Darth Tyrant: Fallen Peace

chapter 12

Dathomir was a swamp of red and black. The thick fog was tainted red by the sky. Both day and night proved difficult to tell apart, for the sky was always red. The flora was a collection of black shadow's in the mist. As the ship dipped down the tall mountains seemed to become the most colorful thing on the planet. The black climbed up in a colorful gradient to a dark red, red, light red, and finally a salty pink too.

Cro Dell put the ship to cruise. He turned to face the right side of the ship, staring over Mail he almost froze. Mail noticed. "What's wrong?"

Cro Dell seemed hesitant to answer. "I sense a presence here. A familiar one. Ahhh yes, my Padawan." Cro Dell sensed Mail's termoil. "Astrie was reposted to the Seige of Geonosis. He isn't here."

Mail exhaled slowly, calming herself. It had been about a month since she last saw him. Though she longed to see him again, she knew that her emotions towards him were deadly. She knew the Jedi code, and she knew her feelings were a weakness. "Thanks," was all she said to Cro Dell with a nod.

Mail could hear the unique sounds of blaster fire and lightsabers. The screams echoing from the enclave sent chills down Mail's spine. She could feel the dark side at it's upmost powerful here. "What's in there?"

Cro Dell gave an easing smile. Or at least a facial expression close to one. "Fear is a natural emotion, just don't hesitate. When you know what you need to do, do it."

Mail only nodded as she entered the cave. The Red Witches were easy to slice through, though they proved difficult to hit. By the time Mail and Cro Dell had reached the main room, which already held combat, she had already killed 13 of them, and him 3 times as much.

Opening the door to the second room Mail stared out at a Bith, a Togruta, a Human, a Kaleesh, an Umbaran, and a Cathar known as Curiy. Mail saw as the Umbaran stepped forward, and with a well timed pivot, punched the chin of a Red Witch snapping her neck. As Cro Dell re-drew his lightsaber, the Witch's body grew living again. Mail lunged forward, in sync with Cro Dell, and plunged her lightsaber in it's chest cavity. At the same time Cro Dell's blade glowed as he flew into a spiral. His lightsaber slashed through a green spirit like nothing. Walking away from her kill the Umbaran leaped on top of the witch's body and pounded his fists into her face.

Cro Dell greeted his Padawan and the Human. Mail instead used this time to bully someone. "Who's the Kalesh?" Purposefully mispronouncing it to form a slur in his language.

The Kaleesh stared at her. "My name's-" New prey caught Mail's eyes making her wonder.

"Oh, another useless alien. What a surprise." Mail spoke harshly.

"Ah, Mail! How's Astrie, oh that's right, I spent time with him last." Curiy smirked.

Mail pulled Curiy close, leaning in she grabbed her back. "You'll leave him alone. Or the empire won't be the only thing hunting you. You're a vior to your race. I hope your death is a sad one, just like your family's." Mail whispered something to Curiy, then leaving Curiy in shock, walked away.

Curiy stared back to her group. "Come on. Let's get going."

As Curiy left Mail and Cro Dell walked twords the protected door. Cro Dell carried the body of the Red Witch. "What's the dead body for?"

Cro Dell looked twords Mail. "She's not dead yet." Mail's sheer look of confusion made Cro Dell. "The body is dead, but the spirit isn't. As you know the body and the spirit are one, never to leave each other unless they become one with the force."

Mail just nodded as Cro Dell place the body in the green central fire. "What now?"

Cro Dell laughed. "I don't know, I didn't think we would make it this far." He stepped forward and started to chant. Black lightning burst from his hands striking the green fire. Intermingling they took the color of black. As the fire roared the witch's body screamed.

Mail became hesitant to ask Cro Dell anything. "Well I'm just gonna walk back over here."

Winds howled as a chilling voice started to call out. "I, Darth Hades, am currently busy torturing other mortals. Go to what Astrie calls Xenostis. There is a temple, and there all your questions will be answered. Just bring my Holocron." The wind blew out the fire.