by a bag of trash. I even managed to hit the back of my head on the concrete that seems to cover every part of this cursed planet.

I winced while channeling a small amount of healing energies into the bruise on my head. How annoying… I will have to learn how to integrate this new ability into my fighting style.

My meditation being broken, I moved to lay on my right side, sliding my leks into a comfortable position. I don’t want to accidentally lay on them, especially not for a prolonged time. It feels just too weird when they become numb and prickly. It’s like part of your brain had gone numb…

My eyes were still closed as I lay there, motionless. Waiting to fall asleep, but my mind seemed to have different thoughts.

With a frustrated sigh, I opened my closed eyes and stared into the darkness of the room. I could only see the barely visible forms of the furniture. It was strange. Coruscant was a planet of light. There were always noises going around, ships flying through the sky, every time of the day. The constant activity was never truly broken.

Now it was different. The streets were silent and dark. Only small light sources could be found here and there, flickering and illuminating the smallest tiny sections of the essentially endless city colossus. I found myself focusing on this ominous silence that seemed to surround me all of a sudden.

I blinked my eyes, feeling drowsy for a second, then when I opened it, the dark silhouettes of the furniture had changed. They started to morph into the form of a person. I jolted up on my bed, now sitting and instinctively covering myself with the warm blanket as I stared at this unexpected turn of events.

The shadowy form morphed into a tall man. Any true feature of this person was covered in a dark mist… aside from the eyes. The eyes that were peering into mine, trying to search my very soul. The golden and reddish burning eyes of a Sith.

I looked into those eyes and couldn’t help but shiver from the maniacal gaze. There was no self-control reflecting in those eyes, only an unleashed swirling chaos. Yes, this one was the real thing… I could easily recognize the haunted eyes of those who have been consumed by their own desire for power. Never trusting anyone, always looking behind with one eye. Claiming it to be for their own freedom, while ignoring the fact that they chained down everyone around them in exchange for the freedom they gained.

My heart raced as I held the burning gaze of this creature. I know that it could not hurt me right now, as it was only present through some Darkside technique, or ritual. I mean… not being able to hurt is an overstatement, but since I know plenty of those types of techniques. They could not affect me, not easily at least. These techniques feed upon their victims’ fears, and if someone doesn’t understand what is happening, they would naturally be terrified of such an apparition giving way to haunting nightmares and, in some cases, madness.

The apparition seems to be surprised that I wasn’t covering in fear by now. I guess that is a reasonable expectation from a now fourteen-year-old girl in this situation. I wonder if I should try to act terrified?

There was a reevaluating glint in the yellow eyes of the shadowy presence, and I immediately understood that it was too late to act now. He could see that I wasn’t afraid, only surprised. I also managed to sense his presence, and it was completely different from the one I sensed around the jedi temple back there.

I was a bit intrigued by this. However, I could not think about it anymore, as the shadow called out to me.

-I can see why they want to hunt you down so badly…

He gazed at me with a concentration that was limited to the jurisdiction of possessive maniacs.

-A cute little thing, but fearless… or perhaps merely ignorant to fear the shadows… Whichever it is doesn't matter… not right now… but you have managed to anger him, and in that we are similar… I came to warn you, that you should leave this place, before they find you here… You wouldn’t want your friends to get in the crossfire would you?

I narrowed my eyes at the abomination as I asked coldly.

-Are you trying to threaten me?

The shadow flickered momentarily, shuddered by a wave of amusement.

I heard a short, unhinged cackle coming from the dark side manifestation.

-No… of course not… it was, but an innocent suggestion… nothing more, nothing less. Watch out for the shadows. I feel… that there is a long night ahead…

I raised my eyebrows a bit as his words surprised me.

-What do you mean by that?

The shadow snorted as he scolded me with growing irritation.

-Pay more attention, when we speak foolish child. You might have managed to anger him, but that is not something to be arrogant about. But, if you survive long enough… I might be more inclined to think of you in a different light. When the time arrives, and you want to meet with me, come to the abandoned metal factory on the following coordinates, alone.

