*Zion stood out the front of the remains of an old Jedi Temple. It had taken Zion 12 months to finally track Yahweh here; the pursuit had taken him across several planets, before finally arriving on Coruscant.
Zion himself had changed much in the last year, his hair and beard having gained some grey streaks through his black hair. His face had also become more well defined. A side effect of his great sense of loss and pain which had caused his usual 35 year old look to take on a slightly more mature look.
Zion pushed the two doors open, the doors grating on their hinges from years of abandonment. Zion walked through the main entrance hall of the temple and out to a large open roofed training field, which Zion suspected had once been enclosed. He looked around and found Yahweh sitting at the top of the far stand of seating. Yahweh examined Zion from a far*=Yahweh=
So we meet at last, Zion, son of Sam and Louisse Morviael. I must say, looking at you, I would be hard pressed to imagine you defeated my disciples and took apart that group of criminals on Alderaan.
=Zion Morviael=
Looks can be deceiving, a fact which many before you have learned too late.
=Yahweh=
Yes, I am sure that would be the case. You are a lot like your father, to be sure. But I would imagine you are like your mother as well.
=Zion Morviael=
So you knew my parents?
=Yahweh=
Indeed, but that is a story for another time. I would imagine you are here to fight me…
=Zion Morviael=
Exactly! I shall have my revenge for the pain you have caused me and for the deaths of my family and friend!
=Yahweh=
Strong words coming from you boy! Neither your father nor Steve could beat me, what makes you confident you can?!
=Zion Morviael=
My father and Steve fought you?
*Yahweh could sense Zion’s confusion as he force jumped off the seating bank and landed on the field opposite Zion*=Yahweh=
Yes, many a year ago. It doesn’t surprise me they didn’t tell you. But once again, a story for another time.
*Yahweh pulled out his lightsaber and ignited the darkish blue blade. Zion stared at Yahweh and pulled out his own lightsaber as he ignited the silver blade*=Zion Morviael=
Let us fight!
=Yahweh=
Let’s make it interesting, no armour and no extra weapons!
=Zion Morviael=
Very well then!
*Yahweh took off his robes and threw it onto the steps of the seating bank. Zion meanwhile removed his armour, robes and weapons. Placing them in a pile near the entrance he came in through, before facing Yahweh again. Zion looked down at the jaggered scar that ran down the length of his entire left arm, wrapping around it. His right arm bore a cut across the outside of his upper arm. While across his back was a straight line scar. Meanwhile a twin scar line came from his right shoulder down across his right pectoris muscle. While a short twin scar line ran over the back of his left shoulder blade. He also still bore a scar across the right side of his mouth. All had been marks from battles and adventures in ages past. Each one had a story which Zion could remember as clear as day.
Yahweh studied Zion’s scars, rather impressed with them all. Yahweh’s body was almost spotless, but he too had been in many a battle, like Zion*=Yahweh=
I see you have ventured into battle without armour before!
*Zion smiled at the compliment. Zion then spun his lightsaber around, getting ready for combat. Yahweh did the same as Zion as they began to circle each other. Zion moved first, followed by Yahweh. They closed in on each other before parrying each other’s strike. They jumped back from each other, before Zion spun around, striking at Yahweh’s side, which Yahweh blocked, before pushing the blade away and swinging his saber to slash at Zion’s chest. Zion leapt back before ducking down and slicing at Yahweh’s legs. Yahweh leapt backwards and then used a force push on Zion. Zion moved backward with the force push, using its momentum to help him stand up, twirling his saber again before taking up the Soresu stance. Yahweh smiled as he took up the Ataru stance*=Yahweh=
I see your skills in libero corsa are coming in handy for you…
=Zion Morviael=
There isn’t much you don’t know about me, is there Yahweh?
=Yahweh=
I like to keep track of targets of note, we Jedi have done it for thousands of years!
