FORSAKEN II - Eternal Dawn

CHAPTER TEN

A Delta-class T-3c shuttle, the Night Dagger, approached the rust-hued world of Dorin, flying into Dor'shan—the planet's capital. The shuttle folded its long wings upwards to land outside a four-story stone ziggurat that darkened in color toward the top. The temple was surrounded by smaller buildings and was protected by a polished transparisteel wall. Karabra descended from the Night Dagger with thirty exobogans marching behind her.

Dressed in brown robes, Master Soro Tau—a member of the native insectoid species known as the Kel Dor—sat in meditation atop a temple, in his austere private chambers under the amber lights of crystals shining in the ornate lamps on the walls. The stones chosen for the ceiling were meant to glimmer like sky, in contrast to the brown permacrete floor, which matched the surface of the planet. In their natural environment, the Kel Dor didn't need the breathing mask and protective goggles that made them stand out when travelling throughout the galaxy.

A small chest was positioned in front of Master Soro. He and the other masters had seen the events that were about to unfold a long time ago. They knew the Empire would come for them once the Jedi Order fell. They had taken steps to preserve their ways. Those left at the temple were aware of the part they had to play. Adhering to their beliefs, they knew of the futility of attempting to escape the outcome, but that didn't mean they couldn't influence the path that would ensue.

Soro Tau contemplated how the Force stemmed from all life in the universe, connecting everything in existence. From time immemorial, sentient beings have found ways to bond with and channel this power to achieve extraordinary feats. In reality, these innumerable dogmas allowed their practitioners to get closer to nature, not above it. They became an enlightened part of the great design of the cosmos. For the Kel Dor, this relationship manifested in the order of the Baran Do Sages.

The defenders of their home planet, the Baran Do used their precognitive talents, which they used to advise their homeworld leaders to avoid natural disasters, wars, and other dangerous situations. By being prepared, the Kel Dor minimized the potential damage and benefited from their awesome might. They surrendered themselves to the will of the Force, seeking to harmonize with the flow of the elements, and act use their clairvoyance to act at the right place and at the right time to prevent undesired consequences.

Karabra used the Force to lower the temple's wall. As she approached the blackstone entrance—meant to represent the two black holes flanking the planet— of the main building with its towering white columns, seven Baran Do warriors wielding staffs came out to challenge them. The silver irises of their black eyes were a sign of their connection to the Force. They spread out, forming a living wall, and assumed fighting positions.

"What right does the Empire have to dare defile the sanctity of the Baran Do temple?" said the female Kel Dor at the center of the group.

"Defile?" Karabra's white eyes glared at her. "You must be mistaken. I'm here to slaughter you." She ignited both blades of her lightsaber and the Exobogans readied their double vibro-arbir blades.

In his chambers, Master Soro's attention continued to focus on the future, as Karabra and the Exobogans slew their way the temple, floor by floor. The present—what little remained of it—was of no concern to the Sage. The fundamental question the Baron Do Sages had always wrestled with was the existence of free will. How can there be choice when the Force willed everything?

Their opposition butchered, Karabra approached a wooden double door. She sensed someone strong with the Force on the other side. Master Soro opened his eyes when Karabra walked in.

"You have come for the artifact," he said calmly.

"You must be its guardian," said Karabra.

"I am. Among other things. I have been waiting for you."

"Grab your weapon."

"I don't need one. I've seen where this path leads; conflict would be futile."

"And what do you see, monk?"

"Your future, Karabra Lobrajj. In the place that exists everywhere and nowhere, where time converges and ceases to be; you unlocked your life's purpose—what the Force wills for you. At the Splinter of the Mind's Eye, you sought to gain the power to destroy your enemies, a decision born out of fear and confusion; rather than choosing healing and freeing your spirit, which is what you yearn the most."

Although hearing her former name angered Karabra, the knowledge the Kel Dor possessed about her surprised her. "Your tricks are not going to save you, Sage." She fired her lightsaber.

"Death is just an aspect of nature; only those who fail to understand that, dread its calling. All I humbly ask is to be allowed to join with the Force in the same way in which I served it in life, by offering counsel."

"Speak."

"You have my gratitude." Master Soro bowed his head. "To get what your Master desires, join the former allies you have been tasked to kill. For they are the key to unlock that which you need." He motioned toward the chest with both hands. "Take the Kazerath. It has been waiting for you."

Karabra used the Force to summon the chest to her. Inside, there was a black, metallic sphere the size of a fist with a series of red patterns marking its surface. Both the dark and the light side of the Force radiated from it. Karabra wondered how the Baron Do Sages managed to acquire such a unique Force artifact. It didn't matter; it was hers now. And soon, it would serve as the key to acquire unlimited power and eliminate everyone who stood on her way.