I heard a series of whispering noises, they eventually turned out to be voices as they cleared somewhat, I could hear that they were telling me numbers. I focused on it and could hear mysterious numbers that were supposedly the coordinates of that factory…

After I had memorized the numbers, I looked up at the shadow and spoke.

-Huh, you are surely arrogant to think that I will go and seek you out. Oh, forgive me for stating the obvious, but you don’t exactly look like an enjoyable company for my afternoon activities.

-… Which are?

Asked the shadow with obvious disdain.

-Wouldn’t you like to know?

I smirked.

He snorted back.

-Are you going to visit your jedi friends again? Are you happy with your achievements? They let you off the hook for now, since they deemed you useful and too troublesome to get rid of right now. Do you think they will let you go even after they've finished licking their wounds? Are you trusting the Jedi, placing your life in their hands, the hands that are sure to betray you?

I shook my head slightly.

-Oh, believe me, I know that some of them are like that.

-If that’s true, then why don’t you seek me out…

I interrupted the fool.

Now it was my turn to read into his presence. Two can play that sort of game.

-Ah, the arrogance and disregard… you seem to think that you would be so much different from the Jedi… A Sith, already hunted by his Master… or should I say, his past Master… ah, yes, you have been replaced… how unfortunate for someone that was deemed to hold everything in his hands. All the power, the wealth, that was so close, you only had to reach out and grab it, but just before you touched it, it dispersed, never to be seen again. Maybe it was never truly there to begin with… Maybe you were always meant to be replaced- cough…

-HUARGGH! SILENCE YOU LITTLE WORM!

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I felt a pressure closing around my windpipe, that managed to successfully interrupt my mind reading. I coughed a few times as the natural panic from being cut away from breathable air raised in my chest, but I fought it down and focused my mind on untangling the knot made from the living force around my neck.

The force choke was powerful. Not a mere apprentice, but still so far from a true master, it gave way to me as I overpowered it with my superior force control and technique. The fact that the person who attacked me was doing it from a distance might have made it easier, too.

After a few silent seconds, I moved my neck from left to right, easing my tension and continued to speak as if nothing had happened.

-Your technique and ability… to wield the force is lacking. I can see why he discarded you. You must be a saber specialist then… that is the only answer to why he even took an interest in you…

I saw the yellow eyes widen in shock, and a weak sense of fear which was quickly hidden…

-You… who, no… what are you? You are not an apprentice… no… you are already on the level of a master… but that is impossible, only if? Could it be? Have you possessed that child’s body?

Now it was me who felt a sense of discomfort and surprise. However, realizing who I was speaking with, I probably shouldn’t have to feel that way in the first place. This Sith should know of the existence of such techniques. He was clearly trained well, and for quite some time, to reach such strength. In the time when the Sith numbered in the tens of thousands, one as powerful as him would obviously become a Dark Lord.

His lack of proficiency with bending the force must have been a disappointment to his master. The masters appearing after Darth Bane’s betrayal have always tried to choose apprentices that excelled in everything. Be that lightsaber combat, force wielding, or ritual based techniques.

This was a reasonable thing to do, as every capable enemy would use such obvious weaknesses against you.

They would often lose interest in an already acquired apprentice, if they found one that might become even more powerful. The bottom line to be discarded was, if the master believed that the apprentice could not defeat him in any type of scenario.

In those cases, the apprentices needed to eliminate each other, to prove their worth, to remain or replace the current apprentice.

There could be only two, after all… one master and an apprentice. Everyone else is a rival.

-I knew it… you were barely surprised by my suggestion… How insidious of you… cruelly stealing the body of an innocent child and one so young… Such a shameless act…

I grimaced at the thought and stated strongly.

-You are mistaken, but I will not indulge you by explaining anything further.

There was a heavy silence before the man spoke again.

-What if I tell your friends what you really are? How would they react to your nature as a beast hidden among the sheep?

I smiled widely.

-Oh, naturally they would believe the words of a complete stranger, especially with your trustworthy outlook, over my words.

