Star Wars: Jarael and Zayne

Chapter Three

Jarael taking the sale for the souls headed back to the ship interior where she found Zayne Carrick putting on a black robe and hood.

"Do you really think that will hide you? Can't they sense your a Jedi?"

Zayne nodded his hooded head as he tucked his brown padawan braid inside it.

"Yes, but I intend to mask my signature with feelings of hate. My quest to avenge my Master will cloak me."

Jarael eyes betrayed concern. She looked at his payday and then back at the Jedi.

"How do you intend to get off world when you complete your blood hunt?"

The Padawan froze and gave a stare that conveyed the deep desolation he felt inside.

"You.. you don't plan to come back at all!"

Jarael did not know why there was angst in her tone. She had only known the Jedi for a couple of weeks during their course to Korriban. And yet he had grown on her, even his monk habit became a happy sight in the mess hall of her ship.

Zayne took his lightsaber and handed it to Jarael.

"Here. Take this. What I am about to do violates the Jedi Code. I don't want the weapon of the Order tainted by what comes next."

The Arkkanian took hold of the metal saber hilt, he matching eyes foxing on it, and then turning to Zayne. She felt s pang inside. What was this? She had enslaved countless souls against their will, but this Jedi was about to give himself over freely. To destroy himself for the affectionate bond he had once held for a Master.

The Padawan took a knife in his hand. He felt the weight of it and the sheathed it. The blade was not for his target, but for himself. He would end his life after avenging his Master. For that desolation even Jarael sensed was growing inside his soul, like a desert expanding across many worlds.

Zayne gave Jarael a slight bow as he exited the ramp of the ship. He stood on the broken black soil and rock which blew in the wind. He could feel strong presence of the dark side, a vergence in the Force.

As the Jedi-Lost left, Jarael felt her heart sink. She pressed the button to extend the ramp back upward, with her on it.