The Temple

Many things in the universe are hard to explain. The force for one. Where is it? Where did it come from? Is it sentient? Other mysteries too, like the bond between twins, or that between father and son.

Dian'jie looked out over the ruins of the Jedi temple with mixed emotions. Why on earth had he chosen this place to follow the councils instruction in taking the young initiate Palmailda to be his padawan. Like many things in his life, the force had much to do with guiding his decisions. Whether or not that was actually true, Dian'jie didn't know, but he liked to think so.

The heart of the Jedi Order, on the capital Courscant. Sacked. Dian'jie shook his head in bewilderment. Even a little bit of him even admired the sith for such a bold, brazen attack.
"It worked" he muttered under his breath.

In the silence and shadows of the temple ruins he waited for Palmailda to appear. He closed his eyes, breathed deep. Relaxed.
Smells changed. The smell of burning flesh. Faint sounds of screams, shouts slowly became louder. Dian'jie opened his eyes and his jaw dropped at the sight he saw. He saw Jedi charging the Sith, a melee playing out in front of him. Dian'jie moved to act...but nothing happened. He just stood from the above levels, watching the heroic Jedi master Zallow fall, and then as if the will to fight had been sucked out of the remaining jedi, they were slaughtered. Even those that surrendered, knowing the fight was lost, were cut down.

Now emotion came to Dian'jie, one of rage. Intense burning rage. Not raw emotion, but focused. Controlled and focused with deadly intent.

To his left a red glow appeared and a green one of a double-bladed lightsaber arose, deflecting the blow. An action he was a part of, but not his own. The following blow came way too fast and accurate for the sith to defend. A blow that even Dian'jie couldn't replicate. The sith's head rolled on the ground, giving a sense of gratification.

"Master Dian'jie" came a faint inquiry. The image of the battle faded as did it's sounds and Dian'jie opened his eyes.
"Master Dian'jie are you ok? Palmailda inquired yet again.
Blinking Dian'jie shook his head, "Yes, yes, fine, just having...memories I guess" He knew they were memories, but not his, and they seemed so real.
"The council have deemed that I be your master. Be warned, to accept this may challenge your beliefs and change your future."
"Yes master, I understand"
Very well. Look out and what do you see?
"The ruins of the Jedi temple master."
"No, you see the handiwork of our enemy. The sith. They show no mercy, no restraint and can attack at any time Even here. As Guardians in the order, we must be first to act. To protect those under our charge. Do not hesitate if you wish to be my padawan:
"I think I understand master, but should we try to first find a peaceful solution?"
"Let's take a walk" Dian'jie responded avoiding the question.

As they walked through the ruins Dian'jie mind began to wander again. The smells and sounds of battle, faint, but still there. Some visions came to him to...like one eye is in the present and the other recalling the attack on the temple.
"Master" Palmailda whispered to Dian'jie "who is that?"

In this place, some 30 years after the Sith attack...they had returned. Meditating not 50 meters from their location was undeniably a Sith.
The rage, not his own, burned in Dian'jie. How dare sith return to this place.

"Attack her" Dian'jie spat between gritted teeth.
"Master, shouldn't we try peaceful means first?"
"Do you hesitate guardian?"
"Very well" Conflicted but obedient Palmailda attacked. The sith acoylote unprepared for the attack was on the defensive and her training was no match for that of Palmailda's. The fight was short, one sided and the end came so suddenly that Palmailda was not given the opportunity to offer the Sith the chance to surrender.

"What have I done" Palmailda lamented.
"What needed to be done, no more. If she was truly a force adherent, she is now one with the force. At the least, she is free of the torment her masters put her through"
Palmailda nodded her agreement, but inwardly not convinced.
"Kneel Palmailda and rise as my padawan"

From the dark shadows higher in the ruins another figure smiled.
Nicely done my son. Nicely done.


And a shout out to Dominae'flor who was present at the temple and witnessed the whole thing too :sick: