CHAPTER NINE
When Anakin finally came back to consciousness, he was laying on his back in a field of lush, green grass. Of course, a moment later, it turned into a shade of tan before vanishing entirely, leaving only patches of dirt behind.
He sat up, surprised to feel the pain gone, to see Animus standing before him, his arms crossed and a nasty scowl on his face. Anakin suddenly found it difficult to swallow.
"I...take it that I've failed the trial."
"Clearly," Animus growled.
Anakin sat up and began rising to his feet. "What was I even supposed to accomplish?" he asked. "What was the purpose of that trial?"
"To test your fear," Animus said. "I know why you tried to kill Vader. Because you were afraid of him."
A Jedi knows no fear, echoed the tenants of the Jedi Code he had heard in the cave. Anakin hung his head in shame.
"You're right," he said. "I gave into my fear and anger. I suppose I was afraid of him trying to turn me to the dark side."
Much to his surprise, Animus' face lost some of its hardness. "I understand," the shapeshifter said, his voice less gruff than usual. "Your parents gave you the name of one of the greatest Jedi Knights in the galaxy has ever know. You have quite a legacy to live up to."
"Must I live up to it?" Anakin asked, lifting his head back up to look at Animus. "What if I try to do that and...become another Vader?"
The last few words were spoken in a whisper, but were loud enough for Animus to hear.
"Whether you fall to the dark side or not is, believe it or not, entirely up to you." In response to Anakin's confused look, he smirked. "There may be some people who would disagree with me, but the way I see it, your grandfather chose to fall to the dark side. He saw it as the only way to save his wife from death."
The large man then stepped forward, staring hard into Anakin's eyes. "I know that you have...feelings for Lysira Naris. They may be simply feelings that you would reserve for a mere friend...for now. But be warned; she is, for lack of a better term, a Dark Jedi.
"If you wish to stray away from the dark path, it would be wise of you to stay away from her."
Anakin stared at him bemusedly. "How do you know so much about her?"
Animus' expression darkened. "Because I have faced her before, on Kashyyyk."
He turned around to walk away. "And she is not as innocent as you might think her to be."
* * *
Why is it, Xanus Baran thought as he meditated alone his chambers, that when someone answers a question, they tend to always bring up more questions.
When Tasen Denon had revealed that he was here to find and bring Jacen Solo back to his fellow Dark Jedi, the High Council had barraged him with more questions, none of which he would answer. The Jedi Masters then called for a 'recess', during which they would meditate on the situation.
Before leaving the Council Chambers, Tasen had said, "If you would like, if you agree on letting me take Solo, I will summon my masters here and have them explain everything to you...and perhaps return your missing Jedi."
As much as it shamed Baran to admit it, the offer was a tempting one. If the Dark Jedi were willing to explain what was going on, then perhaps they were willing to help them in the Glorian War.
Do not trust the dark side, the words of his later master rung in his head. Although they still rang true for any Jedi- or any being in the galaxy- Baran still couldn't help but wonder, Would both sides of the Force be able to unite to take on a threat greater even than the Sith?
Before he could meditate further on this question, the door to his quarters opened and the Grand Master opened his eyes to see Master Kro Sadoon enter.
"I have...given the situation some thought," said the Kel Dor Jedi Master. "And...I believe I have reached a solution of some sort."
Baran looked up at him and frowned. "Does it involve us handing Jacen Solo over to these Dark Jedi?"
Sadoon shook his head. "No- at least not particularly. Instead, I believe we can negotiate a compromise with Tasen Denon."
Baran rose to his feet. "And just what sort of compromise do you have in mind."
Sadoon tilted his head. "I believe it would be best if we summoned the others back to the Council Chambers."
* * *
The tall man led Wallen, Xemer, and Kane down a series of hallways, which were all connected together to form a complex labyrinth. The dark walls with red drapes gave it a rather eerie appearance to Wallen. They finally arrived at a door, where a humanoid man stood at its entrance, a gray hood concealing a portion of his face.
"Password," the man croaked, sounding almost as old as the Woostoid who had greeted them.
"Donec apoka," the cloaked man said in a language Wallen did not recognize. The hooded being slowly stepped aside and allowed the four of them to pass through the now opening door.
Beyond the portal, they found themselves in a barely-lit circular chamber, where Wallen could make out the silhouettes of six figures.
"My brethren," the large man said, his voice booming off the walls. "I have with me...the Skywalker."
Murmurs erupted from the obscured beings. Wallen glanced at Kane, who seemed to be just as perplexed as he was.
Finally, one of the six figures spoke, their feminine sounding voice directed at Kane. "What brings you here before us?"
Clearing his throat, Kane said, "Galactic Alliance Intelligence found evidence that connected several Jedi disappearances to a planet in the Esstran sector, after following the Daragon trail."
"Which was what we wanted," said a second voice, a male one. "We wanted you to come to us, Skywalker."
Kane frowned, staring coldly in the direction the voice had come from. "If you're planning on turning me back to the dark side, then forget it. I've been to it before and I don't plan on returning."
The same voice laughed, causing Wallen to shudder slightly. "Do not worry. We do not wish to turn you to the darkness. At the moment, anyway..."
"What Master Viron means," a third voice said, "is that you are required for an event that will affect the galaxy-"
"All right, can the space trash!" Wallen snapped. "Can't you just explain everything to us simply, without all of the vagueness and creepiness?"
The gathered beings were silent. Xemer and Kane were staring at him in astonishment, while the large man who had led them here remained expressionless.
Then, much to Wallen's own surprise, one of the beings laughed. It wasn't a mirthful one, but it didn't give Wallen any bad feelings either.
"You did not let him finish," the fourth voice said. "The event which we are referring to is a meeting between your Jedi Order and ours."
A figure leaned forward in the shadows and Wallen could see a strange mask appear from the darkness.
"Trust me. Everything will be explained in time."
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