WITHERING GLARE, PART IV
Mother had always said patience was a virtue.
In his many years of life, Nasoth Alarin had found that to very well be the case. After nearly seventy years, all of his patience and hard work was about to be paid off. And to think, he didn't even have to lift a finger.
He wondered what Mother and Father would have thought if they were still around. They would have been proud, of course, although Father would have been more than a bit jealous that his son had succeeded where he had not. Typical Father. If he had not wasted his time in the Jedi Order, he just might have succeeded.
Hearing the sound of ship engines come from outside, Nasoth excitedly got to his feet. This startled his Rodian Sith guard, who narrowed his bulbous black eyes.
"What are you doing?" asked Jark Kenu.
"Standing," Nasoth said simply.
"I can see that. But... why?"
"Because my partner is here."
"Your part--" Kenu suddenly gagged and reached for his constricting throat. With a wave of his hand, Nasoth caused the shield to his cell to drop and he calmly stepped out just as the Rodian fell to his knees.
"Tell Lord Krayt that I thank him for his hospitality as well as for his assistance," Nasoth said, only to see that Kenu had already expired. With a shrug, the Givin made for the temple's exit, facing no further opposition.
Outside, he found what had once been the Snatchers' vessel waiting for him. Standing by the ship was another Givin, clad in a black cloak with a hood raised over his head. In his hands was the artifact known as the Eye of Kaas.
"At last." Nasoth clasped his hands together. "Did the Snatchers perform their task well?"
"No," Sladru Nalas replied with disgust. "Before they even landed they had started killing one another. You should have let me handle the task by myself."
"And risk losing you? Don't be ridiculous. At your age, you're lucky enough to even stand straight."
"I'm only seventy-nine."
"Yes, and eighty is the average Givin's life span. Don't push your luck, dear."
"Whatever." Sladru handed him the artifact. "I just hope this is worth all the struggle."
"It will be, my love. It will be." Taking the Eye of Kaas, Nasoth studied it closely, just to make sure it was the genuine article. Relics of the Nakgru era had a very unique style, which set it apart from the Graush period onward. It made artifacts such as this worth more than any other in the galaxy combined.
As Nasoth continued to marvel at the artifact, Sladru leaned over his shoulder. "Are we ready to go then?"
"Another minute," Nasoth murmured, gazing into the Eye. "I want to savor this moment."
"It's a long way back home. You'll have plenty of time to--"
"No." Nasoth shook his head. "We're not going back home."
Sladru frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't you see, love?" Nasoth gestured at the Sith Temple before them. "The Force has led us to this moment. The last of the Sith are gathered on this world... and here we have, in our hands, the key to destroying them."
"No!" Sladru grabbed his partner by the arm. "You can't be serious! If you do what I think you're planning to do, you'll end up killing us both!"
"The greatest heroes make the biggest sacrifices--"
"Nas, look at me!" Sladru gently grabbed Nasoth's face and forced him to meet his eyes. "You can't do this! Not after everything we've done! You'll be wasting several decades worth of work!"
"How is destroying the greatest evil of the galaxy a waste?" Nasoth asked.
"But what about the Whills? You've spent all your life searching for them, as did your father and grandfather before you." Sladru sighed as he took Nasoth's hand in his own. "You are the last Alarin, Nas. If you do this, then everything your family's done will be for nothing."
Nasoth was silent for a long moment. He looked from his partner to the artifact to the Sith Temple. Then he cast his gaze to the ground and sighed.
"You're right. I... I don't know what got into me."
"It's the artifact," Sladru said, grimacing. "It's clouding your mind. Maybe...."
Nasoth looked up at him. "Maybe what?"
"Maybe we should get rid of it. It--"
"What?!" Nasoth stepped back from the other Givin, staring at him in disbelief. "Are you crazy? After everything we've done to get it...."
"I know, I know," Sladru sighed. "It may very well be our only lead to the Whills. But if this is the effect it's going to have on you--"
"Just a minute ago you were telling me I was wasting everything my family has done! Now you're suggesting we should get rid of the first thing in sixty years that can help us on our quest!"
"We'll find something else! Trust me! Besides, I've already recruited someone--"
"You've what?" Nasoth's face was a storm of emotions. "You've recruited someone?"
"Yes, a former Sith named Zarin Kal. He's a Kiffar, so with his psychometric abilities--"
"This was supposed to be our thing!" Nasoth exploded in rage. "You and me! No one else! How... how could you...?"
Sladru sighed. "You were always stubborn when it came to involving others in our quest. I don't know how many times I suggested we involve the Guardians on Jedha or even the Disciples."
"You don't understand!" Nasoth snapped. "Those fools were heretics! Unworthy of the Mark! You and I are the only true Seekers! Everyone else is... is beneath us! Inferior!"
Sladru frowned. "That's the artifact talking again. Let it go, Nas. Please, just... let it go."
"No." Nasoth raised the Eye of Kaas, which began to glow red in his hands. "I'm done listening to you. I'm not going to let you stand in the way of my destiny. Not anymore."
"Nas...." Sladru closed his eyes. "Don't...."
The Givin said nothing as he raised the artifact to the sky, red lightning crackling into dark clouds.
* * *
Zarin's hands hovered over the ship's weapons systems, his eyes glued to the scene playing out before him.
On the one hand, he wanted to help Sladru and his partner in their search for the Whills. It was a path light-years ahead of being a Sith and even appealed to him better than the path of a Jedi. Besides, he had accepted the Mark and would be remiss to betray it so soon after receiving it.
But at the same time... if Nasoth proceeded with his plan, it would mean the final destruction of the Sith. Darth Krayt, the Marked Ones, and the others would all be wiped out. The galaxy would never have to worry about them again. Of course, it would also mean Viron and Natia would perish as well...
However, Viron had told him -- in secret -- that he would have been willing to die for anything if it meant the end of the Sith. And Natia... Natia, Zarin feared, was far too gone. As much as he hated to admit it, she was a lost cause.
Returning his attention to the viewport, he saw that Nasoth was raising the artifact to the sky. Red lightning was crackling from it. Zarin bit his lip, unsure of what to do.
Go.
The Kiffar was almost pushed back by the voice's sudden entrance into his mind. "Sladru?" he whispered.
Go, Zarin. Live. Survive. Find the Whills. Our destiny is now yours.
Almost without thinking, Zarin controlled the ship to lift off. Below him, the Givin couple began to grow smaller and smaller.
Thank you, Zarin Kal. Were they both speaking now? May the Force be with you.
The ship had barely reached the atmosphere when a red explosion erupted below....
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