=Zion Morviael=
You are a fool to think you are still a Jedi! What sort of Jedi orders assassinations on innocent civilians and harmless girls?!
=Yahweh=
I have upheld the light side of the force far longer then you could believe boy! None who died were harmless or innocent!
=Zion Morviael=
Then you are no different to those on Alderaan! Believing your views and goals to be right and justified!
=Yahweh=
Never compare me to such filth!
*Yahweh charged forward, bringing his saber out to strike at Zion’s left side. Zion stepped forward and parried, swing his blade up from underneath, pushing Yahweh’s blade up into the air, before slicing down across Yahweh’s chest. Yahweh jumped back as he clutched at his chest, the scratch burning. Zion brought his blade diagonally across his chest in a defensive position. Yahweh then performed the Makashi salute. They then charged at each other, before parrying several of each other’s strikes, their blades blurs of movement as they clashed in the air. Zion and Yahweh separated, catching their breath*=Yahweh=
You would have made a fine ally.
=Zion Morviael=
I doubt it! I am not as twisted as you! Now let us end this!
*Zion and Yahweh then charged at each other, blades drawn back. They then both used force speed as they drew close and made a strike at one another. They then slid to a stop opposite their starting positions, holding their blades out in front of themselves.
A couple tense minutes passed before Yahweh let out a groan and feel forward. Zion stood up, deactivating his saber and placing it on his belt before walking over to Yahweh. Yahweh rolled over onto his back as Zion knelt next to him*=Zion Morviael=
You fought well, old man. Now you may at last escape the evil.
=Yahweh=
Where did it all go so wrong?
*Yahweh then looked into Zions face and more so his eyes. Zion could see Yahweh remembering something*=Yahweh=
You have your mother’s eyes and her kindness. Only she would be able to forgive me after all that I did. It was my feelings for her and jealousy of your father that lead me astray. I loved your mother almost as much as Sam did, but she chose him. A right decision on her half in retrospect.
=Zion Morviael=
Your jealousy turned to anger and corrupted you, didn’t it? You wanted revenge on my father. But in doing so, you would have killed the memory of my mother.
=Yahweh=
Aye. My mind became twisted and I thought I was doing the right thing. Now I am free of such a curse. Hopefully I will be forgiven in the afterlife for my mistakes…
=Zion Morviael=
You will just have to go and see.
=Yahweh=
I am sorry for all the pain and loss I have caused you… It is a terrible toll that I cast on you… No one should have their family ripped from before their eyes like you…
=Zion Morviael=
Perhaps not… But what happened, happened. Now pass on Yahweh and be joined again with your relatives.
*Yahweh released a final breath as Zion closed his eyes, saying a quick prayer for Yahweh’s safe passage into the afterlife. Zion then stood up and went over and put his gear back on. Zion then pulled some wood together around Yahweh’s body before setting it on fire, burning Yahweh’s body, as was the Jedi way.
Zion then walked out of the temple; whereupon he got onto the speeder bike he borrowed and headed back to the city. It was all over at long last. Now Zion had to decide what he was going to do, for at long last he was no longer being pursued. Zion knew that there was plenty of time to decide what he would do as he rode off away from the temple, for there was still places to explore, people to meet and items to gather**…It had been a long road, but I had finally gained my freedom. But it had come at the cost of those I loved and cared for. I could no longer look upon the faces of my sisters as they fussed over my latest injury, nor could I recount adventures with Dario, nor spar with Ryo and Steve, nor could I invent anything new with Paul. But the greatest loss was that of my parents, who’s pride in my growing up I would never know.
But in my quest for my freedom, I sometimes wonder, did I have anymore right to live then those I killed? Was my right to live any greater than that of those who died? Even though their intentions were wrong, should I perhaps have tried to save them? Or was their only chance of salvation through death?
They are thoughts I do not dwell on. For I must live my life to its fullest and try make myself worthy of those whose lives were sacrificed.*
Wed Jan 04, 2012 11:51 pm