Star Wars The Old Republic: The Jedi Crusader

CHAPTER 2 - TYTHON - GRIEF

"...But most importantly, he was an example to us all. He was the true embodiment of what it meant to be a Jedi. To walk in the light. We can only hope that he is with those who have gone before, now part of the living force. Always with us. There is no death." Grandmaster Satele took a deep breath as she finished her speech before igniting the pyre that set Mervyn's body ablaze. The fire shined in Mara's eyes but also roared in her heart as she clenched her fist, holding in tears as the Tythonian rain trickled down from the dark clouds above. Finally, she'd had enough, and stormed off in a silent, defiant fury. Orgus Din noticed and walked after her.

She came to the council chambers as she flung the doors open and curled her chest down on the table, covering her eyes with her left arm as she slammed her right arm down on the table, sending a shockwave throughout the Temple. She could sense Orgus' gaze on her as she straightened her back, refusing to turn to look at him, however. "What is it, Master Orgus?" Her voice carried some venom alongside the grief.

"I came to see if you were okay." He responded in a calm, soothing tone.

"...I'm fine. Thanks. Was there anything else?" She responded after a few moments of hesitance.

"Well, actually... There was..." Before Orgus could finish speaking, the rest of the Jedi council entered in tow. "No, hold on. I said that I'd speak to her. As we discussed this is a bad idea..."

"Well Master Orgus, we have reconsidered." Master Kiwiks interrupted.

"Indeed we have. Master Mara, we need to know your intentions... as to what you plan to do." Master Tol Braga sounded uneasy.

"We can sense your emotions. You're a wreck. There is no denying that. You are a Master. On the council no less. You are being destroyed by grief in front of the rest of the order and it cannot continue." Master Kaedan snapped.

"Leave her alone, Jaric! She's lost her brother on top of everything that happened in the war! We may be Jedi, but we still have souls. You can't expect her to just pretend like nothing happened!" Telleo quickly responded to Master Kaedan.

"Mara, we just need to know you're okay. You've barely said anything to any of us and we're just worried about you. Not just us, even. The order is too. You're the best of us, and it hurts to see you this way. Please, just... anything." Avo pleaded with Mara as she kept her back turned.

At last, she spoke. "Your concerns are... noted. I'm fine. As to what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna find the Dread Masters, and I'm gonna kill them all."

"You cannot be serious. You won't stand a chance. Not to mention, revenge is not the Jedi way." Kiwiks butted in.

"And what will you do, hm? You will let these murders, these... Monsters... roam the galaxy freely, instilling chaos and dread in every place they venture while we sit with our thumbs...

"Mara... We know you're hurting..." Satele tried to clam her, but it was no use.

"It doesn't matter how I feel. These freaks are second only to the Emperor himself and now they're free. Who knows what kind of damage they'll inflict? We must stop them. Permanently."

"Master Mara... You know as well as the rest of us we do not have the manpower to launch an assault on the Dread Masters. Our hands are unfortunately tied and we are still licking our wounds. It would be best to rest and recuperate for when things inevitably reignite. We need you here, with us for when they do. Mara, as your Master, and as your friend, I am asking you to rethink this course of action." Satele appealed.

"For us to just do nothing is...." Mara paused.

"Say it." Braga insisted...

"Cowardice."