What Could Have Been Part III: The Destined Warriors

Temptations

Luke

You didn't have to strangle the guy.

But he did. And as Luke ventured farther into the city of darkness, no matter how many deep breaths he took, he couldn't make his hands stop shaking.

He hadn't killed Barnabas. The lizard-like pirate was breathing when he left. He hadn't killed him. He just hurt him. He hadn't killed him. Hurt him very badly. He hadn't killed him. He hadn't killed him.

But you could have.

But I didn't.

But you could have.

I didn't kill him.

Rationalizing. He was getting dangerously good at it. His head felt muddled with anger and regret and... and fear. Luke disliked the word, but he couldn't ignore the fear swelling in the pit of his stomach. What if he wasn't strong enough to defeat the Sith on his own? Leia wasn't here to help him. His father wasn't here to save him. He was alone.

No. No he wasn't.

It felt like the shadows were creeping up behind him. They were stalking him like wild beasts and he felt an awful lot like a defenseless Shaak calf. It wasn't just the shadows though. Now it was his surroundings. In the center of the city, a magnificent palace sat in front of him. Expertly carved stone pillars stood over him so that he couldn't see where their tops were. The lack of moonlight hid where weak rock had been worn away from the castle but Luke could feel how old it was. The structure had seen years of war and peace and rebellion and finally deterioration. Although years ago, the place would have been home to a king, the only word that came to Luke's mind was...

Tomb.

Go.

I can't.

You have to.

Was it normal to hear voices in your head? They were his own, but Luke still felt as if he wasn't by himself. Someone was closer than he wanted to believe and although every bone in his body wanted him to turn around, Luke Skywalker stepped into the tomb.

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Hallways.

Lots and lots of hallways.

As Luke explored the halls of the silence filled palace, his footsteps began to feel heavier. Louder. Each time his boot hit the stony floor, its echo spilled into the lifeless void of vacant corridors. The walls returned the fading footsteps to him just in time for his next one to repeat the process over and over again. With nothing and no one to hear or simply absorb the sound, Luke began to feel even more lonely than he had before.

I feel your fear, boy...

Luke's blood turned ice cold. Midas. He was in his head. He was close. A rush of adrenaline urged him to draw his saber. The blue glow of his blade cast his shadow against the wall as his eyes shot back and forth, looking for any signs of the Sith lord.

What it must feel like to be so completely and utterly alone...

Luke gritted his teeth. The only thing more dangerous than Midas' strength was his ability to manipulate. He had to stand guard both physically and mentally if he was going to resist him. "I've grown stronger since the last time we met, Midas. I can defeat you!" he seethed.

Oh you don't want to defeat me. You want to join me.

Luke tightened his grip on his lightsaber. His shadow flickered beside him as the weapon trembled in his hand. He told himself over and over that it was all a mind game. That none of it was real. That it was all in his head. That he wasn't afraid. "And what makes you think that?" he asked defiantly before pivoting on his heels to stare into the darkness around him. He couldn't figure out were Midas' presence was coming from. He seemed to be nowhere.

Because I'm the only one who can make you the most powerful Jedi to ever live. You and your sister may both be powerful, but let's face it; There can only be one number one. That can be you, Luke. If you'll join me...

A laugh formed in the back of Luke's throat. "I'm not foolish enough to give into jealousy. My sister and I are a team and I won't betray her. That isn't the Jedi way," he declared proudly. Midas didn't have the upper hand on him. He could defeat him. He could win without Leia. Without anyone else.

But you see Luke, Leia is on her way now. She is coming because she doesn't think you can defeat me. She doesn't trust you...

Luke swallowed hard. Was Leia really on her way? Maybe she was. But that didn't mean she didn't trust him. She just wanted to help.

She is ruthless! She will kill me and then you too! It was her plan all along. She wants the power all to herself.

That wasn't true. Leia would never- Luke couldn't imagine she would ever-

But the dream.

The dream where Leia had become the Sith. Where she had betrayed him. What if it came true? What if his sister was already lost to the Dark side?

Ah yes. You sense it too. Your premonitions do not deceive you. She will betray us both if we do not act quickly. We must eliminate her. Yes, yes, you must join me...

"But," Luke stuttered. "She's my sister. I can't..." His mind was growing hazy. He couldn't think straight. "I can't hurt her."

Your vision! Remember your vision! She is the enemy now...

Luke felt his body going numb. His lightsaber fell from his hand and deactivated itself as it clattered to the stone floor. The echo rattled the hallway in every direction and darkness encased the young Jedi. "Don't make me kill my sister..." Luke begged. "Please. You have to do it. I can't... I can't..." He felt tears burn his eyes as the memory of his dream invaded his thoughts. His sister was gone now. He really was alone.

She is too strong for me. But... I know someone who will give us the power.

Luke finally lost his balance and dropped to his knees. He could only feel his head lulling back; his neck feeling too weak to hold up his tortured mind. "Who has that kind of power?" he asked in horror of what he was going to have to do. He would be the one to slaughter his sister.

My old mentor. Of course, for the power to be transmitted, a ritual must be done and well...

Darth Midas chuckled gleefully, but Luke wasn't as eager to hear the condition he was about to offer.

For an exchange with one from beyond the Force to take place, a meridian must be fabricated between our two worlds. To do that, I will need a living vessel to act as the channel. I do hate to ask this of you...

Luke could now feel the full presence of the Sith. He wasn't just in his head anymore. Luke was afraid to ask, but helping Midas was the only way to make things right.

"What do you need from me?"

"Your blood."

More soon! Happy cliffhanging everyone!