Misplaced In The Force

Chapter 5

Kylo POV -

The snow covered the speeders almost as soon as we parked them at the entrance to the old temple that was hidden in the frozen cliffside. I had been here many times before when I brought the Knights to see if they would connect to any of the crystals hidden in the depths. Only two had any kind of connection and had bled their own Kybers for the lightsabers I had them forge in secret.

"You really feel a Force signature other than these damn birds?" Ap'lek grunted as he led the way forward toward the hidden doors.

"Yes," I answered him through the comms in our helmets as I reached out to pinpoint the new Force signature that had suddenly shown up on Ilum under the old Jedi temple.

"How the hell can you tell the difference?" Ushar stomped up on my right side and I glanced over at him to take him in.

Ushar was the youngest of my Knights and the newest member since I had taken command of them six years ago. When I had killed their previous master and taken control a different man had worn the mask to my right. But now Ushar wore that mask and although I could feel the distress from my other five Knights I also felt their acceptance of their new brother. He had much to learn but was eager to learn it and was attentive when the others gave him any kind of instruction.

"He can tell 'cause he's the strongest one of us in the Force." Cardo moved up beside his brother as he laid a hand on his shoulder and Ushar turned to Cardo as he spoke. "So when he says he can feel someone it's best to listen and watch him work."

"But how can you feel them?" Ushar's helmet turned back to me and I could sense his curiosity along with a desire to understand the Force more. "I can't tell the birds from us."

"It takes time to learn." I chuckled as I patted Ushar's shoulder closest to me. "In time you will come to understand the Force better but like most of your brothers your presence in the Force is weak due to neglect and lack of training."

"So does that mean I can never bleed a crystal?"

"Not necessarily." I paused as we came to the cave opening.

"Master, there are small footprints mixed with the snowfeathers' and they look like they head deep into the temple." Ap'lek turned and faced me as he gave me the needed information.

"Whoever is in here is most likely not a threat to any of us but still be prepared and ready to kill them if need be." I followed my Knights forward as Ap'lek continued to lead the way and the others followed.

I surveyed the temple once we were inside, looking for any sign that it had been disturbed. I was always in awe of the structure that was over twenty-two millennia old and had only fallen out of use in the last century. The massive crystal above the center of the room still hung intact and the relics that scattered the walls and floors had not been disturbed either. But I felt the Force pulling me like it hadn't since I had found Ushar dying on Geonosis almost two years ago.

"Kylo!" Trudgen's deep voice shouted out and echoed around the round room with a bass that none of the other Knights had to their voices.

"What?"

"This hole is new. Someone must have fallen through it." Trudgen pointed to the ground and I approached the new well on the floor.

"Well, shit." I sighed and glanced down the hole as I stood on the edge. "Run a line and plant stakes. Cardo and Trudgen stay up here we don't all need to get lost in the dark. The rest of you with me."

I watched as Trudgen and Cardo planted stakes at the top of the slanted hole that resembled a slide. Ap'lek pulled out the rope and clipped it to the eye of the stake before beginning to descend into the crystal caves below. Vicrul and Kuruk went next and then Ushar followed quickly behind them.