Silent Reckonings [Yord Fandar x OC]

Chapter 27

Elara's eyes widened in shock as Master Sol and Master Norin positioned themselves beside her, their own expressions mirroring her confusion. The forest was tense, the air thick with the remnants of battle and the ominous presence of the Sith.

At that moment, the reality of her father's identity hit her, leaving her stunned and vulnerable. The weight of his words, the revelation of his connection to her, overwhelmed her senses. Her lightsaber, once a symbol of her training and resolve, now felt like a fragile shield against the deep-seated fear and betrayal coursing through her.

Master Sol's gaze was sharp, his focus unwavering as he assessed the threat. Master Norin, equally stubborn, stood by Elara's side, his presence a steadying force. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the aftermath of the battle leaving a quiet yet intense atmosphere.

The Sith, his helmet reflecting the faint light, maintained a menacing calm. His voice, distorted and mechanical, carried a chilling certainty. "So, the Jedi have come to your aid, Elara. How fitting."

Elara's mind raced, grappling with the shock of her father's identity and the implications of his presence. She struggled to steady her breathing, her grip on her lightsaber tightening as she prepared for the inevitable conflict. Her father's words echoed in her mind, adding layers of emotional complexity to the confrontation.

As Master Sol and Master Norin prepared to engage the Sith, the reality of the situation set in. This was no longer just a battle between Jedi and Sith; it was a personal struggle, one that reached deep into Elara's past and tested her resolve in ways she had never anticipated.

The Jedi were ready, their determination clear as they faced the Sith. Elara, standing among them, braced herself for the confrontation. The forest was silent but for the occasional rustle of leaves, the tension palpable as the two sides prepared for what would be a crucial and emotionally charged battle.

The fight for survival and the quest for answers had only just begun.

The clash of lightsabers echoed through the dense forest as Master Sol and Master Norin engaged the Sith in a fierce battle. Elara, her face set in determination, stepped in to aid the two masters. The air crackled with energy, each strike and parry a testament to the intensity of the duel.

For a moment, the fight paused, with Master Norin and Master Sol in an en garde position on the left side of the Sith, while Elara stood on his right. The sudden arrival of Yord, Jecki, and Osha added a new dynamic to the fray. Osha, gripping Yord's blaster, looked on with a mix of concern and determination.

"You have decided to fight your father, Elara?" the Sith's mechanical voice cut through the chaos, his gaze fixed intently on her.

"I don't have a father," Elara retorted, her voice firm as she charged at him. The Sith's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise before he met her attack head-on.

The battle resumed with renewed ferocity. Master Norin, taking Elara's place, continued to battle the Sith with skillful precision. Elara, undeterred, joined the fray with brutal and unorthodox swings, her strikes matching the Sith's in intensity and speed.

Midway through the conflict, Master Sol shouted to Yord. "Take Osha back to the ship! We need to handle this."

Reluctantly, Yord and Osha retreated, their faces etched with worry as they obeyed the command. The intensity of the battle escalated as Padawan Jecki faced Mae, who had been handcuffed but was now a critical factor in the unfolding chaos. Jecki's duel with Mae showcased her formidable skills, wielding two smaller blades with impressive agility.

Sol rejoined Jecki, their combined efforts finally managing to damage the Sith's mask. The impact of the battle revealed the Sith's true identity—Qimir, the apothecary from the shop, the one Osha had encountered.

Qimir's revelation sent shockwaves through the group. He had been moments away from delivering a fatal blow to Jecki when Elara, consumed by a fury born from betrayal and unanswered questions, intervened. Her lightsaber struck with renewed force, her anger driving her strikes.

"Why did you leave us? Why did you hurt my mother?" she shouted, her voice echoing with the weight of her emotions. The intensity of her attacks forced Qimir back, staggering him as he struggled to defend himself.

Sol demanded answers from Qimir, his voice tinged with authority. "Who are you? What are you doing with the Force?"

Qimir's response was cold and calculated. "Jedi like you might call me... Sith. I seek the freedom to wield my power as I see fit, apart from your Jedi constraints. Mae betrayed me, and now that you've seen me unmasked, I cannot allow any of you to live."

As the battle raged on, Yord disobeyed Master Sol's orders and re-entered the fray. His intervention, however, was met with immediate retaliation from Qimir. The Sith's strike was brutal, cracking Yord's arms and sending him to the ground. The Sith loomed over him, poised to deliver a fatal blow.

In a moment of raw, destructive fury, Elara tapped into the Force. She pushed Qimir with all her strength, sending both Yord and the Sith flying in opposite directions. Yord landed with a painful thud on the left, while Qimir crashed to the right, temporarily disoriented.

The Sith's red lightsaber clashed against Elara's light blue one with a force that nearly threw her off balance. Despite her relentless efforts, the dark energy emanating from the Sith seemed to overpower her. With each clash, Elara's strength waned, the exhaustion from the intense battle and her use of the Force taking a heavy toll.

"Your Jedi teachings won't measure up to the power I can offer you, Elara," the Sith taunted, his voice cold and unfeeling. His blade pressed harder against hers, forcing her into a precarious stance. "Come with us."

Elara's breathing grew ragged as she tried to keep her footing, her strikes becoming less coordinated. She stumbled back, the weariness from the relentless fight and the strain of the Force finally catching up to her. Her vision blurred as she fell to the forest floor, her lightsaber slipping from her grasp.

The Sith loomed over her, his red blade casting an ominous glow on his masked face. Master Sol, his gaze locked on Elara's desperate struggle, surged forward with a burst of speed. Channeling the Force, he reached out to momentarily restrain the Sith's hand, creating a brief but crucial window of opportunity for Elara. With a swift motion, he ignited his lightsaber and engaged the Sith in combat.

The Sith, momentarily thrown off balance by the Force's intervention, quickly countered, their dark blade clashing against Master Sol's lightsaber with fierce intensity. The two combatants resumed their deadly dance, their sabers meeting in a flurry of blinding strikes and parries as the battle raged on.

Unbeknownst to the combatants, Osha's handheld droid was positioned strategically in the foliage behind the Sith. The droid had inadvertently attracted a swarm of aggressive moths from the trees, their buzzing a growing, unnerving presence. The Sith, momentarily distracted by the fluttering insects, was caught off guard as the creatures swarmed around him.

The Sith's irritation turned into shock as the moths began to cling to his armor and helmet. He swatted at them in vain, but the insects, drawn by the droid's signal, were persistent. The Sith's frustration mounted as the swarm grew more intense, their numbers overwhelming his attempts to fend them off.

In a surprising turn, the Sith was lifted off the ground, the moths' collective buzzing creating a chaotic cloud that dragged him into the sky. Elara watched in astonishment as the Sith struggled against the insects, his red lightsaber flickering and his movements becoming erratic.

Master Sol, seizing the opportunity, rushed towards Elara. He reached her side, his face etched with determination and concern. With a swift motion, he helped her to her feet and checked her condition.

"We're getting out of here. Let's go" Master Sol said firmly, his voice steady despite the chaos.

Elara nodded, her exhaustion temporarily forgotten as the adrenaline of the situation took over. Master Sol guided her away from the battlefield, his protective presence a reassuring anchor.

As they retreated, the Sith, still entangled in the swarm of moths, struggled to regain control. The forest echoed with the sounds of battle and the Sith's frustrated roars as he fought to free himself from the pestilent onslaught.

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Author's note:
We love the father-daughter bonding they had.