He reciprocated my grin.

-They wouldn’t… not right away, but doubt over time… could lead to uncertainty, and that will eventually create questions… questions that you might not wish to answer.

I shook my head slowly, feeling amused as I said.

-Or questions that I might have answered already.

I couldn’t help but shook my head again at the pitiful attempt to threaten me.

-I am not a Jedi, Sith. You cannot change my mind with your subpar threats.

I saw the barely constrained anger swirl in his eyes, ready to lash out at any second.

Who in their right mind would deal with an actual Sith? I had no idea. We only ever reached out to Sith, who were already on the edge of becoming gray. Dealing with the extremists was simply too much of a bother and often resulted in the death of either one of the dialog makers.

I was getting pretty bored with the bullshit of this one too… It was clear as daylight that they had no actual way to find me. I was a Grey Lord, a master of hiding my force presence. That was our Order’s specialty. He was clearly trying to lure me out, because they had no other way of actually finding me. The only reason they were able to create this illusion is because I used some of my power earlier.

So I decided to put him in his place.

I snarled at him while channeling a healthy amount of hatred. My eyes quickly changed to an ominous pair of golden rings.

-Let us make something clear, Sith. Between the two of us, in any possible scenario, you would not be the one who is called the master. Oh, and I have a message for your ex master who is no doubt listening to this… Good luck, for finding me. You did quite an amusing job in the last few years… alas, your success rate was zero. Hmmm… there is something to be said for tenacity, I guess.

We stared at one another for an uncomfortable amount of time after that. Then the shadow moved, split, and eventually morphed into a different form. Only the eyes remained the same color of golden yellow, without the red this time.

The voice of a croaky old man could be heard.

-Your arrogance is certainly comparable to a Darth… but are your skills able to keep up with one? I have heard of your kind, little twi’lek… Do not think for a second that you are the only one who knowns of our existence. Your meddling has managed to ruin a carefully assembled plan. One that my masters master’s have been working out to the smallest of details. You even turned my future apprentice against me… It might be true that a rat like you is capable of hiding, but how long will you be able to hide, when the entire Republic will soon burn around you?

My smile strained as the immensely cold yet also furious aura covered me. This was one of the most powerful Sith Lords I have ever encountered. The true master behind everything… He finally showed himself.

-I suppose you are the so called Darth Sidious, I assume? I must admit, I never expected the clones to be the ones that would turn against the jedi. It was indeed a brilliant plan.

For a moment, he was confused, then a loud cackle broke out of his throat. After he stopped laughing, he crooked out, almost amused.

-Flattery, of all things, will not help you… Even so, I cannot disregard such unexpected praise… hehe… Maybe… if you prove to be entertaining enough, I might leave behind enough of your body to keep me entertained over dinner. 

Okay, I felt a chill run up my back just now. However, I never broke my perfect smile.

-Was that supposed to be an indirect invitation for dinner? I appreciate the thought, but I am afraid our age difference is a bit too much, therefore I must refuse.

He cackled once again.

-I am afraid it is not the sort of invitation you will be capable of refusing.

-If you insist… but allow me to give you polite advice.

-Oh, please, by all means… enlighten me?

-When you send the invitation, address it to Darth Waif, since that is the name you will never, not even in your dreams forget from now on.

I saw a strange glint cross the eyes of Sidious as I reached out with my mind and sent concentrated dark-side energy towards him. I was gathering the negative energy while chatting with the bastard.

I saw with delight as the shadow flickered... Heard an animalistic snarl, and the connection was cut for good. As the distant presence disappeared, I felt refreshed.

That will teach the bastard to never try to fuck with me so carelessly.

From the moment, he told me that he knew of the existence of a body possessing rituals, I knew he was not what he showed himself to be. There was no way a Sith master would willingly share such a closely guarded secret technique with an apprentice that was not planned to replace him.

Unfortunately, he also learned that I was not exactly what I showed myself to be, which he would already suspect at this time. I believe I was the one who gained more knowledge from this encounter.

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