Out of Time [Star Wars Story]

30. Ghosts in the Temple

Overgrown with life, the shattered remnants of the temple on Tython seemed almost like a sunlit wonderland to Lorash as she approached with Vori, not at all the place of doom and gloom she had expected for a trial. "What is a vergence?" Lorash asked quietly.

"Areas strong in the Force possessing rather peculiar qualities. Many amplify or distort Force powers, sometimes allowing Force sensitives to hide themselves even from the most expert searchers. One such vergence is how I survived the purging of the Order," Vori said quietly. "I used to delve into many old ruins in those days and encountered many such things. I was fortunate enough to be in one when my execution was ordered, a place where I could not be easily found or followed. No two vergences are the same, but they are places of great importance to the galaxy and offer insights, clarity, and sometimes even glimpses into the future or the past. This one was used to test potential jedi, a final set of trials left over from the most ancient days of the Order."

"What will I see?"

Vori shrugged a little. "We all carry different shadows, Lorash. I expect that you will see both your greatest fears and your greatest desires as temptations that might lead you astray."

"And how will I know if I have succeeded?" Lorash asked.

"You must conquer the darkness within yourself one way or another. You will know if you have failed in that task," Vori said firmly as he came to a halt at the edge of the steps leading into the ruin. "I will await you here."

Lorash nodded and turned to face the temple steps, double-checking to make certain her lightsaber was secured at her belt. She doubted the vergence would be a place of physical danger, but anything was possible. She climbed the steps, aware of the Force's pull around her intensifying as if she was wading into deeper and deeper water. As she stepped inside the ruined hall, Nabeila stepped out of her.

I will go no further. This trial is for the initiate alone. Remember the Code's mantra, Lorash. Let it serve as your guide. You will need it to balance you here. Nabeila offered her a small smile. If you are successful, I will have a gift waiting on the other side.

"Where is the vergence?" Lorash asked nervously.

You must cross the temple complex, which has become a vergence in its totality. Then you will pass through Knight's Door and follow the Path of Martyrs around the eastern side of the temple back to Vori, as so many jedi before you once did. I will await you on the other side of that door. Remember: through the Force, all things are possible. Even surmounting this. You need only surrender to its will instead of your own.

Lorash nodded, taking in a deep breath to calm her anxiety. There was no place for fear in the heart of a jedi. It was the pathway to darkness more certainly than perhaps any other emotion. She advanced into the ruinous temple.

The Force surrounded her like a cleansing flame, burning with intensity on contact. It was very much the opposite of what she'd encountered in the ruins with Seia and the sith relic, but that didn't make it any less painful. Her whole body started to burn with pain as she walked forward, as if entering a crucible. Lorash let tears drip down her face even as she focused on her breathing. She could endure physical pain. It was only her body. The further she pushed into the main hall, however, the hotter the invisible flame. Soon she was crawling instead of walking, her muscles quivering and quaking as her nerves spasmed. Tears blurred her vision, but she stopped when she sensed a familiar presence, a raging maelstrom of Dark Side energy in the center of the fire.

"Seia," Lorash gasped out, looking up through the blur. "Please, it hurts."

That dark, resonant chuckle surrounded her with its warmth and Seia reached down, pulling her up. She looked healthy and whole, far from the dream vision she'd seen. "Let me help you, asha," the sith purred, slipping arms around Lorash's waist and pulling her close.