Wrath of Trandosha

Chapter 13 - Teth

The Quadjumper descended into Teth's atmosphere, travelling at it's usual insane speed, they burst through the heavy cloud cover. Suddenly and without warning an imperial Star destroyer appeared in front of them, its huge triangular shape blocking their landing, Valon pulled up narrowly missing the back of the command bridge. The Quadjumper soared over the tall table top mountains, landing on the monastery's landing platform, Valon and the others were shocked to see the Empire here however keir did mention it was free from Hutts. They exited the craft, gasping at the valley below, not only did it have beautiful purple trees, it also had two gigantic star destroyers and a whole city that seemed constantly under construction. 

"Your father didn't tell us about the empire!" accused Valon.

"Just be thankful that there's no hutts Sir, we're not exactly favoured by them after Poytta." explained Reg.

"Ugh I don't see why I have to go to a monastery, I was perfectly happy on Naboo." Joi complained, she looked alot like her father but her voice sounded young and feminine. She was twelve from what Keir had told him. 

"And you Joi, should be glad you have a loving father." said Valon, reminded of his lack of a father figure.

They twisted around, turning their attention, to the huge fortress in front of them. The abbey was quite large, it had a high stone wall surrounding a thick tower, with a sloping roof that ended at a point. In the compound were several smaller building and four smaller towers stood tall around the outer wall. Three Worshipers came through the entrance, strolling gracefully towards the three travelers, they wore long white and grey robes, with enormous hats placed upon their heads. 

"Greetings traveler what brings you to our humble monastery?" asked the centre nun, a human women who was slender, standing with rigid posture. 

"I've have brought my friends child to live and learn your ways, amongst your congregant.

"Say your goodbyes and follow." said the nun, walking off, her two hand maidens tailing shortly behind.

"Valon please, don't leave me here." her six big eyes began to cry. 

"You must go but you're not alone and your father will be back soon." said Valon hugging her, she hugged him back tightly. 

"Aw!" she recoiled her thumb bleeding slightly, a stinging sensation shocked her. 

"Oh sorry, must have been my nail, i'll see you again i'm sure." 

Valon walked back to Reg, they both ascended the ladder leaving Joi behind, she was still crying while looking out over the mountains, observing the distant city. She sighed, trudging towards her fate, or so she thought. Valon sat with Reg in the cockpit, staring at the small blood sample, he had taken from her thumb. He closed his eyes, focusing, he knew his master had guided his towards this purpose but at the time he did not understand why. 

"Hey Reg think you could scan her blood for high indications of midichlorians?" asked Valon.

"Yes Sir but -"

"Just to it we don't have long."  Valon interrupted.

"They are most certainly above average." said Reg after completing his diagnosis.

"Good job bud." he said tapping the droid on his cold metallic shoulder with approval.  

Valon climbed down the ladder, then sprinted in the direction of the massive tower, he saw Joi her melancholy face, disappearing into the shadowy doorway. He ran to the door, it was locked behind her, his heart sank, he felt something dark. Forcing the door open, Valon stepped swiftly, trying not to draw attention to himself, the stairway stretched down into the mountain endlessly. It was poorly, lit and cold, Valon could smell something fall with the depths of this place.  Finally he reached the bottom, the winding stairs, led to a large room, with huge stone pillars lining both sides, Joi stood solitary at the far end. 

"Joi!" Valon shouted.

She turned to face him, a grim, terrified look lurked in her eyes. 

"Help me!" Joi screamed. 

"There will be no hope." the matriarchs face was bitter, spitting her words in a chant. 

"Join me sisters!" she continued. 

A roar thundered from behind him, he looked around, two decorated stone doors opened up, releasing a foul stench of rotting flesh. His heart raced at the sight of a gigantic jungle Rancor slowly pacing towards him, it had a sharp Beak, brightly colored skin, infinite shell, orange and gray spines leading down its entire body, webbed fingers with dagger like claws and a seemingly keen sense of smell as it snorted deeply at Valon. He removed his cloak preparing for battle, behind him the nuns began a rhythmic chant, their words travelled around the room like smoke, entrapping Valon.

The Rancors arm swept down, claws ready to impale, Valon jumped, avoiding its attack. He ran up its muscular arm, reaching its shell, he slid over the top, igniting his lightsaber so that it cut through the Rancors soft neck. The Monster screamed, letting out a deafening roar, Valon jumped again, bouncing off one of the pillars and landing in his original place. The Rancor charged, slightly stumbling as it did so, Valon waited for it to get in range, then stopping it with the force, he plunged his lightsaber deep inside its thick skull. It was dead. 

The high priestess who led the chant, stopped abruptly, gasping at Valon's surprisingly fast victory. He turned towards the semi-circle of nuns, with Joi standing nervously in the middle, as he approached the high priestess grabbed Joi. She held a jagged knife to her throat, with every step Valon took,  she jerked it closer to Joi's neck. The nuns continued chanting, even louder, the tempo becoming increasingly quicker. 

"Don't come any closer!" shouted the priestess. 

"We've been in a similar situation before, haven't we Joi." joked Valon, nodding her the signal to act as she did before. 

"You promised me the girl, she will be a great sacrifice to our Gods!" exclaimed the panicking women, who was ignored by Valon. 

"Now!" shouted Valon.

Joi slammed her elbow into the women's liver, then darted away to safety, the nun spluttered and coughed, disabled by the blow. Valon force pulled her towards him, she flew across the dark hall, hitting his saber. Her body lay on the cold stone, severed at the waist, her white ceremonial robes, now doust in crimson blood. Joi ran into his arms, embracing her rescuer. Suddenly the mountain began to shake, a rumbling sound emanated from the large stone doors, a purple cloud filled one half of the room. it looked as if it had a face, big yellow eyes and a menacing grin descended on the nuns corpse, the cloud of purple devoured her, the smoke shrouding her body and consuming her flesh. 

"I think it's time to go!" Valon grabbed Joi hoisting her towards the spiral staircase. 

"Uh - i agree." she said running up the stairs followed by Valon, both of them determined to reach the edge. 

The stairs behind them began to collapse, falling into oblivion, the two ran faster, but the deep purple cloud that collapsed the mountain, closed in. Every step was destroyed, getting closer and closer until Valon had to do something, the light of the entrance way shone a ray of sun directly into his eyes. He force pushed Jois body out of the door, she rolled across the floor. Valon launched his body up, grabbing the door way with one hand while the rest of him dangled into the dark abyss. Joi ran over, with all her might she pulled him above ground, the two sat outside the wide tower, catching their stolen breath. 

The mountain began to shudder again, the lower part, far down by the violet jungle started to cave in. the mountain was falling. Valon and Joi ran to the Quadjumper, their legs almost giving in, climbing the ladder, they dropped to the crew quarters, exhausted. 

"Reg, get us out of hear!" yelled the Jedi struggling for breath. 

"On it Sir." he replied moving to the controls. 

The landing gear scraped the platform, as they pulled away, the four engines, were pushed to their limit. Valon and Joi joined Reg sitting behind him, they looked out the spacious view port, seeing the old Teth monastery crumble in a cloud of violet. Dust flew high into the sky, from the wreckage of the cursed fortress.